News & Views, April 2000 - Edited By E. L. Bynum

Religious Persecution on the Way - By E. L. Bynum

Franklin Graham Festival - By E. L. Bynum

God's Role For Male/Female - By Bill Mosley

We have seen in recent weeks the warning signs of persecution that is soon to come. When George W. Bush spoke to the students and faculty of Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC, he stirred up a firestorm of criticism. This criticism came from the news media, politicians, and liberal religious leaders. The crucifixion of Bob Jones University (BJU) by the media and politicians amounted to religious persecution which will come to all of us who are not politically correct.

What is the awful sin at BJU, which the news media, liberal religious leaders, and liberal politicians hate? There are three things that the liberals hate about BJU. (1) They have taught from the inception of the University that interracial dating and marriage is wrong. They have in the past kept it from happening on the campus and among the student body. (2) They have taught that the Pope and the Roman Catholic is a cult. (3) They have taught that homosexuality is a sin, and they have refused to allow them on campus. There are other things, but this is three of the chief reasons why the liberals hate and would like to destroy BJU.

I am not a particular fan of BJU. I have never supported it, and I have never been on their campus. However, these people have every right to teach and practice what they believe. Whether you agree with BJU on these three things is immaterial, because we all must admit that they have a right to teach what they believe. The United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights guarantee the Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech. Why do the bigots in the news media, and in politics think that they have the right to suppress the beliefs of decent Americans. Where do they think they are? Do they think they are in the Soviet Union, or in Nazi Germany? This school forfeited their tax exemption, because they would not give up their convictions.

Let us look at the Bill of Rights, Article I. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of the speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The homosexuals, communists, socialists and other radical organizations are mostly promoted by our society today. Homosexuals can educate our children and show them the wonders of their alternate life style, and that is OK with the liberals. Politicians go to Hollywood and bow and scrape before the ungodly, immoral actors and producers who are destroying this country with their filthy movies. Rap groups and rock stars can promote murder, lawlessness and immorality, and the news media never makes an outcry. Let a conservative University or institution express their views, and members of the media are burning up the airwaves in protest.

The students of BJU do not incite riots, insurrection, or persecution of anyone. They produce model citizens who are an asset to society. I have never heard of a riot, or lawlessness at this school. Yet, the media and the politicians coddle up to Al Sharpton, a black preacher in New York, who is a bigot, a racist, and worse. He has produced riots that caused people to die. The radical homosexuals riot and commit criminal acts, but the liberals coddle them and seek their votes. The liberals are very open minded to all beliefs, except the convictions of conservatives and Bible believers.

Liberal Universities have allowed riots and ungodly behavior on the part of students. They are not judged and condemned by the media. Anything that the liberal schools do is alright, but those who have convictions based on their understanding of the Bible are condemned. Schools that encourage homosexuality, murdering babies, and socialism are okay, because they are politically correct. A school that gives out contraceptives to the students, and permits males and females living in the same dormitory, are okay according to the liberals. Universities that promote homosexuality are wonderful according to the liberals.

It is time for Bible believers to wake up! Persecution is on the way. Influential people in this country would in a minute destroy fundamental Christians and institutions, if they thought they could get by with it. The people like Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings, and the various news people from CNN would not resist such an effort. The lying hypocrites in politics would certainly applaud their conduct. We are a thorn in their flesh, and they would like for us all to go out of business.

I will not accuse George W. Bush of being a fundamentalist. He certainly is not that, though he does show some evidence of being a Christian. Other presidents, Congressmen, Senators, and politicians have spoken at Bob Jones University. Some of them hold honorary degrees from this institution, yet I have never heard an outcry about anyone doing this until this year. They are a legitimate University, and anyone who wants to speak there is alright with me.

I am sorry that George W. Bush backed down an offered and apology for going there. He should have stood by his actions. Many politicians have spoken before radical schools, and radical homosexuals, yet they are never required to apoligize for going, and for not condemning the errors of these groups.

Enough is enough, as far as I am concerned, it is time for decent Americans and fundamental Christians to stand up to the ungodly in this country. We had better speak up now, before we lose the opportunity.

It is sad to see BJU back down on their convictions, if they believed that they were based on the Bible. If they were right in the past, then they are to be right in the present. If they were wrong in the past, then they should change, but not because of pressure from the ungodly.

