Modern Magic and Mocking God

     It's time to take a break from all the post-election speculation and obsession, don't you think?  And, so it was with cautious curiosity that my husband and I tuned into David Blaine's TV Special, called "Beyond Magic".  Now, for those of you unfamiliar with David Blaine, he is billed as a Magician, Illusionist, and Endurance Artist. To be honest with you, I wasn't all that familiar with him, but the commercial for his special was intriguing, as it appeared that he both disgusted and alarmed celebrities and average folks alike with his displays of mysterious and supernatural magic.
    But the real reason I wanted to watch it is because I am becoming more and more aware of the fascination with the Occult in our forms of entertainment.  In fact, it is becoming more popular and more mainstream.  To be sure, one of the finalists on this season's America's Got Talent, was a couple from Vienna, Austria, who called themselves "The Clairvoyants".  The woman partner in the duo dazzled the judges [and America] with her ability to use what she calls her "unique art of intuition" to reveal random thoughts, objects, and personal facts associated with audience members.  And in case you do not know what a clairvoyant medium is, they are able to see spirits, auras, objects and places that are not perceptible to others. But here is what the fascinated audience did not understand ... Only God can read the minds of men.  When men [or women] claim supernatural power to read the minds of others, they are involved in a form of witchcraft and divination, which is clearly condemned by God.  

     Back to David Blaine... during the opening animation for the show, it was obvious that whatever power he uses to complete his "magic", it is derived from the occult.  Images of demons and the Goat god Baphomet were discreetly portrayed in the cartoon-like introduction.  Was he showing those with discernment just exactly who is behind his success?  And the title, "Beyond Magic"... was that a nod to the supernatural spirits who supply him with the methods to pull off his magic and illusions; and do they provide superhuman abilities to achieve such performances as catching a bullet in his mouth?

     Here is what is becoming obvious to me ... Satan loves to boast and show off what he can do through those who are willing to accept his offer of spiritual power. In so doing, he overplays his cards and shows people exactly who and what is at the core of the game. And this is nothing new!  From the beginning pages of the Bible, God warns against interacting with mediums or familiar spirits; to avoid all forms of the occult, including divination, necromancy, astrology, hypnotism, fortune-telling, magic, etc., so that you might not become defiled by them.
     The Bible gives us plenty of accounts of practicers of the occult:  from Simon the Magician, Elymas the Sorcerer, the girl at Philippi, and the entire city of Ephesus; all within the Book of Acts!  But perhaps none are so well known as the magicians, the astrologers, and the sorcerers who advised King Nebuchadnezzar in the Book of Daniel.  These men made their living on their supposed ability to contact the gods and gain secrets from the spirit realm. Yet they were no match for the power and might of Daniel's God who was able to communicate truth to the prophet.

     And that is my fear about the increasing amount of occultism that is being presented as entertainment and amusement and diversion to a society and culture that is struggling and hurting.  Because it is not amusing, and it is nothing to play around with.  I fear that it has captured the attention of our youth, drawing them into a realm they are unequipped to handle.  And more than anything, I see it as mocking God.  Just take a look at this image of magician and illusionist, Criss Angel.  First, there are the angel wings. Somehow, I sense they are imitating a Fallen Angel, rather than an angel of the Lord.  He also wears a necklace displaying his "A"symbol above a necklace of the Cross, clearly belittling the power of Jesus. Then there is the key, which represents those properties which unlock the mystical "wisdom" of the occult. It also represents the unlocking of "latent physic powers," thereby opening the doors to the world of the supernatural. You can also see the Ace of Spades, which in occultism is the symbol of ancient mysteries and the card that represents transformation. It all adds up to what Satan specializes in—illusion.  And whether Criss Angel is aware he is opening up portals and being used by the Prince of the Air, or truly believes he has unlocked the mysteries of the spirit realm, it doesn't really matter.  His end will be the same.
     But it was David Blaine's "frog trick" that spoke the loudest of Occultic influences.  It was as if he was enacting Revelation 16:13 before my very eyes.  In Chapter 16 of the Book of Revelation, we are told that 7 angels have been instructed to "pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath and indignation of God."  Just before the final bowl of wrath is poured out, we read this passage in verses 13 and 14:  And I saw three loathsome spirits like frogs, leaping from the mouth of the dragon (Satan) and from the mouth of the beast (Antichrist, dictator) and from the mouth of the false prophet; for they are [actually] the spirits of demons, performing [miraculous] signs.
     Not only does the opening animation of "Beyond Magic" depict a frog coming from an open mouth, but Blaine actually references the plague of frogs that came upon Egypt.  But it was the fact that he spits out three frogs from his mouth during the act that convinces me he has acquired powers from the Dark Side.  He is able to perform lying wonders and signs because he has accepted the offer of dark powers from the false god of the air.
     Here is what these magicians and illusionists fail to understand: The powers they have received are a counterfeit substitute for the power of God. Whether or not they acknowledge it, they are occult practitioners who serve gods other than the God of the Bible. What these magicians do not grasp is that the power to do magic only appears to be under their control. They are actually being used by demonic beings with superior intelligence to their own. Real evil spirits are willing to be engaged by these magicians in order to captivate both their soul and the audience. They’ll move an object, give you a revelation, mind read, and more. They will draw you in as needed, and is it all according to what the Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:1: But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons.  That is exactly what this new "Age of Satanism" offers as entertainment to the masses.  It is becoming more blatant and tolerated, and is a sure sign of the increasing power of Satan and his followers.
     In the end, these modern magicians are no different than the wizards that astounded the courts of the ancient kings.  They are "pretenders of the magic arts", receiving limited powers from the demons of false gods.  Little do they know that they are practicing in the realm of deception and rebellion.  Magic is designed to lead us astray, and the Bible tells us that those who practice magic arts are headed to destruction and disaster.  And the world is mesmerized....

You can watch David Blaine's "Beyond Magic" by clicking on this link.  

2 Thessalonians 2:9    "The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,"

The Challenge For Christians In Our Culture

     How many of you feel that we are not living in a Christian culture?  At the very least, I think we can say that our society and culture continually challenge us to live a Christian life.  If we say, as a Christian, that the Bible is our guidebook or manual for living a life that is pleasing to God, then it is the Source by which we must evaluate our culture.
     First, we must understand that God is not disconnected, or distant from, or even outside our culture ... and He doesn't want us to be either!  After all, He created us, and it is human beings who create the culture.  Furthermore, we are not to shun the culture or fear it when it doesn't represent our Christian values.  In reality, I believe that God wants us to be responsible for our culture; to be stewards of this world He created and to contribute to it and transform it.

