Midnight Meditation Concerning a Biblical Understanding of Our Enemies

I wonder if Christ’s command to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44) means that we are not supposed to be false to them by ignoring why they are our enemies in the first place.

I wonder if it means speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) even if it brings everyone discomfort.

I wonder if loving our enemies includes, at times, speaking the wounding words of a friend rather than giving the deceitful “kisses” of an actual enemy. (Proverbs 27:6)

I wonder if loving our enemies looks like standing in complete opposition to them until they repent and come to faith in Jesus Christ. If we are supposed to forgive as our Heavenly Father has forgiven us, (Ephesians 4:32) I wonder if we aren’t supposed to dole out cheap forgiveness without our enemies’ true repentance, for God only forgives those who humble themselves in true repentance.

I wonder if our modern Christian culture has misrepresented loving our enemies as being nice when, in actuality, being nice is the most unloving act we could do.

Maybe our confrontation, or at least our not pretending that everything is okay, is true Christ-like love rather than going belly up like a whipped dog. Perhaps standing strong is the only real way we are supposed to love our enemies.

I wonder if turning the other cheek is our not getting caught up all the peripheral distractions our enemies try to throw at us to keep us from confronting the real reasons we are enemies in the first place.

The Underground Church in Training

We are, indeed, living in strange times. It isn't easy to know what is actually happening, not only in our country but the whole world. Data supports whatever view you can imagine, and each position is convinced that they are right. The very fact of this widespread confusion is indicative that something serious is happening, and it isn't good. 

Reading the Times

The question that Christians must ask themselves is what is our response in this time of confusion. Jesus Christ was clear that as Christians, we are to "understand the weather" in Luke 12:54-56, ESV:

Then Jesus said to the people, "When you see clouds growing bigger in the west, you say, 'A rainstorm is coming.' And soon it begins to rain. When you feel the wind begin to blow from the south, you say, 'It will be a hot day.' And you are right. You hypocrites! You can understand the weather. Why don't you understand what is happening now?

I get that He was talking to a particular people at a particular time for a particular reason. However, this doesn't diminish the principle that He was trying to communicate to His disciples, which is, I think, to read the signs of what is happening, so you don't fail to prepare appropriately.

Do we prepare for the best-case scenario or the worst? 

Under ideal circumstances, there is no need to prepare for the best. Why would we if all is well, and there's no reason to worry? However, preparing for the worst-case scenario can drive people to extremes and push the panic button when there is no reason to.

The question I am trying to discern is whether God is calling me, and perhaps others, to prepare for the possible cultural storms by forming an underground church in training here in Connecticut and possibly empowering others to do the same in their own State.

Why specify it as an underground church in training? 

The reason is that things are not so bad that the underground church must begin immediately. We still have the freedom to worship, Christians are not being rounded up for internment camps, and only relatively mild persecution is happening through vaccine mandates. "In training" means just that. I am trying to discern whether God is calling me to begin training an underground church in preparation for potentially challenging times ahead. 

What does this look like?

I am still trying to figure this question out. At this moment, it looks like gathering with a community of Christians to worship Christ and begin to prepare an underground church here in Connecticut if and when it becomes necessary. The worst that can happen is that I look foolish for doing something that seems a bit odd. I don't mind that, since my critics already think I'm strange.

Back to the question of what an underground church in training looks like. 

First, I think it looks like a real Biblical church with all the New Testament marks of a church. An underground church in training would be different from your typical garden variety 501(c)3 corporation church in many ways. By "marks," I do not see an anarchical or leaderless church in the New Testament. There are pastors/elders, as well as deacons. There is baptism and communion and even church discipline (1 Corinthians 5, for example). There is worship, praise, love, community, and fellowship. There is care for one another and a spirit of "making disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:19+20). And most of all, there is an unshakable faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Second, typically, an underground church needs to adapt to meet in all kinds of different places and circumstances. We wouldn't have a building. If we were to do an underground church in training, I would purposely have worship in many different places and circumstances. Perhaps we would prepare by learning how to worship in say, someone's home one week and the next, in the forest, regardless of the weather. 

The example of the underground church throughout history and even today is the ability to adapt to whatever circumstances it finds itself. The very name "underground" is literal. Christians under the persecution of Nero and other Caesars often met in the catacombs under the city of Rome. Underground churches today meet in adverse situations in various parts of the world in defiance of their ungodly and oppressive government.

Third, there is the training of godly leadership. I remember reading Richard Wurmbrand's comments about the Romanian underground church in his book Tortured for Christ. While he was in prison, various members continued the church's work, including his wife, Sabrina. While I lean toward the belief that the Bible teaches male leadership in the church, I cannot deny that God has used women in church leadership if and when the circumstances warrant it. This means all members would need the training to be prepared to lead if need be.

Richard and Sabrina Wumbrand before their persecution

Fourth, this also means each member would need to take ownership of their own personal spiritual development. This may mean memorizing Scripture, engaging in studying sound theology and the Bible, and so on.

Fifth, it means we would need to take prayer much more seriously than we do now. Even a cursory glance at the underground church shows a deep and abiding commitment to prayer. This is both practical and theological. It is practical because desperate people take prayer much more seriously than comfortable ones. It is theological because the Bible is filled with the command to pray.

Sixth, it means much discussion amongst those who are part of this church. I believe the discernment of the Holy Spirit happens as His people study the Bible and discuss to discern the will of God. Acts 15 is an excellent example of this. 

