(Editor's Note: In our News & Views column we quote from many different sources. Please understand that this does not necessarily mean that we apporve of all of the publications from which we quote. We will give the name of the sources in the first quote and thereafter we will give the abbreviation of that name.)
Worship Trends. - "According to Elmer Towns in Putting an End to Worship Wars, current cultural trends are producing the following changes in the ways we worship: Multicultural atmosphere, Multiservice congregations, Multiuse buildings, Multimedia presentations, More urbanized churches." (Current Thoughts & Trends, June 1998) (From "Ministering to Servants of God in Isolated Places, by Caroll Dale Turbeville. Hereafter CDT). (What Elmer Towns advocates, will bring an end to Christianity as we know it. Doctrine and separation is being dispensed with. See the next two paragraphs and you will see what kind of religious bunk Towns is advocating. ELB)
Saddleback's 18th Birthday Draws 27,000. "(SVCC) - Saddleback Valley Community Church (www.saddleback.com) in Lake Forest, California celebrated its 18th birthday on Easter weekend with 27,204 in attendance. Founding pastor Rick Warren, author of PURPOSE-DRIVEN CHURCH, preached nine identical services to accommodate the crowd. Members celebrated both Easter and the church's birthday by bringing their unsaved friends in record numbers. Over 1,000 professions of faith were recorded. Saddleback, now the largest church in the Southern Baptist Convention, has baptized over 5,000 adult converts in the past five years. Worship attendance averages nearly 14,000 each week. (Source: Saddleback Valley Community Church)" - CDT
Rick Warren's Superchurch. - "Dr. Rick Warren is pastor of Saddleback Community Church (Calif.) and director of 'Building a Purpose-Driven Church' workshops. Last January Dr. Dennis Costella attended one of these seminars where Warren taught that the following must occur to transform a traditional church into a dramatic growing church (3-4/98 Foundation): 1) A contemporary-styled, non-threatening 'Seeker Service' must replace the traditional Sunday worship service. 2) The dress must be casual. 3) The music must be contemporary. 4) The message must be only positive so saved and unsaved alike can feel better about themselves after a message that often mixes psychology and an uplifting Scripture text. 5) Church ministries must be geared to meeting needs, with support groups for depression, eating disorders, infertility, homosexuals' family/friends, post abortion, and marital separation. Warren scoffed at the idea of passing out tracts or going door-to-door since the typical 'Saddleback Sam' is offended by such old-fashioned evangelism. 6) Doctrinal instruction is not given to the church as a whole on Sundays, but is available in sub-groups apart from services. 7) A spirit of pragmatic compromise must prevail. Warren was trained as a Southern Baptist, but said, 'It really doesn't matter your denomination, folks. We're all on the same team if you love Jesus.' Such a worldly ecumenical 'seeker' church may please PEOPLE, make them feel comfortable and entertained, but is unscriptural and thus displeases God. Get Foundation, Box 6278, Los Osos, CA 93412, $10/year." (Calvary Contender, June 15, 1998) (Emphasis ours ELB) (This Church is not a Baptist Church in doctrine. They do not even use the name Baptist in their Church name. They are of the same stripe as Bill Hybels. Rick Warren speaks for Robert Schuller, who is the author of the self-esteem gospel. ELB)
Prophecy Has Not Changed. - "Finally, the biblical prophecy about a one-world church has not changed. As a dispensationalist I believe that there will be a tribulation and one of the features of it will be a great amalgamation of religion. We have watched the one-world church being built by the National and World Councils of Churches. It began by attracting the modernists. During the past two decades it has made its appeal to the new evangelicals by seeking common causes, personal meetings, and invitations to its gatherings. Billy Graham has helped to bridge the gap by favorable response to these invitations. Roman Catholicism has been drawn in by the same methods. Such things as Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT) have also helped to bridge the chasm. The Charismatic movement has been able to take giant steps over doctrinal issues by the strategy of dwelling on experience instead of truth." (North Star Baptist, April-June 1998) - CDT
Holiness of God -- the Root of Ecclesiastical Separation. - "And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine." Leviticus 20:26 ... To grasp an accurate picture of the Triune God, acceptance of one basic fact is crucial. God is holy, separate from all defilement and distinctive in His purity. Among all His infinite qualities, God's holiness is paramount. Among all other things, He must be known as perfectly separated from the world as we know it, separated unto perfection as we do not know it. He is, and must be seen by man to be, separate." (The Challenge) CDT