     And when you look at our culture today ... the anarchy in the streets; the political and social division; the lack of moral absolutes ... it is easy to see that we have some work cut out for us.  While acknowledging that we Christians have not been good stewards of the culture, I am choosing, at this point, to concentrate on how we begin to influence the culture moving forward.  I know I have addressed this before, but it is easy to say that we are to love one another, and show compassion and mercy, and turn the other cheek -- all actions that imitate our Lord -- but it is sometimes difficult to equate Biblical principles when we hear that the Bible is outdated and it no longer speaks to our generation.  How are we to incorporate the Bible into our responses to the culture?
     To begin with, we would do well to search the Scriptures for answers.  There are good examples for us to follow in the Bible; examples that mirror what we are facing today.  And while there are those who may think that this ancient Book could offer nothing to us modern 21st Century citizens, I want you to consider what Paul had to say about the culture of the city of Corinth, and how Believers were to respond to it.
     Believers in Corinth inhabited a culture which resembles ours in many ways. Like America, it was diverse ethnically, religiously, and philosophically. Like our nation, it set a standard [in the known world] for wealth, literature, and the arts. And it had a notorious reputation for its flagrant display of sexual immorality.  Sounds like a brochure promoting life in America, doesn't it?
    So, how did Paul first reassure, and then instruct, the Believers in this corrupt city on how they were to live within this un-Christian culture?  He really gave them a pretty ingenious plan to follow, and it is contained in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22:  For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.  To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.  To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.  To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 
     Note that Paul expresses the Liberty we have as Christians (I am free from all) to relate to all people. He is not suggesting that we be false in our appearance, but rather to put ourselves in the shoes of all that we meet, so that we might understand where they are coming from.
     Liberty is something that all Americans subscribe to, no matter what side of the political aisle they fall on.  But we must make it clear to our culture that we recognize that our Christian life is one lived in the liberty of God's grace.  The liberty we have is for the purpose of glorifying God.  We must make it clear that a liberty, or a freedom, that condones sin is just another form of slavery.  Although the protestors in our streets have the liberty to do so, we must make it clear that we do not condone violence or destruction of property.  That does not glorify the God who created us all!  On the other hand, while we must be sensitive to the pressing concerns of our fellow citizens, we must maintain the liberty to uphold our Christian standards.
     And speaking of protestors, how are we supposed to make our voice heard above all the dissenters, agitators, and demonstrators in our current culture?  Well, Paul dealt with that, too.  In Acts 17, the Bible says that while Paul awaited Timothy and Silas to join him in Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.  The idols consisted not only of carved and graven images, but philosophies that had become cultural idols.  Among these philosophies were the teachings of Epicurus (Epicureanism), and Stoicism, the foremost popular philosophy among the educated elite in the Hellenistic world and the Roman Empire.  Do you see the similarities, and would you agree that the so-called "educated Elite" of our day have successfully made idols of themselves?

     Paul found himself being challenged on how to open up a dialogue, or communicate, with these philosophies that were at odds with Christianity.  Epicureanism was embodied in the belief that "pleasure" was the greatest good, and that the way to attain such pleasure was to live modestly, to gain knowledge of the workings of the world, and to limit one's desires.  Followers were religious skeptics, professing doubt in divine intervention or heavenly authority.  Stoics maintained that it is virtuous to live a good life and maintain a will that is in accord with nature; that the way a person lived their life was the best indicator of his goodness... A Stoic would change his will to suit the world and remain, in the words of Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher, "sick and yet happy, in peril and yet happy, dying and yet happy, in exile and happy, in disgrace and happy."
     As one can see, these philosophies put the emphasis on man and his will and efforts.  There was no consideration of the One who created them!  We can likewise see that same idolatrous fixation on the ideologies of Materialism, Individualism, Relativism, and Secularism -- all of which have become idols of behavior in our culture.  It was no different in Paul's day!  But evidently, Paul was able to converse with any segment of the population. Why can't we become like Paul, and as alert, thinking, sensitive, concerned, discerning Christians, challenge ourselves to confront our culture in all of its diversity and pluralism?  I will admit that it is easier to converse with those who are like-minded, but that is not our only responsibility.  We must learn how to coexist with people who are different than us, and accept the challenge that Paul did in the city of Corinth ... that we might win more of them for the Kingdom of God.
     Yes, it is reported that Evangelicals were largely responsible for the shift in direction that our recent Presidential election seems to be indicating for our country and our culture.  But we've got to do more than show up at the ballot box every four years.  That alone will not influence our culture.  Shouldn't we be trying to find the "points of understanding", or the common ground, and build from there?  We must not isolate ourselves out of a spirit of arrogance or repulsion -- or even in orchestrated disapproval -- but insert ourselves into the culture, so that we might imitate Jesus and make Him known among the idolators.  I suspect that just like Paul (in Acts 17:32-34), we will at first be mocked or sneered at; then there will be those who will say "tell us more"; until finally some might join us and believe.
     We must be fully prepared for God to be rejected, but equally prepared to share more of Him when asked; and ultimately we can hope to rejoice when the seeds we've planted fall on fertile soil.  I know that's hard to imagine as we watch the coverage of the angry people in the streets and the continuous bashing of our Christian principles by the idol-worshippers in our land. But in the end, I think it is incumbent upon we Christians to have a change of attitude about our culture.  Instead of viewing it as an enemy that we must battle or defeat, maybe we should see the culture as a means [or a vehicle] to be used by Him and His people for His purposes.
     As we watch the continuing coverage of the animosity and anger in our culture, we see what a challenge there is before us.  But it is no different than the challenge Jesus faced as He confronted the culture in His homeland, or the challenge that Paul and the other Apostles faced as they engaged the cultures of the ancient world.  The question becomes this ... can we have the same impact they did?  We certainly have the advantage of reaching more people, quicker and more creatively, than they did.  But in the end, perhaps it is the simple knowledge of the Power of the Word -- the Word that speaks of true Liberty, Forgiveness and Repentance -- that is the most effective.
     Are we up to the challenge?  Or has our culture convinced us to be silent, insignificant, and powerless?  That is now how Paul and the other Disciples of Jesus dealt with their cultures.  Hear me! There is a profound truth that we must face in our present day and culture ... yes, we are confronted with a daunting challenge, but we know that greater challenges await us in these Last Days!  Now is the time to prepare for those greater challenges, and we need to learn how to trust God and to draw on His strength in this present challenge, in order that we might be strengthened spiritually, mentally, and emotionally for the greater challenges to come.  As the Bible tells us, a perverse culture is going to be the least of our problems!

Jeremiah 12:5    "If you have raced with runners and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in a peaceful land, what will you do in the thickets of the Jordan?"

   

What Now? How Do We Move Forward?

     It has been nearly a week since our national election and there seems to be a concerted effort to continuously promote division amongst our populace.  It's as if a powerful "force" is determined to create rivalry, bitterness, and hostility between us.  We can point to outside agitators, but we know who that "force" really is, don't we?  And I believe that the animosity we are seeing here in our nation, on earth, is mirroring the hostilities that are occurring in heaven between God and His host, and Satan and his followers.
     So, how are we to react, and what are our responsibilities?  I think I can sum it up by sharing an interesting experience I enjoyed this past weekend.  I have told you that my husband is an artist and part of our business is to exhibit his art at various shows and events.  He is primarily a Western artist, but every once in awhile, he is inspired to paint a different subject matter.
      As to be expected, there is always a cross-section of people who enjoy the arts.  They are not classified by political ideology, race or ethnicity, or whether they share religious beliefs or not.  In fact, we try to receive all people on an identical footing, with the idea that we are disciples of Christ, wherever we find ourselves.

"Yeshua" - My husband's comment on the painting:
"The emotion and impact of the Crucifixion is
stunning and heart-rending. The cut limestone
background and weathered Mexican wood
of the sideboard it rests upon only accentuate
the emotion of this piece.  Dramatic lighting
and the carved stone of the figure of Messiah
are poignant and touch my spirit".  