Seventh, an underground church in training means a confidential membership. In times of extreme persecution, Christians were tortured and often killed to reveal other church members. Again, I encourage my readers to read Tortured for Christ to see how this happened in Romania under the Communist rule of the Soviet Union. I do not mind being the "face" of an underground church in training. Somebody has to, and since I am trying to discern whether this is the call of God, it might as well be me. Plus, if the government is keeping a “list” of Christians, I suspect I’m already on it. But I’m open to partnering with others in the developmental stage.

Eighth, an underground church is intentional in its commitment to infiltrate godless institutions to protect and warn other church members. Wurmbrand tells of people who remained in high places in the Communist government to gain information on what would come down. Their sacrifice of anonymity saved the lives of countless people.

Finally, an underground church in training prepares people for the possibility that they might be imprisoned, tortured, and even killed for their faith. This is a challenging and sad reality of being Christian under oppressive and abusive governments, but to ignore this is to deny the Bible itself from cover to cover. It also would ignore and discredit the testimony of the last 2000+ years of Christian witness. May we never forget that the Greek word for "witness" is transliterated into English as "martyr." 

Conclusion

I am putting this out there, knowing full well how this whole proposal sounds and, as I wrote, knowing what my critics will think of me. However, I will not answer them on judgment day. I have to give an account to God and Him alone, and He is the only one I fear. 

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13

Please understand, I am not appealing to anyone as a beggar with my hat in my hand. If you think my idea is odd or weird, then please stay away. I am not appealing to anyone trying to coax you into being a part of this. I have had it with the typical 501(c)3 corporate institutional "church." I’m sick to death of their marketing manipulations. They can keep their dog, pony shows, chicken dinners, pumpkins sales, rock concerts, inspirational speakers, and "open and affirming" apostate congregations. If things go south, these congregations will prosper and even thrive. 

If anything I wrote has struck a chord in you, connect with me in some way if you are willing to stand against the tide, learn how to be a Christian in an underground church in training, and join with me. You can email me at nhpatterson1962@gmail.com.

As I close, I ask God to show me whether what I am wrestling with is of Him or not. I’m willing to sound or look foolish even in my attempt to discern the will of God for I am not ashamed of the words of Jesus Christ.

The Cotton Candy Church

The American Church is failing because of a mistaken belief in the separation of State and God's Law. According to the Bible, there is only one Law, which is God's Law.  Any other law founded upon anything other than the Law of God comes from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

Nowhere and at no time is man given the task to make up laws apart from God's Law. To do so is to perpetuate the original sin by believing the lie of the Serpent that in eating of the forbidden fruit, we will be gods, deciding for ourselves what is good and evil. 

The only valid role of Government in the Bible is to punish evildoers who violate God's Law (Romans 13:1-7). Thus, while the Constitution is supposed to limit the Federal Government, the Bible goes even further. According to the Bible, Government at all levels is severely limited to the task of punishing evildoers and nothing more. Of course, evil being defined by God's Law, not man's law untethered from the Bible.

Any law system not based on God's Law has a foreign god at its demonic center. This is where the Church comes in. One of Her primary roles is to call all to repentance and obedience to God through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on our behalf. 

But the role of the Church does not end there. The Church is to proclaim the rule of Christ and His kingdom in all areas of life. In other words, the kingdom of God and its corresponding Law rules over every sphere of human existence. Any area of life not conquered by the kingdom of God stands in direct opposition to God and His ultimate rule.

We see in our day the failure of the Church of God to confront a wicked and corrupt Government that has set itself above God's rule. Instead, the Church is so busy using worldly marketing techniques that are contrary to the Word of God. As a result, She has lost Her way and has sold Her birthright for a bowl of pottage.

All American Christians, including myself and my fellow pastors, are responsible for the decline and demise of our nation. We have failed to call all to repentance and have bought the lie that the role of the Church is to be a self-help entertainment center offering cotton candy to attract a sugar-addicted crowd rather than the Bread of Life to a starving and dying world.

Of Dogs and Pearl Trampling Pigs

Now that the Federal Government has thrown down the gauntlet by requiring employees of firms with more than 100 works to get vaccinated or submit to weekly testing, millions of people of deep religious conviction are being forced to file for a Religious Exemption. What does this mean? It means that people who refuse to get vaccinated must submit a letter to a person, a committee, or an organization proving to them that they, indeed, are sincere in their conviction and deserve a Religious Exemption.

I ask you, what is more precious than a person’s sincerely held religious beliefs? Our faith is where we live. It is the inner sanctum of our being. It is the holy of holies of our heart. Our faith convictions speak of what is most dear to us. For many of us, they are so powerful; we would rather die than submit to something that violates our faith and practice.

Imagine, now that you have exposed your most precious faith to complete strangers, the violation gets worse as these corporate goons evaluate whether your faith is worthy of a Religious Exemption. This form of massive spiritual exposure and rape is unprecedented in the United States of America.

Most pastors, priests, and religious leaders refuse to sign Religious Affirmation Forms or write Religious Leader Affirmation Letters for their people. Instead, these spineless cowards hide behind elder boards, archdiocese, or corporate “church” policies as an excuse to abandon the faithful. These “leaders” are complicit in the spiritual violation of their people. I have nothing but disgust and contempt for them.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:6 (ESV):

Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

I consider those who require spiritual exposure through Religious Exemptions as dogs and pigs. This includes but is not limited to all who are complicit, be it on the Federal, State, or Local level. It consists of all organizations, businesses, corporations, and entities submitting to this unbiblical and unconstitutional mandate.

I started the Religious Society for the Separation of Church and State (www.SeparateNow.org) to, among other things, help those who need a Religious Organization affiliation membership and need a Religious Leader to Affirm their Religious Exemption. I do not believe a person should need anyone else to affirm their religious conviction, but the small-minded dogs and pigs in the working world can’t comprehend this. Therefore, they often will refuse a Religious Exemption outright without it.

