An Issue Worth Blogging About, Part 2

DISCLAIMER:

The following views are mine and are not meant to reflect the views of anybody else involved in Bezeugen Ministries.

To sum up my thoughts on this whole Mark Cahill "situation"...

Should Jon Speed have posted "an open letter to Mark Cahill" in which he urged Mr. Cahill to repent of his sowing of discord among the brothers?

Yes, he should have. It's a good thing.

For those who disagree with how Mr. Speed handled this situation, let me ask you this...

Suppose that you and I are friends as well as being brothers in Christ. When I'm around you, I'm quite the jovial chap and I always try to be positive and encouraging to you (just like K-LOVE!). You always appreciate how I treat you when we're around each other.

Then, one day, you learn that--privately--I have been telling other Christians that you worship a false god and you preach a different Jesus than the one in the Bible. You find out that I have been doing this for a period of time. You are stunned upon finding this out because I never--to your face--told you that I believed such things.

Wouldn't you want to know if I was doing such a thing to you behind your back? And when you found out, wouldn't you be Biblically justified in confronting me about it? And shouldn't you warn your brothers and sisters in Christ about me if I were behaving in such a manner? And wouldn't it be especially important to make my behavior public if I was involved in a very public ministry?

Proverbs 6:19 tells us that the LORD hates the sowing of discord among brothers. Mark Cahill's behavior is doing damage to the body of Christ. It gives me no pleasure to state this. I have been an admirer of Mr. Cahill for quite some time, having read "One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven" and recommended it to many of my Christian friends. One strange aspect of this entire story is the fact that Mr. Cahill uses many quotes by Charles Spurgeon in his book, and Spurgeon is well-known as a staunch Calvinist! It wouldn't take but some surface-level research to learn that Pastor Spurgeon was a "5-pointer."

So for those who disagree with what Mr. Speed did in posting his open letter and cutting ties with Mark Cahill, I can only wonder what you would do in the same situation.

Contrary to how this entire affair is being constructed, this is not just another Calvinism/Arminian debate.

We can have that debate. In fact, might I humbly suggest that we absolutely MUST have that debate.

This is not a tertiary issue like whether or not we should sprinkle water on babies. Nor is it a third-tier issue like whether or not the 1000 years is literal or not (it's not literal, by the way ; )).

This is about the GOSPEL. And we definitely should have this debate. For those who don't like the word "debate," then call it a "discussion." Call it whatever you like, but we need to determine what the Bible teaches about the sovereignty of God in salvation and then GO WITH IT.

We need to preach the Gospel APOSTOLICALLY. If our gospel preaching doesn't line up with the teaching of the apostles, then we need to drop it.

I am speaking first and foremost to myself here. I have been convicted of some sloppy preaching myself in the past.

The unashamed worker is the worker who RIGHTLY handles the word of truth. The major problem I have with Arminianism is that those particular doctrines simply do not rightly handle God's word.

The challenge I would put forth to those who find terms like "election" and "irreistable grace" distasteful is this:

Search the Scriptures, and if these teachings are plainly spelled out in Scripture, then change your tastes.

Personally, I don't think that all Arminians worship another god and a different Jesus. Some certainly do, and those who have slipped entirely into the heresy of Pelagianism are indeed believing in the "contrary gospel" of Galatians 1.

So, if you're Arminian and you're reading this, I'm not automatically assuming that you're an idolater.

And if you're reading this and you find youself disgusted with the entire concept of labels such as "Calvinism" and "Arminianism," let me explaint to you why I have no problem calling myself a Calvinist.

I consider it a "shout-out," if you will, to our church fathers. To call myself a Calvinist simply means that I want to acknowledge those early theologians who worked so tirelessly and devoted their lives (some even unto a painful death) to the advancement of sound doctrine and the preservation of God's word.

Sound Biblical doctrine is not something to be downplayed, discounted, or distanced from.

In fact, those who refuse to learn and practice sound doctrine need the Law in order to show them their sinfulness.

"Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
(1Ti 1:8-11 ESV)

Those who persist in teaching false doctrine should take note that the Scriptures describe them in graphic terms...

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
(1Ti 6:3-5 ESV)

The qualifications of an elder--qualifications that every Christian man should strive to live up to--includes this...

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
(Tit 1:9 ESV)

As Paul instructed Titus, so we in ministry should take heed to this instruction...

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
(Tit 2:1 ESV)

That is why we need to keep discussing Calvinism/Arminianism. Through this discussion, we can clarify our doctrine. We can explain our positions and make them known. We can hold each other accountable for what we are learning and what we are then teaching to others.

May God grant me the grace to be teachable.

Pray for Mark Cahill. Pray for all of those who are so quick to dismiss the importance of sound doctrine. Pray for those who hold to a "love at all costs" mentality in the Christian community.

We are taught that we need to love sinners enough to tell them the truth, and that is true.

We also need to love our brothers enough to hold each other accountable to a Biblical standard.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Keep on proclaiming...

- Shane

An Issue Worth Blogging About, Part 1

DISCLAIMER:

The following views are mine and are not meant to reflect the views of anybody else involved in Bezeugen Ministries.

Okay...I admit it. I am not a natural "blogger." I began this website in hopes of getting the word out about our local evangelism efforts. I also wanted to use this blog as a springboard from which to launch my opinions onto the internet because, y'know, the internet needs yet another opinion posted somewhere (rolls eyes).

But, alas, I have not been doing a very good job of keeping the blog updated. Our street evangelism is a regular, weekly occurrence (most of the time we're at Bricktown, occassionally we'll make it over to Campus Corner at OU), and--as always--local Christians are more than welcome to join us as we preach the Gospel on the streets.

I have--finally--updated this blog because there is an issue currently swirling about in "street evangelism" circles. Other men whom I respect as mature brothers in Christ have addressed this issue and--while I do desire to make my thoughts known--I fully realize that my voice is but one of many. Either agree or disagree at your own leisure.

The "issue" has to do with what is quickly becoming a dirty word in evangelicalism. Let's face it, this word has always carried with it major baggage and has given well-meaning Christians fits for a long time.

The "issue" is Calvinism.

Already I can only imagine many eyes are simultaneously rolling at the mention of the dreaded "C" word. "Not THIS topic again," many may bemoan.

Trust me, I feel your pain.

However, I am going to charge ahead where angels fear to tread and address this issue because I am noticing that there is some possible "muddying of the waters" of doctrine afoot here (note that I said "possible"), and I want to make it clear where this particular street evangelist stands.

In short...I am a Calvinist.

It's even worse. I'm an unapologetic Calvinist.

When I say "unapologetic," I'm not just referring to the substance of the five points of Calvinism (total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistable grace, perseverance of the saints); I am referring to the use of the label itself.

"So what's the big deal," you may ask. Why would I come out and actually bother to update my blog in order to share with you the fact that I am an unapologetic Calvinist? Is this supposed to be news that somebody should care about?

Well, I think so, but you'll have to make the final call on that one.

I bring this entire topic because of this...

AN OPEN LETTER TO MARK CAHILL

Click on the link, and you'll see that a highly respected evangelist believes that the Reformed doctrines of Calvinism are totally and completely untrue.

So somebody disagrees with Calvinism. Now that is definitely not news.

But Mr. Cahill goes further than simple disagreement. Mr. Cahill has been telling people that Calvinists worship a different god and different Jesus. You know, like Mormons. Or Jehovah's Witnesses. Or Muslims.

So...apparently, to believe in the Jesus of John 6 is to worship a different Jesus.

Apparently, to believe in the God that Paul teaches about in Romans 8 is to believe in a different god other than the God of the Bible.

Okay, then. That nonsense aside, I wanted to address some misconceptions that Mr. Cahill mentions in his email (the email that Jon Speed has been getting so much grief for posting publicly, but more on that in Part Two).

Here is how Mr. Cahill views Calvinism and--probably not a surprise to Christians who call themselves Reformed--he misrepresents what the doctrines of Calvinism actually are.

