The Church at Brook Hills

Brook Hills College – Blog

1. Affirming yet Undermining the Authority of Scripture

   September 30, 2009 by Britten Taylor

   Can a person who affirms the truthfulness of Scripture undermine the authority of Scripture?

   According to David Nelson (Senior VP for Academic Admin at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) …ABSOLUTELY!

   Below is an outline from Dr. Nelson’s sermon he preached a few weeks ago at SEBTS. He gives 4 ways we can (or possibly do) undermine the authority of God’s Word.

   1. Make loud claims about the inerrancy of the Bible, and then fail to teach it all.

   • We say we believe the Bible, and even read the text…and then we will say what we think with little or no reference to the text.

   • Proverbs 18:2

   • If it is your intentions to express your opinions, then don’t read the Bible before you say it.  Just tell them this is your opinion, instead of suggesting what you say is in the Scriptures.

   • Be careful about saying you believe something, and then treating the Bible differently.

   2. Insist that what is not in the Scripture is in the Scripture.

   • We cling to a dogmatism about certain beliefs that are at least in dispute among Christians throughout the ages

   • This is where we take a 3rd order doctrine and move it up to the 1st order and demand adherence to it, otherwise you will be claimed unorthodox

   3. Neglect to teach what is in the Scripture, or fail to give it the proper emphasis in the Bible

   • If we are committed to the authority of Scripture I submit we will spend less time bickering over obscure issues and more time learning how God desires to turn the world upside down for the sake of the Gospel by the ministry of the Holy Spirit…to do otherwise may well undermine the authority of Scripture

   4. Make loud claims of the authority of Scripture and then fail to live a truly Christian way of life.

   • We need to do more than affirm the Scriptures.  Though we should do that, we need to treasure it, preach it, and live it.

   I took 2 semesters of Systematic Theology under Dr. Nelson at SEBTS and remember sitting in his class begging God to give me the wisdom and insight that I saw displayed in his life and teaching.  I saw a man who diligently and passionately pursued conformity to the Bible.

   May God grant us the grace to not just affirm the inerrancy of Scripture with our words. I pray that the way we approach it, treasure it, study it, live it, and reproduce it will display to the world that the Word is all together True!

   If you are interested in watching the sermon, it is embedded below.

   Category: Gospel, Uncategorized Comments (0)

2. Unreached People Group: Bedouin

   September 28, 2009 by Britten Taylor

   

   If you were at College Worship Gathering last Thursday then you heard our pastor David Platt plead with college students to spend their one life for the sake of the nations, and specifically the unreached peoples of the world.  In his sermon he mentioned the unreached people group called the Bedouins.  Their name is not unfamiliar to us who have been around Brook Hills for any length of time.  They are prime examples of why we need to aim every ounce of our resources and efforts toward accomplishing the mission that Christ has entrusted to us- “We glorify Christ by making disciples of all nations”.  Below is some information regarding this unreached people group from Joshua Project.

   The traditional homeland of the Bedouin is the Arabian Desert in the Middle East; however, some groups have migrated into northern Africa. The Chaamba Bedouin live in the central area of Algeria, in the regions known as El Golea and El Oued. These regions lie on the northern edge of the Sahara Desert.

   The Bedouin fall into two basic social classes. One class is known as the “true” Bedouin, and they live as nomadic shepherds. The other group has embraced farming and is known as the fellahin. The fellahin lead a more settled life on the edge of the desert. In contrast, the “true” Bedouin have been known for raiding any caravans that cross their paths while journeying across barren deserts. They move into the desert during the rainy winter seasons and back to the desert’s edge during the hot, dry summers. Most of the Chaamba Bedouin are of the fellahin type and live in the fertile regions bordering the desert. They speak Badawi, or as it is more commonly called, Bedouin Arabic.

   What Are Their Lives Like?
   In general, the Bedouin have a relatively harsh existence. Those who live as nomads have no permanent homes, but live in portable, black tents made from woven, goat hair. The tents are divided by a decorative partition called a gata. Half of the tent is for the women, children, cooking utensils, and storage. The other half contains a fireplace and is used for entertaining. The women do most of the work, while the men socialize and make plans for the group.

   Dairy products are the main food source for the Bedouin. Milk from camels and goats is made into yogurt and a type of butter called ghee. Most of their meals consist of a bowl of milk, yogurt, or rice covered with ghee. Round loaves of unleavened bread are also served when available. Dates, which can be found in desert oases, are eaten for dessert. Meat is only served on special occasions such as marriage feasts, ceremonial events, or when guests are present.