The Religious Society is purposely an Interfaith Religious Organization. It is not our role to tell a person what they should or should not believe. Our unifying principle is that the government does not have the right to tell people what they should or should not believe. A person can belong to the Religious Society and practice their faith as they see fit. We all agree upon that the government cannot and will not tell us what we can or cannot believe.

In closing, I want to offer a word to people of faith who are afraid for their jobs, health, and livelihood. Stand strong! It is our faith that makes us strong. We are in a time of persecution, but we need to continue to meet it with the same passion and conviction that people of the past have. We will win this battle!

Birds of a Feather?

I find it significant what group or groups a person identifies with primarily. I have a suspicion that these groups say a lot about a person because these associations are self-identifiers.

Again, my hunch is that in the past, these associations have changed from familial/faith based groups to more political ideologies and entities. I wonder if a shift has occurred mainly because of the socialistic nature of education and indoctrination here in the United States of America.

And, I suspect, if this matter was investigated throughly, the shift would strongly correlate with the rise of statism through public schools.

I also wonder if a strong correlation would be found between the diminishing influence of the American Church with the acceptance of 501(c)3 State incorporation of the Church.

The net result of both is the revival of statism, collectivism, and eventually the requirement of your proof of your identification with the State through some act of loyalty and fealty to the political collective. This act, while seemingly innocent will have the same spiritual meaning and impact as the ancient Roman requirement of burning a simple incense to Caesar.

Low Pastors in High Places

Honestly. I blame the corruption of governmental leaders mostly on the pastors who constantly fail to confront them with God’s Truth and Law. Every time I see a pastor in the presence of a civil magistrate, from the most powerful to small town politicians, they are falling over themselves to to gain favor or are so busy basking in the limelight that they don’t even think about confronting the politician’s corruption by the word of God. 

The only thing these pastors think about is how their association with people in high places will help advance their sphere influence, which in the end, gives them more power, money, and prestige. 

Contrast this with men like Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Jesus Christ Himself, and so many more. These men of God faced crooked politicians without compromise and full knowledge that confronting them would most likely result in humiliation, condemnation, possibly torture, and even death. 

Sometimes their words were heeded, and more often than not, they were not. But they knew they had to speak the truth and leave the results in God’s hands. These are the kind of men of God who challenged high places, and changed the direction of nations.

May God raise up pastors who will once again take their place to speak the truth to the powers that be. Then and only then will our country, our world, be changed for the better. And I pray that if God ever puts me in such a place that I would have the courage and the conviction to speak what needs to be spoken.

Confessions of Corporate Pastor Failure

Truth be told, I couldn’t cut it as a corporate pastor. I hate business meetings, could care less about the budget, have no aspirations to build a building, don’t care if I preach to two people or two thousand, would rather be outside working than in an air conditioned office any day, and quite frankly don’t generally like most pastors I have met, though there are a few exceptions. 

I have a tendency, if you haven’t noticed, to chide Christians, can’t stand the powerbrokers, and favored people considered the rejects in the church. I tend towards insubordination with leaders I didn’t respect and hated with a passion any anything that stank of corporatism. 

When I am honest with my self, I realize I don’t belong as a pastor in the modern American church. As I write this, you have to understand that I believed God called to the pastoral ministry ever since I was a small boy, and worked most of my life to fulfill that calling. 

My theology compels me to believe God ordains our free will choices so my path as a seminary student and ordained pastor for the last 33+ years could not be in vain, but I struggle to understand God’s purpose for my life and ministry in spite of my failure to succeed in the corporate church.
Perhaps some of my acrimony at times is due to my sense of failure to accomplish what I truly believed was God’s divine plan for my life. I confess feeling jealousy over guys who I went to seminary with are now pastoring large churches or acting as pastor superintendents. And I won’t even get into the shame and embarrassment I still feel over my divorce of my 31+ year marriage, and all that led up to it along with sabotaging a 12+ year non-incorporated church plant I pastored.

Be that as it may, I know God created me unique and brought me into this world, saved me, and called me to do the work that only I can do, even if that work is to fail as a pastor, even to His glory and my good.

Church Confusion

One of the biggest deceptions and hindrances to Biblical Christianity in America is the equivocation of the word “church”. When God used Rome to destroy the Temple in 70 AD, He made a clear statement that He no longer dwelt in a building, particularly the holy of holys in the Temple.

The day of Pentecost was the fulfillment of God’s promise to dwell in His people rather than in a physical edifice. The people of God now are the temple of God.

The problem is that in English we do not have two different words to distinguish between the building where Christians gather and the People in whom God now dwells. Both concepts use the same word “Church.”

In modern American 501(c)3 corporation “churches” the use of the word “church” for a physical building is reinforced by the State’s mandate of imposing the unbiblical office of Trustees the responsibility of oversight of the property, particularly the most common building being called the “church.”

As a result, the mindset of modern Christians in State religious corporations is they “go to church” rather than they “are the church.” So when Christians come and go, they leave the church and go about their lives apart from the church they attended on Sunday.

Unless and until Christians return to the Biblical definition of the Church as the People of God and not a building in which we gather, American Christianity will remain anemic, irrelevant, and impotent, which, by the way, is exactly what the government wants. The only real challenge to expansive governmental power is Biblical Christianity, but that is a subject for another day and another blog.

Christianity Exposed

Any person who claims the name of Christ-ian and adheres to the revelation of the one and only Trinitarian God in His self-attesting Bible and has not come into direct opposition with friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances, and even strangers either has so hidden their faith that no one can recognize it or they have so compromised what the Bible clearly teaches that it is no longer Biblical Christianity. 

