News & Views, March 2001 - Edited By E. L. Bynum

The Sexual Revolution Has Brought Murder & Suicide - By E. L. Bynum

Take Back The Bible - By Bill Mosley

Why I Am Leaving Southern Baptist - By Bill Servati

The so-called Sexual Revolution has turned into a colossal failure, bringing death to millions of people. It makes the holocaust look like a picnic, and rivals the deeds of Hitler and Stalin. It is unthinkable that an ungodly conspiracy to do away with the prohibitions of God, would be supported and tolerated by the American people. All of those who support the hedonistic lifestyle that is flaunted and practiced in our society today, will surely face the wrath of a Holy God.

For over a generation, we have been inundated with a flood of false information about the consequences of illicit sex. The views of sexologists, psychiatrists, liberal educators, and hosts of others, have been promoted as if it was the gospel truth. Universities, churches and other assorted smart (?) people have told the masses, that sex is a natural function of the body. That it should be regularly practiced with whomever and wherever as long as it is done with consent.

Children have been instructed in all the niceties of putting condoms on cucumbers, and how to do oral sex. It seems to me, that people who pervert the minds of children in that way, have the brains of a cucumber and the morals of a billy goat. SIECUS and other ungodly organizations push this immoral agenda with a passion and determination of a zealot. The feminists, and immoral males teach this rubbish, and watch the human debacle with never a pang of conscience. They push the agenda, and let the doctors, hospitals, mental clinics, and abortion clinics try to mop up the floods of overflowing iniquity. Broken dreams and broken lives are the result, but what do these teachers of human depravity care?

There is not a doubt that the god of Hollywood is Sex, and they worship at its altar with fanatical zeal. They worship it, practice it, peddle it, prostitute it, profit from it, and use it to destroy human dignity and holiness. God's holy gift to the human race is dragged through the gutter, so that it becomes an unholy perverter of human good. It makes them trillions of dollars, and makes the actors and actresses almost as gods. The television industry has pumped the sewage of Hollywood into the homes of America and into the minds of generation after generation. Liberals delude the minds of people to the extent that they do not know right from wrong. The children and adults alike are like lemmings, they follow blindly as they run off of the cliff to destruction. Immorality, homosexuality, and the liberal socialist agenda are the causes that they push. Unfortunately it appeals to the depravity of human hearts, and they swallow it hook, line and sinker. A large part of the music industry is given over to the promotion of adultery, fornication, deviate behavior, drugs, and violence.

The Sexual Revolution surely deserves the credit for almost 40-million babies that have been murdered through abortion since the Roe vs. Wade decision of the Supreme Court. Americans must have their illicit pleasure, and the consequences can be sucked out of the womb by the abortion doctor, and flushed down the sink. If the little human being is too large for that, it can be chopped up and taken out piece by piece. After all there is a market for these baby parts in the scientific world today. Now the scientific community wants better parts, so the late term partial birth abortion is a convenient way to fulfill the need. In this procedure the baby is brought out feet first, when it comes to the head, then before the baby is fully delivered, the sharp instrument is forced into the skull, and then with a powerful vacuum the brains are sucked out.

I know that the writing of this will be offensive to some good Christians. If the description is offensive to you, just think how offensive the performing of these atrocities must be to our Holy God. All attempts to stop this insane practice have failed. There is a possibility that the wicked practice of partial birth abortion will be stopped under the present administration. Last year Congress passed a law that would stop it, but the immoral Bill Clinton vetoed it. If the present Congress has the decency to pass such a bill again, President Bush has promised to sign it. We sincerely pray that this will come to pass, but even if it is, the other abortions will not cease. The vast majority of abortions will continue to take place.

I wonder if these little aborted ones may be crying out for vengeance, as will the tribulation martyrs. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" (Rev.6:10). My question is, how much longer will God continue to tolerate a nation with a Christian heritage, that continues to allow this practice?

In addition to the murdered babies, the Sexual Revolution has produced millions of women who suffer from a guilty conscience, because they sought such a remedy for their sin. They spend their lives twisted in mind and conscience by the knowledge that they were a party to the dastardly deed performed by an abortionist. Many of them have great difficulty in finding and maintaining the right relationship with their husband. Oftentimes the solution is divorce and remarriage. The children suffer and grow up with twisted thinking of their own, and the tendency to repeat the sins of the parents. Time and space forbid me to go into detail as to how this is wrecking families, individuals, and our society as well.

