July 19, 2016

Title: Why I Am Not a Buddhist - Part 1
Topic: Why I Am Not a Buddhist

Discussed by Vicar Melvin Tinker
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 2

Vicar Melvin Tinker has been the Parish Priest for the Anglican Church, St. John Newland in Hull, England since 1994. As well as speaking around the country and abroad, Melvin is the author of over sixty published articles dealing with a wide range of subjects relating to ethics and theology. For the next two weeks, Vicar Tinker will be leading the Biblical Literacy class, teaching “Why I am Not a Buddhist”.

Six years after Gautama Buddha left his family, he experienced his “breakthrough”. He realized that, in his present weakened mental and physical state, he was no good. Therefore, he meditated. Sometimes, Buddha is referred to as the “lightened one”, but this is not accurate, says Vicar Tinker. Listen in as he explains.

Next, Vicar Tinker discusses the “Four Nobles Truths”: Anguish, Desire, Containment, and “The Right Track”. Tune in tomorrow as Vicar Tinker expands on the “Four Noble Truths”.

Mark is leading his 800+ member class into a deeper understanding of God’s Word.  Join him next Sunday at Champion Forest Baptist Church in NW Houston.

For more information about Mark’s Class, click [here].

Mark Lanier and his beautiful wife, Becky, are in Israel for a few weeks and he has a very special guest filling in for him.

Melvin Tinker has been the parish priest for the Anglican Church, St. John Newland in Hull, England since 1994. As well as speaking around the country and abroad, Melvin is the author of over sixty published articles dealing with a wide range of subjects relating to ethics and theology.

God opened up doors for several members of Mark’s class to visit Hull, England in 2014, for a mission trip to spread the gospel in Hull, England. Once a very religious city, the number of churches and Christians has decreased dramatically over the last decade. Please pray for Vicar Tinker and his parish in Hull, England as they spread the Gospel to people who so desperately need the Word of God.

You can find more information on Hull, England, and Vicar Tinker’s parish by visiting Biblical-Literacy under the “Mission to Hull” link.

The first part of Melvin Tinker’s lesson today includes a “Thank You” video from the people of Hull, England, for Mark’s class. Listen in to the video and as Vicar Melvin expresses his personal thanks. It’s amazing what God is doing in Hull, England and the people’s lives there. There are many challenges they face, both spiritually and financially.

Now for the lesson…. The Trinity - Part 2.

God the Son and God the Father have the same nature. Jesus is the exact representation of His being, meaning that every character that is in God is in Jesus. We do not see a hateful person. We see someone who is loving and just and kind. Does he hate sin? Yes, just as God hates sin. God sent His son Jesus Christ to be the “human face of God”.

But what about the Holy Spirit? People were confused already about the whole God the Father and God the Son thing. They were having a really tough time factoring in the Holy Spirit. Vicar Melvin Tinker describes a meeting which was held in 381 AD in Constantinople. There was a new clause to the Creed that was causing a stir. There is an “order”, per se, within The Trinity but that doesn’t mean there is inferiority. But isn’t God the most important? Listen in as Vicar Tinker explains this one!

Melvin closes today’s segment with a comparison of The Trinity to the relationship of man and wife. When a man and woman become one in holy matrimony, they aren’t really one person, physically, but they are emotionally and spiritually. Tune in tomorrow to hear the rest of his explanation!

For the lesson, unedited audio, handouts, PowerPoint slides, and video click [here].

If you do not have a church home, Mark invites you to come to Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Attend the early service at 9:30 AM and then go the Family Life Center (located near the center of the church building) for his Life Group class, which begins at 11 AM. Mark’s class averages about 800 people every Sunday, so don’t be shy! Come and join them this Sunday!

Listen in every day to hear a portion of Mark’s lesson.

Remember, you can order a copy of his new book, “Christianity on Trial”, directly from the publisher [here].

March 25, 2015

Title: Church History - Week 11
Topic: Church History

Discussed by Vicar Melvin Tinker
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 3

Mark Lanier and his beautiful wife, Becky, are in Israel for a few weeks and he has a very special guest filling in for him.

Melvin Tinker has been the parish priest for the Anglican Church, St. John Newland in Hull, England since 1994. As well as speaking around the country and abroad, Melvin is the author of over sixty published articles dealing with a wide range of subjects relating to ethics and theology.

God opened up doors for several members of Mark’s class to visit Hull, England in 2014, for a mission trip to spread the gospel in Hull, England. Once a very religious city, the number of churches and Christians has decreased dramatically over the last decade. Please pray for Vicar Tinker and his parish in Hull, England as they spread the Gospel to people who so desperately need the Word of God.

