Articles

‘Proclaim – Equip – Defend’

For the fourth year in a row, it was my privilege to oversee The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry’s exhibit at the IFCA International Annual Convention. This year’s gathering of pastors, ministry leaders and spouses took place in Springdale, Ark., at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center, from June 24 to 28.

The 95^th edition of the IFCA Convention drew roughly 370 in attendance. It began with a general session on Monday night and concluded with three final choices in breakout seminars on Friday morning.

The focus of this year’s conference was evident from the theme: “Proclaim – Equip – Defend.” Those were also the topics of the four evening general sessions. “These are the norm for the church’s ministry,” stated executive director Dr. Richard Bargas as he opened the conference with a general overview of the theme.

“IFCA—our time has come,” Bargas declared boldly. “We cannot and we will not surrender. We must stand firm against this chaos.”

Bargas based his message on Acts 20:17-38 and Paul’s concluding counsel to the elders of the church of Ephesus.

The other evening messages were presented by Pastor Tom Zobrist of Liberty Bible Church in Eureka, Ill.; Pastor Clegguart Mitchell of South County Bible Church in St. Louis, Mo.; and Pastor Jesse Randolph of Indian Hills Community Church in Lincoln, Neb. The final session on Thursday evening always includes the installation of new members of the board of directors, as well as a communion service.

A secondary theme at this year’s convention was the defense of traditional dispensationalism. Dr. Cory Marsh, professor of New Testament at Southern California Seminary, delivered a major breakout session called “What is Dispensationalism?” Marsh went to the root of the issue and unfolded basic truths central to dispensational thought. He said that academia is particularly vulnerable to misunderstanding this topic.

Marsh contends that “dispensationalism is best understood as a Biblical theology.” While covenant theology is itself a hermeneutic, he maintains that dispensationalism results from a consistent, literal hermeneutic.

Referencing the 2017 book from SCS press titled Forged From Reformation: How Dispensational Thought Advances the Reformed Legacy, Marsh said that dispensationalism, with its focus on Scripture alone, remains poised to bring about the greatest theological development, building on the literal interpretation reintroduced by the Reformers.

“Dispensationalism will continue to advance in ways more helpful than denominational traditions,” he said.

Randolph also presented a major seminar on a concept so new that many have yet to learn of it: “Reformed Dispensationalism.” He called his critique of this novel approach “A Bridge Too Far” and stated, “There are simply some bridges that don’t need to be built.”

Randolph proved thoroughly from original sources that Reformed Theology, of necessity, involves Covenant Theology—which is ultimately at odds with dispensational theology.

Standing for traditional dispensationalism is popular within the IFCA—even if not elsewhere. As Bargas told the congregation on Monday evening, “We have great scholars in our movement, but they are not considered equals in the academy, and they never will be. We must ask ourselves, are we willing to pay the price? It’s going to cost us.”

In total, there were 18 general breakout seminars, six women’s sessions, two business meetings, and two panel discussions. There were five sessions for chaplains, five for church planters, and two for the Council of Regional Presidents of the IFCA. The week included a children’s program and a nursery, and three evening receptions following the general sessions. There were also other outings for people to attend on Thursday afternoon.

For the first time, I was privileged to present one of the breakout sessions this year, as well as watching over the exhibit for FOIGM.

There were 36 exhibitors at the convention, including 10 colleges and seminaries and four missions organizations. Ariel Ministries promoted Jewish ministry along with FOIGM.

Also during this week, the IFCA National Youth Convention was held at Appalachian Bible College in Mount Hope, W.Va. There were 235 in attendance there.

The IFCA presented the 2024 Faithful Servant Award to Tom and Virginia Olson, who each worked in the IFCA home office—Tom for more than 40 years.

Audio and video from the conference are available on the IFCA’s Facebook page and will be added at SermonAudio.com/IFCAInternational.

Next year’s convention will be held June 23 to 27 at the Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center in Greenville, S.C. The theme will be “Planting Mighty Oaks.” The youth convention will be held that same week at Bob Jones University.
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Paul J. Scharf (M.A., M.Div., Faith Baptist Theological Seminary) is a church ministries representative for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, based in Columbus, WI, and serving in the Midwest. For more information on his ministry, visit sermonaudio.com/pscharf or foi.org/scharf, or email pscharf@foi.org.