   To endure the extreme heat of the desert, the Bedouin wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. It is very loose-fitting, allowing for the circulation of air. It is designed to cover the entire body except the face, hands, and feet.

   Although the Bedouin once considered it degrading to have manual labor jobs, this has changed somewhat in recent years. Due to the need for better health conditions, more money, and better living conditions, some have accepted wage-paying jobs. However, most of them still despise this type of work.

   What are their beliefs?
   Almost 100% of the Bedouin in Algeria are Malikite Muslims. Islam is based on the teachings of the prophet, Mohammed. The Koran (“holy book” of Islam) was supposedly given to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel.

   Islam is a religion of works that is centered on five basic teachings or “pillars.” (1) A Muslim must affirm that “there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.” (2) Five times a day he must pray while facing Mecca. (3) He must give alms generously. (4) He must fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year. (5) He must try to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in his lifetime.

   Islam has greatly influenced the lives of the Bedouin. For example, to preserve their people, the Bedouin are only allowed to marry those inside their own group. Also, the society is patrilineal, which means that inheritances are passed down through the males.

   What are their needs?
   “In most interpretations of Shariah, conversion by Muslims to other religions is forbidden and is termed apostasy. Muslim theology equates apostasy to treason, and in most interpretations of shariah, the penalty for apostasy is death.” (Wikipedia) Perhaps this explains why there are so few known Chaamba Bedouin believers in Algeria at the present time.

   Evangelization efforts among the Bedouin are challenging due to the harsh nature of their lifestyle. There is a great need for a strong Christian witness among the Chaamba Bedouin.

   Prayer Points
   Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to reach out and share the love of Christ with them.
   Pray that God will raise up faithful intercessors who will stand in the gap for the Bedouin.
   Ask God to strengthen, encourage, and protect the few known Chaamba Bedouin believers living in Algeria.
   Pray that their traditional Muslim culture will soften, creating open doors for the Gospel to be preached among them.
   Ask the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of the Bedouin towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
   Pray that God will reveal Himself to them through dreams and visions.
   Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Chaamba Bedouin.

   Text source: Bethany World Prayer Center © 1999.
   Used with permission from Adopt-A-People Clearinghouse

   Britten

   Category: Mission, Uncategorized Comments (0)

3. 0.000927%

   September 27, 2009 by Britten Taylor

   

   There is no easy answer to these questions, but hopefully they will spark a desire in you to right the wrong.

   How in the world did we get where we are as it relates to us getting the Gospel to the nations, keeping in mind Jesus gave the Great Commission to His followers, telling us all to “make disciples” of all nations (literally “all peoples”)?

   How could we get so side tracked, considering almost immediately out of the start gate the Apostle John gave us a glimpse of eternity?  He could not have been clearer that God’s goal is for ALL peoples, not just those that look like us, talk like us, and live like us- to hear and embrace the Gospel.  Revelation 7:9-10, “After this I looked a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes, and peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothes in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”

   Honestly, I have a hard time understanding it.   Getting off track is one thing, but seriously- it is difficult to imagine we have missed it this badly.

   My intent is not to bash, or crack. My goal is not to sit in my office and take a whack at American Christianity. You don’t need me to point out all the ills of our church culture.  I think any serious reading of the Word will lead anyone to scratch their head as they take a look at Americanized Christianity. And on top of that, most reading this blog sit under David Platt weekly, which equals you seeing this massive issue exposed through the preaching of the Word on a regular basis. My sole intention is to bring to your attention the troublesome reality that we are seemingly focused on most everything, but the one thing Christ commanded.

   To prove my point- I just came across something that was beyond comprehension.  Mind boggling.  Nauseating.

   • 1,480,000,000 (billion, in case you are wondering) people have NO access to the Gospel, none.
   • 0.000927 % of the Global Church annual income goes toward getting the Gospel to those who have NO access

   Let that sink in.

   If you think Brook Hills is talking too much about the nations, too much about global missions, and too much about unreached people groups… 0.000927% of our (Global Church) annual income is going to those who have never heard and presently have no chance to hear. So do you think we are a bit off course?