The Ministry of C. H. Spurgeon. - "Better to offend your acquaintance than to lose your character and hazard your soul. Spurgeon ... Do not be all sugar, or the world will suck you down; but do not be all vinegar, or the world will spit you out. There is a medium in all things, only blockheads go to extremes. We should neither fawn upon everybody like silly lapdogs, nor fly at all persons like surly mastiffs." (The Baptist Vision, April 1, 1998)- CDT
Apostasy and Deception in Christian Music. - "Apostasy and deception in Christian music is the name of a new book by Gordon Sears. It is not just another book about rock music and its harmful effects. It deals with the importance of music in the Christian life with warnings of deceptions. It shows that CCM and the radical change in music since the mid-1950s is definitely linked to a turning from truth to error. Dr. Sears says: 'NOTHING in recent church history has caused more divisions, confusion, worldliness, carnality and spiritual apathy than CCM!' Send 7.95 (postpaid) for this 104-page book to: SongFest, PO Box 182, Coldwater, MI 49036" (Calvary Contender, April 15, 1998) - CDT
CT Promotes Pope Video. - "The Apr. 6 Christianity Today, the mainline magazine of the New Evangelicals, had a full-page ad for 'Six Inspirational Video Sets,' one of which was entitled 'Pope John Paul II.' Concerning this, the ad reads: 'This inspiring video collection invites you to join one of the most beloved religious leaders. ...' (Calvary Contender, April 15, 1998)- CDT
A Kiss Is Apparently Not Just a Kiss. - "Federal health officials have documented the first known case of transmission of HIV through kissing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the man's saliva became contaminated when his gums bled while he was brushing and flossing his teeth." (The Unreported News, February 1998) - CDT
Promiscuity Ravages Millions of Teens. - "Approximately 3.8
million cases of sexually transmitted diseases are diagnosed each year among
U.S. teens. Girls from ages 15-19 have the
highest rate of chlamydia, representing 46% of all diagnosed cases. Counting
just the most common venereal diseases and AIDS, there were 3,838,184 diseases
transmitted sexually in 1992. At $80 per case this represents over $300
million in medical costs. Chlamydia infections 'lead to pelvic inflammatory
disease, infertility and potentially fatal tubal pregnancy.' According to
Dr. Paul Byrne, 'All of this is caused by promiscuity. All of this disease
and suffering can be prevented by having one sexual partner of the opposite
sex after marriage. Think of the dollars saved by following God's plan.'"
(The Unreported News, February 1998) - CDT
Independent Baptist Leadership in Missions Recognized by SBC. - "After reading the April issue of the Baptist Bible Tribune, which documented that there are now more independent Baptist career missionaries compared with the Southern Baptist Convention, Jerry Rankin, president of the International Mission Board of the SBC, sent a letter of response which read, in part, 'I rejoice with you to read of the growth of career missionaries in the various Independent and Fundamental Baptist fellowships ... the growth represented ... is reflected in a greater advance in reaching a lost world ... We (the SBC) have a long way to go to reach the praiseworthy level of missionary to church ratio and giving levels of your constituent churches and are grateful for the devotion to global evangelization which this represents." (Baptist Bible Tribune, June/July 1998) - CDT (Of course we do not recognize that many of these people are really Independent Baptists, but it shows that various Independent Fundamental groups are more missionary than the SBC. ELB)
Displays of Ten Commandments Approved. "Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate approved a resolution allowing public display of the Ten Commandments in government buildings and courthouses, if the display does not violate the First Amendment's prohibition on government establishment of a specific religion. The House passed a similar resolution in 1997 (PWB 5/15/98)" (Intercessors For America, July/August 1998) - CDT
24-hour Waiting Period for Abortion. - "Washington, D.C. - Women seeking abortions in Wisconsin will have to wait 24 hours and receive information on fetal development before undergoing an abortion. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request from Planned Parenthood and pro-abortion groups to delay implementation of this law. (WP 5/31/98 and SRN)" (Intercessors For America, July/August 1998) - CDT
Too Many Translations. - "We are flooding the market and in danger of causing confusion. The proliferation of Bible versions has meant that there is no longer a common translation from which everyone can recognize phrases." (Current Thoughts & Trends, June 1998) - CDT (This is just one more reason to reject these new versions. We also reject them because they come from corrupt manuscripts and are translated by liberals, or by people who have been influenced by liberal scholarship. ELB)
Southern Baptists Turn Back Call for Church to Discipline Clinton. - "By Adelle M. Banks c.1998 Religion News Service SALT LAKE CITY -- Southern Baptists ended their annual meeting Thursday (June 11) by narrowly defeating a proposal calling on President Clinton's Little Rock, Ark., church to discipline him if he refuses to rescind an executive order barring discrimination against gay federal employees...." (Christian News, June 22, 1998) - CDT
