(Editor's Note: In our New & Views column we quote from many different sources. Please understand that this does not necessarily mean that we approve of all of the publications from which we quote. We will give the name of the source in the first quote and thereafter we will give the abbreviation of that name.)

New Bible Version With Blackaby Notes-Broadman & Holman Publishers, a division of SBC's LifeWay Christian Resources, is working on a new study Bible version. The Holman Christian Standard Version (HCSB) is expected to be completed in 2003. (Baptist Press, 7/20/01) Henry Blackaby and sons will be working with the publishers to include their study notes. The New Testament has recently made its debut, a result of a 7-year, $10 million project. You can be sure this will be remunerated by the millions of dollars from the unguarded pockets of many Christians who believe Henry Blackaby's `Experiencing God" series is next to the Bible in divine inspiration. Beware that the results of studying Blackaby's books are more emotional energy than Biblical revival. His notes in the HCSB will likely bring the same results. It is certain to be more ecumenical than enlightening. It is definite that Broadman & Holman Publishers want his notes attached primarily for monetary reasons. -(W. W. Mosley, hereafter WWM)

Ex-Gay SBC Minister-"Freedom from homosexuality is not necessarily marrying a person of the opposite sex, having 2.3 children and a dog in the back yard," said Tim Wilkins, an ex-gay Southern Baptist minister and scheduled speaker at the upcoming Exodus conference. "We have this misunderstanding that people have to be able to physically function as heterosexual in marriage. That is not the end-all. Sexual activity is not the end-all." (Chicago Tribune, 7/22/01) The "Exodus International" conference is a meeting of ex-gays to be held Aug. 6-11. The only real support needed for those saved from sin would be the local church. Being saved from any and all sin to serve God is His eternal desire. (2 Pet. 3:9) To be a pastor of the Lord's church requires a man to have one wife. (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1) Sexual activity is indeed "not the end-all." Particularly if it is a gay/lesbian lifestyle relationship. Mr. Wilkins "estimates that about 40% of those who seek to change their sexual orientation are successful enough" to have a normal relationship. The others, he claims, are celibate. Seeking only to change is not always seeking Christ. (2 Cor. 5:17) "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." -WWM

Some Facts Seem Like Fiction-"While Johnny and Jill may not be learning how to read, they are learning that: teachers are underpaid, God is irrelevant, big business is ruining the environment, rewards should be based on need rather than performance, bisexual individuals are under the command of unstable genes, society rather than the individual is responsible for crime, saving the sucker fish is more important than saving farmers, cops hate black people, putting a condom on a cucumber is child's play, the Constitution is obsolete, God is a homophobe, the Constitution requires the government to censor religious speech, the toleration of evil is a virtue, George Washington was a racist, the American Constitution was written by racists and sexists, Ronald Reagan is responsible for the spread of AIDS, the right to kill babies is in the Constitution, it is un- American to have more than someone else does, the only hope of the world is for workers everywhere to unite, and it is the constitutional responsibility of government to provide jobs, housing, clothing, condoms, hot lunches, living wages, family leave, child care and band-aids to all citizens." Linda Bowles (The Federalist, 7/23/01) This sounds like the thoughts of the news media and many law makers, who think they know more about education than what they deem as an inferior parent. -WWM

Homosexual Activism Has Senatorial Support-This is not a hair-raising statement in some areas. One being Mass. where Sen. Ted Kennedy is a supporter of homosexual activism. The parents of Jeffrey Curley, the 10-yr. old boy raped and killed by homosexuals Charles Jaynes and his lover, Salvatore Sicari, are suing The North American Man/Boy Love Association for their promotion of such despicably sin. The ACLU is representing the NAMBLA, and have asked Judge George O'Toole to suppress the contents of a "pedophile training manual," produced by NAMBLA, from the case. The manual teaches pedophiles how to molest children and get away with it. It evens shows them how to flee the country to avoid prosecution. The ACLU doesn't want the public to learn about this child molestation manual. Jeffrey's father said, "They have placards and streets named after homosexuals around here (their town) who have died of AIDS, yet there is not even a mention of Jeffrey's name anywhere. (Traditions Values Coalition, 7/20/01) The rapid growing public acceptance of homosexuality can be credited to news media, condoned by the government, contributed to by a silent public, and catapulted forward by an education system supported by the likes of Hillary Clinton. Our only hope? (Isa. 33:22) "For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us." -WWM

Countries Accepting Gay/Lesbian Marriage Vows-Last March the Netherlands became the first country to legally recognize gay/lesbian relationships as "marriages." The highest court in Germany has given the go-ahead for same-sex couples to exchange marriage-like vows at local government offices and require court decisions for "divorces." (BP, 7/19/01) The article said the "Federal constitutional Court turned down an appeal by two of Germany's states, Saxony and Bavaria, which had argued that a law planned to take effect next month contravened constitutional provisions protecting marriage and the family." Virginia narrowly escaped being the first state sanctioning gay/lesbian marriages in the U.S. Don't be surprised what the future holds for media gullible America. -WWM