God can and will forgive those mothers and doctors who are a part of this great slaughter machine. If they truly repent of their sin, and trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, they will be forgiven by a merciful God. This is no superficial act on the part of the sinner, but it is a new birth just like Jesus told Nicodemus in John chapter three. It involves repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ. In repentance there is sorrow for sin, and a turning from sin. Faith in Christ involves putting ones reliance in Him and on His finished work at Calvary. His blood was shed for the remission of sin, and it cleanses from all sin. "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:43). "Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." (Heb. 10:18). "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (I John 1:7).

The Sexual Revolution has spread the AIDS virus around the world. In addition it has been responsible for the spread of other sexually transmitted diseases which spread suffering, death and destruction.

More than 500,000 young men have died of AIDS in the USA. I think of all the families that have suffered great grief and sorrow over this calamity. Fathers and mothers are being crushed, when their sons have been diagnosed with this deadly disease.

We can only imagine the great contribution that some of these may have made to society, if they had not been lured into homosexuality. The death march keeps on going, as more of our youth are led to believe that it is just another lifestyle. The moral leadership in our nation is bankrupt. Where are the political and spiritual leaders who will stand up and condemn this form of suicide?

Over 17-million men and women in Africa are afflicted by AIDS and the numbers are growing every day. Millions of orphans are left behind, because the parents have died with this disease. This is mostly taking place in the sub-Sahara part of Africa. The devastation is astounding, and is growing every day. They tell us that AIDS in Africa is not being spread by homosexuals, but by heterosexuals. It is the open sex practice that is responsible, so we are told. Only the wives are expected to be faithful and moral. Men, boys and girls can sleep around all they want to, according to the information that I have.

A number of sources will be quoted to show how serious this is.

Homosexuals and Bisexuals Spread Syphilis. Health officials in Southern California are alarmed over the spread of syphilis among homosexuals and bisexuals. The increase is due to a growing belief among these groups that medicines can prolong their lives and protect them from dying early deaths from AIDS. In four California counties, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, and Riverside, 66 of 130 syphilis cases between Jan. to July, 2000 were homosexual or bisexual men compared to 26 of 100 cases during that same period in 1999. In addition, of the 66 cases in 2000, 33 of them said they had engaged in anonymous sex and 17 said they had met sex partners in bathhouses. Only one in five reported using a condom and two in five reported using illegal drugs. Thirty-four of the 66 were HIV-positive and nine did not know their HIV status. As politicians and school officials continue to promote homosexuality in the public schools, we can expect to see an upsurge in syphilis and AIDS cases among teenagers. (Traditional Values Coalition, hereafter TVC).

Los Angeles Times Promotes Transgender Agenda. On Feb. 27, LA Times staff writer Mary McNamara produced what amounts to an infomercial for the growing Transgender movement. Transgenders are cross-dressers (heterosexual men who enjoy wearing women's clothing; transvestites) (homosexual men who dress as women); and transsexuals (men and women who are going through sex change operations). McNamara attempts to normalize what is still considered a serious Gender Identity Disorder by describing the lives of several sexually confused individuals, including Patrick and Matt, who are women who had sex change operations to convert themselves into men. According to McNamara, Patrick and Matt had been lesbian lovers ten years ago, but they eventually broke up. Both later had sex changes and then fell in love again as men. Now, they are having a "family." Matt stopped taking testosterone so she could get pregnant. McNamara describes the trauma Matt endured as a pregnant "man" in a lesbian childbirth class. The Transgender movement has just launched a major media campaign. San Francisco is going to include sex change operations as part of its health care benefits package. Discovery Health Channel recently ran a special, "What Sex Am I?" and the New York Times recently ran a positive article on Transgenders. TVC

At first the homosexuals were rejected by the mainline denominations, and they formed the Metropolitan Community Churches. (I drive past one on Sunday, and I see no children going in or coming out of this so-called church.) For some time now homosexuals have moved into Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and other churches. The liberals in these churches are reliable allies who help pave the way for the admission of homosexuals and lesbians.

Recently this has caused quite a stir in some Southern Baptist churches in Georgia. Religion Today and Baptist Press, which are news agencies of the SBC have reported on this.