Contrary to pop-Christianity, while Jesus ate with sinners, prostitutes, and tax collectors, He clearly and unequivocally called them to repentance from sin; sin being defined as “any want of conformity unto, or transgression of the law of God.” (Westminster Shorter Catechism question 14)

If your goal is to avoid conflict with the world, not hurt anyone’s feelings, or make sinners feel better about their sin, then what you believe in isn’t Biblical Christianity or the Christ revealed in Scripture. 

Christ promised persecution for those who follow Him. Persecution comes because the kingdom of God is so offensive and in such conflict with this world and culture that the two kingdoms cannot peaceful co-exist. Each kingdom works to undermine and ultimately destroy the other. Peace between these kingdoms is not possible. 

If you, as a Christian are not willing to expose what you truly believe,make no mistake, eventually you will be pushed to the point where you will be forced to choose which kingdom you belong to. Neutrality is not an option. 

The sooner Christians come to terms with this, the sooner we can get on with the Biblical evangelism that Jesus Christ Himself did - calling sinners to repentance and obedient faith in Him.

Church.Inc

There no longer is true separation of Church and State in the USA. This is because pastors voluntarily brought their churches under the authority of the State by asking to become State corporations.

They do this because they believe it legitimizes their local church, and because they believe they receive certain “benefits” from the State for incorporating.

All the Christians had to do in the Roman Empire to escape persecution was to acknowledge Caesar as lord. Once they did this simple, yet blasphemous act, they could worship Christ in whatever way they wanted, persecution free.

501(c)3 incorporation of the Church in America is the equivalent of Emperor worship in Ancient Rome. There is no difference between paying homage to Caesar and filling out the paperwork requesting the State to make the local church into a corporation of the State. The result is the same - the State becomes the head of the church and the church must conform the structure of her organization to the State’s mandates. This is embodied in your church’s bylaws and articles of incorporation. It is also found in the unbiblical Trustees.

God cannot and will not bless a church that has compromised on this most basic and fundamental matter. Unless and until the American Church repents of this sin, she will remain anemic, irrelevant, and impotent. And her shepherds will continue to act as hirelings, and boot lickers of the State.

The Death of Neutrality

What is happening in our country, and perhaps the entire world is the march towards non-neutrality. This movement is hanging in the air, like a heavy specter that cannot be avoided. Many people are swept up in the momentum, and don’t even know it. More, every day, are working towards its implementation. The time is coming where neutrality will no longer be an option. Where you stand will be readily apparent.

What issue am I referring to? I could pick a dozen off the top of my head. It matters not which one you choose, they all are driving us towards the precipice. I believe people who lived in other times in history would recognize the atmosphere of angst. It’s more difficult to recognize the first time you experience it, and experiencing it, we are.

We are witnessing the fall of modern civilization as we know it. It took Rome hundreds of years to fall, other civilizations fell much faster than that. How long will this take in our day? No one knows, but if I had to bet, I’d give it another 10 years at best, maybe sooner. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think I am.

I know where I stand, and if I die, I know where I will spend eternity so I have nothing to fear, though I don’t look forward to any pain or inconvenience that we may have to suffer. Forgive the gloom and doom, but my faith compels me to speak.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Moxie - n. Kathleen M. Patterson

It's my dear Mother's birthday today. Words cannot convey the love, admiration, and respect I have for her. She didn't just take lemons and make lemon aid in her life. She took heaps of manure and planted a fruitful garden. If you look up the word "moxie," I wouldn't be surprised if you saw a picture of my Mom.

Left to Right: Viola, Audrey, Edward, and Kathleen Fargo

I know that I am not alone in my love, admiration, and respect. My Mom literally spent years of her life behind closed doors, listening to, crying with, counseling, and praying for an untold amount of people. This flows from a heart that has been gripped by none other than Jesus Christ Himself.

My Mom and Dad at their 50th Wedding Anniversary!

She can tell you her own testimony, how Christ redeemed her life from the pit. (Psalm 103:4) One of the main reasons I am a Christian today is that I saw a dramatic change happen in my Mom's life many years ago when I was still a child. Once Christ got ahold of her, she never looked back.

Sisters Audrey (Fargo) Holmes and Kathleen (Fargo) Patterson

She went from a high school dropout to earning a Master's Degree in Social Work. She also deserves a place in the pastoral "gallery" of the Bakerville United Methodist Church. In my opinion, she was the only bright spot in the long line of pastoral duds that have darkened that pulpit since the venerable George Smith. And she did it without receiving the "double honor" others received.

She has her share of "Alexander the coppersmith" (2 Timothy 4:14) in a couple of family members who dishonor "their Mother and Father,", even to the point of one proclaiming her "dead." I fear for those who break the first commandment with promise (Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:1), and I pray for their repentance regularly.

I recently wrote about my dad, how he is my "hero." However, my Mom is more like a Light House in my life; inviting, safe, kind, and protective. I do not know anyone else in my life who has the gift of wisdom that my Mom has. She just "gets it." 

She has taught me one of the most essential life lessons. Anyone who has ever had the honor of receiving my Mother's ministry will know that at the end of almost every conversation, she will invariably utter the words, "Let's pray!" Those two words have introduced more change, healing, and honor to Christ than any words I have ever heard anyone else utter. 

My Mom is one year away from 80, as I am a year and a half away from 60. We are almost 20 years apart in age, which is remarkable considering that I have an older brother and sister. I cherish my Mom and am grateful to God for the gift that she is in my life and in the lives of many other people. 