"If you believe that God has in eternity past unconditionally elected certain people to go to heaven and unconditionally rejected certain people to go to hell; if you believe that Jesus died only for the sins of the elect and not the sins of the world; if you believe that man cannot choose this day whom he will serve; then yes, you and anyone else is believing in a different god and a different jesus [emphasis ours]. You are entering into Galatians 1 territory."

Misrepresentation - God "unconditionally rejected certain to go to hell." God has elected certain individuals unto salvation (beginning with the nation of Israel, then read through to Romans 9, paying particular attention to how Paul makes the case for election). However, if it is true that "the soul that sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4) and that the "wages of sin are death" (Romans 6:23) then how exactly would it be that God "rejects certain people to go to hell?" If truly "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23) then people are going to hell because they have broken God's law, not because they were "certain people rejected" by God "to go to hell."

We as evangelists know the "bad news" that is inherent in the "good news" of the Gospel. We preach to people on the streets every day...in different locations...in different langauges.

The "bad news" is that "all have sinned." The bad news is that "the soul that sins shall die." A person's sins (culminating in the sin of unbelief, which the condemned die committing) is what consigns them to the lake of fire.

Is it a "different god" that teaches that sin is deserving of death?

"if you believe that Jesus died only for the sins of the elect and not the sins of the world..."

Okay, Mr. Cahill does state this accurately; this is not a misrepresentation, per se. However, this position needs an explanation and there is a explanation to be had.

We know that when the term "world" is used in the New Testament, it doesn't always mean "every person who ever lived in the entire world."

See Luke 2:1. Also Acts 17:6. Also Colossians 1:6.

Notice 2 Corinthians 5:19...

"that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."

If God was "reconciling the world to himself" and "the world" always means "every person who ever lived in the entire world," then God would be reconciling every person who ever lived in the entire world to Himself.

So that would mean every person who ever lived in the entire world would be saved, correct?

No.

The Calvinist believes that when the term "world" is used in relation to God's saving power, it carries the meaning of not all people everywhere, but a people made up of people from every tongue, tribe, and nation.

Another interesting point to consider...

Mr. Cahill seems to believe that Jesus died for the sins of everybody who ever has been and who ever will be in the world. Yet I know that Mr. Cahill doesn't believe in universalism, and yet universalism is the natural conclusion one should reach if one believes in a "universal atonement."

Simply put, if Jesus died for everybody, then everybody will be saved.

But the "universal atonement" advocate would say "ah, but those who reject Christ will keep himself/herself from appropriating the blood of Christ that was shed for everybody."

So--in effect--the "universal atonement" advocate believes that Jesus Christ died for the possibility of salvation. His atonement didn't secure any particular souls; His atonement only provided the possibility that all souls might be saved. The final choice, they say, would be the individual's.

The huge problem with this belief is this...

Let us assume that this is correct, and Jesus died for the possibility of salvation.

What if everybody who ever lived and everybody who will ever live actually rejected the offer of salvation?

If everybody who ever lived and everybody who will ever live rejected this offer, then exactly who did Jesus die for?

Nobody. His atonement would be completely and utterly ineffectual for everybody.

Think about this for a moment. It is quite possible--given the "universal atonement" advocate's paradigm--that the individual can freely reject God's offer of salvation even though Jesus Christ supposedly died for sinners.

And yet if every sinner were to reject God's offer, then how could it be said that Jesus Christ died for anybody????

Christ said in John 10:15 that He lays down His life for the sheep. Is the entire world the "sheep?"

If that's that case, then who are the goats (Matthew 25:32-33)?

Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:25 that Christ gave Himself up for the church. Is the entire world the "church?"

Christ died for His people. And His people are from every corner of the world.

TO BE CONCLUDED...

Blessings in Bricktown...

Last Saturday evening in our fishing hole--Bricktown--was an evening of blessings. Brady, Trisha (his wife), and Roger joined me and the crowds seemed smaller than usual. I had bought the new "Einstein" sign from Living Waters, so I decided that this night would be a good time to break it out and make use of it.