You can find more information on Hull, England, and Vicar Tinker’s parish by visiting Biblical-Literacy under the “Mission to Hull” link.

The first part of Melvin Tinker’s lesson today includes a “Thank You” video from the people of Hull, England, for Mark’s class. Listen in to the video and as Vicar Melvin expresses his personal thanks. It’s amazing what God is doing in Hull, England and the people’s lives there. There are many challenges they face, both spiritually and financially.

Now for the lesson…. The Trinity - Part 2.

When the Early Church attempted to decipher and understand The Trinity, the people tried to separate God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit into three categories: people, animals, and things. This didn’t work out so well, but Tertullian did the best he could.

Melvin Tinker introduces us to another man, an Egyptian by the name of Athanasius. In 328 AD, he was appointed Bishop of Alexandria in a time when most of the church had already abandoned the idea of The Trinity. In fact, he was exiled five times, fleeing for his life, because of his beliefs. Listen in as Vicar Tinker shares the story of Athanasius and his persistence in proving The Trinity as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

If you do not have a church home, Mark invites you to come to Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Attend the early service at 9:30 AM and then go the Family Life Center (located near the center of the church building) for his Life Group class, which begins at 11 AM. Mark’s class averages about 800 people every Sunday, so don’t be shy! Come and join them this Sunday!

Listen in every day to hear a portion of Mark’s lesson.

Remember, you can order a copy of his new book, “Christianity on Trial”, directly from the publisher [here].

March 24, 2015

Title: Church History - Week 11
Topic: Church History

Discussed by Vicar Melvin Tinker
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 2

Mark Lanier and his beautiful wife, Becky, are in Israel for a few weeks and he has a very special guest filling in for him.

Melvin Tinker has been the parish priest for the Anglican Church, St. John Newland in Hull, England since 1994. As well as speaking around the country and abroad, Melvin is the author of over sixty published articles dealing with a wide range of subjects relating to ethics and theology.

God opened up doors for several members of Mark’s class to visit Hull, England in 2014, for a mission trip to spread the gospel in Hull, England. Once a very religious city, the number of churches and Christians has decreased dramatically over the last decade. Please pray for Vicar Tinker and his parish in Hull, England as they spread the Gospel to people who so desperately need the Word of God.

You can find more information on Hull, England, and Vicar Tinker’s parish by visiting Biblical-Literacy under the “Mission to Hull” link.

The first part of Melvin Tinker’s lesson today includes a “Thank You” video from the people of Hull, England, for Mark’s class. Listen in to the video and as Vicar Melvin expresses his personal thanks. It’s amazing what God is doing in Hull, England and the people’s lives there. There are many challenges they face, both spiritually and financially.

Now for the lesson…. The Trinity - Part 2.

It’s not really surprising to learn that the people in the Early Church had a difficult time believing in The Trinity; it’s hard to trust and believe in it now, even knowing what we know! It takes a lot of faith.

However, just as quickly as some of the people believed, many people rejected the notion of The Trinity. In addition, there were several “theories” which arose trying to “explain” it.

Melvin Tinker recalls a class he once took on the 4th Century Theologian Augustus. Listen in as Melvin tells the story and discusses several other men who are essential in the teaching of The Trinity.

We will never fully understand God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to learn everything we possibly can.

If you do not have a church home, Mark invites you to come to Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Attend the early service at 9:30 AM and then go the Family Life Center (located near the center of the church building) for his Life Group class, which begins at 11 AM. Mark’s class averages about 800 people every Sunday, so don’t be shy! Come and join them this Sunday!

Listen in every day to hear a portion of Mark’s lesson.

Remember, you can order a copy of his new book, “Christianity on Trial”, directly from the publisher [here].

March 23, 2015

Title: Church History - Week 11
Topic: Church History

Discussed by Vicar Melvin Tinker
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 1

Mark Lanier and his beautiful wife, Becky, are in Israel for a few weeks and he has a very special guest filling in for him.

Melvin Tinker has been the parish priest for the Anglican Church, St. John Newland in Hull, England since 1994. As well as speaking around the country and abroad, Melvin is the author of over sixty published articles dealing with a wide range of subjects relating to ethics and theology.

God opened up doors for several members of Mark’s class to visit Hull, England in 2014, for a mission trip to spread the gospel in Hull, England. Once a very religious city, the number of churches and Christians has decreased dramatically over the last decade. Please pray for Vicar Tinker and his parish in Hull, England as they spread the Gospel to people who so desperately need the Word of God.

You can find more information on Hull, England, and Vicar Tinker’s parish by visiting Biblical-Literacy under the “Mission to Hull” link.