     That being said, it has been suggested to us, by one of the venues in which we exhibit, that presenting faith-based paintings is probably not a good idea because the public isn't interested in seeing them.  Of course, that doesn't deter my husband, who will not deny the glorification of our Lord because someone doesn't accept Him, or it makes them uncomfortable.  And, often, they are the first paintings to sell, because they strike an emotional chord in someone who loves Him as much as we do.
     Another artist who attended our opening was a photographer who had the same experience.  Likewise, she was advised not to enter a moving photograph in a contest because it featured an image of an open Bible through the window of an old church, with the panes casting a shadow of the cross across the wooden floor.  That photograph was very emotional and she received several orders for it.
     I relate all this to illustrate how easily the Enemy tries to convince us that our message of Christ is unwanted, unwelcome, and uninspiring.  And I believe that is the message that is being encouraged in the wake of this contentious election.  But, I believe just the opposite is true!  Right now, our nation needs the hope that Jesus inspires in those of us who are His disciples.  And it's taken me a bit to get to my point, but here it is .... Now is the time for us to live out what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  And exactly what does that mean and how do we do it?
     First of all, a careful study in Strong's Concordance tells me that to be a disciple of Jesus is to follow His teachings.  That means more than to be His student or pupil, but to be an upholder, a defender, and a true believer in Jesus.  In other words, it is our faith accompanied by action; to be an imitator of Christ within our spheres of influence.
      Very simply put, we need to show our nation -- and the world -- that we have faith in Jesus's message; that we live and love according to His holy principles; and above all, to show them what a life abiding in Christ looks like.  We are not nasty, racist, homophobic, misogynist, sexist haters.  In fact, we are honorable and moral people who will accept you even if you don't accept us.  We won't hate you for your sins, because we know what it is to be a sinner.  By exhibiting what it's like to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, we hope to show you Someone greater to believe in than yourself or the shiny temptations of the world.
     Don't get me wrong, we would love nothing more than to create a curiosity in others about the peace we find in the midst of all this discord and disharmony.  We want to share our testimony and tell you how we've been able to endure the difficulties and struggles in our lives; how and why we don't covet money, or prestige, or possessions.  We want to share the Source of why we are moved to paint, or photograph, or write about the One who defines our life.  Yes, I will admit that I want to teach you about Him, so that you might love Him as much as I do.  But I want to do that by showing you what it's like to serve others, to put others first, and to seek  Him above all things worldly.
     Those are attitudes that have been missing in our national discourse, and no elected official is going to be able to legislate Discipleship.  True discipleship comes from being a committed follower of Jesus, imitating Him in how we treat others, and adhering to His commandment to be the Light of the world.  There will be those who will respond to us, and those who will reject us.  We mustn't concern ourselves with the job of convincing people to accept us.  We must live our lives as examples of Christ, and let the Holy Spirit convict those He will.  So, in the intense and impassioned days ahead, do not lose your focus, nor turn aside from your responsibility as a Disciple of Christ.  Let not the world discourage you nor dissuade you from your purpose… because they will certainly try.  Just remember that we are equipped to carry on as His witnesses ... and our nation needs our example.

John 15:8    "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples."
   
   

Joel 3:14

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!

For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

    I have been talking a lot lately about the momentous decisions that have been presented to our nation in this election cycle.  Not only did we individual citizens have to decide who we wanted to represent us in our governing bodies, but those elected officials now have to decide how they will govern, and how to bring the nation together again.

    And I found it curious that as I am progressing once again through a detailed study of my Bible, I have arrived at the prophetic chapters of Joel.  It is interesting to me ... Joel has such significance, and a reputation, when it comes to the prophecies surrounding the End Times, that you expect it to have a lengthy number of chapters.  Yet, it has a lot to say in just three short ones.  And when I came to the section in the last chapter, subtitled The Lord Judges the Nations, I was struck anew by this familiar verse:  Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision. For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

     I say struck "anew", because all of a sudden, I saw a completely different understanding of verse 14.  In the past, I have understood that Joel is looking out upon the Valley of Jehoshaphat at the Battle of Armageddon, and sees the multitudes facing their eternal fate.  I have understood that, in life, there is a metaphorical valley of decision, and those who reject YHWH and His Messiah are in the wrong place in that valley of decision, which is ultimately fulfilled at the Battle of Armageddon.  

    I have generally adopted the 21st Century Evangelical interpretation of this Scripture, and assumed that it meant that all people standing in that valley must decide whether they are for or against Jesus; that it is their decision that is being portrayed.  

     But as I studied this passage again, I suddenly saw a new understanding!  From the beginning of Chapter 3, God makes it clear that it is He who has called the multitudes to appear in the valley... He says, "I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat" (verse 2) ... and,  "Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up" (verse 9) ... and, again, "Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves there" (verse 11).  Clearly, it is God who has arranged for these people to be drawn to the Valley of Decision.  

     But why?  If they are not there because of their own volition, and are not there to make a decision for or against Yeshua, then what is His purpose for summoning them there?  Here is a possible interpretation of that significant Scripture:  There is no question that Man does indeed stand in the valley of decision, but it is God who does the deciding, not man. It is a valley of judgment - the Bible clearly puts that valley in the context of the Day of the Lord.  And what happens on the Day of the Lord?  Among the events that day, the Bible tells us it will be a Day of Reckoning (Isaiah 2:12); a Day of Judgment (Isaiah 2:13-17); a Day of Destruction from the Almighty (Joel 1:15); a Day of Vengeance (Jeremiah 46:10); a Day when Justice is dealt out (Obadiah 15); a Day of Punishment (Zephaniah 1:8) and a Day of the Lord's Anger (Zephaniah 2:23).  

     It is obviously a Day when God decides. Our fate will be based on whether we have committed our lives to Jesus or to our own selfish desires.  Ultimately, it will not be a benign event, should we find ourselves standing in the Valley of Decision on that great and terrifying day.  If you have not made that decision yet -- or have a loved one who has not -- do not delay!  We do not know when the Day of the Lord will occur, and do not be caught unawares... you never want to be found among the multitudes in the valley of [God's] decision [when His judgment is executed]!

Valley of Decision: Don't Let The Father Of Lies Steal or Destroy Our Nation

     How sad, that on this Veteran's Day, we are seeing such acrimony and malice being exhibited post-election.  It is estimated that over 1.1 million Americans have died in service to this country since its inception.  I hate to think that the memory of that monumental sacrifice is diminished in the wake of unrealized election results.  I can recognize that one-half of the nation is disappointed at the outcome, but I truly am grieved at the excessive and unreasonable responses -- everything from abusive language and insults, to the calls for violence, destruction, and revolution.  And believe me, if the election had turned out the other way, I would feel the same if I saw such rancor and resentment.
     For those of us who have prayed for peace, reconciliation, and a return to moral absolutes and true liberty, I think we are a little aghast at the venom and poison being spewed.  But what else should we expect?  If President-Elect Trump is to be a genuine instrument of God, then isn't it likely that the Enemy is putting his own game plan into motion?  And let's be honest, we know that Romans 13 tells us that all those in authority have been granted their position by the permission and sanction of God.  Whether Donald Trump holds office as an indicator of God's Judgment or Restoration remains to be seen.  We can be hopeful -- and should be -- at this point, but there are lots of decisions to be made in the coming days that will set our nation on its future course.