We should pray for every private school, and every fundamental church that they will not bow to the pressure that is going to be put on them in the days ahead.

The sermons preached in the 39th Annual Mission Bible Conference are now available. There are 18 sermons recorded on 10 cassette tapes, preached by Independent Baptist preachers. The speakers include, Doug Hammett, PA; Dan Hall, Mississippi; M. L. Moser, TX; John Nelson, OK; John Graf, NY; Bill Mitchell, TX, L. K. Landis, KA; Thomas Smith, MO; Armando Flores, IL; Ross D. Fite, Mexico; Ken Johnson, VA; C.R. Curtman, MO; Thomas Cassidy, CA

After much fanfare, propaganda and preparation, the Franklin Graham Festival will be coming to Lubbock, April 28-30, 2000. My mailbox has been invaded many times by invitations to meetings, etc. Surely they have left no stone unturned to assure that this event will be packed out each night. They are well organized, and in their eyes, will be a success even if God has nothing to do with it. It is so well organized that the Holy Spirit will not be needed.

Unlike the Billy Graham Crusade in the 1970's, they have found a smaller place to fill, so it can never be called a failure. When Billy Graham came to town, they rented the Texas Tech University Football Stadium and had great crowds. Franklin will be speaking in the United Spirit Arena, which seats about 15,000. I guess they did not want to take a chance on a half filled football stadium. His father had a Crusade, but Franklin is having a Festival. There is a lot of difference in the meaning. Look it up for yourself.

Make no mistake about it, the Charismatics and the Catholics are in charge of this meeting. The Baptists, like blind sheep, are just following along and being used. Why do I say that? The Chairman of the Festival is Rick Canup a successful realtor, and an elder of Trinity Church. This was once an Assembly of God Church, and years ago they just changed flags by dropping that affiliation. Most if not all of their Senior Pastors have come from the Assembly of God. The pastor of this growing Church is Gary Kirksey, and he is on the Executive Committee. There are three Vice- Chairmen, and Jackie White, pastor of Church on the Rock is one of them. This is another of the Charismatic exciting churches of our city. These two churches are at the forefront of the Charismatic Churches in Lubbock.

Another of the Vice-Chairman is Paul Key, evangelism director for the Catholic Diocese of Lubbock. Key was a Presbyterian minister for 18-years before converting to Catholicism. He is married, and not a priest, but he is employed by the Catholic Diocese in the field of Evangelism. He has written a book, "95 Reasons for Becoming and Remaining Catholic." I bought a copy from the Catholic bookstore in Lubbock. There is no doubt that the Roman Catholic Church is a Church of Idolatry, and their evangelism director is the Vice-Chair of this Graham Festival.

The other Vice-Chair is Solomon Fields, Pastor of a black Baptist Church. It is not his color that we object to, but the fact that he would cooperate with this Festival, certainly reveals what he doesn't stand for. His appointment is probably symbolic, in order that the Committee might be politically correct.

Without a doubt this Festival has a politically correct, well balanced system of idolatry, apostasy and compromise in the leadership positions. The liberal Lutherans, Methodists and all the rest are enthusiastic about this mockery of evangelism. D. L. Lowrie, pastor of First Baptist Church, and all the other Southern Baptists are lined up in support. I imagine many of the other Baptist churches are supporting it, for I have heard no word of protest from any of them. I know that at least one Baptist Church that calls itself independent is lined up with them. I refer to College Heights Baptist Church, which was founded by one of the soundest Baptist preachers to ever grace a pulpit in Lubbock. It doesn't take long for a Baptist Church to go apostate, when the sound pastor is gone. I have not polled all of the BBF churches, but I would hope that they would not cooperate with this mockery of evangelism.

I have been told that E. L. Bynum is on the prayer list at First Baptist Church. They are praying that I will change my mind and support the Franklin Graham fiasco. I need all the prayer that I can get, but they are praying for the wrong thing in this case. Their prayers will never, never be answered the way they are praying.

The message that I am delivering, will be viewed by many, as unloving, unkind, and bitter. I assure you that it is not so. I only sound this alarm, because of my deep love for God, for His Word, and the souls of men. I would be a traitor to the truth, if I did not speak up in this day of compromise and unbelief.

