Jerry Falwell, RIP May, 15, 2007

Jerry Falwell bore witness to some fundamental truths that run counter to the materialism of secular modernity and the relativism of secular post-modernity. He did this by virtue of who he was first as a Christian, and secondly as one called to preach the Gospel.

Whatever you may think of his theology, methodology, or politics, these things are true and remain as his legacy. The fundamental truth he bore witness to is that God is there, and He is not silent.

Falwell's witness that God is there ran counter to materialistic modern secularism. There is in that witness an implicit assertion that man's reason can only go so far, that there is truth existing beyond the comprehension of human reasoning.

Falwell's assertion that this God has also spoken objectively in time and space ran counter to the existential epistimology of secular post-modernity.

Jerry Falwell, as all true Christian Pastors and Preachers are, was at heart "counter-cultural". Yes, some of his politics, theology, and methodology may have clouded that witness at times, but stripped bare of those failings we all share with him as a redeemed, but not yet fully redeemed people, his minstry and life bore witness to those fundamental truths of our Christian faith.

"Well done good and faithful servant..." RIP

~ The Billy Goat ~

Notes on II Timothy 2:19b


1. The seal on the foundation

A verb form of this word is used to describe the sealing of the tomb of Jesus. Matthew 27:66

This same word is used in reference to the 7 seals in the book of Revelation.


2. The twofold inscription on this seal

A framework for understanding the two fold inscription.

God → (Mystery) ← Man


The first part of the inscription: God intimate knowing His people.

The OT background: Genesis 4: 1, 17, 25 (See also I Peter 3:7)
The word “know” describes the marriage union.

The NT References:

Matthew 7:22-23, John 10:14, 27, (See also Romans 8:29)


The second part of the inscription: The response or responsibility of God’s people.


They call on His name. Romans 10:13, Matthew 28:19

They depart from unrighteousness.

Depart – The aorist form of the verb used here is “apostato” i.e.: “apostate”. Hebrews 3:12

Unrighteousness - The alpha privative is prefixed to a word to negate it. “a-righteousness”.

How do we “apostate from a-righteousness”?

Titus 2:11 – Focus on God’s grace. “The grace of God has appeared…. teaching us that… we should live… righteously..”

I John 1:9 – Appropriate that grace in our lives. “..He is faithful… to cleanse us from all “a-rightousness”…”


These are my notes from a recent SS lesson I taught when filling in for the regular teacher. Our SS class is going through II Timothy.

~ The Billy Goat ~

Servant Leadership: An Excerpt from a Note to a Friend

"I have had occasion again to ponder the matter of servant leadership, and can only sadly conclude there is to little of it in this world...

We had occasion this past month to see servant leadership in action at WCBC. For some time the church has been looking at expanding and building some more much needed space..... We were asked to carefully consider giving a pledge to the project. Pledges were anonymous, you indicated what you thought you may be able to give, but no names anywhere on the cards turned in.

As it was, the amount pledged was inadequate for the building under consideration. There was no "exhortation" to "give more" and etc.. as is all to familiar in to many churches in this situation. Pastor very gently and quietly explained what the pledge results were, and the leadership took that voice of the congregation as God's way of telling the church they needed to reconsider the plan. The leadership clearly respected the voice of the congregation and did not try to lord if over us to keep the original plan going... We were asked to fill out another anonymous survey to give some indication of the factors affecting how much we had pledged. The leadership acknowledged Michigan's economy is headed for the tank, and other reasons for the low response were not a matter of "right" or "wrong"......

You probably have some idea what it is like after the church we came out of, to go to a church where the leadership has consistently demonstrated respect for the congregation, and how easy that makes it for the people to respect the leadership in return...."

Jesus reigns!

~ The Billy Goat ~