Atlanta Baptist Association Affirms Homosexual-friendly Churches. In a called meeting on Jan. 30, the Atlanta Baptist Association, by a 253-164 secret ballot, voted to maintain membership and affiliation with two expelled churches. Virginia-Highland and Oakhurst were expelled from the Georgia Baptist Convention in 1999 for "affirming, approving and endorsing homosexual behavior." It marked the first time in its 177-year history that the GBC had dismissed a church. Religion Today, Feb. 5, 2001

Georgia Baptists & NAMB to Withdraw Funds from Atlanta Baptist Assoc. By Martin King. ATLANTA (BP)--The Georgia Baptist Convention and the North American Mission Board have announced plans to withdraw funding from the Atlanta Baptist Association following the association's decision to remain in fellowship with two homosexual-affirming churches.

We commend the Georgia Baptist Convention for saying that they are going to withdraw financial support from the Atlanta Baptist Association. A careful reading of the rest of the article reveals that this withdrawal of support will not become effective for eight months. The huge Atlanta Baptist Association contains many large churches, such as the First Baptist Church, which is pastored by Charles Stanley. The Atlanta Association is being pressured by some of its churches to reverse their sinful decision. I have read that Charles Stanley has said that if they do not, then First Baptist will withdraw from the Atlanta Association.

Can you believe that 60% of those voting in the Association, were in favor of maintaining fellowship with two homosexual churches? This is the fruit of modernism spreading the seeds of unbelief for many years in the SBC. Other denominations are being affected by this as well.

Lutheran Church Debates Same-sex Unions. Sharp disagreement over whether the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) should endorse same-sex unions continued Sunday, Feb. 18, as nearly 600 people heard about the issue that many believe could someday split the church. The former presiding bishop of the national ELCA, the Rev. Herbert Chilstrom, said, "I believe that the arms of the ELCA are broad enough that we can allow same-sex unions to happen in some of our churches." But the Rev. John Beem argued that the Bible and years of scholarly biblical interpretation do not show any support for homosexual unions, and without that, they should not be permitted. "If we base our decisions on simply liking them, or it seems like the right thing to do, then I think we're making a mistake," said Beem, the former bishop of Wisconsin's East Central Synod. Last May the Milwaukee synod's assembly voted 141-103 to pass a resolution that "recognizes and affirms the blessings of such committed same-gender relationships ..." However, since the vote, at least 19 congregations have talked about jointly submitting a resolution to have the policy rescinded, officials said. Sunday's session was held in Brookfield; two more are scheduled - on March 24 and April 29, prior to the annual assembly, which will be May 31- June 2. (By Vikki Ortiz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Presbyterian Church USA has been in a constant battle for a number of years over the issue of homosexuals in the church. They have debated this along with homosexual marriages, and the ordination of homosexual pastors. It seems that the homosexuals are winning, because there are already quite a number of their churches that have already accepted the sodomites in their membership. Some homosexual marriages have been conducted in some of their churches and homosexuals have been ordained to the ministry. The same can be said of the Methodists and a number of other denominations.

Some of our readers may be thinking that this is not going to affect churches that stand for the bible. You are going to find out in due time, it may well have a dramatic influence on them also. When most of the other churches are accepting homosexuals in their churches, the pressure will mount for Independent Baptist churches to accept them as well. This pressure will come from society and from the government. Churches in time, will likely lose their tax free status. Then they will have to pay taxes on their property and income, and the members will not be able to deduct from their income tax, their contributions to their church. You may say that this will not happen, but I believe that it is on the horizon. I sincerely hope and pray that I am wrong.

When we refused to take a homosexual into the membership of our Church, he became very angry. For several years he has been sending me abusive emails, and has emailed Independent Baptist preachers over the country telling vicious lies about me. This kind of action will no doubt intimidate some preachers to be silent on this issue.

Homosexual Denomination's Exec Elected President of Calif. Church Council. By Don Hinkle. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (BP)--A national leader of the pro-homosexual Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches has been elected president of the 1.5 million-member California Council of Churches (CCC). The election of Gwynne Guibord to the CCC's highest office in January is the latest victory by homosexual activists' in their quest for a place within the ecumenical church. The CCC represents the legislative concerns of 19 Protestant denominations. No Southern Baptist churches hold membership in the CCC, which is based in the state capital of Sacramento. Guibord is the ecumenical officer of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC) headquartered in West Hollywood, Calif. The UFMCC ordains homosexuals, conducts same-sex unions and advocates a number of pro-homosexual positions including legislation that would give sexual orientation the same civil rights protection under the law as religion, race and gender. So controversial is the UFMCC that even the liberal National Council of Churches and World Council of Churches have refused its request for membership.

While Southern Baptists may not belong to the CCC, many other churches in California from 19 denominations are members.