     I can't help but compare this tenuous time to what it must have been like when Abraham Lincoln took office and the nation, like now, was so divided in its political character and complexion.  President-Elect Lincoln took a cautious approach in the days leading up to his inauguration, being careful to offer an olive branch to his former opponents, while making it clear that he would take a firm stance on preserving the nation.  And, just as now, he found it necessary to remind the citizens of America that we share a common heritage.
     In the closing remarks of his Inaugural Address, President Lincoln said, “In your hand, my fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath in Heaven to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to preserve, protect, and defend it… We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
     How appropriate for each of us ... to decide if we are willing to let our differences tear us apart; or if we can find a way to come together for the common good.  How we make that very important decision will have tremendous consequences for this nation.  Because it is clear to me that we have allowed ourselves to be indoctrinated and lied to, while we remanded our civic duties to a federal government who only looked out for themselves.
    I happen to believe that God established this nation.  The Bible tells us, "From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands" (Acts 17:26).  We were appointed to this nation at this time, and there is a purpose for both our lives and our country.   As a Believer, I happen to think our purpose is to glorify God.  Unfortunately, too many have listened to the Father of Lies and their purpose in life has become to exalt, elevate, and enhance themselves.  They listened to the Devil whisper lies of entitlement and privilege, so that they have forgotten that it is God "who gives to all [people] life and breath and all things".  Instead, they now believe that it is the Federal Government who provides all things, and they bow down at the altar of the man (or woman) who promises the most.
     I would caution all who are reading this blog today to be careful about falling into this trap.  Whether you are cheering at the prospect of a President Trump, or are devastated over "what might have been" with a President Clinton, we must not put our hope and trust in a clay vessel.  Yes, we must reside as citizens of the United States until we are called to our heavenly home, and it is reasonable to want a prosperous and free life.  But our first responsibility, as Christians, is to be a part of establishing the Kingdom of God on earth.  And there is no place for hatred or division or exploitation or alienation in that Holy government.
     REMEMBER:  the Devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy.  Don't let him steal the brotherhood you share with your fellow man.  Don't let him kill the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness that resides in your heart.  And don't let him destroy your testimony of the Word!  As President Lincoln solemnly swore, We must not be enemies!  Let's recognize our true Enemy and do not allow him to devour us!
     We have been down that road before in this nation, and it has caused a grievous and grave wound upon our land.  So, please pray for our nation and our leaders; it is time for us to come together and heal.  The next two months until Inauguration Day will be a time of momentous decisions.  Let us remain steadfast in our purpose of reconciliation and resolution, and not make the same mistakes the nation made prior to Lincoln's Presidency .... Six weeks later, the Confederates fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Civil War began.  May God have mercy on our nation!

And thank you to all the Veterans who have done their part to preserve this great nation... I am especially proud of my father, my uncle, my cousin, and my nephew.  I am grateful each of you answered the call!

Acts 17:30    "Therefore God overlooked and disregarded the former ages of ignorance; but now He commands all people everywhere to repent [that is, to change their old way of thinking, to regret their past sins, and to seek God’s purpose for their lives]..."

Can We Make The Church Great Again?

I wrote this post on the eve of Election Day, so I do not yet know who was voted in as our next President.  And, to be honest, the point of this post is not to comment on the 45th President and the changes that are about to come upon our country -- whether good or bad -- but to remark on the state of the country due to the absence of influence by the Church.  Let's face it, we are where we are because the Church has abandoned its moral obligation to the Body of Christ, and failed to honor God's will.  The question now becomes, "Can We Make The Church Great Again" and change the course of our history?      

     As much as I am inclined to treat the internet with disdain and contempt, it does give me the opportunity to read and hear opinions of others that I might otherwise never have the opportunity to experience.  One of my favorite sites to peruse is one called PassTheSalt.com, written by Coach Dave Daubenmire, and from whom I borrowed todays's blog title and subject matter.
     In case you are unfamiliar with Coach Dave, he is a veteran 35-year high school football coach, who was spurred to action when attacked and eventually sued by the ACLU in the late 1990’s for mixing prayer with his coaching. After a two year battle for his 1st amendment rights and a determination to not back down, the ACLU relented and offered Coach an out-of-court settlement.
    That event led to a decision to leave coaching in favor of encouraging the Body of Christ to enter into the cultural war.  Coach Dave developed PASS THE SALT to bring together the Body of Christ across denominational, racial, and economical lines to demonstrate to America the power of Biblical unity. His vision is to unite, organize, and mobilize the Army of God to be Salt and Light as stated in Matthew 5:12. 
     Coach Dave believes strongly in challenging the status quo of the modern Church, and in doing so, taking the fight to the cultural enemy.  He has become a recognizable voice in the media, and is an unashamed, articulate apologist for the Christian worldview.  So, it is with a nod of approval that I share with you some of his latest opinions, along with my own commentary on the subject.
     As you can guess by the title, Coach Dave is playing off Donald Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again".  But as all of us who mourn the state of the modern world, we recognize that not only is America not great anymore, but neither is the Church.  Just as America's influence and power have faded in the wake of "political correctness" and compromise, so has the Church's.  Even in my lifetime, the Church used to be a powerful force in demanding morality among our nation's populace.  But today, the promotion of immoral behavior has become America's greatest export, and the Church is largely silent, and certainly not unified in calling for repentance.
     As Coach Dave points out in his blog post, "The greatness of America was that we once taught our children that real liberty was not doing whatever one wanted, but rather choosing to do what was right."  And that idea was supported and taught by the Church, which provided the moral compass of the nation.  Not anymore.  Today, there is no consistent standard of what is right and wrong.  It is all "relative" and according to "what seems right in one's own eyes".
     You might recognize that from a Bible verse in Judges, Chapters 17 and 21, and is a result of the sin of Micah in continuing in idol worship.  There were no judges in the land of Israel at that time to point out this sin, or restrain the people from it.  The law of God had been forsaken and replaced with subjectivism (the philosophical theory that there is no truth outside of one's own experience; or the idea that there is no absolute Truth).  This is exactly what we are seeing today in our postmodern, relativist culture.  It is to be expected that the world will act like this, but this attitude has also entered, and almost overwhelmed, Christendom as we know it.  Christianity is being remade in the imaginations of men.  The rules are being set by false teachers, and the Christian masses are quick to follow.
     But what does the Bible say?  In Proverbs 14:12, it says,  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  So Americans are clinging to the idea of making America Great Again, in the hopes that we can turn the tide of wickedness, violence, corruptness, degeneracy, and immoral behavior that has come to define our culture and society.  But the truth is that America will not be great again, until the Church, or the Body of Christ, becomes great again and a force of righteousness in our land.
    It's really very simple to see ... there is a direct correlation between diminishing God in our land, and our turn towards immorality.  We have removed the Biblical foundations that the Church once embodied, and as a result, our families, our schools, our government, and our faith have suffered.  Coach Dave points out that, according to the latest Pew Research Poll, 71% of Americans identify themselves as Christian…a decline of 8% in the past 7 years.  Let that sink in a minute.  Only 4% of Americans call themselves atheist or agnostic, yet it is this very small minority of Americans who have THEIR religious beliefs represented in the government.  How have Christians permitted the values of the overwhelming majority of society to be banished from public discourse? How has the American Church, which was once the backbone of our great nation, permitted our government to become agnostic in regards to moral behavior?
     I believe the truth of our "lukewarm" foundation lies in the impressions of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Lutheran pastor, who came to America in 1939, hoping to wait out Hitler's oppression in Germany and who hoped to return to rebuild the German Church after the war.  But he was greatly disappointed in the American Church, as these comments display:  I now wonder whether it is true that America is the country without a reformation? There hardly ever seem to be "encounters" [with God] in this great country.  But where there is no encounter, where liberty is the only unifying factor, one naturally knows nothing of the community which is created through encounter ... Lively and original, but too much analysis and too little Gospel ... The separation of church and state does not result in the church continuing to apply itself to its own task; it is no guarantee against secularism.  Nowhere is the church more secularized than where it is separated in principle, as it does here.  This very separation can create an opposition, so that the church engages much more strongly in political and secular things.
     Sadly, Bonhoeffer's reflections have come to full-blown fruition these 76 years later.  And as Coach Dave surmises, it doesn't really matter who won the election, The Church should be held accountable for the direction the nation takes going forward.  Will the results look like we got a reprieve from God and a chance to return to a moral nation, or will the anti-Christian tactics of those who continue in power come to bare on anyone who dares to proclaim the Supremacy of God?
     I couldn't agree more with Coach Dave, who finished his blog post with the following statements:  "As goes the Church, so goes the nation. It is time for true believers in Jesus to call out the charlatans in the pulpits masquerading as pastors and demand a return to Biblical values as the foundation of this nation. We must actively oppose the self-centered Gospel currently belching out of the mouths of the hirelings who are peddling snake-oil Christianity in order to advance their own kingdoms".
     Pretty tough assertion, but nonetheless called for and necessary.  Can we, as a nation, be redeemed and forgiven by our God?  Absolutely!  The Bible gives us a picture of just that in the history of the Judean King, Manasseh, one of the most wicked kings that the divided nation of Israel had seen.  As frightening as it sounds, Manasseh's punishment by God was exactly what he and the nation needed:  "Therefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon. Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God". (2 Chronicles 33:11-13).
     Will that be the history of our nation?  Let us pray that it won't be necessary that we be defeated and taken into captivity.  Let us pray that we, and our next leader, have the heartfelt desire to humble ourselves and pray, asking for forgiveness.  But most of all, it is my prayer that God's Church will repent and ask for forgiveness; and that we, the people, will unite in obedience to our God and return to His righteous ways.  That is where our hope and our strength and our liberty truly lie.