He cannot preach the true gospel of Jesus Christ, because it would be offensive to most of this mixture of apostasy, idolatry and compromise. The message of John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and of Paul cannot be preached by Graham.

He cannot preach against idolatry, because the idolaters are in charge of the meeting. Roman Catholics cannot get past the first and second commandment of the Ten Commandments. All the clever hogwash and propaganda of the smooth talking apologists cannot successfully deny that idolatry and paganism is at the very heart Catholicism. The Pope recently visited the holy sites of Moslems, Christians, and Jews in the so-called Holy Land. If he wanted to visit the site where Catholicism was founded, he should have visited the ruins of ancient Babylon. This contains the roots of Catholicism. (For more information read, "The Two Babylons," by Alexander Hislop. This book proves that it can be traced back to Nimrod and his wife.)

Graham cannot expose the Charismatic religion which is a clever counterfeit of the religion found in the New Testament. The Jim Bakkers, the Pat Robertsons, the Jimmy Swaggarts, the Benny Hinns, and all the rest will go scot free under his preaching. John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and Paul exposed and rebuked the false religion of their day. Read the New Testament for further information. That will never happen at the Graham Festival.

He cannot expose modernism, liberalism and rank unbelief in the vast numbers of Protestant churches supporting the Festival. Most if not all of these churches are in the apostate socialistic National Council of Churches. After years of trying, most of these denominations cannot root out the homosexual takeover of their organizations. Endless committees study whether homosexuals should be in their church, whether they should conduct homosexual marriages, and whether they should ordain homosexual ministers. Thirty minutes in the Bible should settle these matters forever. Those who hold to a little truth are losing the battle among the Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists and others. They might as well raise the white flag now rather than later. Those who believe any of the Bible, should come out, instead of staying in and supporting the apostasy. Graham will pump some artificial life into these churches and that will help them keep any believers fooled.

Graham cannot fully preach the gospel of salvation, because the supporting churches cannot agree on the gospel, or how to be saved. Don't tell me that the Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Charismatics, and Church of Christ agree on the gospel and how to be saved. The truth is, that he will have to preach a watered down, generic, lovey dovey feel good gospel that has little relationship to the gospel of the New Testament. Few if any will be offended, and mostly they will leave with dewy eyes and unchanged hearts.

He cannot preach against rock music, because one of the big draws will be the rock musicians and rock music which will be the feature attraction of the Festival. Young people will be brain washed and sealed in their addiction to the demoralizing ungodly affliction of rock music. It has already in the last fifty years destroyed the morality and moral fiber of our youth. Those that were not destroyed by secular rock, will be dragged by the contemporary religious rock music that permeates such events as the Graham Festival. Do you remember the wonderful God honoring, Christ exalting music of George Beverly Shea in the early days of the Billy Graham Crusades? What a blessing to listen to the Crusade Choirs directed by Cliff Barrows, as they sang the great songs of the Christian Faith! Now that is all gone in the Crusades of Billy, and the Festivals of Franklin. It has been replaced by the music of the world that appeals to the flesh. We have come a long way baby, and it has been in the wrong direction!

It is doubtful if he will say anything against the sin of homosexuality. I would guess that the Metropolitan (homosexual) Church will be supporting and attending this gala festivity. Many of the "sads" (gays) from the main line churches will be on hand to enjoy religion without truth. It is the 8th wonder of the world to see these new evangelical fence straddling preachers who can dance around doctrine and not arouse Bible believers. Most church members have been raised on pablum and skimmed milk, and really do not know the truth from error.

Christians who belong to a church like Tabernacle Baptist Church, are frowned upon when they reveal that their Church is not going to take part in the Franklin Follies. It is lonely to stand for the truth, when nearly everyone else is embracing error. It is almost impossible to explain to worldly untaught religious people why that we cannot cooperate. If they are saved, they are ignorant of what the Bible teaches on separation. If they are not saved, they are just religious and Biblical truth has no meaning to them.