"Run For President!"-This could very well be the advice of former Pres. Bill Clinton to Congressman Condit from CA. The former president is well endowed with the ability to dodge questions on such matters as the congressman is facing. The wicked still walk on every side when the vilest of men are exalted. (Prov. 12:8) -WWM

Cloning For Reproduction Outlawed-Legislation to outlaw creation of cloned human embryos cleared a U.S. House of Representatives committee on Tuesday over objections from Democrats who said the bill's broad scope would hinder promising medical research. (Rueters, 7/24/01) There is widespread support in Congress to ban human cloning to produce children because of ethical concerns and worries about the health of cloned babies. To say nothing about the advancement of humanity to be their own god. Secular humanism's desire is to move God out of the classroom, Congress, and country. It has largely succeeded. America has thrived on Christianity not Islam, Mormonism, or occultism. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." (Psa. 33:12) -WWM

Baptist Tacky Party-The BMA of Texas has hit a new high or low. The Texas Department of Church Ministries' director, Paul Gauntt, threw a tacky party for senior citizens. "Over 300 of the tackiest people you ever saw jammed into the facilities of Farley Street Baptist Church [Waxahachie, TX]," it was reported on the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas web-site. Pictures of the event reveals clown like painted faces and tacky attired adults laughing and performing tomfooleries. "Pastor/humorist Coy Qusenbury" supplied words that brought laughter. A straw hat wearing, rouged cheeked male guest was recognized as "Tacky Grand Champion." DCM director Gauntt, as master of ceremonies, also bedecked himself with various styled hats. Sounds a lot like a regular service in many Baptist churches. Is this really a "church ministry" and the real mission of BMA Baptist? Your mission dollars at work! -WWM

Fetus Factories In Operation-The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine of Norfolk, Va., admitted to conceiving embryos for the express purpose of extracting their stem cells. The process was commercialized to the point of paying 12 women $1,500-$2,000 each for donating their eggs. Fifty embryos were conceived, and 40 were destroyed to obtain those stem cells. (World, 7/28/01) Too many feel it matters little how reprehensible an action may be, it must be alright if it has a positive outcome. Note how serious this situation has become: "Since the original cells of a fetus can develop into all the organs of a human body, why not use these so-called `stem cells' to regenerate damaged tissue in adults? Doctors could grind up all of that fetal tissue from abortions and unwanted test-tube embryos at the fertility clinics into a really good medicine." Someone said: "Nothing that is not human life has the potential to become human life." So how can anyone think that a human embryo is not human? And the main issue in America seems to be gun control? Or human rights for the gay/lesbian crowd? -WWM

Who's Following Who?-The unsound reasoning of politics is matched only by the mega-church doctrine of the world of religion. It is becoming both politically correct and popular to entice ungodly enemies of America to assemble together for peace by various methods. Why do those with authority to bring this about, think that the 2008 Olympics will convert communist China's Pres. Jiang Zemin when it failed miserably to persuade Adolf Hitler in 1936 to change his ways? Yet many churches are trying the same method thinking a bunch of people playing games will change a sinner's heart. Our Lord's words here are applicable in both cases: (Matt. 23:15) "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." -WWM

Perilous Times Have Arrived-Paul warned Timothy that perilous times were coming. (2 Tim. 3:1) There is little doubt those difficult and dangerous days are here. Everything that is moral and right is under assault. Abortion and euthanasia are acceptable, yet death in the gas chamber for murderers is an inhuman act. One man, one woman marriage is maligned as inferior relationship. How would our founding fathers look on passing an amendment to the constitution to define marriage? Why should such an amendment need to be passed? More eternally important than this, God has already established His definition of marriage in Genesis chapter one. The hostile efforts of the gay/lesbian crowd is the result of knowing they are wrong. Their efforts to re-define marriage has progressed past the courts into the halls of Congress. Not only is sodomy an offence against God, it is an unnatural and devious act of the flesh. Pacified people are difficult to arouse of the danger ahead. (Eph. 5:15,16) "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." -WWM

BSA's Stand Against Homosexual Has Reason-"...just in case you were not entirely clear on why the Boy Scouts of America does not invite homosexuals to serve as mentors for young boys, homosexual predator Christopher Reardon, a former Massachusetts Boy Scout leader, youth minister and YMCA swim coach, pleaded guilty this week to 75 of 130 rape, child molestation and child abuse charges committed between the years of 1995 and 2000." (Federalist, 7/13/01) The eccentric characters who want this BSA rule abolished are not Sunday School teachers. Nor are they interested in teaching anyone, especially young boys, how to be moral and upstanding citizens. How could such a depraved creature who lives a lie, possibly teach honesty to youth. "...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things," (Phil. 4:8) is certainly not found in their teaching agenda. -WWM