As I have written in other places concerning my parents, I know that I will grieve when each one passes on to their reward, but I will not have regrets. Why? Because I intentionally take time to get to know them and spend time with them. I feel sad for family members who haven't done the same. It is truly their loss.

Happy Birthday, Mom! I pray you to have a blessed day filled with the same joy that you have brought to me and so many others.

The 100th Sheep, continued…

I came to faith in Christ at an early age. I don’t exactly know when this happened in human time, but I can assure you it already happened in Christ before the foundation of the world (Revelation 17:8). But, of course, this doesn’t mean I’ve lived an exemplary life since my conversion to Christ those many years ago.

On the contrary, no one knows better than me and the good Lord Himself how many times I presumed upon His grace and turned to my own way. (Isaiah 53:6) There was a particularly dark time in my life several years ago where I was downright rebellious and blatantly disobedient to God. I thought I could secretly sin and escape the chastisement of my heavenly Father. (Hebrews 12:3-11) Thanks be to God; he disciplined me and restored me to the fold.

I got myself into such a mess that I could not find my way back home. A few of the most meaningful people in my life turned their back on me and cast me onto the dung pile of life. Others stood in stunned silence, not knowing how to help their friend, father, brother, and son. And to be honest, I bit the hands that tried.

In Luke 15:3-7, Jesus told a parable about Himself, the Good Shepherd that left the 99 sheep to go and search for, find and rescue the 100th Sheep who could not find his way home. I am that Sheep. I know there are other 100th Sheep all throughout time. In fact, all His sheep are 100th Sheep, though some of them have the illusion that they don’t deserve that title.

I love the movie The Shawshank Redemption. I particularly love the scene where Andy Dufrene just finished crawling through over 300 yards of filth to escape his prison. He stood with His arms outstretched, wide facing the falling rain. Few people could watch that scene without feeling a sense of freedom.

I know I may appear odd to others. I don’t know if my friends and family wish I didn’t write such blog posts. I’m not sure if I embarrass my grown children. I’m pretty sure those who hate me (and, yes, I have a few) will comment on my hypocrisy and drama. To be quite honest, I don’t care what others think of me. I am the 100th Sheep brought back from the edge by my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am not ashamed to give Him glory. If it wasn’t for Him, I would be a lost goat forever.

When I die, I want the epitaph on my gravestone to be:

Norman Harold Patterson Jr.

The 100th Sheep

Luke 15:3-7

December 8, 1962 - ?????

Pastoral Experience, Credentials, and Objectives

Norman H. Patterson Jr.

28 Latimer Ln.

Simsbury, Connecticut 06070

860-601-3782 | Nhpatterson1962@gmail.com

Pastoral Experience

Street Preaching; The Streets of Connecticut: 2022 until I die!

As often as possible, I go out street preaching in the streets of Connecticut and beyond.

I preach Christ at Pro-Abortion Rallies and call sinners to repentance in Christ.

I go to college campuses to preach.

Director of Ministry, The 100th Sheep Ministries; Simsbury, CT: 2018-Present

www.The100thSheepMinistries.com

Pastor, Covenant of Grace Presbyterian Church; Bristol, CT: 2003-2015

Former member of the Covenant Presbyterian Denomination.

Chaplain, The Master’s School;  West Simsbury, CT: 1999-2003

Chaplin responsibilities included weekly preaching and teaching, student ministry, Bible education, and community outreach.

Interim Pastor, Lakeville UMC; Lakeville, CT: 2002

Preaching and pastoral duties.

Associate Pastor, Bakerville UMC; New Hartford, CT: 1992-1999

Periodic preaching, Oversight of Youth Ministries, Assisting Senior Pastor, Senior Pastor duties for 6 months. 

Pastor, Glendale/Monson UMC;  Wilbraham and Monson, MA: 1991-1992

Full-time pastor of two churches simultaneously.

Pastor, Colchester Community UMC; Downsville, NY: 1989-1991

Full-time pastor.

Pastor, the Genesee and Ulysess UMC; Ulysess, PA: 1988-1989

Full-time pastor of two churches.

Associate Pastor, Logansport UMC; Logansport, IN: 1987-1988  

Pastor of Youth Ministries and Periodic Sunday morning preaching. 

Pulpit Supply and/or Interim Ministry:

Calvary Baptist Church, Torrington; The First Congregational church of Barkhamsted; Colebrook Congregational Church; First Church of Winsted; Second Congregational Church of Winsted; First Congregational Church of Thomaston; First Church of Torrington; Torrington Foursquare Church; Founders Congregational Church of Harwinton; Trinity United Methodist Church in Windsor; Bath United Methodist Church of New York; Walton United Methodist Church of New York; and more!

EDUCATION

Asbury Theological Seminary — M.Div: 1984-1987

Central Connecticut State University  — BA Philosophy, Minor Psychology: 1982-1984

Northwestern Community College —Assoc. Gen Art & Science: 1980-1983

Ordinations

Deacon; The United Methodist Church: 1989

Elder; The United Methodist Church: 1991

Pastor; The International Ministerial Fellowship: 1995

Pastor; The Covenant Presbyterian Church: 2005

Ordained Pastor in Resident at the 100th Sheep Ministries.

Faith Statement

• The Bible is the inerrant and infallible self-authenticating revelation of the one and only Trinitarian God.

• The Westminster Standards of 1646.

• The 5 Solas of the Reformation.

• T.U.L.I.P.

• Presuppositional Apologetics as articulated by Dr. Cornelius Van Til and Dr. Greg Bahnsen.

• Seeking to attend and/or pastor a church that is not incorporated, or one that seeks to dissolve their 501(c)3 corporation status with the State of Connecticut.