Trisha informed me that she had invited her best friend from high school to Bricktown that night. This friend was married to a Pastor, and they were actually bringing their entire youth group to Bricktown to observe us and help us hand out tracts. This group had just attended the local Youth Evangelism Conference in Norman, and--apparently--they were ready to actually do some evangelism. Praise the Lord!

The Pastor and his youth group were unfamiliar with The Way of the Master, which is where Brady and I got our training to do street evangelism. They had never seen the use of the Law in evangelism, nor did they have any first-hand experience with open-air preaching. Those kids were extremely helpful in handing out Gospel tracts, and they also provided us with a good audience as Brady and I took turns preaching the Gospel by the fountain.

I have to admit, I was experiencing some disappointment that night. I had invited several Facebook friends to join us for Bricktown evangelism, and nobody was interested and/or able. Still, I was grateful that we were still able to meet in our usual spot. When that large youth group arrived and was ready to help, I was GREATLY encouraged. To see young people flooding the streets, gospel tracts in hand, was a wonderful sight to behold.

Another encouraging fact was that we were able to preach up by the fountain that night and didn't meet with ANY resistance from the local police/security. Even better, the fountains were TURNED OFF that night, so--with our amp--we could actually be heard all the way around the fountain.

Finally, I was very much encouraged by the presence of Roger Pigg. He attends Graceway Baptist church (my former church). He is a retired school teacher and is wanting to redeem the years of his retirement. He has joined us several times out on the streets. He always keeps a stack of tracts in his shirt pocket, and he's always looking for the next conversation to have with people. What a joy to see an older man of God wanting to use his free time to further God's kingdom and to obey His Great Commission.

Please pray for me specifically as I ponder how exactly I will establish a regular presence on the University of Oklahoma campus this fall. There are prime times to do open-air preaching, and I would need to get off work for those times. I would appreciate prayer for wisdom and discernment as I make preparations.

My family and I have recently started attending GracePointe Baptist Church. We are very excited to have found a church that is 100% Reformed and 100% evangelistic. The Lord is moving in a mighty way in that church. Please add GracePointe to your prayer list! The Pastor's name is Jeff Brown.

Until next time, keep on proclaiming...

- Shane

Bricktown Update

Another night in Bricktown.

We currently have an active evangelism ministry in Bricktown. We meet every Saturday evening for the purposes of handing out tracts, having conversations with individuals/small groups, and preaching the Gospel in the open air.

I am going to attempt to write up a short blog summarizing each Saturday night outreach.

Tonight, our team was able to pass out many tracts (which contain the word of God, which will NEVER return void--Isaiah 55:11). Many people take them. Some people don't. God decides which ones will receive one and which ones will brush them off. To God be the glory.

We were also able to have quite a few conversations with folks. These conversations ranged from good (Marcos and Daniel, two young men who listened intently and then shared their concerns) to altogether hostile (Brady had a conversation with an angry man who thought street evangelists were wasting their time in Bricktown because "Jesus died for everybody therefore everybody is saved"--he might want to read the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:13).

We were also quite excited because we found a new preaching spot. The local bar across the canal had a live band playing which--for the most part--drowned out our preaching (even with our amp) in our usual spot. We walked a little further down and found a great little spot where our voice echoed off the walls on either side of the canal. We were told that we could be heard on the upper levels by the fountain (which--if you're familiar with the layout of the fountain/canal area--is most impressive). Some stopped and listened. Some mocked. Some jeered. But God's word went forth. He uses the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:21). To God be the glory.

All in all, a good night. We were greatly encouraged by the words of believers who stopped to talk to us. A few young people told us they were looking to join an evangelism team, and we exchanged contact information. When I told the girl that the ministry I belong to--Bezeugen--offers evangelism training in churches--her face lit up. Pray that we would be able to train up laborers in the local church to do the work of the church.

Please pray for our small but dedicated group of street evangelists. Please pray that we would not grow weary, but press forward (2 Thessalonians 3:13). And pray that our focus would not become ourselves, but Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).