Alarming things are happening in Washington that signal trouble for us on the horizon. The homosexuals are succeeding in getting themselves recognized as a persecuted minority. If they achieve protection status such as racial minorities, then we are in for real trouble. The following vote was recorded in Congress not long ago.

Punishing Hate . . . or Family Values? by Pete Winn. Homosexual activists got what they wanted when the House of Representatives voted 232-192 earlier this week to instruct House-Senate conferees to include hate-crimes language in the final version of a defense authorization bill. The question now is: Will the majority of Americans want a hate- crimes law when they find out what it really means? Reps. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and John Conyers, D-Mich., successfully engineered the motion, which had widespread Democratic support. But the bill would not have passed without significant Republican support. At best, Lafferty said, representatives misunderstood what it would mean to have a federal hate- crimes law that included sexual orientation as a protected category. "This vote was not about `hate,' " Lafferty said. "It was about anti-Christian bigotry and providing federal protection to homosexuals under the guise of protecting individuals from so-called discrimination.'

Of course we do not mean that all public schools or all teachers are pro-homosexual. The awful truth is that many of them are, and the number is growing. Unconvinced, then just read the following.

School okays homosexual advocate to promote, facilitate lifestyle. By Joanne M. Haas. MADISON, Wis. (BP)--The Madison, Wis. School Board Feb. 26 voted unanimously to hire a full-time advocate for homosexual and lesbian students in the school system. Board members voted 7-0 in support of the position after hearing testimony from roughly 50 or so on both sides of the issue including Sol-Kelley Jones, 14, the middle school daughter of Madison therapist Sunshine Jones and her partner JoAnn Kell, according to CNSNews.com.

"The School Referred Pat to a Therapist, Who in 1999 Diagnosed Pat with Gender Identity Disorder. Therapist Judith Havens said it would be `medically and clinically necessary for (Pat) to wear clothing consistent with female gender and that failure to do so could cause harm to (Pat's) mental health,` according to court documents." The judge says transgender student can wear girls' clothes to school. Associated Press Thursday, 10-12-2000 BROCKTON - A 15-year-old boy who was barred from school for wearing girls' clothing, including padded bras, wigs and high-heeled shoes, should be allowed to return to classes, a judge has ruled. Judge Linda Giles on Wednesday ordered South Junior High School in Brockton to allow the student, identified in court records as "Pat Doe," to wear any clothing or accessories that any other male or female student would be permitted to wear. The school had forbidden Pat from attending classes in female dress, arguing it was disruptive. A school attorney said Pat upset parents and students by wearing tight skirts and makeup to school, blowing kisses in class, and appearing at a semiformal dance in a slinky, black dress.

The inroads being made to condition our children to accept and follow the homosexual way of life is far more advanced than most conservatives know.

Homosexual Teacher Group Targets Kindergartners. By Rev. Louis P. Sheldon Chairman, Traditional Values Coalition Washington, DC -- Hundreds of homosexual teachers and school officials gathered in Chicago not long ago to attend the annual Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) conference. The keynote speaker at this event was Robert Chase, head of the National Education Association, the nation's most powerful teacher's union. Chase told his audience that the NEA supports homosexual teachers. He observed, "I am here today precisely out of concern for the children our members teach. The NEA does not have what the right wing has branded a quote `radical pro-homosexual agenda.' Rather, we have a radical civil rights agenda ... A pro-human agenda." Chase is engaging in Orwellian Newspeak, designed to shield parents from the truth: The NEA has an aggressive pro-homosexual agenda and has promoted the normalization of homosexuality for years. TVC 10-17-2000

They are using the public and school libraries to promote the cause of the Sodomites.

Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy's Roommate. A law that allowed residents to keep "objectionable" library books away from children has been rejected by a federal judge. U.S. District Judge Jerry Buchmeyer said a petition system, enacted by the Wichita Falls, Texas, City Council last year, was unconstitutional. It called for moving books to another part of the library if 300 library-card holders signed. Petitioners had rejected Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy's Roommate, books that depict children being raised by lesbian and gay parents. They were displayed in the children's section. ...Buchmeyer said removal of the titles was "censorship of two children's books." He said the fact that some people find them immoral is not enough reason to override the professional judgment of the library's staff. Baptist Press

Can you imagine having a Gay Club in a public High School? It has been done.