Noah found out it was lonely, when he was building the ark, and had to face a scorning unbelieving crowd. Moses found it lonely when the vast religious crowd that he led out of Egypt, clamored for the leeks, onions, garlic and cucumbers of Egypt. They had no taste for the manna from heaven and the water out of the rock. They looked for something in religion that was thrilling and satisfying. They found it while Moses was on the Mount receiving the Holy Law of God. Aaron, the backsliden religious leader, led in making a golden calf for them to worship and follow. They danced around in merry nakedness, as they lusted for that which God never wanted them to have. Moses did not come down from the mount and lead them in an ecumenical meeting (Festival) composed of religious idolaters and believers. They had broken the law and Moses dashed the stones upon the ground that it was written on. He did not mollify, pacify, or cater to this wicked religious crowd. He forced them to grind up the golden calf, mixed it with water, and made them drink. Oh, for a Moses in our day!

It was lonely for Samuel when he lived for God, while the negligent high priest Eli permitted his two sons, Hopni and Phineas to live in immorality in the very name of religion. It was lonely when Samuel had to face King Saul and pronounce judgment upon him for sparing the Amalekites (flesh).

It is was lonely when Nathan the Prophet stood before adulterous, murdering King David and say, "Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel..." (II Sam. 12:7). He named sin and condemned the sin in the life of David.

It was lonely when the prophet Micaiah stood before backsliden King Jehoshaphat and idol worshiping King Ahab and tell them that their ill-fated plan was doomed. At the same time there were 400 lying prophets who said he was wrong, and that God was going to bless the ecumenical (Festival) plans (I Kings 22).

It was lonely when the prophet Elijah stood before the ungodly Ahab and tell him that there would be no rain, because of Ahab's sins. It was lonely when he stood upon Mount Carmel and faced Ahab, the 450 prophets of Baal, the 400 prophets of the groves, as well as a skeptical unbelieving nation. All of the other true prophets were hid out in the caves speechless and depending on a little bread and water from a compromising Obadiah. It was lonely when he cut off the heads of the false prophets, and fled from the devilish Baal worshiping Queen Jezebel (I Kings 17-18).

It was lonely when Daniel and his three young Hebrew friends stood alone against the pagan practices of the Babylonian King (Daniel 1). It was lonely when Daniel defied the law of the King, and kept on praying. It was lonely as he faced the penalty and was cast into the lions' den. He was not alone, because he had the company of lions and, best of all, the angel of God. It was lonely when Daniel had to stand in a drunken, licentious banquet hall and tell Belshazzar the mighty Babylonian king, "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting" (Dan. 5:27).

It was lonely when Jeremiah had to stand against the entire religious establishment of his day, as he said, "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jer. 5:31).

It was lonely when John the Baptist had to speak to the religious leaders that came out to his baptism. "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Matt. 3:7). It was lonely when he stood before the king. "For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife." (Mark 6:18). None of the rest of the religious establishment said anything about it, but the faithful John the Baptist did. It cost him his head and his life, but he never compromised.

It was lonely when Jesus told the religious leaders of his day. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." (Matt. 23:27). They never forgave him of that. It was lonely for Jesus when his disciples forsook Him and fled (Mark 14:50), and Peter followed afar off as He was taken in humiliation to the home of the High Priest as a prisoner. There Simon Peter cursed and denied Him. It was lonely when He hung upon the Cross, stripped of his clothing, and only a few of His followers standing by while the crowd mocked Him.

Paul was lonely when he stood against false religion and was stoned, whipped and imprisoned. He never changed his doctrine or stand for the truth, even if he must die in a dark dungeon at Rome.

The Apostle John was lonely as he wrote from exile and said, "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 1:9).

We could go on and on from the Bible, but suffice to say that all of these men and more, though lonely and defeated according to men, were triumphant in Jesus Christ. While lonely among men, they were always in the majority, because they were on the side of God.

We can do no better than to close with the same Biblical information that we closed with in our tract, "Why We Cannot Support The Billy Graham Crusade." (Tract G-603 available from us.) This tract written in the 70s applies to Franklin as well as Billy. In many ways Billy Graham was sounder then than he is today. Of course he is not nearly as sound as he was in the early 50s when he was already headed in the wrong direction. What the father brought into the budding stage, his son will take into a full flower. He will make no improvements, but take the program further down the road of apostasy. I close with what I printed in the 70s. We will simply substitute the name of Franklin Graham instead of his father.