Ezekiel 18:30-31    This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block that causes your punishment.  Throw off all the transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit"... 

An Open Letter To God: Give Us Your Anointed As Our Leader

Dear God,
  
     I am writing this blog post 24 hours prior to Election Day, 2016.  At this point, I have no idea who will win the election to become the next President of the United States.  Frankly, as I consider my choices, I am not encouraged by either candidate, and like millions of Americans, I am suffering from "Election overload and fatigue".
     I recognize that this nation is in dire need of a leader who is righteous and God-fearing, and who is willing to seek Your [The Almighty's] will.  But neither candidate seems to fit that bill.  So, is all lost for our country?  Can You still work with whomever is elected, regardless of their relationship with You?  And if so, to what effect will we be subjected ... Your Judgment or Your Restoration?
     Sadly, I am afraid we only have to look at world and Biblical history to know the answers.  At this point, I am considering two world rulers that You have used to execute Your will:  The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar; and Cyrus the Great, King of Persia.  First, I see Nebuchadezzar, the Babylonian conquerer best known for taking Daniel into captivity, and for his prophetic dreams that foretell the history of the world's empires and the eventual End Times scenario.  His reign is notorious for the capture and exile of the Jewish people in Babylon.  But my careful discernment of this history denotes that Nebuchadnezzar is, wittingly or unwittingly, the “servant” You used to discipline the disobedient Judah.
    There is no mistaking Your intention.  Jeremiah 27:6 plainly says, Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, My servant and instrument ... God, it is so clear to me that You used Nebuchadnezzar as Your instrument of Justice against a rebellious and disobedient land of Judah. And here are the questions I am asking myself ... In recognition of our own rebellious nature, what would keep You from using the next President as Your instrument of judgment against our nation?  Does the next President need to have a relationship with You to fulfill Your will?  Was Nebuchadnezzar actually aware that he was Your servant when he was devastating Judah?  As I do my research, historical records do not seem to indicate that he intended his campaign against Judah as an act of obedience to You, The Most High God.
     I am also aware that ancient cylinders have been discovered with the following inscription on them:  "I, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, the loyal shepherd, the one permanently selected by Marduk, the exalted ruler, the one loved by Nabû, the wise expert who is attentive to the ways of the gods, the tireless governor, the caretaker of Esagil and Ezida, the foremost heir of Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, I, when Marduk, my great lord, duly created me to take care of him, Nabû, the administrator of the totality of heaven and the netherworld, put in my hands the just scepter."  As a serious student of the Bible, I know that Marduk is another name for Nimrod, one of the foremost idolators and rebels against You.  Nebuchadnezzar clearly did not worship YHWH, my God.  Yet You used him to apply Judgment against Your rebellious and disobedient people.  Shouldn't we be keeping that in mind during these final hours of our election process?
    Also, when I consider King Cyrus, a pagan ruler who established the Persian Empire through a series of bloody battles and conquests, as well as ruthless politics, I realize that You actually call Cyrus, "My anointed".  And Father, I know that the 21st Century Church has gotten their theology all mixed up when it comes to that word.  I know that the Hebrew word for "anointed" is mashiah, which has come down to us as "messiah" and translated as christos in Greek.  And because we now use this term exclusively for Jesus Christ, the Messiah, it is difficult for the Church to discern that this term could be applied, by You, to a pagan ruler.
     But I have learned that this term -- "anointed" or "messiah" -- was used by Old Testament writers to refer to kings, priests, and high priests; actually in its most basic interpretation, it means any person that You authorize and set apart for Your service.  And history and the Bible plainly tell us that You certainly used Cyrus to perform Your will.  In Isaiah 44, You specifically say,  To Cyrus, My Anointed, whose right hand I have held ... I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city and let My exiles go free...  

      So history shows us that You did, indeed, raise King Cyrus to deliver Your people from their captivity in Babylon [under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar] and returned them to their land.  Careful study shows me that for the real Christ to be born in Bethlehem as the Biblical prophecy states, Jews had to be living in Judea.  And I know that it was You, who also inspired Cyrus to institute his conciliatory policy toward foreign religions so that a Temple could be built to which Your Son could come. And among other points, Jerusalem had to be rebuilt so Jesus could die outside the city for our sins.
     So, God, You clearly had a plan to inspire Cyrus to restore Your nation of Judah and Your Temple.  Yet, Cyrus did not know you as YHWH, either.  Scripture tells us in Isaiah 45 that You say, [I will work through you, Cyrus,] that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob My servant's sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.  But it is amazing to me, Father, that that doesn't keep You from using Cyrus, or making Yourself known to him.  In fact, Cyrus says, 'The LORD [meaning Yahweh], the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the LORD [Yahweh] his God be with him. Let him go up.'" (2 Chr 36:23).
     But I can't forget that the famous Cyrus Cylinder, discovered in 1879, reveals that like Nebuchadnezzar, the pagan god Marduk was given credit for the reign of Cyrus.  Indeed, history shows that Cyrus restored the various idol temples in his empire.  So, he was clearly a pagan ruler.
    So, God, where does that leave us with this election of 2016?  Can a ruler of a nation who clearly does not know You as Lord, in a real and personal way, still be used by You to accomplish Your purposes?  You've certainly shown us in Your Word that this is a possibility.  Because, Father, I'm not seeing any real fruit from either candidate that tells me they know Your Son as their Savior.  And Father, I have a very real fear that even if one of them has been anointed by You to lead our nation, that they will follow the path of Cyrus -- after fulfilling the mission You assigned to him, he fell victim to a lust for power and glory, and met his death far from home, trying to conquer the nomads of the steppes.  I am well aware that we cannot put our faith or trust in princes [or princesses] of this world.
     In the end, Father, I see the two possibilities with which we are presented:  Your Word has shown me two pagan kings; one raised up to bring judgment and the other raised up to bring restoration.  Which one will we get for this season of our history?  I am left praying for the real Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, who will return to conquer, to punish, to restore and to reconcile all nations to Himself.  All thoughts of the judgment of a tyrant like Nebuchadnezzar, or the intercession of a beneficent king like Cyrus of Persia, will pale beside the glories of the wonderful Kingdom of God.
     So, should you decide to delay the arrival of the True Messiah, it is my prayer that whomever will be declared the new Leader of our nation tomorrow will be like those rulers of old, and will recognize that they hold that office at the behest of You, and their power lies in Your hand.  I hope they realize that it is You who will be directing their ways.  Above all else, it is my earnest prayer that it is for Your purpose of restoration and not judgment.  Have mercy on us, Father!