“I don’t know that they haven’t”

This week I listened to Hugh Hewitt interview former Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren discuss the war situation in Israel right now. One quick answer to a Hewitt question stopped me in my tracks.

With focus shifting to a seemingly imminent war with Hezbollah in the north, Hewitt wondered about Israel’s own weapons capabilities. As you well know, the Biden Regime is holding up weapons and ammunition, in order to see that Hamas emerges intact (that’s the obvious truth few will acknowledge in the media). In particular, the discussion had turned to air power. Hewitt asked if Israel will ever build its own long-range bomber.

“I don’t know that they haven’t,” Oren posited.

Wow! It was almost a throwaway line; the interview was concluding. But it tells us a lot.

Look, Israel has vast experience with intelligence and disinformation and misinformation. They are the best when it comes to understanding propaganda and messaging. Oren’s quick, casual answer was a message:

“We have capabilities no one knows about.”

It is estimated that in one more week, the IDF will have completed its control of Rafah and thus, the Gaza Strip. Of course, it will be years before they leave and as of right now, no one knows the fate of the remaining hostages. But focus is shifting to the war deemed far more existential. Hezbollah’s rocket and missile stockpile has long been a worry. We’re about to find out how fearsome they are. It is also estimated by some that Hezbollah’s foot soldiers will pose a real challenge to the IDF. I’ve heard they are “battle-hardened.” Tough to know how they got battle-hardened against defenseless civilians in Lebanon. I also remember hearing similar nonsense from Iraq before both Gulf Wars.

In any case, I am just as convinced, as one or two IDF generals are, that the IDF can fairly quickly bomb Lebanon back to the second millennium B.C. I believe it.

This past week Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 80 attacks on military and civilian targets in northern Israel, compared to 52 attacks the previous week. Attacks escalated in response to the killing of Taleb Sami Abdallah, the commander of the al-Nasr unit and a long-time Hezbollah operative. Hezbollah increased its use of surface-to-air missiles and advanced UAVs to attack Israeli Air Force aircraft in the skies of south Lebanon. Two Israeli civilians and two IDF soldiers were injured in the attacks and considerable damage was caused by extensive fires which broke out in northern Israel. This week, Israel killed more commanders in Lebanon.

We could be going back to a pre-2006 reality, where Israel maintains a deep buffer zone in Lebanon. That would allow 100,000 Israelis to return home.

It was in 1982-83 that the IDF invaded Lebanon, that time to push-out the PLO. Hezbollah is a much more formidable opponent, sure, but the IDF can impose its will.

It’s also important to note that there are serious adversaries for Hezbollah in Lebanon. As it was 40 years ago, Christian militias stand prepared to rise up if Israel threatens Hezbollah. Kamil Chamoun, leader of the Free Nationalist Party, warned that twenty thousand armed Sunnis, Druze and Christians would take to the streets if Hezbollah attacked the Christian areas.

That ain’t chopped chicken, friends.

On June 9 and 12, Hezbollah announced it had attacked IAF fighter jets with anti-aircraft missiles. On June 13, 2024, Hezbollah announced that it had attacked an IDF post with a double-barreled, 23mm diameter anti-aircraft gun mounted on an ATV (Hezbollah combat information Telegram channel, June 13 and 14, 2024). It was apparently the first time the weapon had been used in the current conflict.

Now, in the event of all-out war, the terrorists claim they can immediately send Pro-Iranian militias from Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. This alleged force would also include Palestinians.

I think that an important point to always keep in mind in these situations is closely linked to Michael Oren’s comment/message: Only Israel knows what it can and will do. My personal belief is that an unrestrained Israel is well able to vanquish any enemy.

And I will constantly beat this drum: Stop being scared for Israel. What enemy can stand before God? We like to say that “We win in the end.” Yes, but…

God wins in the end.

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IFCA Convention Calls Church Leaders to Proclaim… :: By Paul J. Scharf

22 Jul 2024