A California School Board Gives Into Homosexual Pressure to Allow Gay Club in High Schools. After months of refusing to recognize a "gay-straight alliance club" at El Modena High School, the Orange Unified Board of Education is expected to settle a federal lawsuit challenging the Board's decision. The Board of Education voted 5-to-2 to approve the settlement. According to the New York Times, "Under the settlement announced on Tuesday, Orange Unified will continue to allow the group to meet, but will change some rules regarding non-curricular clubs. The new rules will include a restriction on discussions of sexual activities and will provide parents with an opportunity to prevent their children from participating in specified clubs."

So you think I am worked up over very little. Just read on friend and see what is happening.

Oregon Voters OK Promotion of Homosexuality in Public Schools. McMinnville, Ore. (BP)--By a slim majority Nov. 7, Oregon voters refused to prohibit the promotion of homosexuality in the state's public schools. With 85 percent of the tally at press time, voters by a 51 to 49percent margin agreed with homosexual rights activists who campaigned vigorously for children to be taught that homosexuality is "normal, healthy and natural."

Los Angeles Cuts Ties to Boy Scouts. In yet another attack on the Boy Scouts over its policy of excluding homosexuals from its ranks, the Los Angeles City Council voted on Nov. 28,by 11-0 to cut the city's ties with the Scouts. Lesbian Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg heads the city's personnel committee and was the major backer of this measure. The Los Angeles Police Department has been directed to dismantle its Explorer Scout unit within 90 days and create an alternative group. TVC

Showtime to Begin Airing "Gay" Drama. This Sunday, Showtime will begin a 22-hour television drama promoting homosexuality. "Queer as Folk," will premiere with a two- hour episode. According to a New York Times New Service report published on Nov. 30, this drama will break all taboos and will be even more sexually explicit than "Sex in the City." It will include male to male kissing, fondling, as well as suggested anal and oral sex. "We pushed this as far as we could go," said Tony Jonas, a former president at Warner Brothers and the executive producer of "Queer as Folk." Says Jonas, "We don't have to apologize for or whitewash or pretend what gay sexuality is all about. In a way, it's a giant step for cable." TVC

FDA Narrowly Defeats Plan to Allow Homosexual Men to Donate Blood. On Friday, September 15, the Washington Post reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration narrowly defeated a plan to relax the ban on blood donated by homosexual males. A board of scientific advisors were asked to determine if the FDA should change their policy and only ban blood from men who have had sex with men within the past five years. The panel voted 7 to 6 to keep the current ban. TVC

Mayor Gives Married Gays ££100,000 Gift. By Andrew Pierce. London, 2-27-2001. LESBIAN and gay couples will be able to tie the knot by the end of the year after Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, set aside ££100,000 of council taxpayers' money for a register to recognize their relationships formally. One plan under consideration is to give away the first 100 "gay marriage" licenses free to publicize the scheme which brings London into line with San Francisco, Amsterdam and Paris.

There are many more examples of this black plague of sin that is spreading throughout the world. Christians often read such things, and they know that it is wrong, but with them it is not a holy cause. The homosexuals look upon their efforts as a crusade and a just cause. They are willing to fight, and make any sacrifice to win. That is the reason they are winning and will continue to win, until Christians are willing to enter the battle. The homosexuals want your children and your grandchildren, and they are getting them in increasing numbers.

If they are saved, they will be saved out of their sin. In other words, they will quit the sin. The Church at Corinth contained members who had been homosexuals. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (I Cor. 6-11).

"Abusers of themselves with mankind" is translated from the Greek word "arsenokoites," which means "one who lies with a male as with a female, sodomite, homosexual." These homosexuals had been saved, washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If any homosexuals read this, we leave them with the knowledge that they can be saved from hell and have heaven for their home, if they will only turn to Jesus Christ. He can save them, and if so, he will deliver them from homosexuality.

Titles such as the one above are intended to draw attention to the subject following. "Back to the Bible" is the title of a Bible program that has been well-known to many for years. The theme of this year's Mission Conference is significant to all who believe the need implied by "Back to Bible Preaching." "Take Back the Bible" indicates one of two things. Either someone has received a Bible and wants to return the gift, or their Bible has been taken by someone who will not return it.

The January issue of the Plains Baptist Challenger reported that Phyllis Trible, feminist theologian (her own expression), was to speak at St. John's Methodist Church, Lubbock, TX on the subject, "Take Back the Bible." The references following are either from Ms. Trible or the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Religion Editor, Beth Pratt, in her report. (Lubbock A-J, 1/27/01) Trible is likely heeded in many circles because of her:

She attended college and seminary in the late 1950s and early 1960s. When " . . . a woman studying theology was an oddity, if not an affront." She said, "The agenda was set by the men." "Today, women make up more than half the student enrollment in seminaries." It needs to be added here that most of the women attending Baptist seminaries are not preparing for the pastorate, though some may be. The SBC has ordained thousands of women to the ministry since 1967.