Four People Charged with Importing Bibles in Tetuoan, Morocco. - "Fines of 420,000 dirhams ($42,000 USD), two months in prison, and the confiscation of a yacht and motorcycle were imposed today on four people who were accused of bringing Bibles illegally into Morocco. On May 30th at 9 PM five people were arrested in the Marina Smir in Mdiq, Morocco after one of them was found carrying a small quantity of Bibles from a private yacht." - CDT
Christian Martyrs in Saudi Arabia. - "An eight-pound, week-old baby girl could well be the youngest martyr for the Christian faith on record in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Elisha Aguilar is being held on a hospital compound in Riyadh, the Muslim kingdom's capital city, while her mother is being repeatedly interrogated and threatened by authorities seeking to obtain information about the underground church there. When Filipino Pino Aguilar decided with his wife,Yolai, to live for God by practicing his faith in Saudi Arabia, he couldn't have known that would mean helplessly standing by thousands of miles away as Yolai gave birth to his daughter in the custody of Muslim police." - CDT
Pink Slip For Wearing Dress - A woman who refused to wear pants to work lost her job in Gallatin, TN. (LAJ, 7/18/98, p2b) Her reason for wearing a dress to work? "We believe you have to dress holy and look holy and walk daily with God," so says this Pentecostal Holiness lady. She had read her Bible and obviously believes what God says about women wearing men's apparel. The article reported her saying, "We believe (wearing pants is) a sin, and the Bible says it's an abomination." It is obvious some Baptist churches in Lubbock, Texas do not share her convictions. Pictured on the front page of the LAJ "B" section were two young women preparing for a mission trip. One of them was wearing shorts as they met in the church building to prepare for the trip. Where are the Baptist pastors who teach modest apparel? See "She Maketh Herself Coverings," by Liz Graf in the PBC, 7/97 or Tract #B-344. - (W. W. Mosley, hereafter WWM)
Military Honor and Decency Act - The Military Honor and Decency Act was approved by congress and signed by Pres. Clinton in 1996. This action controls the sale of material depicting nudity or sex "in a lascivious way" on military bases and Navy ships. (Rueters) The owner of Penthouse and other such magazines sued to have this action reversed challenging its constitutionality. An appeals court panel in November ruled "the law falls within Congress's power to regulate military conduct." I wonder why the conduct of the Commander in Chief doesn't fall under this congressional power? - WWM
SBC Endorses Ecumenical Group - "Mission America, a coalition of 150 parachurch groups and 60 denominations" plans to reach every American with the Gospel by year 2,000. Not a bad goal since the Lord gave the same commission to His church some 2,000 years ago. The SBC has placed their approval on this group along with Assemblies of God, and the NAE. (CT, 6/15/98) Paul Cedar is Mission America chair for this project. He is former pastor of several Evangelical Free Churches, First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, Lake Avenue Congregational Church in Pasadena, CA, etc. Baptist mission boards are none too choosy about who they endorse.-WWM
More Light Presbyterians - Main line Presbyterians have rejected an effort to loosen their standards on ordaining homosexuals. However, More Light Churches Network, a group of 95 Presbyterian churches are opposed to these restrictions. (CT, 5/18/98) "We are a movement within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) focused on a very specific concern: the equal treatment of persons regardless of their sexual orientation," so says their mission statement. Other denominations are following with like organizations: UMC Reconciling Congregations, UCC Open and Affirming Congregations, Lutheran Reconciled in Christ Congregations. What would Calvin, Wesley, and Luther think now? Why would any Christian continue to support such organizations? (Rev. 18:4) - WWM
Creme's Corrupt Crusade - Benjamin Creme, British artist and author is on a world wide crusade promoting his messiah, Maitreya, "the World Teacher." "Mr. Creme has for years drawn crowds in the U.S. and overseas" offering a detailed description of world changes. (NY Times) Mark 13:5,6 comes to mind when such massive efforts are made to advance such a cause. Creme's main purpose (aside from exalting his personal messiah and making money) is to challenge "the prophets of doom." He claims there is a "brilliant new civilization in the making." A distinguished group of "extraordinary spiritual leaders" known as "Masters of Wisdom," he says, are just waiting to inspire and guide humanity to a higher plain. He asserts his Maitreya is known by many different names in all religions. Guess what he says he is called in the Christian religion? Beware, Christian, and heed Rom. 16:17,18. Don't confuse a lauded story for the Lord's shout. (I Thes. 4:15-18) - WWM