Until next time, keep on proclaiming.

- Shane

The Gospel, the Media, and Lady Gaga...

For the first time in my life, I can say that I have gone to a Lady Gaga concert.

Okay...I never actually PAID for a ticket for her concert. Oh, and I never actually went INSIDE the concert venue and watched her perform.

But, this past Tuesday night, my friend Chris and myself drove to downtown Oklahoma City where Lady Gaga was set to perform at the Ford Center at 8pm.

Our plans? To hand out tracts and--possibly--do some open-air preaching.

After our four-man evangelism team shrunk to a two-man evangelism team (one needed to finish a school assignment; the other couldn't get off of work in time), I began to get a little discouraged. With just two people, it's rather difficult to hand out tracts, have one-on-one conversations AND open-air preach (especially since I'm a firm believer of having a person by you at all times while preaching in the open air--for any potential safety or legal issue that may result). Still, it's a Lady Gaga concert, for crying out loud! The pagans will be out in full force to worship their queen. We simply CAN'T pass up this opportunity!

So, as Chris and I walk up to the Ford Center, we see the circus start to appear all around us. We see HUGE lines outside of the front door of the Ford Center. So far, so good.

But wait...there's a problem.

Right next to the front door--and right next to the huge crowd of people--a local radio station has set up a tent with loud speakers blaring Lady Gaga's biggest hits. We have amplification (our trusty little 40-watt portable pa system that has served us well), but we simply cannot compete with the warbling of Lady Gaga that permeates the air around the front door.

However, all is not lost!

As we walk further down, the music fades away a bit. We find a nice spot right by the OTHER big front door with a long line outside. So, we breathe a sigh of relief, find a nice spot, and park the box (our trusty preaching box that--like the amp--has served us well).

As I'm talking the amp out of the storage compartment, Chris notifies me that the long line is starting to move inside the building. The doors were supposed to open at 6:30. My watch indicates that they've jumped the gun and are letting them in early. So...as quickly as I can, I prepare the amp and hop up on the box.

I forgot to mention that from the moment I saw the hugeness of the crowd to the time we started preaching, I was having a MASSIVE "fear of man" attack. Fear gripped me as I began to realize how many people were around us.

I've learned that there is an effective two-pronged process of combating the fear of man before street preaching.

The two steps to effectively fight fear are:

1.) open your mouth

2.) speak

So, I opened my mouth and started speaking and, as is always the case, the fear started melting away. Considering the fact that this WAS a Lady Gaga concert, and there were wild-looking pagans all over the place, I was surprised when my first open-air preaching session went by heckler-free.

Well...ALMOST heckler-free.

I did get approached by an angry woman. But she didn't appear to be a dressed-to-the-hilt Gaga fan. As it turns out, she was a well-dressed middle-aged woman from Iran who didn't like me saying that Jesus was the "only way." I tried to engage her more on the subject, but she decided that she had had enough and walked away in a huff. Okay.

Next up: Chris. Chris got up on the box and started preaching. As I standing close by watching and recording, I noticed that a news crew had set up just behind Chris. A lady reporter walked up to Chris and pointed her microphone in his general direction. The cameraman pointed his camera at Chris and they remained there for a few minutes. Shortly afterward, they walked away. I didn't think anything of it at the time.

Chris's open-air session went completely heckler-free. I did hear many sneers from Gaga fans who were walking by, but they all lacked the courage of their convictions to actually engage Chris about his message (the Gospel).

We decided to do some tracting for a while. After this, I decided to get up on the box again. This time, my open-air session was most definitely NOT heckler-free.

Quite the opposite.

I struggled to get out the full Law and the Gospel as I was bombared with all kinds of comments. MOST of the comments fell into the following three catagories:

1.) "Don't judge me!"

2.) "You're being judgmental!"

3.) "Stop judging me!"

Yes, the hecklers pretty much stuck to the same objection for about 25 minutes. During this time, one nice young lady asked me if I "was with the Westboro people." Not having yet made the connection to Westboro Baptist Church, I responded to her with "what is Westboro?" She took that to mean "no" and went on her way.