Other

Owner of The YellowJacket Expert llc: 2006-Present

Organic removal of stinging insects for homeowners and businesses in Connecticut and greater New England, as well as providing venom to sting allergy treatment labs throughout the U.S. and Great Britain. 

Relevant skills

• Self-educated in Presuppositional Apologetics

• Working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew tools and resources

• Extensive leadership experience

• Elemental Fluency in Spanish

• Certified to teach English as a second language

• International Teacher Training Organization, Guadalajara, Mexico 

• Certification in Life Coaching

The Ultimate Test of a Religious Exemption

At the outset of this blog post, I want to state clearly and unequivocally that the proof of one's claim for a religious exemption (RE) is the expression of a RE itself. It is not the right of another person or entity to determine whether another's RE is legitimate or not. That would defeat the principle of seeking one, wouldn't it? Whether those in power are elected officials, hired governmental employees, business owners, or a school, college, or university, the unifying factor is those in authority have the opportunity to impose their will upon the participants. 

The point of a RE is that a person is in defiance of a memo, mandate, law, command, or legislation which demands conformity. There is no need for a RE if there is no threat of coercion or actual force upon the opposer. The necessary precondition of a RE is the threat of consequences or governmental force upon the non-compliant.

That being said, I now turn to the nature of RE itself. While it is not within the purview of those in power to determine what is worthy of a RE and what is not, the powers that be have an inherent suspicion that those who seek RE are doing so for less than noble reasons. 

The very fact that those in power raised a mandate to the level of the potential negative consequences reveals they have determined that the required action is so severe that it demands conformity. What is pertinent is it is the nature of those in power to believe nonconformists do not want to be inconvenienced rather than having a sincerely held religious conviction that runs contrary to what is being demanded.

The ultimate test of a sincere religious conviction that would see a RE is not whether the person seeking the RE does everything in their power to fight what is being imposed. From a Christian point of view, I believe worshippers of Christ are obligated to find peaceful means to oppose anything that would demand compromise to their faith.

Peaceful means include, but are not limited to, researching RE clauses already in place, meeting with legislators, supervisors, owners of a business, boards of directors, boards of education, or whoever is in the decision-making process. Peaceful does not necessarily mean nice or polite. We live in a time when a person speaking with conviction and passion is perceived as an extremist unless, of course, the speaker is spouting the status quo. Protests are often peaceful, even if it means manifesting angry words. "Peaceful" in this context means no physical force is being used or threatened.

Peaceful means may require leaving a place of employment, even to your financial detriment. It may require homeschooling your children. It may mean boycotting colleges and universities that require conformity, and so on. The point is if it is indeed a religious conviction, we are willing to suffer the consequences after all other avenues have been exhausted.

But what is the ultimate test of a religious exemption? The ultimate test of a RE is a person's willingness to die for their conviction rather than conform. Those in power do not fear those who seek RE because they do not believe others are willing to die for what they hold most dear. Perhaps they don't believe it because they, themselves, have nothing for which they will give their lives. 

The time is coming when those seeking RE will have to make the ultimate choice, "Am I willing to die for my faith or will I compromise?" This ultimatum may not happen in our lifetime, but it has already occurred in the lifetime of hundreds of millions of people throughout history. The blood of the brave men, women, and children of the past testify to the truth of my words. The guilty party in the past, present, and future are those who are so convinced their way is right that they are willing to spill other people’s blood to enforce their convictions upon others. The innocent party was, are, and will always be those who are eager to die to be true to their God and what He requires. 

The Lost Art of Biblical Interpretation: Introduction

Biblical interpretation is quickly becoming a lost art. On the one hand, everyone believes they have the knowledge, skill, and expertise to interpret the Bible correctly. After all, isn't the Bible the book of the People? Didn't the Protestant Reformation wrestle the Bible from the tight grip of the Roman Catholic Church? Haven't the most significant changes come about because of Biblical literacy? 

The Bible is not a book of secret knowledge that only the enlightened initiated can understand. The contents in the Bible are, for the most part, easy to read. Much of the Bible are narratives that communicate content and truth that is easy to understand without much study.

The technical term for this is "perspicuity." This is a Latin word that means "to see through." In other words, the Bible is clear in all that intends to communicate. Children and Scholars alike can easily understand most, if not all, of its contents.

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. ”

— Psalm 119:130

Yet, on the other hand, it is easy to misinterpret the Bible. How is it that Christians can look at the same Bible and conclude that babies should and should not be baptized? Why are there over 30,000 denominations in the United States alone? If the Bible is so clear, why do cults develop? And how can there be such diversity on moral matters, such as whether a Christian can participate in homosexual marriage or whether murderers should receive the death penalty? Those issues barely scratch the surface of disagreement even amongst those who read the same Bible and claim the name of Christ.

Doesn't this mean that the Bible is not very perspicuous (clear) after all? I believe the answer to this question lies in the context of our modern culture. We live in an age whose motto could be summed up in the phrase "question authority." Even though this morsel of advice contradicts itself; most people don’t question the authoritative motto itself. In other words, if you apply the advice to "question authority”, shouldn't you question an authoritative statement that tells you to question authority? Be that as it may, we live in a time when there is either outright skepticism (we can't know ultimate authority) or outright atheism (no ultimate authority exists). 

The net result is twofold. First, any claim to ultimate authority, which is at the heart of the Bible, is denied or ignored. And second, each person becomes an authority unto himself, interpreting the Bible in a way that he or she sees fit. Both are equally detrimental to the art of Biblical interpretation. 