1 Peter 2:13-14     "Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by Him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good."






     

Hebrews 8:13

When God speaks of “A new covenant,” He makes the first one obsolete. 

And whatever is becoming obsolete (out of use, annulled) 

and growing old is ready to disappear.

     Sometimes I am amazed that in this supposedly "enlightened" age, we in the Body of Christ, can still be so confused about the meaning of Scripture.  Hebrews 8:13 is one of those verses, that if not considered in the whole context of Jesus's mission on earth, can easily be misconstrued.

     I have heard it explained that this verse is spoken in reference to "the Law".  And we have to even be careful when using that terminology, because Christians conflate the Mosaic Law and God's Law, and tend to relegate "the Law" to the ceremonial system of rules God designed to direct the lives of the Israelites under the Mosaic Covenant.  But the Law was more than the Ten Commandments which were embodied in the Mosaic Law given at Sinai.  Those ten commandments were an extension of the eternal moral law of God as it was given to Israel to govern her life as a nation, in order to experience God’s blessing under the Abrahamic covenant.  And God's moral law is eternal!

     But we have been told that we no longer live under the Law and we abide in the Age of Grace... that the Law was instituted under the Old Covenant and we are under the New Covenant, by which Christ told us He came not to destroy the Law and the prophets, but to fulfill.  Then, we are told that "to fulfill" means "to bring an end to", or "to do away with".  That is when this verse in Hebrews, Chapter 8, is brought forth to prove that the Law is equated with the Old Covenant, which is declared in verse 13 to be "obsolete".

     This controversy has led to a whole lot of misunderstanding among the Body of Christ.  There will be those who say the Law no longer has any significance for us, and that is what verse 13 is saying.  But I would venture that this is a gross exaggeration. First of all, it depends on exactly what you mean by "The Law".  Secondly, it depends on a correct understanding of "Old" and "New" Covenant.  The fact that the Mosaic law (and its rituals of animal sacrifice for salvation) has been terminated does not mean that there is no law in this age of grace.  The New Testament is full of references to various forms of law under God's direction:  “the perfect law of liberty" (James. 1:25), “the royal law” (James. 2:8), the Law of Christ (Galatians. 6:2), and the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Romans. 8:2). These all point to various commands found throughout the epistles which comprise God's Law. They cover all areas of the believer’s life to direct him in the will of God in today’s world.

     We can all agree that the Mosaic Law was weak because it was dependent on man’s ability, and God put an end to that system with the advent of Christ.  But that was the system God used to divorce the Israelites from the pagan ways of their centuries of bondage in Egypt.  They were so steeped in the occultic practices and sins of Egypt that they had lost any sense of a relationship with their God.  The Mosaic Law was designed to build and maintain a proper relationship (through covenant) between God and His people Israel (blessing versus cursing), but only until the coming of Messiah and the establishment of a New Covenant. The Mosaic Law was never designed to be a permanent rule of life. It was merely a tutor or guardian to guide Israel in all areas of her life until Christ.

     A reading of the entire Chapter of Hebrews 8 clearly shows that it is not "the Law" (in the form of ceremonial rituals and restrictive rules) that is the focal point of what will become obsolete between the Old and the New Covenant; indeed, God says in verse 10, "I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people".  What I believe the Scripture is saying is that the method of instituting God's law through animal sacrifice and ceremonial rituals will become obsolete.  The Law, itself, will be written on our hearts as we walk by the Spirit of Christ in our faith, and the Covenant of relationship with God will be renewed.  It is not a matter of one Covenant being replaced by another.  Rather, the way of receiving God's grace (through the blood sacrifice of animals) will become obsolete, but not the need for the sacrifice, itself.  God still demanded that, and it was fulfilled in the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.  The need for God's laws remain ... and they are circumcised upon our hearts because the means of blood sacrifice to receive God's grace and mercy is no longer demanded.

     It is no wonder that the Body of Christ is confused, and accused of legalism if you proclaim that the Law still exists, and is written on your heart.  It doesn't help to understand the issue when statements such as these are made:  "Since the Lord Jesus Christ fulfills the Law by His person and work, believers are under a new law; the obligation to walk by the Spirit of Life through faith (Rom. 8:2-4). If we are led by the Spirit, then we are not under the Law (Gal. 5:18)".  Or this statement:  "Against such, i.e., the fruit of the Spirit, there is no law because the believer is then operating under the highest law, the standards are met as we walk by the Holy Spirit and grow in the Word (Gal. 5:22)".  Can you see how difficult it is for us to all come to an agreement of what "the Law" is, or which law we are talking about?  

     It is important to understand that there is a very definite difference between God's laws which are moral commandments, and the commandments contained in ordinances which had to do with the ceremonies of the old Jewish rituals for receiving grace. And it is because the unlearned Church misapplies Bible statements about these different kinds of laws (and their purpose) that they become confused.  And the result?  The Body of Christ ends up in endless and circular arguments; even to the point of disagreeing if the Ten Commandments are part of the "Old Covenant", and therefore obsolete!  It shouldn't be that hard!  Yes, the system of sacrifice under the Law of Moses did vanish away; but those animal sacrifices were instituted and designed to prepare the way for the sacrifice of Christ, and then to pass away -- all as a principle of God's continual Covenant with men.  That covenant of relationship did not end, it was simply renewed in faith in Christ.  And unlike the old sacrificial system (which was temporary), this method of receiving God's grace is designed to last for eternity.  Praise God for His Mercy and Grace!

Changing God's Truth In The Evangelical Community

     As I have previously stated, I don't get too caught up in following the popular preachers and speakers in today's Christian community.  But maybe I should start paying more attention.  Just as a firestorm has erupted over evangelical pastor Andy Stanley's sermon on the sufficiency of the Bible, so has a similar uproar ignited over Jen Hatmaker's remarks regarding same-sex marriage.
     I have to admit that I have heard her name, but was unfamiliar with Hatmaker's position in the evangelical community.  She appears to be part of the new breed of evangelical Christians ... a young author, speaker, blogger, and television personality.  Specifically, she and her husband were hired by HGTV to host a show titled, "My Big Family Renovation," chronicling their overhaul of an old farmhouse.  The show became a hit, and HGTV announced that they have asked Jen and her husband, Brandon, back for a new series entitled “My Biblical Doctrine Renovation.”

