(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.)

OKC's First Baptist Leaves SBC-First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City terminated its affiliation with the SBC by a 300-69 vote 9/23/01. The church was organized in 1889 and was led by Herschel Hobbs, pastor for 24 years (1949-73). (Baptist Press, 9/26/01) During the ministry of Dr. Hobbs the church approached the 3,000 mark in attendance. One source reported the present attendance at about 350 people, while yet another said attendance is close to 250. Last year's revision of the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message statement was the driving force that caused the church to form a denominational relations study committee to consider the church's response to the new SBC statement of beliefs. The present pastor, Jeffry Zurheide, gives the new statement as the reason for their disassociation with the SBC. "What's more, it's dogma we don't agree with," Zurheide said. Among other things, the convention's 2000 Baptist Faith and Message restricts the office of pastor to men only, and requires wives to "submit graciously" to their husbands. The city's oldest Baptist congregation remains a member of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. (Kansas City Star, 9/28/01) The news release noted that First Baptist began ordaining women as deacons in 1983 and that its board of deacons believes women should not be excluded from the role of pastor.(Ibid.) It would be interesting to know how many (if any) of this board of deacons have read the Bible through . . . or even the New Testament. If they have they must have missed the qualifications for a bishop, pastor, or elder of the Lord's church. -WWM

NYC Crime Rate Down-New York's Mayor Rudolph Guliani said that for the second straight week, crime has plummeted. In fact, last week was the lowest crime has been in 40 years. There was an 18% reduction in crime over last year at the same time. Seven or eight years ago, New York experienced four to seven murders each day; last week only four people were murdered all week. (TVC, 9/27/01) It is a shame that it takes such an act of violence to wake people up. When God removes His protective hand off the world and releases the censor, filled with fire from off the altar, there will be no more time to change or repent. I pray that hearts that are touched and saddened by the bombings in NYC will turn to the right God, and His Son, Jesus Christ for redemption through His blood. All false gods and religion will tumble like Dagon in God's presence. Repent! -WWM

Free Abortions For New Yorkers By PP-Planned Parenthood offered women the opportunity to kill their unborn children without cost between the dates of Sept. 18-22. (TVC, 9/26/01) Of all the disgusting moves made by PP, this tops them all. Especially with the already expanding sorrow in the hearts of so many because of loss of life. These unborn children are of no less value than other precious lives lost in NYC. If America does not repent of the murderous sin of abortion on demand, our nation is destined for a far greater calamity before God than was experienced Sept. 11. -WWM

Clinton Affair With Monica & Natl. Security-Former White House political strategist Dick Morris told NewsMax.com that the affair made him (Clinton) passive and risk-averse, in his ability to hunt down Osama bin Laden. (NewsMax, 9/27/01) Mr. Morris believes the former president made the strikes against the terrorist in 1998 because of his need to show that he was an active, involved president during the scandal. The former president is certainly overflowing with these kinds of cover- up maneuvers. King David, a far superior leader than Bill Clinton, also attempted to camouflage his sinful actions only to suffer unbearable grief, both personal and national. But then King David was a man after God's own heart. (1 Sam. 13:14) A trait that I fear Bill Clinton has never experienced. -WWM

Clinton Suspended From Practicing Law-The U.S. Supreme Court recently suspended former President Bill Clinton from practicing law. He has forty days to show the court why he should not be disbarred in connection with the Lewinsky scandal. (Rueters, 10/1/01) The suspension may or may not be an extended action. And it may or may not be too worrisome to the ex. But there is a court that is far more supreme than the above mentioned. He will have no time at all to prepare his defense before this court. THIS should concern him but I have serious doubts that it will. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap, (Gal. 6:7) is not merely an amusing memento. It is the unalterable Word of the unchanging God of heaven. It would be wise for America to heed the advice Jethro gave Moses. (Exo. 18:21) Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness. -WWM

Catholicism Acting True To Form-Religious conflicts have become common in Mexico these days, according to an E-mail crediting the Baptist Press with this information. It referred to a Boston Globe article reporting Catholics converting to Protestant churches have sacrificed their freedom when they return to Mexico. Although Mexico's Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, converts are finding themselves being driven out of their communities, or having their homes burned down or otherwise destroyed. Some evangelicals are blaming Mexico's president for not taking action to stop the discrimination. No doubt the president takes his orders from Rome as all Catholics do. The Ana-Baptist community of the dark ages could shed some light on the Harlot Church's dealing with them. Freedom of religion, or no religion at all, does have a price. Our nation, founded on true Christianity, is much nearer to a closure of freedom for true Baptists than ever before. -WWM

Homosexuals Have Friends In High Places-Senator Ted Kennedy will be leading his pro-homosexual allies when they hold a hearing on ENDA October 2. The senator is also pushing a hate crimes bill that will provide special rights for homosexuals under federal law. (TVC, 9/22/01) Sounds as though he would fit the seat at the gate of Sodom. This is no real surprise since this family have their wealth from the liquor industry, and other devious enterprises. Remember he was a stalwart defender of Pres. Clinton's sensual activities in the White House. -WWM