For these reasons (I'm sure there are others), Biblical interpretation is a lost art. This series intends to help restore and revive this lost art. To accomplish this, I will be writing about the following subjects:

• Identifying What You Already Believe about the Bible.

• Why All Non-Biblical Interpretive Assumptions are Self-Attesting and Self-Defeating

• What is the Bible's Own Testimony of Itself?

• What Are the 3 Main Approaches to the Bible?

• How Your Approach Affects Your Methodology.

• Reading Into or Drawing Out of the Bible.

• Tools in the Art of Biblical Interpretation.

• Examples of the Art of Biblical Interpretation.

And More!

By the way, if anyone in Connecticut would like to participate in a class on the Art of Biblical Interpretation, feel free to contact me at nhpatterson1962@gmail.com.

Mutual Exclusivity

Relativism and Absolutism are mutually exclusive and contain the seed of the complete annihilation of the other. Biblical Christianity blatantly and unapologetically asserts “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Any and all religions, philosophies, and worldviews that are founded up Relativism, which ultimately make up all others besides Biblical Christianity, are absolutely intolerant of the self-attesting Christ of Scripture.

Advocates of whatever form Relativism happens to manifest itself also seek for “every knee to bow and every tongue to confess” in total adherence to its fundamental presupposition as well, and will tolerate nothing less than total obedience.

The difference between Relativism and the Absoluteness of Biblical Christianity is that the latter is open, honest, and forthright in its intent, while the former is covert, deceptive, and manipulative in carrying out its agenda.

Both seek to make converts and are tireless in evangelism. Another difference is that the individual converts to Biblical Christianity make a conscious decision to discipleship, while the disciples of Relativism are members by default, whether it is a conscious choice or not.

In the words of Neil Peart, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.” Or in the words of Jesus Christ, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” (ESV, Matthew 12:30) To not choose the Absolute God of the Bible is to choose the Relativistic god of this world.

The nature of Relativism and Absolutism make neutrality impossible, which, in the end, testifies to the truth of Absolutism, for Relativism itself absolutely excludes the possibility of Absolutism. Relativism, along with all associated religions, philosophies, and worldviews proclaim the doctrine of the absolute impossibility of the Absoluteness of Biblical Christianity.

Now that you, my reader, are aware of this dichotomy, you are culpable of what is now a conscious choice. I ask that you be honest and authentic of your choice, both to yourself, to your fellow human beings, and to the God or god you serve.

N. H. Patterson Jr. Christian Pastor, Apologist, and Sinner saved by grace.

A Tribute to My Dad: Father’s Day 2021

My Dad is my hero. He may be surprised to hear this since he often expresses deep regret for not being the Dad he imagines he was supposed to be while my siblings and I were growing up. He has this regret because, to be honest, he often was not there.

Why wasn’t he there? It is because he was working hard to provide for his wife and four children. One summer, I worked for my father in a factory where he was a foreman. It was then that I gained a deep appreciation for my father’s work. For most of my young life, my father worked the second shift. This means he was often asleep when we left for school, or he had already headed off to work when we came back home.

Me and my Dad, March 6, 1966. After he broke his leg on sheer ice as a milkman on February 28, 1966.

My Dad worked hard. He wasn’t blowing his hard-earned money going to bars or buying things for himself. In fact, when he was around, he was often fixing old cars, lawnmowers, or something that broke around the house. On the weekends, my mom helped make ends meet, so my Dad held down the fort as four wild and energetic children lived out what I consider now an idyllic childhood. 

From left to right: My Dad, Aunt Carol, and yours truly.

We lived on five acres of beautiful land in Burville, Connecticut. When we were young, we had a shetland pony named Blastoff. I remember my Dad had chickens, rabbits, and some noisy geese that honked in incessantly. I learned how to make maple syrup in early spring by watching my Dad tap trees and boil down the sap until it became a golden syrup that we’d slather on our pancakes. My brother and I have a love of honey bees that started when my Dad and his sister Carol, bought some hives many years ago.

It wasn’t always fluffy white clouds and rainbows, though. My parents often fought, though their love and commitment has lasted well over 60+ years. On a few occasions, I remember my Dad losing his temper with me. I can’t imagine why he would because I was nothing but an obedient angelic child (cough).
As I grew older, I saw my father struggling with what I now understand as depression. When I was 16 or 17, I don’t remember exactly; I wrote him a poem about how much I appreciated him and his work. He was in the middle of some project when I handed it to him. When he read it, he broke down in tears while those tears broke my heart.

It’s fascinating to me how fathers and sons can differ so much. My own Dad was a factory worker for much of his adult life, and my son has the gift of fixing automobiles. I have a more philosophical bent and thrive in the concrete abstractions of the theological discourse of men like John Calvin, Dr. Cornelius Van Til, and Dr. Greg Bahnsen. Perhaps my father’s and my son’s proclivity to bring order to a broken mechanical world is manifested in my enjoyment of the theological precision of the Westminster Confession or Presuppositional Apologetics. God only knows.

There is a side to my father that surprises many people. My Dad often stumbles over his words, which some misinterpret as a lack of education. While my Dad did eventually get his GED, the gifts God gave him are not in the academic. Yet, I sit and philosophize with my Dad. He holds his own as he contemplates the mysteries of God’s sovereignty and Man’s responsibility, the theology behind holy communion, or the work of the Holy Spirit, to name a few. He might not recognize these musings as doing theology. Still, I assure you, he grapples with deep questions with acumen and wonder.