     In the words of the network spokesperson, “The Hatmakers have an uncanny knack for tearing down old, worn-out, traditional things and replacing them with new, shiny fixtures and appliances, and they’ll be using these skills to renovate a traditional teaching from Scripture in each episode ... In every fun, relatable episode of the show, the Hatmakers will take a boring, traditional biblical doctrine, rip it to shreds using words like ‘tender’ and ‘nuanced,’ and replace it with something much more modern and acceptable ... Viewers will get to see the detailed, step-by-step process of updating out-of-vogue beliefs into something cutting-edge and trendy.”  If this is the direction the young evangelical community is headed, I'm glad I don't identify with them or adhere to their apostate teachings.
     And it looks as if Jen's first "renovation" project is homosexuality and same-sex marriage.  And by the swift response her stance is receiving, I might suggest that she rethink being "modern and acceptable" or "cutting-edge and trendy", and take another look at what the Bible actually says.
     The hubbub all began as a result of an interview Hatmaker did with Religion News Service, and the answer she gave to the following questions: Politically speaking, do you support gay marriage?  Her answer:  "From a civil rights and civil liberties side and from just a human being side, any two adults have the right to choose who they want to love. And they should be afforded the same legal protections as any of us. I would never wish anything less for my gay friends.
     From a spiritual perspective, since gay marriage is legal in all 50 states, our communities have plenty of gay couples who, just like the rest of us, need marriage support and parenting help and Christian community. They are either going to find those resources in the church or they are not.
     Not only are these our neighbors and friends, but they are brothers and sisters in Christ. They are adopted into the same family as the rest of us, and the church hasn’t treated the LGBT community like family. We have to do better".
     And how would you respond if one of your children were gay?  Her answer:  "I think we would parent that child exactly the same as the rest of them. Which is to say, we would always be on their side and in their corner and for them and with them. We want for all of our kids the same thing: faithful, committed marriage and a beautiful family that is committed to God and the church. I would have the same standard across the board, no matter what".
     You mention faithfulness and God. Do you think an LGBT relationship can be holy?  Her answer: "I do. And my views here are tender. This is a very nuanced conversation, and it’s hard to nail down in one sitting. I’ve seen too much pain and rejection at the intersection of the gay community and the church. Every believer that witnesses that much overwhelming sorrow should be tender enough to do some hard work here".  [There's the "tender and nuanced" that HGTV is looking for!]

     All of this sounds very "New Age-y" and loving and compassionate.  But nowhere do I see her actually address what the Bible says about sexual sin.  As a committed Christian, I absolutely believe in the Bible and what it says about God’s will regarding sexual behavior.  I believe just as strongly in unconditional love and forgiveness.  But that love and forgiveness cannot supersede God's moral laws.  His Word emphatically says, “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination (Leviticus 20:13)….”.
     But how many in this modern Christian Age actually know what is meant by that word abomination?  According to Strong's Concordance, when used with reference to God, this word describes people, things, acts, relationships, and characteristics that are detestable to Him because they are contrary to His nature.  And what is His nature in regard to the sexes?  It is stated from the very beginning of the Bible, in Genesis 1:27: So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.  It is not in God's nature to be accepting of anything that goes against what He has created.  And no matter how many laws are passed in favor of gay marriage; or how accepting and loving Society and the Church wants to be, it will not change God’s mind.  And I know that many in the young evangelical movement will cite that verse as part of the out-of-touch Old Testament Law that does not pertain to our modern society.  But to suggest that this verse is invalid today is to advocate the dangerous practice of redefining or deleting God's Nature and what He has said.
     I want to be very clear ... I am not saying we should not love people who have adopted the homosexual lifestyle.  We should love our fellow man or woman with the fear of God and the mercy of Jesus.  We should love them enough to be honest with them, and not distort the Word of God to make them feel better about sinful desires.  We all sin and fall short!  And it is not the lifestyle that I focus on, as much as it is their unbelief in the Word of God.  When the Bible says we are to die to ourselves, and to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, I believe it!  In fact, Paul states it so clearly in Ephesians 4:22-24:  in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
     I highly recommend that you read a response to Jen Hatmaker's conciliatory position.  It is written by Rosaria Butterfield, and titled Love Your Neighbor Enough To Speak Truth.  In the article, Rosaria gives her testimony about dying to the [homosexual] life she loved in order to gain Christ.  She makes a powerful statement: "When something feels right and good and real and necessary—but stands against God’s Word—this reveals the particular way Adam’s sin marks my life. Our sin natures deceive us. Sin’s deception isn’t just “out there”; it’s also deep in the caverns of our hearts.
     How I feel does not tell me who I am. Only God can tell me who I am, because he made me and takes care of me. He tells me that we are all born as male and female image bearers with souls that will last forever and gendered bodies that will either suffer eternally in hell or be glorified in the New Jerusalem. Genesis 1:27 tells me that there are ethical consequences and boundaries to being born male and female. When I say this previous sentence on college campuses (Rosaria is a former tenured professor of English at Syracuse University)—even ones that claim to be Christian—the student protestors come out in the dozens. I’m told that declaring the ethical responsibilities of being born male and female is now hate speech".
     In other words, there now appear to be people, groups, denominations, and Christian movements who are willing to depart from God's absolute Truth, and to distort the Biblical doctrine of sin in order to be "on their side" or to relate to "the pain and rejection" that Jen Hatmaker says the Church has caused the LGBT community.
     But as Rosaria Butterfield eloquently explains, "We can not have illicit love and gospel peace at the same time; sin and Christ cannot abide together ... the cross never makes itself an ally with the sin it must crush, because Christ took our sin upon Himself and paid the ransom for its dreadful cost."
     Like Butterfield, I advocate loving relationships with all people and open doorways to share God's Truth.  And like my God, in whose image I am made, I do not wish anyone to be lost.  I truly want my words to reflect His mercy and desire for reconciliation with Him.
     But I am a realist, and I know my opinion will certainly be an unpopular one with those in the world; and most likely spurned among evangelicals, who like Jen Hatmaker, feel the traditional Word is in need of "renovation and updating", while she desperately tries to be politically relevant.
     In summary, I see a form of Christianity being promoted that is only interested in pleasing the masses, rather than convicting the lost.  Pastors, and leaders, and teachers are willing to excuse Biblical sin rather than hurting someone's feelings.  No mention of Judgment is allowed, and Repentance is never sought.  Our faith has become politically correct instead of Biblically accurate.  When we preach indulgence instead of declaring sin, we are deceiving those who are sinning, as well as ourselves.  In the end, we are preaching our words -- not His Word -- and sadly, they are void of Truth and Salvation.

2 Peter 3:9   "The Lord isn’t slow about keeping His promises, as some people think He is. In fact, God is patient, because He wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost."

Andy Stanley and the Sufficiency of the Bible

     Just last week I felt a prompting to present my views on the sufficiency of the Bible, and once again that topic is at the forefront of my conscience and spirit.  In that article, I admitted that I don't focus on the viewpoints of the pastors and theologians who seek the spotlight.  That's not to say that I don't seek out commentaries or teachers who have proven to me that they regard the Bible as infallible and sufficient, and who seek only to understand what God desires to be revealed about Himself.  I understand that not everyone is going to agree on an interpretation, and I can respect the opinions of those who differ with me --- as long as they don't dishonor the Word of God.
     So, I guess it's my turn to wade into the floodwaters created by a recent series of sermons by Andy Stanley, titled "The Bible Says So".  First, let me say, that I have avoided forming my own opinion based on the opinions of others.  I wanted to read and hear for myself, exactly what Andy Stanley said about the adequacy of the Bible as the foundation of our faith.  I wanted to see if I agreed with his premises, and then I would consider what the most prominent and influential of our modern theologians had to say.
     Based on the Stanley transcripts I have read, I am sadly disappointed -- once again -- in the modern Church's willingness to compromise, rather than possibly offend, fellow believers.  I will, first, let Andy Stanley defend himself over the controversy he has caused.  He says he wants to "address the elephant in the room ... I believe the Bible is without error in everything it affirms. I believe what the Bible says is true, is true ... During “The Bible Told Me So,” I wanted educated, dechurched millennials to know [that I knew] that those who supposedly know everything are convinced there was no worldwide flood or Hebrew migration from Egypt. While addressing them directly, I gave them the benefit of the doubt to make the following point: Even if those events never occurred, it does nothing to undermine the evidence supporting the resurrection of Jesus and thus the claims he made about himself...".