No man is above being rebuked by the Word of God. Peter was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit and had been used of God at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, but Paul rebuked him to his face (Gal. 2:11-14). Franklin Graham's type of evangelism cannot be found in the Bible. In fact, the indictment of Franklin Graham's doctrine and practice can be easily found in the Word of God.

1. The Bible says to "try" them (spirits and false prophets), but Franklin Graham fellowships with them. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)

2. The Bible says to "mark them" (speaking of those who teach false doctrine), but Franklin Graham compliments the apostates. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." (Romans 16:17)

3. The Bible says to "rebuke them," but Franklin Graham praises those who are unsound in the faith. "This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith." (Titus 1:13)

4. The Bible says "have no fellowship," but Franklin Graham has fellowship with all kinds of false doctrine. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Eph. 5:11)

5. The Bible says, "withdraw yourselves," but Franklin Graham draws near to false teachers and those who walk disorderly. "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." (II Thess. 3:6; Please read I Tim. 6:3-5)

6. The Bible says, "from such turn away," but Franklin Graham turns away from those who are true to the faith, unless they will disobey the scriptures and fellowship with modernists. If they do this they are no longer true to the faith. "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. . . these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith." (II Tim. 3:5,8)

7. The Bible says, "receive them not," but Franklin Graham receives them on his platform and sends his converts to them. By doing this he becomes a partaker of their evil deeds. "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (II John 10, 11)

8. The Bible says, "an heretic . . . reject," but Franklin Graham insists that modernist heretics be included on the Crusade committee. "A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject." (Titus 3:10)

9. The Bible says, "be ye separate," but Franklin Graham is against religious and ecclesiastical separation from the apostates. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." (II Cor. 6:17)

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." (Gen 1:26,27)

Nothing is clearer in the Book of Beginnings than God's design for all created things. Every creature of God has its individual functional role that no other can perform. All have their distinctive attributes that distinguishes them from all others. Each of them bearing seed after their kind for the reproduction of their species. Every creature has its own peculiar and particular characterization to fulfill in God's divine design.

This being true of all creation certainly gives man an obligation to fill his role properly before God because he is the only part of God's creation made in His image. There is enough said in the Bible about the functional role of every substance composed of atoms that man can determine the length of days, the changing of seasons, the time and height of tides, etc. within a small element of time. Today eclipse of planets, earth, sun and moon can be predicted with minute accuracy. The reason for this is the Creator gave every atom of His creation a role to fulfill that no other can fulfill. This truth no one can refute. It would seem when it comes to the created life made in the image of God they would be even more inclined to carry out their role than any other of God's creation. However, this is not always the case.

The biblical evidence is overwhelming that God has given the male/female offspring of Adam and Eve a definite role that belong to each of them separately and together. However, unlike the rest of the creation of God that operates properly under His divine direction without a written manuscript, man, the descendant of Adam's family, even with the inspired Word of God as guide, is inclined to desert his designated role.

This would seem a trite statement if it were not for the fact many are deserting that God given role and burning in their lust for a same-sex relationship (Rom. 1:26,27). God's plan for an "help meet" (Gen. 2:18- 20) for the man He created was woman. This is the exact title Adam gave to her when he first saw her (Gen. 2:23). We have God's role distinctly given for the first two made in the image of God as a Man and a Woman. Each have a divine role from God and it is an honorable role for both that should be accepted with gratitude. It is no wonder that Adam would say: "This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh:" when he first set eyes on God's wonderful work in the person of Woman.

It is not such an incredible thing when the husband/wife role is played properly that each complement the other. God designed their roles for that very purpose. It is only when sinful humanity toys with lustful desires that roles become complicated and unbearable. Sodomy is as unnatural as if the earth suddenly began rotating in the opposite direction...and just as disturbing. Not one atom has acted in any manner in such a debauched behavior. Sodomy is not an alternate life-style as the "pro-homo" crowd proclaims. It is as abnormal as if the earth suddenly began rotating north to south. This would not only be contrary to nature it would be in direct disobedience to the Creator's design. So also are devious, deceitful, out of character activities of human depravity when their proper role is abandoned.

From the beginning he was given responsibilities that are his alone. God gave him a mentality and vocabulary adequate to name all other created beings. His duty was to designate a title that would be suitable for every creature. Regardless of the first language there was no doubt that it identified the creature. When Noah loaded the Ark by two's and seven's the names of the beast and birds were as common and their roles as distinct as the names and roles of the eight souls that God sealed in the Ark.