The first part of Melvin Tinker’s lesson today includes a “Thank You” video from the people of Hull, England, for Mark’s class. Listen in to the video and as Vicar Melvin expresses his personal thanks. It’s amazing what God is doing in Hull, England and the people’s lives there. There are many challenges they face, both spiritually and financially.

Now for the lesson…. The Trinity - Part 2.

The lesson this week was taught on the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day. However, Vicar Melvin Tinker went to great lengths to put together a fantastic play-by-play analogy of what Patrick might have come up against in Ireland when he traveled there to minister to the people, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is hilarious, so listen in!

Next, he compares the book “Windows for Dummies” to the documents called “Creeds”, which is the focus of this week’s lesson and how they are tied into the teachings of The Trinity. “The purpose of the Creeds was not to say everything about what Christians believe; rather it was to help Christians get a handle on the basics, especially when it came to The Trinity,” Melvin says.

Vicar Tinker goes on to explain the purpose of the Creeds in further detail and why it was so important that the Early Church chose to believe in them. Listen in…

Note: I left off with a bit of cliff-hangar with today’s segment! Tune in tomorrow to hear the rest of the story!

If you do not have a church home, Mark invites you to come to Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Attend the early service at 9:30 AM and then go the Family Life Center (located near the center of the church building) for his Life Group class, which begins at 11 AM. Mark’s class averages about 800 people every Sunday, so don’t be shy! Come and join them this Sunday!

Listen in every day to hear a portion of Mark’s lesson.

Remember, you can order a copy of his new book, “Christianity on Trial”, directly from the publisher [here].

March 20, 2015

Title: church history - Week 10
Topic: Church History

Discussed by Vicar Melvin Tinker
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 5

Mark Lanier and his beautiful wife, Becky, are in Israel for a few weeks and he has a very special guest filling in for him.

Melvin Tinker has been the parish priest for the Anglican Church, St. John Newland in Hull, England since 1994. As well as speaking around the country and abroad, Melvin is the author of over sixty published articles dealing with a wide range of subjects relating to ethics and theology.

God opened up doors for several members of Mark’s class to visit Hull, England in 2014, for a mission trip to spread the gospel in Hull, England. Once a very religious city, the number of churches and Christians has decreased dramatically over the last decade. Please pray for Vicar Tinker and his parish in Hull, England as they spread the Gospel to people who so desperately need the Word of God.

You can find more information on Hull, England, and Vicar Tinker’s parish by visiting Biblical-Literacy under the “Mission to Hull” link.

The first part of Melvin Tinker’s lesson today includes a “Thank You” video from the people of Hull, England, for Mark’s class. Listen in to the video and as Vicar Melvin expresses his personal thanks. It’s amazing what God is doing in Hull, England and the people’s lives there. There are many challenges they face, both spiritually and financially.

Now for the lesson…. The Trinity.

Some churches have an unclear view of The Trinity. Melvin Tinker says they have a “small view of God”. He quotes Dr. Peter Adam, Former Principal of Ridley University in Melbourne, Australia, concerning The Trinity: “Life caught up in God is more like relating to a loving community than it is relating to a loving individual.”

One illustration, which comes from C.S. Lewis’s book “Meer Christianity”, describes how we can move in space in three different directions. Listen in as Vicar Tinker explains what he believes C.S. Lewis means by this illustration using squares and cubes!

Favorite quote from today: “The Triune Being of God is the vital oxygen of Christian life and joy.”

Points for Home: 1) When you start with Jesus, then you end up as God as Triune. 2) A weak view of The Trinity will result in a weak view of salvation.

Melvin also gives a sneak peek into his lesson for next week. Make plans to tune in each day as he digs even deeper into The Trinity and scripture.

If you do not have a church home, Mark invites you to come to Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Attend the early service at 9:30 AM and then go the Family Life Center (located near the center of the church building) for his Life Group class, which begins at 11 AM. Mark’s class averages about 800 people every Sunday, so don’t be shy! Come and join them this Sunday!

Listen in every day to hear a portion of Mark’s lesson.

Remember, you can order a copy of his new book, “Christianity on Trial”, directly from the publisher [here].

March 19, 2015

Title: church history - Week 10
Topic: Church History

Discussed by Vicar Melvin Tinker
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 4

Mark Lanier and his beautiful wife, Becky, are in Israel for a few weeks and he has a very special guest filling in for him.

Melvin Tinker has been the parish priest for the Anglican Church, St. John Newland in Hull, England since 1994. As well as speaking around the country and abroad, Melvin is the author of over sixty published articles dealing with a wide range of subjects relating to ethics and theology.