Another Lesbian Runs For Congress - A Mount Vernon, Wash. (AP) story says Grethe Cammermeyer, who claims the distinction of being "one of the most famous lesbians in the country," is bidding for a seat in congress. Hollywood's "finest", Barbra Steisand and Glenn Close, are contributors to her campaign. (LAJ, 7/27/98, p8A) Such will have to look to Hollywood for backing because they surely will not find support in the Holy Word. Although the article claims "on the campaign trail, she doesn't talk homosexual rights," you can be sure she will blazon her position if she makes it to congress. Among the things she spoke about was "education, health care, and the environment." For education for the likes of Ms. Cammermeyer see Romans 1:24-27; for health care see James 4:8; and for environment see 2 Cor. 6:14-18.--WWM
Abstinence: A New Wrinkle In Sex Education? - "A group of concerned citizens asked the Lubbock school board...for a program to teach jr. high and high school students to make sexual abstinence a way of life." (LAJ, 7/24/98, p6A) This was in order for the student to "make well-informed decisions." Our government has thrown out the only perfect text book on this subject. If the Bible and prayer had its place in our educational system there would be no doubt about abstinence. The group said, "Now that HIV exists, we are dealing with death." Certainly something to be concerned about. However, eternal death for the soul is of much greater import. How sad that if a pill were discovered to prevent STD's little or nothing would be said about promiscuity in our school system. Exodus 20:14 -WWM
FBC, Raleigh, NC Breaks Tie With SBC - The family statement adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention on June 11 in Salt Lake City disturbs First Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC. They obviously are in disagreement with Ephesians 5:23. The church had ended its support of SBC causes and the use of their Sunday school literature years earlier. (Baptist Press News, 7/27/98) The "husband is head of the wife" statement is a little too much for Carolyn Dickens, chair of the deacon body at FBC. (BPS) The church has ordained women deacons for 100 years. Over one half of the present deacon body are women. I wonder how she feels about the remainder of that verse in Eph.: "Even as Christ is head of the church." - WWM
Divorce Rates In Churches - Divorce rates in churches are even surpassing those in society at large according to recent data from Christian pollster George Barna. (Baptist News Press, 7/27/98) Pastors who do not take marriage vows seriously can hardly expect their flock to be of deeper conviction. A growing number of Baptist churches today ignore the "must be the husband of one wife" section of biblical qualifications as they seek for a pastor (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6). Consequently multiple marriages among pastors in Baptist circles today is no longer uncommon. -WWM
SBC On Moral Issues - The Southern Baptist Convention has made known its stand on husband/wife relationship. Their statement that marriage vows are to be honored and life-long are certainly Bible based. It should be a constant embarrassment that the most famous member of a Southern Baptist Church has openly admitted adultery. The second most famous member of the SBC follows with this on national TV: "The women just seem to go wild over him." So far as I know the SBC as an organization has not addressed this. Is Pres. Clinton exempt from moral obligations on the church level in a Southern Baptist Church as in the political arena? Is Billy Graham justified in making excuses for immorality in high places? "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Gal. 6:7) - WWM
Over 4 Million Live-in Couples In U.S. - U.S. Census Bureau says that more than four-million unmarried couples live together in the U.S. Although the ratio of married to unmarried couples has decreased since 1970, a 1997 statistics shows that there are eight couples living together for every 100 married couples. In 1970 that ratio was about 100 to one, the Marital Status and Living Arrangements report said. These live-in couples are not the only ones committing adultery in Christian (?) America. When infidelity is rampant from the White House to the worship house how can America expect respect from godless nations who have higher standards? Adultery brings serious consequences from a holy God. (Ex. 20:14; Heb. 13:4) -WWM
Dallas Theological Seminary President's New Church - A new inter-denominational congregation will begin meeting soon in Frisco, TX. Chuck Swindoll, DTS president, author of several books and host of a radio program is as interested in ecumenicity in action as in words. The new church is Stonebriar Community Church and will begin meeting in the fall. (Dallas Morning News) The new 2,500 seat auditorium is expected to be finished by spring 1999. There is little doubt concerning the successful growth of this new enterprise. Some once sound churches/pastors will see little wrong with Swindoll's interdenominational action since so many are leaving the old landmarks of sound church doctrine. One mission in Frisco, TX (now a church) sponsored by a Baptist group chose not to display the Baptist title. The doctrine of Christ's church has always been offensive to the desires of the flesh. `Breaking down the barriers' seems to be the main thrust of every new spiritual movements. (I Pet. 2:7,8) -WWM