Falwell: One Step Back From The Battle-In an interview with Pat Robertson on the Sept. 13 edition of The 700 Club, Falwell said, "The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America I point the finger in their face and say, `You helped this happen.'" He also said the ACLU should take a lot of blame for throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools, . . . (BP, 9/19/01) Right on thus far! But wait! The illustrious senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA, released a written apology Sept. 17, saying his comments were insensitive, uncalled for at the time and unnecessary. Fox News reported Pat Robertson considered Falwell's remarks totally inappropriate. The following statement of Jesus should be noted here. (Luke 13:4,5) Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Nineveh should rise and praise the Lord that neither Robertson nor Falwell were in the whale's belly with Jonah. That great city would likely have perished in sin. -WWM

Flag Banned By NY Cablevision-Cablevision's News 12, New York, one of the largest cable news providers in the country, has banned the U.S. flag from its news programming. Cablevision also owns a host of media and entertainment companies, including the New York Knicks, the Rangers, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The Wiz and the cable channel, American Movie Classics. (NewsMax.com, 9/19/01) Note all the property named are entertainment facilities. As American as baseball and apple pie is no longer in the picture. The American flag stands for liberty, worship of the true God, and freedom. Yet entertainment for too many Americans comes before any of these things. Hear what Paul thinks about this. (2 Tim 3:4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; . . indicates perilous times. -WWM

Florida Judge Upholds Law Forbidding Homosexual Adoption Rights-Immediate criticism came from homosexual activists, who promised to appeal Fed. Jdg. James L. King's upholding Florida's law prohibiting homosexuals from adopting children. (BP, 9/6/01) The 1977 law is considered the strongest in the nation banning such adoptions. Utah and Mississippi declare similar restrictions. If every state in the union would simply take the biblical stand against this sinful lifestyle, the homosexuals would either repent and turn to God or shut the door behind them. Our children and grandchildren are exposed to a society that is having lasting effects upon their future. Again Florida's ACLU surfaced with the same satanic argument: A violation of their 14th Amendment due process rights, as well as "fundamental rights of familial privacy, intimate association and family integrity." There is nothing fundamental, familial, nor normal intimate association about homosexuality, and it certainly has no family integrity. -WWM

Female Episcopal Bishop Seeks To Fire Conservative-Washington's acting Bishop Jane Holmes Dixon has the support of an Episcopal Church committee to oust a conservative priest. Rev. Samuel Edwards is ordered to leave Christ Church because he has referred to the Episcopal Church as the unchurch. The reason being for its acceptance of actively homosexual clergy and ordination of women. (Kansas City Star, 9/28/01) The Episcopal Church is indeed an unchurch, but not for the stated reason. The bishop is to be complimented, however, for taking this stand. -WWM

Kentucky Still Raising The Ire Of ACLU-One-fourth of Kentucky's counties display the Ten Commandments. The state's ACLU are planning lawsuits to remove the articles. In the last two years two federal judges in KY have ruled in the ACLU's favor three times on the issue. In 1978, the General Assembly passed a law requiring posting the Commandments in schools. Two years later the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that law unconstitutional. (KCS, 9/28/01) Neither the ACLU or the Supreme Court can rule against the breaking of the Ten Commandments. Neither will these laws ever be ruled null and void at the White Throne Judgment. Pray for any and all establishments that desire to display these ten rules written by God's own hand. -WWM

Catholics & Jews Agree To Cooperate-Roman Catholic and Jewish leaders have signed an agreement of cooperation and understanding, believed to be only the second of its kind in the United States. Representatives of the Diocese of Camden, the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Tri-County Board of Rabbis signed the document. "Only in America can we do what we have just done," Catholic Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio told The Courier-Post of Cherry Hill. (KCS,9/28/01) This is not the first mistake Jewish leaders have made in signing agreements with the enemies of God. It is true that only in America this can be done. This may be to the demise of freedom of religion in America. Especially for the Lord's true church. - WWM

Pope Respects "Authentic Islam"-Pope John Paul II said Monday that the Catholic Church respects authentic Islam. Although the pope condemns the attack on NY, he has called for restraint as the U.S. readies for retaliatory strikes. (DMN, 9/25/01) Catholic writers in their own encyclopedia concerning early Muslim practices and principles would heartily disagree with the pope about respecting authentic Islam. You can hardly get more authentic than the first assembled followers of Mohammed. It was either convert to Islam or die. Catholic clergy joined other religionists in the National Cathedral prayer service following the bombing in NY. It would be interesting if Elijah would have been there to hurl disapproval of their false gods. (Amos 3:3) Can two walk together, except they be agreed? -WWM