God opened up doors for several members of Mark’s class to visit Hull, England in 2014, for a mission trip to spread the gospel in Hull, England. Once a very religious city, the number of churches and Christians has decreased dramatically over the last decade. Please pray for Vicar Tinker and his parish in Hull, England as they spread the Gospel to people who so desperately need the Word of God.

You can find more information on Hull, England, and Vicar Tinker’s parish by visiting Biblical-Literacy under the “Mission to Hull” link.

The first part of Melvin Tinker’s lesson today includes a “Thank You” video from the people of Hull, England, for Mark’s class. Listen in to the video and as Vicar Melvin expresses his personal thanks. It’s amazing what God is doing in Hull, England and the people’s lives there. There are many challenges they face, both spiritually and financially.

Now for the lesson…. The Trinity.

The Gospel actually demands belief in The Trinity. In 2 Corinthians 5:19, we’re told “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself.” And then there is also the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16.

But how does the Holy Spirit come in to play? Where does the Holy Spirit “fit” in this big puzzle? Listen in as Vicar Melvin Tinker explains how Jesus, who was both priest and victim, offered himself as a sacrifice in the power of the Holy Spirit. Melvin references 2 Corinthians 3:17 for this explanation.

Melvin says this of the Holy Spirit, “The gifts to the church, which come from God, the Holy Spirit, are meant to enable us to express the servant hood of Jesus the Son by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. We would not have a church if it weren’t for The Trinity. There is one God who exists within the eternity of his own glorious being as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

This segment is packed full of knowledge and explanation about The Trinity, so listen in. Tune in tomorrow to for the completion. Vicar Melvin Tinker will be back with us next week, as well, so make plans to listen each day.

If you do not have a church home, Mark invites you to come to Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Attend the early service at 9:30 AM and then go the Family Life Center (located near the center of the church building) for his Life Group class, which begins at 11 AM. Mark’s class averages about 800 people every Sunday, so don’t be shy! Come and join them this Sunday!

Listen in every day to hear a portion of Mark’s lesson.

Remember, you can order a copy of his new book, “Christianity on Trial”, directly from the publisher [here].

March 18, 2015

Title: Church History: Week 10
Topic: Church History

Discussed by Vicar Melvin Tinker
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 3

Mark Lanier and his beautiful wife, Becky, are in Israel for a few weeks and he has a very special guest filling in for him.

Melvin Tinker has been the parish priest for the Anglican Church, St. John Newland in Hull, England since 1994. As well as speaking around the country and abroad, Melvin is the author of over sixty published articles dealing with a wide range of subjects relating to ethics and theology.

God opened up doors for several members of Mark’s class to visit Hull, England in 2014, for a mission trip to spread the gospel in Hull, England. Once a very religious city, the number of churches and Christians has decreased dramatically over the last decade. Please pray for Vicar Tinker and his parish in Hull, England as they spread the Gospel to people who so desperately need the Word of God.

You can find more information on Hull, England, and Vicar Tinker’s parish by visiting Biblical-Literacy under the “Mission to Hull” link.

The first part of Melvin Tinker’s lesson today includes a “Thank You” video from the people of Hull, England, for Mark’s class. Listen in to the video and as Vicar Melvin expresses his personal thanks. It’s amazing what God is doing in Hull, England and the people’s lives there. There are many challenges they face, both spiritually and financially.

Now for the lesson…. The Trinity.

People didn’t understand The Trinity because they couldn’t see it – they couldn’t touch it. They only knew “things”, but things can’t love. Things can’t relate. That is what The Trinity is: Love and relationship.

There will always be an element of mystery to the Trinity. It’s not a matter of understanding; it’s a matter of belief. People were afraid to believe it; it scared them to think of Jesus as God. Melvin Tinker references John Calvin to help explain why worshipping anything or anyone other than God is not true worship. John Calvin says this, “It’s a bare, empty name.”

Melvin begins a deeper examination of The Trinity and why the Bible does not specifically reference it. There are several – numerous – references, however, to The Trinity, just not in so many words. 1 Thessalonians 1:1, for example, references God the Father and Jesus Christ, Lord. Then in 2 Corinthians 13:14 “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Then in Ephesians 1:3-11, it goes even further! This was just too much heavy for the First Century Church to comprehend!

Where did The Trinity come from, though? Inquiring minds want to know! Listen in as Vicar Tinker explains…

But are we, today, too familiar with these words? Do they still mean anything to us? We know it and we believe it, but do we live it?