Hip-Hop & The Church--On June 14, some three hundred rap artists and music executives concluded the "National Hip-Hop Summit" in New York City. . . Yet mainstream Christianity has dialogued little, if at all, concerning the influence of this phenomenon. In dramatic contrast, hip-hop has developed close ties with Islamic leaders. With such an influential medium, should not the evangelical community be more engaged in discussions related to this musical genre? (BP, 7/11/01) The article continued: "Though 98% of rap artists are black, 75 percent of the sales of rap music are purchased by white youth, most often, white suburbanite youth." The writer of this review said the church is often guilty of the "proverbial `ostrich in the sand,' `Johnny-come-lately' mentality when it comes to being aware of the major cultural trends" that are impacting our youth. Here is the author's deduction. "No matter what opinion one may have about the sound and substance, the message or meaning of rap music, hip hop and rap music are here to stay. Are we listening?" This is true of all Satan's vehicles of sin. That in no way indicates it is acceptable to God! -WWM

Music In The Church-The following comments by music professor Ken Puls during the 2001 Southern Baptist Founders Conference, July 17-20. "I know of no other ministry in the church that has so great a potential to help or to hinder the pastoral ministry of teaching and preaching in the church than music." "The music in your church has the potential to become an obstacle to worship [by] amusing, distracting, entertaining the people and, as a result, minimizing and trivializing the preaching of the Word of God, or worse, contradicting the pastor who is trying to be faithful in preaching the Word to the congregation." Much of today's praise and worship seeks to minimize theology and doctrinal content while maximizing feelings and subjective experience, Puls observed. (BP, 7/25/01) These are refreshing words coming from a college professor and music director of a large SBC church. Especially in a day when CCM and choruses are used almost exclusively in many Baptist churches, with little or no content of real adoration and worship of a holy God. -WWM

ACLU And The First Amendment-The little town of Plattsmouth, Neb. is fighting the ACLU to keep a public monument to the Ten Commandments. Neb. attorney general, Don Stenberg, sides with the city. (BP, 7/10/01) The ACLU once again filed a suit against the people of this town on the grounds of First Amendment violations. To them the 1965 erected monument is "religious in nature." "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion," is the segment of the 1st amendment they claim is violated. They obviously cannot remember the clause immediately following: "...or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,"... The state capitol in Lincoln, Neb. has various Biblical figures carved into the stone of the building. Guess the ACLU doesn't know a picture often speaks louder than words. -WWM

Where Is The ACLU On This?-The Ten Commandments in the little town mentioned above raises the fury of the ACLU. But the presenting of the play, "Corpus Christi" by Terrence McNally goes unnoticed. "Residents of Fort Wayne, Ind., and 21 members of the Indiana General Assembly have filed a federal lawsuit to stop college performances of a play that portrays Christ as a drinker and a homosexual." (BP, 7/10/1) "Calling the production `an unbridled, unmitigated attack on Christianity and its founder," is part of the lawsuit. The plaintiffs' attorney said the play "basically takes the story of Jesus Christ...every aspect of his divinity, his life, his miracles, and so forth...and turns every one of them around and says they are not true," and "It portrays Christ as a liar, a blasphemer, a drunkard, a sexually active person both hetero and homosexual." If these dear people are successful in getting this garbage from the slop-bucket of Godless promotion stopped, you can be assured the ACLU will show up then, claiming the freedom of speech is violated. Satan laughs with glee, and echoed by the ACLU, when he can malign the name of Christ. Pray!! (2 Chron. 7:14) -WWM

`Gay Church' Misinterprets Scriptures- A July 1 Charisma article said "openly gay-affirming churches have redefined certain biblical passages to teach that homosexuality is acceptable to God." It said congregants at Joy Metropolitan Community Church (Orlando) were "for the most part, openly gay and have reconciled their faith with their homosexuality." It added: "They insist that passages in the Bible condemning homosexual behavior either don't apply today or have been misinterpreted. They tell gay men and lesbians who visit their church that God doesn't have a problem with their sexual behavior." A 1997 Barna poll found that 46 percent of those who had an opinion on the subject said "Christian churches should accept gay people as church leaders." - (Calvary Contender, hereafter CC.)