Judge Refuses Atheists' Request-Alabama state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore has recently installed a Ten Commandments display in the state judicial building. Not to be outdone, the American Atheists Inc. requested placing a statue of their organization's symbol in the lobby of the same building. (AP, 9/11/01) The Judge is to be commended for making this honorable decision. Judge Moore is known as the Ten Commandment Judge in Alabama. This is a title he should wear proudly. AAI director Larry Darby said the sculpture would have served as a counterpoint (contrasting but parallel) to the Ten Commandments monument and to remind visitors that our American judicial system and government were forged from Enlightenment thinking. This God-hater is not only biblically ignorant, he is also ignorant of (or chooses to disbelieve) the historic Christian establishment of our nation. -WWM

Feminist's Quote Trouble For Univ. Employee-A quote of vulgar mouthed feminist Gloria Steinem brings a reprimand to Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee employee Mary Pichelmann. She filed a lawsuit after the university ordered her to stop using a Steinem's quote at the closing of her university e-mail account. The university said the quote was vulgar and inappropriate. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa dismissed the suit and sided with the university's claim that the quote was not protected by the 1st Amendment right to free speech. (Freedom Forum, 10/1/01) I will not give the quote used here, but Judge Randa said it was a debased corruption of (John 8:32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Steinem's quote is true to form for the feminist movement. It is also refreshing for a U.S. district judge to make this defense of the words of Jesus. -WWM

Muslim Parents Sue School Board-The Muslim parents of a Paradise Elementary School girl sued the school for giving their daughter a Bible. Judge F. A. Little, Jr. ruled the practice as unconstitutional. (Advocate, 9/30/01) The Muslim religion has been applauded as being peaceful and harmless. This may be only a minor step toward both the feeling and treatment of Christianity in America by false religion. The judge issued a permanent injunction against all school district employees and people under its direction from distributing Bibles as the School Board distributed Bibles at Paradise Elementary School. -WWM

Halloween More Sensitive?-Some merchants are proclaiming Halloween will be more sensitive this year because of the attack on America. (USAToday.Com, 10/1/01) Instead of satanic attire, patriotic costumes are getting the most attention. Another sad footnote on today's society-that thousands of lives had to be lost to make our civilization (?) partially admit that recognizing satanic images is iniquitous. The souls who had not repented toward God and placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ before 9/11/01 are in hell. (Acts 20:21; Luke 12:5) Not in purgatory, it does not exist. Not waiting for another chance, there is no other chance after death. Not sojourning into another life, only into an eternal death. The exclusion from the presence of God into a place prepared for the devil and his angels for souls unprepared to meet God is the greatest tragedy of all. If you feel this is negative preaching, read the AV 1611 Bible. -WWM

Professor Agrees With SBC Faith & Message-Southern Baptist Theological Seminary professor, Thomas Schreiner, says the doctrine of creation undergirds the biblical teaching limiting the office of pastor to men. He is professor of NT at the Louisville, KY seminary. In his book "Two Views on Women in Ministry," Professor Schreiner says the Bible clearly defines gender ministry roles and limits the office of pastor to the man. This view is set forth in the SBC's statement of belief, the Baptist Faith & Message. "We have to continue to train each generation and to interact with those who disagree, because our younger people are immersed in the feminist world view and it's tough because what we say seems foreign to them," Schreiner said. (BP, 10/1/01) This statement of the professor should be a challenge to every Baptist pastor. Evangelization apart from indoctrination may result in salvation with no stabilization. (Heb. 6:1,2) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. This is not forsaking any doctrine but going forward to perfection. (See Eph. 4:11-16) -WWM

Anointed of God or Animated by Gaiety-Darlene Zschech, acclaimed by some (who?) to be "the premiere worship leader in the world, was in Carrollton, TX to lead in an Aug. 15th worship service. (DMN, 9/29/01) Worship pastors (a new term to WWM) congregated to learn from this Australian shepherd director, just how to lead their church in worship. Ms. Zscheck calls the services which her team leads "church." It matters not whether she is in Australia or abroad, wherever she is, God's "church" gathers. Covenant in Carrollton seats approximately 2,200 but the crowd was expected to grow to 5,000. Over flow crowds were herded into other facilities to watch on large screens. Even there the "anointed" worship leader's presence brought results of "lifted hands and worshipful praises." Zscheck said the only thing that limited her ministry when she was expecting a child, "was that she could not jump." Zscheck and her team were at Willow Creek about three years ago. Maybe that is where Bill Hybels learned to worship. Better beware . . . racket does not always indicate righteousness, neither does commotion imply commitment. -WWM

Differences In Religion-"All religions are not the same. Everyone who is welcome in America is obviously welcome to bring the family religion and practice it freely. But we are under no obligation to think of them as being all the same. Indeed, we are under obligation to teach our children that some religions respect human life, others do not."-Columnist Balint Vazsnyi (GOP NV,10/8/01) This has been true through the ages. False religions have sacrificed their own children to false gods and claimed to be civilized. The true God of heaven sent His Son to die for lost humanity. It is a false religion that requires lost humanity to die for themselves. -WWM