If you do not have a church home, Mark invites you to come to Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Attend the early service at 9:30 AM and then go the Family Life Center (located near the center of the church building) for his Life Group class, which begins at 11 AM. Mark’s class averages about 800 people every Sunday, so don’t be shy! Come and join them this Sunday!

Listen in every day to hear a portion of Mark’s lesson.

Remember, you can order a copy of his new book, “Christianity on Trial”, directly from the publisher [here].

March 17, 2015

Title: CHURCH HISTORY Week 10
Topic: Church History

Discussed by Vicar Melvin Tinker
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 2

Mark Lanier and his beautiful wife, Becky, are in Israel for a few weeks and he has a very special guest filling in for him.

Melvin Tinker has been the parish priest for the Anglican Church, St. John Newland in Hull, England since 1994. As well as speaking around the country and abroad, Melvin is the author of over sixty published articles dealing with a wide range of subjects relating to ethics and theology.

God opened up doors for several members of Mark’s class to visit Hull, England in 2014, for a mission trip to spread the gospel in Hull, England. Once a very religious city, the number of churches and Christians has decreased dramatically over the last decade. Please pray for Vicar Tinker and his parish in Hull, England as they spread the Gospel to people who so desperately need the Word of God.

You can find more information on Hull, England, and Vicar Tinker’s parish by visiting Biblical-Literacy under the “Mission to Hull” link.

The first part of Melvin Tinker’s lesson today includes a “Thank You” video from the people of Hull, England, for Mark’s class. Listen in to the video and as Vicar Melvin expresses his personal thanks. It’s amazing what God is doing in Hull, England and the people’s lives there. There are many challenges they face, both spiritually and financially.

Now for the lesson…. The Trinity.

Melvin Tinker continues to discuss the realization that Jehovah’s Witnesses deny The Trinity because the Bible does not teach The Trinity doctrine. But, Melvin points out, we have Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” But what does that mean? And when did The Trinity become doctrine? How can we know it is true? How do the Jews fit in with The Trinity?

Melvin uses Paul’s writings as references in today’s segment. Paul says one thing, then in the next sentence he says something completely different! Paul was not out to start a new religion; he was a very intelligent man and was simply trying to explain to the people (mainly Jews) how God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit were all connected.

Quote to remember: “Belief in The Trinity is a matter of revelation not speculation.” Listen in to hear what Melvin means by this statement!

If you do not have a church home, Mark invites you to come to Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Attend the early service at 9:30 AM and then go the Family Life Center (located near the center of the church building) for his Life Group class, which begins at 11 AM. Mark’s class averages about 800 people every Sunday, so don’t be shy! Come and join them this Sunday!

Listen in every day to hear a portion of Mark’s lesson.

Remember, you can order a copy of his new book, “Christianity on Trial”, directly from the publisher [here].

March 16, 2015

Title: CHURCH HISTORY Week 10
Topic: Church History

Discussed by Vicar Melvin Tinker
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 1

Mark Lanier and his beautiful wife, Becky, are in Israel for a few weeks and he has a very special guest filling in for him.

Melvin Tinker has been the parish priest for the Anglican Church, St. John Newland in Hull, England since 1994. As well as speaking around the country and abroad, Melvin is the author of over sixty published articles dealing with a wide range of subjects relating to ethics and theology.

God opened up doors for several members of Mark’s class to visit Hull, England in 2014, for a mission trip to spread the gospel in Hull, England. Once a very religious city, the number of churches and Christians has decreased dramatically over the last decade. Please pray for Vicar Tinker and his parish in Hull, England as they spread the Gospel to people who so desperately need the Word of God.

You can find more information on Hull, England, and Vicar Tinker’s parish by visiting Biblical-Literacy under the “Mission to Hull” link.

The first part of Melvin Tinker’s lesson today includes a “Thank You” video from the people of Hull, England, for Mark’s class. Listen in to the video and as Vicar Melvin expresses his personal thanks. It’s amazing what God is doing in Hull, England and the people’s lives there. There are many challenges they face, both spiritually and financially.

Now for the lesson…. The Trinity.

The bible does not actually “teach” the Trinity, but there are many references to it. Melvin even quotes Thomas Jefferson concerning the issue! More on the topic tomorrow….

If you do not have a church home, Mark invites you to come to Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Attend the early service at 9:30 AM and then go the Family Life Center (located near the center of the church building) for his Life Group class, which begins at 11 AM. Mark’s class averages about 800 people every Sunday, so don’t be shy! Come and join them this Sunday!

Listen in every day to hear a portion of Mark’s lesson.

Remember, you can order a copy of his new book, “Christianity on Trial”, directly from the publisher [here].