     And from what I have been able to discern about Andy Stanley's personal doctrine of belief, he prefers to concentrate on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as the underpinning of our faith... nothing wrong with that.  But he appears to do that apart from the Bible.  Here's what it comes down to:   Does Andy Stanley believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God – or is it simply “inspiring?”  For instance, in his sermon, Stanley begins by making this point:

Perhaps you were taught, as I was taught, Jesus loves me, this I know – and let’s all finish it together – for the Bible tells me so. Yes. This is where our trouble began.

     What can he possibly mean by "trouble"?  He went on to explain that the canonization process of the Bible was utilized by early Christian Fathers to weed out manuscripts that had not been penned by the Apostles, or by someone who had worked closely with an apostle (such as Mark or Luke). Stanley remarks that the Bible, as a single book, wasn’t really assembled until near the end of 4th Century A.D.  That is true, but the point he derives from that fact is flawed as his sermon shows...

Before the Old Testament and New Testament were combined and titled the Bible – this is unbelievable – Christianity had already, before there was a Bible, replaced the pantheon of Roman, barbarian, and most Egyptian gods, and was the state religion of the Roman Empire. And no one had ever held in their hand a Bible! The first, second, and third century Christians who faced tremendous hardship – don’t miss this – believed Jesus loved them before the Bible told them so. Peter believed Jesus loved him, James did, John, Luke, Paul, they – listen, this is huge – Peter, James, Paul the apostle, they did not choose to follow Jesus because of an infallible Old Testament or a non-contradicting New Testament.

     So, what he seems to be saying is that who Jesus was, what Jesus said, and what He did are, rightfully, of the utmost importance; and perhaps we are putting too much emphasis on the Bible as the authoritative Word of God.  And there is the implication that we no longer need to believe that the Bible is all we need to equip us for a life of faith and service.  He seems to be saying the Early Church didn't even have the finished Bible until the 4th Century, so it obviously wasn't of primary importance to the promulgation of the Faith.
     But that is more than a little misleading.  As Don and Joy Veinot point out in their insightful article, Andy Stanley and the Bible, "For example, it is true that the binding of scriptures into a single volume occurred a few centuries into Church history, but all of the content of the Bible was [in existence]in the First Century. Therefore, the scriptures, though not yet bound together, were all held in the hands of Christians in the First, Second and Third centuries, as separate documents. In fact, the Ante-Nicene Fathers (church leaders before the Council of Nicaea) quoted from the written documents prolifically. The Fathers [of the Church] quoted from the scriptures in order to underpin and validate their own arguments, to prove what they were saying by the revealed and written Word of God! This practice was certainly not new to them – they were carrying on the noble tradition which the Bereans followed with the Apostle Paul and the Old Testament: Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11)."
     Sadly, Stanley goes on to undermine the sufficiency and necessity of regarding the Bible as the foundation of our faith with unsettling suggestions that the Bible, as a support for our faith, is both "unreliable and fragile".  During his sermon, he made statements like this:  "In other words, imagine this conversation. You know somebody with all this information, comes to the apostle Peter ... and says, ‘Hey before you [get] all geeked out on this following Jesus thing, do you realize there is no evidence for a worldwide flood? Before you get all crazy about the Jesus thing, do you know there’s no archaeological evidence for the exodus? Hey Paul, before you all, and Peter, before you get all crazy by the Jesus thing, you realize the earth is more than 6000 years old, that whole genealogy in Genesis?’ ".
     Stanley went on ... "Peter would’ve looked at you like, ‘I’m not really sure what you’re talking about, but, but, but, I followed a man for three years.... The reason I’m following Jesus is because I saw him die and I saw him alive and I went to the streets of Jerusalem to say God has done something among us’."  
     And then, this is where I discern that he stated his real doctrine of belief.  He said, "For the first 300 years, the debate centered on an event – not a book. For the first 300 years of the existence of Christianity, the debate was about an event – not a book. The question was not, is the Bible true, is the Bible true, is the Bible true? The question was – did Jesus rise from the dead? Christianity, don’t miss this. Christianity does not hang by the thread of ‘the Bible tells me so.’ And if your church sent you off to college with that house of cards, I apologize. And if your entire life, your whole thing has been, ‘I gotta defend the Bible, I gotta defend the Bible,’ uh oh, there’s information that looks like it contradicts the Bible. ‘I can’t look over there. Honey don’t look over there.’ I’m so sorry you are left with that fragile version of our faith."  You're kidding me, right?  He's not really saying that the Bible is "a fragile version of our faith, is he?"
     So, here's what Andy Stanley fails to comprehend, if I may ... Yes, Peter could say that he saw Jesus crucified and resurrected.  And, yes, Peter heard, first hand, the teachings of the Son of God and knew and understood that the Kingdom of God was among them in the person, Jesus Christ.  But as the Venoits express so eloquently in their article, "Unfortunately, we, as people who were not eyewitnesses to the resurrection, cannot say the same! It is primarily the Bible which makes the case, and we cannot possibly base our faith upon the resurrection without it! How would any of us know the truth of the resurrection without [the Bible's] testimony?"
   
     It makes me extremely sad -- and yes, somewhat angry -- that the modern Church seems hell-bent on making the message of God appealing to the world.  What is it afraid of?  If, as Andy Stanley asserts, the Bible isn't reliable -- or it's just a fragile version of the truth -- then how can the message of Jesus be reliable ... since the Bible is our only reference for His Gospel?!?  How can the Resurrection be believed, since the Bible is our only source of that supernatural event?
    It is my further understanding that Mr. Stanley is now back-peddling somewhat regarding his remarks, although from somewhat of an unrepentant stance, saying, " My approach to preaching is not traditional... The world has changed.  The approach most of us inherited doesn’t work anymore. Actually, it’s never worked all that well. In a culture that had high regard for the Bible, the traditional approach held its own... [But] Eight years ago I shifted my approach. I didn’t announce it. I just did it. The results have been remarkable. You may not like my approach. That’s fine. I just hope you don’t stick with an approach you inherited because it’s comfortable."  Am I understanding him correctly ... "a culture that had high regard for the Bible" seems to indicate he no longer shares that regard.  And I guess I'm supposed to let that statement go unchallenged, because he's comfortable with making it.
     And to be honest, I'm disappointed to find that very few pastors or theologians have publicly challenged Stanley on his disturbing contentions.  And if they did, they more closely resembled John Piper's lukewarm exegesis on Stanley's sermon.  Piper seems more interested in defending Stanley's preaching style, than he does in defending the sufficiency of the Bible.  And is there anyone in the "celebrity pastor" sphere who still believes there is no substitute for Scripture?  (I suggest reading a powerful exposé on both Stanley and Piper by writer Bud Ahlheim at the Pulpit & Pen website).
     I hope that this blog post doesn't seem as if I have overblown the controversy that swirls around Andy Stanley's sermon.  But, frankly, I am tired of the "New Age apologetics" being promoted by popular pastors.  I get it ... I know what they are shying away from, namely the "fire and brimstone" sermons of yesteryear.  They are concerned about reaching the young people, and they don't want to "turn off" an already-alienated culture to the Church.  But, let's be honest --- it is precisely because the  Church has abandoned preaching the reality of hell in favor of a softened and more mellow Jesus who only wants to "love you" that our culture and the world is in the mess it is in.  It is time that we hold pastors and teachers responsible for what they preach ... because whether or not they believe the Word of God is infallible and insufficient, it tells them they will certainly be accountable to Jesus for how they presented His Word.

Hebrews 4:12   "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."