   Piper says it this way, “Three billion people today are outside Jesus Christ.  Two-thirds of them have no viable Christian witness in their culture.  If they are to hear – and Christ commands that they hear – then cross-cultural  missionaries will have to be sent and paid for.  All the wealth needed to send this new army of good news ambassadors is already in the church.  If we, like Paul, are content with the simple necessities of life, hundreds of millions of dollars in the church would be released to take the gospel to the frontiers.  The revolution of joy and freedom it would cause at home would be the best local witness imaginable.” Desiring God, pp. 166-67

   There is little doubt that we are off track.  And I thank God for men like John Piper, and our pastor David Platt who are sounding the alarm and calling us back to a biblical expression of the local church- that is a church that burns for ALL peoples to cry out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb”

   Stats were found here and here.

   Britten

   Category: Mission, Uncategorized Comments (0)

4. Catching the newbies up to speed…pt1

   September 9, 2009 by Britten Taylor

   One of the difficulties I have found in College Ministry at The Church at Brook Hills is the guaranteed, 100% turnaround of students every 4yrs (give or take a year or two depending on the student).  Each year I see a large chunk of the ministry graduate college and move into the next stage of life.  This is bitter/sweet in so many ways.  Bitter in that they are no longer in college ministry, sweet in that so many of them move into roles across the world with influence aimed at impacting nations with Gospel of Christ.

   Also, each year we see 100s of new faces from all over the country come to The Church at Brook Hills for the first time as they move to Birmingham to pursue a college education. Here in lies the difficulty- so many of our students year-in and year-out were unable to sit under the preaching of the Word during key teaching series. They were unable because they were living in a different zip code, and that equals many students needing to catch up on some foundational teaching series at Brook Hills.

   Let me give you an example of what I am talking about-  It is not uncommon for those at Brook Hills to use the word “radical” in a sentence in a very peculiar way. I have heard each of these phrases recently-  “No, I cant do that tonight. I am going ‘radical’!” and “Are you serious? Is that ‘radical’?”.  Now for anyone who has joined The Church at Brook Hills in the past year, they can only imagine why this word is used so frequently in conversations regarding various topics such as dinner, vacation, buying a house, upgrading your phone, fixing a broken AC in your car in the middle of August, etc. If you are confused, this post is for you.

   So in an effort to get some of you rowdy college students up to speed on some of the jargon, and more importantly for you to be able to see a biblical picture of why we do what we do and why do it the way we do it, I am going to point you to several key teaching series throughout a series of blog posts.

   First up, I offer you one of the most influential teaching series in the history of The Church at Brook Hills (click the image below).

   “Follow Me: What does it mean to be a disciple and make disciples”

   

   Britten

   Category: Mission, Uncategorized Comments (0)

5. Fill Us Up – Send Us Out

   September 3, 2009 by Britten Taylor

   Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

   Matthew 9:38

   I read today that there are around 220 Muslim peoples around the world with over 100,000 members each that have no local committed Christian witness. No witness. No local church. No church-planting efforts. Nothing. The report goes on to add, there are no known believers who are specifically planning to take the Gospel of the Kingdom to them.

   Below is a listing of some Muslim peoples over 100,000 without any known Gospel witness.

   Saho of Eritrea – 211,000

   Maraikayar of India – 127,000

   Mawalud of India – 1,161,000

   Nikari of India – 151,000

   Pashtun of India – 13,282,000

   Thulukkan of India – 269,000

   Asahan of Indonesia – 541,000

   Bangka of Indonesia – 340,000

   Belitung of Indonesia – 100,000

   Gayo of Indonesia – 300,000

   Kangean of Indonesia – 1,100,000

   Takistani of Iran – 330,000

   Afshari of Iran – 1,230,000

   Khorasani Turk of Iran – 832,000

   Seraiki of Pakistan – 17,854,000

   W.Baluch of Pakistan – 1,261,000

   Burig of Pakistan – 474,000

   Kho of Pakistan – 314,000

   Kolai of Pakistan – 410,000

   Awan of India – 618,000

   Chhimba of India – 1,047,000

   Kamboh of India – 1,525,000

   Kunjra of India – 1,601,000

   Makhmi of India – 499,000

   Mappila of India – 9,635,000

   Kerinci of Indonesia – 260,000

   Lembak of Indonesia – 120,000

   My prayer for our College Ministry and The Church at Brook Hills as a whole- Fill us up and send us out LORD!  I am reminded of Carl Henry’s quote, “The Gospel is only good news if it gets there on time.”

   And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

   Matthew 24:14

   Britten

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