Man was given a responsibility that no other could shoulder. The fact that he is to love his wife involves more than a mere act (Eph. 5:25; Col. 3:19). It is his role in life and no other has that responsibility or right.

None of God's beastly creation could fill this role. Although this love is far more than a physical relationship, no part of man's responsibility in the area of loving his wife can be spiritually or physically performed by woman or beast. In fact it is an abomination before God with serious consequences attached if another fills this role. It is so with the man: "And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast." (Lev. 20:15) It is also so with the woman: "And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." (Lev 20:16) It is obvious God would not give such instructions, if at least the possibility of such sin did exist. God equally abhors the sensual action of women placing themselves in the role of men toward one another. "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:..." (Rom 1:26) God is equally abhorred at the sin of homosexuality between men: "And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet." (Rom 1:27)

This is not the only role of responsibility the man must fill. He has a role in the Lord's church that no other can fill. Although this will not be the main thrust of this discussion it is amazing at what length religion will go to satisfy or draw a crowd. Although it may be true that some who fill pulpits today are little more than someone's "puppet," to use a puppet in the place of a man called of God under the guise of preaching the gospel may be entertaining but it is nothing short of ridicule. First, it ridicules the Lord and His church and all He intended her to be. Second, it ridicules the pastor of that congregation and the message he is called to preach. The pulpit should not be used for entertainment but for evangelization and doctrinal teaching.

There is also a role that only the man can fill in the worship service of the church. Only a man can fill the role of pastor because of the divine given qualifications for that office. One of those qualifications involves the other part of the union of the male/female. "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,..." (1 Tim. 3:2) There are other qualifications also to be considered for the bishop/pastor in 1 Timothy chapter 3 and Titus chapter 1. The role of the pastor, who must be a man to have a wife, must also fill this role by being the "husband of one wife". When the man in the role of pastor takes more than one wife he can no longer fill the qualifications for that role. Any ministry of the Lord's church is a sacred occupation and the Lord has a divine purpose for that ministry and guidelines to follow for His glory.

When Paul wrote First Timothy he states the purpose for the letter in chapter 3:14,15: "These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou shouldest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." The purpose of this letter was to instruct Timothy of the doctrinal behavior the church should follow. The behavior in this letter included the role of the pastor/bishop, elder men, elder women, young women, young men and widows, and the entire church assembled. The man's role in the church is one of leadership. We pointed out earlier that only men can fill the role of pastor and only then under proper qualifications. Paul makes it clear that the men are to be leaders in prayer in the public worship of the church. "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (1 Tim. 2:8) "Men" in this verse is translated from the Greek word "aner" which means man, individual male, husband, father. The same word is translated "man" in (1 Tim. 2:12). By way of contrast note (1 Tim 2:5,6): "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." "Men" in verse five is from the Greek word "anthropos" and means man-faced or human being, or the entire human race. Our Lord is indeed a Savior equally for male/female but not to the changing of their proper role in His service for His glory.

The context of these and other scriptures reveal the role of both men and women without the knowledge or use of a Greek dictionary. However, to ignore God's divine ordering of our personal role in service to Him and one another is not only robbing believers of blessings but risking rebuke from God. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28) This verse is occasionally referred to hoping to justify men or women filling any position in the church they so desire. Salvation in Christ equally for the entire human race is clearly revealed in the Bible. God our Savior, would "...have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:4). Even apart from knowing that the Greek word for "men" here is "anthropos" (man-faced; all humans) the context leaves no doubt that "all" includes both male and female.

She is to be loved by her husband (Eph. 5:25). She is to be respected by all men. Paul made a list of due respect for women and referred to it as "doctrine" in 1 Tim. 4:13,16. God's role for women reveal due esteem to them as seen in 1 Tim 5:2, 3."The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed." Disregarding this as a doctrine of Christ is serious and every person must answer to God for their neglect.