Trible is professor of biblical studies at Wake Forest Univ. Divinity School (SBC) in Winston-Salem, N.C., and Baldwin Professor of Sacred literature, emeriti, at Union Theological Seminary in NY. Her doctoral degree is from Union seminary and Columbia Univ. However, she does not claim to be an ordained minister. She grew up in a Baptist church in Virginia and attended Girls Auxiliary camps. This was renamed Girls on Adventure a few years ago.
Prof. Trible reflects on those years when the boys " . . . were, and still are, called Royal Ambassadors." She cited this as an example of how language is used to denote superiority. Now you know where her Bible went. The boys have taken it away from the girls.

As the featured lecturer for the Allen and Hodges Lectureship Series at St. John's UMC, Lubbock, her topic was "Take Back the Bible." "It has been made captive to the religious right, who claim they control its interpretation," Trible said. "On the other hand, the secular world dumped the whole thing or made it captive. Intelligent Christians and Jews have a responsibility to reclaim it from those who thump it and from those who bash it." (Emp. mine.) Much can be concluded from Trible's:

The number attending the lecture is not given. Five attended an informal table-talk the morning after her lecture. Women seminary students make up more that 50% of the enrollment, according to the article. She claims her focus is to let the " . . . text of the Bible speak for itself with as little bias on the part of the interpreter as possible." "It is time to take the Bible" from the religious right and the religious left. What was said above about the SBC's Royal Ambassadors denoting male "superiority," leaves little doubt about who she believes took her Bible. Also, the "Christian and Jews" who want to leave the Bible where God placed it is less than intelligent. If they are "intelligent Christian and Jews" they will join her in getting her Bible back.

The professor insinuates that all who listen to the Bible as it is literally written cannot take it as literal truth. She implies that both women and men who believe God has clearly instructed them of their God honoring positions in His plan are likely wrong. When she speaks of the "religious right" camp, it is with the same tone as Hilary Clinton. Any enthusiastic, Bible preacher (male) is nothing more or less to her than a neurotic Bible thumper. She asserts the Bible has become a "tool of politics" for the far right and far left. In her estimation the presence of other sacred texts will "force new ways of dealing with the Bible." Or will force those who took her Bible to return it. The Bible she is trying to take back is likely the NIV, since it is a feminist Bible. (See articles "A Lesbian and the NIV" and "The NIV Feminist Bible," also "Should We Trust The New International Version", Tract No. A-217, by E. L. Bynum.)

This is all going to happen as the "world becomes smaller and smaller." This indicates her belief that more insight is in sight for the more enlightened. Yet the changing Bible she wants to take back is from an unchanging God (Mal. 3:6) and the Lord Jesus who forever remains the same (Heb. 13:8). The depth of her theological training is revealed in this: "Creation is completed in seven days, not six . . . rest is essential to the creative process," she emphasized. She must have used some of the "other sacred texts" of her smaller world, to come to this conclusion. The KJV reveals that " . . . God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them." (Gen. 1:31; 2:1) So at the end of the sixth day God had "finished" all of His creation.

Prof. Trible obviously considers herself as one of those "intelligent Christians" who is determined to "Take the Bible Back." The "Rev." Bobbie McMillan, senior pastor of St. John's UMC, said he found her "stimulating, provocative and intense." Since this pastor has a woman assistant pastor they both have likely joined Ms. Trible in her effort to take the Bible back from who ever has taken it. Although the professor nor the pastors at St. John's will never read this, I pray they will consider this simple:

The Bible has not been taken from anyone who wants it. That is, in the sense that she believes it needs to be "taken back." It is undeniably for anyone who will believe its truthfulness and sanctity. The Bible cannot be taken from the person who turns to God in true repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21) Neither is there any superiority of one over another in salvation. (Gal. 3:28) "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." God made the choice of every person's identity and talent. To question His reason for doing this implies an effort is being made to lessen His sovereignty. "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" (Rom. 9:20,21)

There is a place for both Jews and Gentiles in the Lord's church. There is also a position that both male and female can serve. The only possibility of either pleasing God is whether or not they stay within God's scriptural boundaries for them. Prof. Trible terms "feminist theology `a prophetic movement that challenges the status quo.'" The major "status quo" being challenge is the status quo set by God. She stated that, "Feminism calls for a critique of idolatry of the Bible. It is the irony of ironies to turn the book that warns you of idolatry into an idol." The book Ms. Trible wants returned is one of her own production. The true Word of God has always been loved by those who love the Lord. "Thy word" is referred to some thirty five times in Psalm 119 alone. It is the Word of the Lord that is a "lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psa. 119:105) The Bible is to be highly esteemed because it is the Word of God given by:

"The Word of the Lord came" is the opening statement of a revelation from God to His servants, the prophets. Over ninety times this phrase is used, with multiple other similar variations, that claims the worshipful attention of those addressed, and those who read their message. This does not constitute idolatry, but a holy regard for the Word of God.