My father is a gifted musician. Not only does he love to sing, but I remember as a boy my Dad putting on Handal’s Messiah, rosining up his bow, arranging his sheet music, and watching his fingers dance over his violin’s fretboard as he kept pace with the professional recordings of the Overture. It thrilled me to watch horse hair shed from his bow. He played along at church for many years until arthritis conquered his hands. The last time I heard my father play his violin up to capacity was on my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary, where he serenaded my mom to the haunting yet comforting melody of Ashokan Farewell. There is a video copy of their anniversary, though I have not put my hands on it.

I could go on, but my wife tells me that blogs are supposed to be brief and to the point. I have a tendency to go on far too long and perhaps lose my reader. But I am not writing for the general public as much as I am to God, to my loved ones, and to the “kindred spirits” who, through divine providence, stumble across my page.

Be that as it may, I hope you know I love you, Dad, and I hope and pray you to have a wonderful Father’s Day. You are loved by me and by many, and I appreciate you and all the sacrifices you have made for your friends and family throughout the years. 

The Myth of Co-Existence

Introduction

One of the most popular bumper stickers of our time is the one that calls for Co-Existence. This blog post intends to expose the reality of why Biblical Christianity and the Co-Exist Movement are mutually exclusive.

The Exclusivity of Biblical Christianity

It is easy to recognize the intolerance of Biblical Christianity. The Bible is the only self-authenticating book that claims to be the self-revelation of the one and only self-existing Trinitarian God who exists as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The God of the Bible not only claims to be the Truth, but He also claims that the very foundation of Truth itself cannot exist apart from Him. In other words, if you do not start with the God of the Bible, there is no such thing as Truth. To take it one step further, to deny the self-existing Trinitarian God is to destroy the foundation of logic, reason, science, and ethics. 

The Legacy of Emmanuel Kant

Far too many Christians, and people in general, have accepted the presuppositions of Immanuel Kant whether they realize it or not. His legacy is the belief that the subjective human mind is what makes sense of “reality.” Our minds are responsible for universals, order, meaning, and morality. They do not exist outside of our brains. What cannot be known, according to this philosophy, is the spiritual realm. I don’t think Kant would deny that there is a spiritual realm. I think he would deny that we can know what that realm is with our finite, limited brains. 

Most, if not all, modern theology is built upon this premise. Most Christians buy into this philosophical worldview. Whenever you hear someone say there exists a gap between truth and belief, you can know they have fallen for Kant’s philosophy.

Whenever you hear a Christian acquiesce or even promote the silly notion that faith and reason are mutually exclusive, you know Kant has influenced them. Statements like “faith takes over where reason leaves off” are children of Kant’s thought. Among his children are Liberal Theology, Neo-Orthodoxy, along any number of their heretical “ology” siblings.

The Foundation of “Proof” Itself

Biblical Christianity, particularly the Calvinistic theology expressed by Dr. Cornelious Van Til, understands that God’s revelation in His self-attesting Bible reveals Truth. Without this revelation, the very foundation of “proof” itself is destroyed. To prove anything, you must first presume the Bible and the God who “breathed” it into existence. As Van Til so articulately stated, the only proof of Biblical Christianity is the impossibility of the contrary. 

The Legacy of Kant

One of the most significant legacies of Emmanuel Kant’s bifurcated philosophy is the practical application of relativism. If we cannot know anything beyond the physical world, and if the spiritual world cannot intersect with the physical world, we truly cannot know anything except through subjective human speculation. Any claim to absolute truth is destroyed.

This brings us to Co-Exist. This is based upon the outworkings of Kant’s philosophy. Because we cannot directly know the spiritual world, no one, I mean no one, has the right to claim they have the corner market on Truth. The best we can do is tolerate one another and accept all viewpoints as meaningful and valid.

The Dishonesty of Co-Existence

Co-Exist philosophy is not honest in its stance on the impossibility of Biblical Christianity. If relativism is indeed the order of the day, then Biblical Christianity cannot be “true.” It must necessarily be false because it alone claims absolute and total exclusivity; God is not only the Author of the Truth (John 17:17) but is Truth Himself. (John 16:6)

What many do not see is the self-defeating presuppositions of Co-Exist philosophy. Among many other humanistic Kantian-based philosophies, this philosophy claims that truth is relative. There are no absolutes, especially not the absolutes proclaimed in the Bible, and particularly not the ethical absolutes embodied in the Law of God. 

There are Absolutely No Absolutes

I saw this self-defeating contradiction on my first day of college in my Sociology class. The professor proudly wrote on the board, “There are no absolutes.” I asked him if he was absolutely certain of this, which he dismissed with a smirk. 

While Co-Exist presents as a kinda cool Bob Marley version of philosophy, underneath are the iron jaws of absolute intolerance. For both Biblical Christianity and Co-Exist philosophy to allow the possibility of the other to be “truth” is to passively accept the viral Trojan Horse that contains the seeds of destruction of the other. Tolerance cannot allow for the possibility of intolerance, and intolerance cannot allow for the possibility of absolute tolerance. 

Let’s Be Honest

The difference between the two is that Biblical Christianity is upfront, honest, and unequivocal in its claim to Absolute Truth. The Co-Existence crowd isn’t so open. To claim there is no such thing as absolute Truth is to claim an absolute truth. It is the claim that it is absolutely true that there is no such thing as absolute Truth. As I wrote earlier, it is a self-defeating presupposition that cannot authenticate itself. 

Conclusion

So the next time you see one of those Co-Exists bumper stickers, I hope you will understand why both Biblical Christianity and the philosophy behind Co-Exist cannot co-exist. The only real difference is that Biblical Christianity is honest about it. But that’s not surprising since Co-Existence philosophy does not have to be honest about anything because it is accountable to no one.

A Word To Pastors and Civil Magistrates