The elder women are to teach the younger women. Among the subject matter to be taught is stated in Titus 2:4, 5. "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." The obligation that is placed upon the elder women to teach the younger women is equally placed upon the younger women to learn this teaching. God inspired the written word with the purpose in mind that His creation would follow its precepts for His glory and their good. The purpose here is "...that the word of God be not blasphemed." The all too common reply to this and many other direct commands of God begins with a "Yeah, but...!" statement intended to counteract or diminish the effect of God's word. Since the older and wiser through Bible study and experience have attained some wisdom and understanding of what is true and lasting, the younger women would gain immeasurably from the instructions of godly older women. This then places the younger women under responsibility to heed the Bible based teaching of the elder women. If it were not so serious it would be amusing how both men and women use extreme examples trying to prove such instructions will not work. However, the Word of God is true and reliable and is sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12).

Spiritual respect from others is divinely attributed to the woman. All others are to "entreat" those with whom they associate in a godly manner such as the women referred to above in 1 Tim 5:2, 3. Women then must receive this respect accepting the accompanying responsibility. God has given them all the attractiveness needed to gain the respectful attention of the man. They also have God given guidelines to follows in appearance and actions. Practical guidance for this is found in God's word and not in the styles created by a godless society. It is God's will "...that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Tim. 2:9,10). First Peter 3:1-7 also relates proper direction for attire for both men and women as well as their actions one toward the other.

The created universe functions by God given roles. With all the scientific wisdom accumulated today the mystery of creation looms large on the minds of unbelieving scientist. It is simply too easy to accept creation by faith as stated the Book of Beginnings. Untold millions of dollars are spent in so-called scientific research to estimate the age of the universe and how much longer it will last. The Bible leaves no doubt that it is five days older than Adam's race and will last until the Second Adam judges the world in righteousness.

The very seasons respond to their God given role for the continuance of seeding and harvest. "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." (Gen. 8:22) The day's length is the same as it was the very first day. It is man that has the problem of reconciling the things he doesn't understand. The earth and sea respond to their role without a miscue. Notwithstanding there are serious catastrophes of floods, hail, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, each are responding to a role designed by the Creator of all things. The mighty sea has its proud waves stayed at the proper place (Job 38:8-11).

The sun, moon, and stars will only refuse to shine at the command of God (Isa. 13:9-11). Until then they will perform their proper function and operate effectively. Only man has determined to change his God given role. What a sad charge it is to those created in God's image to be the only part of His creation to rebel against their role. Why? Sin!

God's design for Adam was such as he needed another. God designed from him a helper for him, a part of him to love and cherish. God made them "one" but the descendants of Adam did not long stay in that role of one man and one woman. Our Lord Gives the reason for leaving that role as "sin" (Mark 10:1-8). Hardness of heart and yielding to sinful desires lead men from their God given roles to a life of separation from God. Lamech was the first recorded to step beyond God's design in this matter of having two wives (Gen. 4:19). It was only a short time before Lamech was a murderer as well (Gen. 423).

Men and women leaving the natural use of the other and burning in their lust in a same-sex relationship is the grossest of sin and debauchery. It is a blasphemous act against the God and His Word. Man made laws may make homosexuality permissible on earth but it will never be sanctioned by heaven. Satan is no doubt laughing with glee as state governments are seeking to legislate same-sex marriages. Most states, if not all, recognized other states matrimonial laws as legal in their own state. The first state to make sodomy unions legal places upon all other states the responsibility of accepting it.

Every person has a role to fill in respect to others. Honor to their father and mother is their role from God (Eph. 6:1,2). Be reminded again that young men are to respect the elder women as mothers and the younger women as sisters in all purity. The older men as fathers and the younger men as brothers (1 Tim. 5:1-3). This includes the young people toward the elderly as well as the elderly toward the young. The entire Christian life is one of yielding in respect to the other. "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;..." (Rom 12:10)

Whatever else is required of believers the principle end of our desire should be to know from God what our role is in life. It is revealed in His inspired word. The manner of affection, the modesty of attire, the method of our action, all have proper guidance revealed in the Word of God.

When role boundaries are stepped over God's judgment is sure to fall. Although society in the a new century may be ever so enlightened all men still have to answer to God. Take heed to your God given role for His honor and glory that the Word of God be not blasphemed. All will give account to the Creator. "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Rom. 14:11,12) All things will be open to the One Who made us all. "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." (Heb. 4:13) Seek and fill God's doctrinal role for your life.