John Jacobs' Power Team Weakens-John Jacobs began the Power Team over 20 years ago while a student at Oral Roberts U. They have since performed in charismatic and Southern Baptist churches (7/1/99 CC). Jacobs now faces an assault charge for attacking a Team member. Over a dozen Power Team members left his ministry after he divorced his wife of 16 years in May, 2000 (7/1 Charisma). He has since remarried. About 24 former colleagues have formed Team Impact. His total annual income is listed at $500,000, but he says it is about $331,000 including royalties and other income. -CC (Jacobs' power team bend steel bars and break concrete blocks, and other muscle-flexing stunts. They are featured on the charismatic TBN, and in SBC churches. CC, 7/1/99) [This kind of entertainment definitely draws the crowds in modernistic church gathering. Paul told Timothy, "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (1 Tim. 4:78) -WWM]

New Religious Pluralism-Harvard researcher Diane Eck says the U.S. has become the most religiously diverse nation in the world (6/18 Chr. News). Muslims here now number 6 million, outnumbering Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and possibly Jews. Only 25 percent of U.S. immigrants since 1965 have been Protestant. Forty-four percent are Catholic and 35 percent are Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and of other non-Christian faiths. Most illegals are Catholic and tend to vote for liberal Democrats. -CC

Quote From SBC Chief-"One president commits sexual sin in the Oval Office and the Christian Right is told to shut up. Another president speaks openly of his faith in God and his trust in Christ and he is told to shut up." -CC

Internet Porn A Problem For Libraries-Many once-peaceful libraries have now been turned into taxpayer-funded peep shows. Clientele changed as a steady stream of new patrons mostly male adults but also teens and young children use library computers to access hard-core sex sites (6/16 World). Library staffers were forced to take on new duties: closing out computer screens left open to scenes of orgies and child sex, calming porn-addicted patrons who raged when all the unfiltered computer terminals were in use, and fielding questions from children about how to view pornography in the library. -CC

Teens Are Led To Sex-Cal Thomas says: "Where teens are led, they will follow. The culture is leading them through music, music videos, TV and films toward sexual activity. It is always presented as fun but without consequences." (7/2 Chr. News) He says the sex industry makes money off young minds and bodies, and adds: "The industry would go broke if abstinence among youth were to become a trend." Thomas praises Best Friends which promotes sexual abstinence in the public schools. -CC [Cal Thomas is a syndicated columnist and once associated with Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority. -WWM]

Homosexual Serial Killers-The June 25 Christian News had an article titled "Sodomite Terrorism" which quoted from an AP article which listed the leading serial killers in the U.S. It said that research on the five leading U.S. serial killers in the AP article indicates they are all homosexuals. The AP article listed the five with the number of murders each committed, using statistics from the New York Times. Christian News added: "This does not mean that all sodomites are serial killers. It does mean that the leading serial killers are sodomites." -CC

NAE Leader Quits-Kevin Mannoia, pro-charismatic president of the National Association of Evangelicals, resigned under pressure last month at an executive board meeting. Donations had dropped sharply, requiring staff layoffs. Other factors influencing his decision include: His welcoming overtures to charismatics and denominations within the liberal National Council of Churches, allowing NCC denominations to be members of both the NCC and NAE. He forged cooperative ties with the Catholic Bishops. And a major factor was the National Religious Broadcasters' recent decision to withdraw from the NAE, opposing the latter's new coziness with the NCC. Mannoia's predecessor, Don Argue, had tried to revitalize the NAE, calling it "too old, too white, and too male." -CC

Homosexuality May Split Denominations-The issue of homosexuality has dogged virtually every major liberal Protestant denomination, including the Presbyterian Church USA, the U. Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and especially the Episcopal Church (6/25 H. Times). In a defiant gesture rooted in the homosexuality battle, two "foreign" Anglican archbishops from overseas sent shock waves last month to Anglicans worldwide by elevating four conservative American priests on U.S. soil as bishops. This was unprecedented and lays the groundwork for a schism. -CC

Tim LaHaye `Most Influential Leader'-A newsletter at Wheaton College picked Tim LaHaye as the most influential evangelical leader in the U.S. the last quarter century (6/11 Chr. News). In addition to co-authoring the "Left Behind" series, he pioneered and helped popularize creationism and wrote books that set the stage for the rise of the Moral Majority, etc. -CC

`Charismatics & Evangelicals Together'-The July 9 Christianity Today has a full-page ad for a "Beyond All Limits" pastor's conference, Orlando, Jan. 17-19, 2002. Speakers include: Bill McCartney, Adrian Rogers, Billy Graham, Anne Graham-Lotz, Tony Evans, Rick Warren, John Maxwell, Bill Bright, Jerry Falwell, Jack Hayford, Joseph Stowell III, and Charles Stanley. -CC

Systematized Separation-Since the arrival of a new Evangelicalism which repudiated the Bible doctrine of ecclesiastical separation, lines have been blurred and waters muddied, and little has been done on systematized separation. Dr. Jim Singleton writes (6/01 Whetstone): "Each Fundamentalist has become a law to himself. We splinter and our splinters have splinters. At the same time, the strength of Fundamentalism is separation, and the weakness of Fundamentalism is separation." -CC