The Word of the Lord is not only a companion of the redeemed but it also illuminates the path of life to follow. "The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes." (Psa. 19:8) His Word is the means whereby the saved are guided in their walk with God. "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8) There are no other means whereby the saved know how to please the God of Heaven.

God revealed His will to and for man by divine inspiration. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Tim. 3:16,17) Believers should remember how God feels about His inspired Word given to mankind. "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." (Psa. 138:2) Frail humanity is far too limited to understand or estimate the worth of God's Word. He who knows our every thought puts us all into the same category with the writer in (Psa. 139:6) "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."

The Bible Prof. Trible wants men and women alike to "take back" doesn't exist. This adds to her great:

There is no doubt she believes the boys in her early years were encouraged to feel their superiority over the girls. Her obvious goal in life is to aright this great wrong. The only thing different today is those who were boys then are men today. She still feels it her duty to inform the men she wants her Bible back and to convince the women to help her get it.

Her perplexity must increase when she reads, if she does, in the Lord's church that the very first members were all men. (Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 12:28) Not one of the apostles was a woman. Does that mean that men are superior to women? Not in the least! But God made that determination without consulting either. It surely puzzles her more when she finds out Paul said, "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." (1 Cor. 11:3) She may convince her followers that Paul was a male chauvinist, but what must be done with the remaining part of that verse? How can she possibly explain away Christ being the head of every man and God being the head of Christ?

Dilemmas continue to stack when she reads where her "ministry" is biblically found, if she indeed has such a position. "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 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." (Titus 2:3-5) Otherwise, the Word of God which He has magnified above all His name will be blasphemed. I wonder if Ms. Trible is letting the Bible speak for itself here? She has falsely accused someone of taking her Bible. Or maybe this is not the Bible she wants back.

Be aware that the Word of God is applicable to every person. "All" embraces every child of God and every lost sinner. God has made all the decision and has not consulted powerless humanity in any of His determinations. "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding." (Job 38:4) That which is unanswerable concerning creation is also unanswerable in all of God's purposes.

No one has taken your Bible. You may have forsaken its teaching and feel something is lost. But make sure God has made no mistake about your area of service. Take no more, but do no less, and give God the glory for giving you a particular place to serve Him.

Last week I stood in the pulpit of Twin Oak Baptist Church and informed the congregation that I no longer consider myself a Southern Baptist! I also stated that when I leave I would only go to an independent Baptist church with no ties to any denomination. I love these people where I now serve as pastor and they love me. This is not an easy or rash decision.

Fifteen years ago I was ready to leave the Southern Baptist Convention mainly because of the liberal modernistic leadership. I postpone my leaving because I bought the line that we conservatives needed to stay and reclaim the SBC. Now the so-called conservatives are in control. Still the SBC has not changed. The only difference I can see is that the top SBC positions, which command large mission draining salaries, are now in the hands of the conservatives instead of liberals!

For two years I have struggled in and with the South Canadian Baptist Association. 26 local churches gave to the SCBA 100,000.00 for "missions." SCBA is typical of many SBC associations. 75% of this money is used for salaries and building upkeep. The remaining 25% are eaten up with spending on new equipment replacing machinery that was still in good working order. TOBC board member Tommie Rammage and myself cautioned that we were wasting the Lord's monies to no avail.

TOBC gave over $6,500.00 to the Cooperative Program and the SCBA. I lead the church to do missions in the biblical method. We began to send support directly to missionaries and ministries not funded by the SBC. This year a total of $900.00 goes from our church to SBC and SCBA causes. This was a major step for Twin Oak. The majority of our country church dislikes the way monies are used and dislike the SBC structure - still their desire is to remain a Southern Baptist Church?