After I was done with the open-air, Chris told me that he had heard that Westboro Baptist Church had people there at that time who were protesting Lady Gaga. If you want to know who the Westboro Baptist Church people are...simply type "Westboro Baptist" into Google and prepare to be disgusted.

In short, they preach hatred and vitriol. They live for media attention, and--of course--the local media was more than willing to give them ALL the attention they desired.

One VERY NICE bit of encouragement during the evening. One believer--his name is Rex--was sitting and watching us preach. While I was still preaching, I noticed that he started talking to a couple of ladies who were standing next to him watching us. After I stepped off the box, Chris asked me if I had any tracts. He said that Rex was witnessing to these ladies and wanted to give them tracts. After he was done talking to the ladies, he came over and visited with us. Rex told us that he was so encouraged after watching us that he decided to strike up a conversation with those complete strangers and give them the Gospel. That was the first time he had shared his faith with strangers in the many years he had been born again. What a blessing and encouragement!

After some more tracting and open-air, we called it quits for the evening. It was about 8:15 and most everyone had gone inside for the concert. Chris and I were also EXTREMELY thirsty having stood out in the 100-degree heat/humidity for about 2 hours.

After I got home and was winding down. Chris texts me and informs me that he appeared on the local newscast at 10:00. I remembered that he was recorded by the camera crew.

Well...THIS is how the local media used the footage of Chris (he is the one wearing a red T-shirt standing on the box holding an amp)...

 

So...according to KFOR's report, we were there to protest Lady Gaga.

Yes...that's right...we are "anti-Gaga."

Well, contrary to what was presented in that sloppy piece of reporting, we were there to warn sinners of the reality of God's Law, His coming judgment, and were there to share with them the excellencies of Christ, the Righteous.

All in all, a good night.

Thank you, Lady Gaga, for scheduling a concert that we could stand outside of.

Thank you, Oklahoma City, for not shutting us down as we were preaching with an amp.

Thank you, "pro-Gaga" hecklers, for drawing a crowd for us to preach Jesus Christ to.

Most of all, praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by whom and through whom we have eternal salvation, and for whom we preach and exalt.

Soli Deo Gloria!

- Shane

We Say We Want "Revival!"

I'm going through a lesson book right now--and this week's lesson the writer says that the Christian church "needs revival."

Once again...the mantra of "we NEED revival!"

It's not that I disagree with the sentiment; I agree wholeheartedly. However, the simple fact of the matter is...

We don't want revival.

"P'shaw!" you may say. "OF COURSE we want revival!"

If the church really DID want revival, then we wouldn't need it.

To the church, I would suggest reading Acts 2. That is what a vitalized church looks like. So if you want to be RE-vitalized, then read Acts 2 and implement what is written.

And then we'll stop hearing these cries of "we WANT revival!"

Because then...we won't need it.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Sounds positively radical. All "revival-seekers" need look no further than that passage.

Our Visit to the Carnality Ball...

On May 8th, Carl, Brady, Adam, Jamie and myself descended upon the annual Carnality Ball in downtown Oklahoma City. Thankfully, we were there because we were invited.

Let me back up and offer a brief explanation. About a month prior to May 8th, we were preaching in Bricktown when Brady was approached by a middle-aged man who handed him a pamphlet as he was preaching. Without looking at it, he handed it to me. It was a invitation to something called "the Carnality Ball." I looked at it...smiled...waited until Brady was done with his open-air, and told him "I know where we will be going on May 8th."

Cut to a month later. It just so happens (okay...NOTHING "just so happens") that Carl is in town for Mother's Day, and he joins us for this outreach event. This is what happened when Carl stepped up on the preaching box.



It didn't take very long before our preaching gathered some attention. Of course, these people hated God. They hated the Gospel. But that was all the more reason to preach the Gospel Biblically, boldly, and compassionately.



The revelers began to attempt to drown out the Gospel with their "music." They didn't succeed.