At the FBC of Seminole all SCBA pastors were invited to a noon day meal. Prior to the meal we were to meet with Dr. Anthony Jordan. Jordan is the Executive Secretary Treasurer of the General Baptist Convention of Oklahoma. After a period of time spent reassuring us that the Convention and Association were servants of the churches, Jordan asked if we had any questions. I stated that I had a question I would like answered. "Anthony, would you please tell me as our servant what is the salary we pay you each year?" Jordan told me in front of other pastors that he was not at liberty to say. He suggested I go to Oklahoma City to the Baptist Building and talk to the Comptroller. He would give me a range of salaries but not a single persons wage. Jordan also stated that what I would learn was not for publication. I informed him I was not interested in taking a Masonic oath all I wanted to know was what we were paying our servant?

I looked at the other pastors present and I questioned their silence. Only one spoke out, he said he didn't care what we paid our denominational employees. I also asked "Dr. J." "How much of the Cooperative Program dollar reaches the mission field?" I received a song and dance about all the employees in the Baptist building in Oklahoma City was missionaries. I told the group "I realize that it is very difficult to raise funds for administration. Call administration MISSIONS and Baptist people will give money. This is deceptive." I went on "I believe that we as Southern Baptist have built a hierarchy that rivals Catholicism!" All in the room were uneasy and the pastor at FBC changed the subject.

I know that many Southern Baptist read The Sword of the Lord, this is why I now write to this paper. I would like to use a title from a John R. Rice book. WAKE UP SOUTHERN BAPTIST! Southern Baptist I would like for you to answer these questions honestly.

_ Do you know that the Bible speaks only of local New Testament Churches?
_ Do you know that associations and conventions is man made and not found in the Bible?
_ Do you know that the Cooperative Program is a golden calf erected in 1925 usurping the local church from sending mission funds directly to missionaries?
_ Do you know that the New Testament method of doing direct missions cuts out the mission draining hierarchy?
_ Do you know if you lead your church to lower CP funds you will blackballed and considered "not a true Southern Baptist"?
_ Do you know that a foreign or home mission board is not found in the Bible?
_ Do you know that churches, which give weekly to the CP that their monies, are kept for a month and the interest earned, doesn't go for missions but into a slush fund to be spent on non-mission use?
_ Do you know the unbiblical position in the SBC hierarchy called a Director of Missions (DOM)? They used to work out of their local church and their office was their cars. In the 80s Associations began to build Association Headquarters adding more drain on mission monies.
_ Do you know that there are 42 Associations in Oklahoma? 42 mini headquarters, which create a major drain on monies, sent in good faith by local churches to do missions only to be eaten up by administration, salaries and building maintenance. Multiply this state by other State Conventions to get a glimpse of the great missions rip off.
_ Do you know that a pastor or church member can not know or find out what their "servants" are being paid which work in the State Southern Baptist Convention?
_ Do you know that Directors of Missions and State Denominational servants interfere with local churches by blackballing pastors?
_ Do you know that the State Conventions and Southern Baptist Convention is more concerned for money than they are for doctrinal purity?
_ Do you know in Southern Baptist ranks if a church ordains women or homosexuals or speaks in tongues and an association refuses to seat their messengers that your State Convention and Southern Baptist Convention will accept monies from these disciplined churches and list them as "Other Baptist Churches"?

Dear Southern Baptist if you know these things how on earth do you remain a part the Southern Baptist hierarchy?

Liberalism is now ripping up Texas and there are now two Southern Baptist State conventions. The problem is not modernism verses conservatism. Fifteen years ago I bought this bill of goods, never again.

The problem is both groups are dedicated to a wrong infrastructure an extra biblical hierarchy that robs the money given by the local church for mission work. Doctrine is not the real issue, power, control, high paying positions and the almighty dollar is the cause for the war in the SBC. Both camps are wrong and will remain wrong as long as the man made monster of conventions, and boards of directors stays alive.

In conclusion, I love the people I serve at Twin Oak but I can no longer stay in a church that gives one red cent to this unscriptural hierarchy called Southern Baptist. I have experienced interference from these so-called servants of the church. I have been told so much that I was not a true Southern Baptist for so long that I now believe it. I am an independent Baptist! I am sorry that it took me this long to learn this fact.

One Southern Baptist pastor friend told me I would never be accepted or trusted by Independents. This may be true but I have not been accepted or trusted by those in the hierarchy of the SBC. At least I will not be feeding a monster that has been created by man. I am a child of God by the new birth and an independent Baptist by choice not chance!

Thank you,
Bill Servati
Rt. 3 Box 77A
Seminole, Oklahoma 74868
(405)382-4654