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Year 2001 Bible Conference Cassette Tapes
News & Views, October 2001 - Edited By E. L. Bynum
Rock Invades The Church - By E. L. Bynum
Islamic Fundamentalists? - By E. L. Bynum
When Altars Become Sin - By Bill Mosley
Sin Diminishes Credibility - By Bill Mosley
Dressing Like Hookers & Slobs - By Mike Meredeth
Muslim religious leaders in Pakistan are reported to have issued a fatwa stating that two Pakistani Christians will be killed for every Muslim who dies during American strikes on Afghanistan. Earlier, Maulana Sami ul-Haq, a former member of Pakistan's legislative assembly and a nationally recognized figure closely connected to international Islamic extremist movements, told journalists that the Qur'an (Koran) clearly states that Jews and Christians are the enemies of Muslims, and by inference should be killed.
Meanwhile the persecution of local Christians has already begun. On the very evening of September 11 a Christian restaurant owner was beaten to death by a gang of Muslim men who refused to pay for their meal saying, "Take your payment from America." In Rawalpindi five Christian families were dragged from their homes and savagely beaten by Muslim mobs during anti-American protests. In a separate incident in Lahore a gang of Muslims set fire to a church. When the minister attempted to stop them he was viciously beaten. Another church has reportedly been stoned by Muslim rioters, and a Christian school broken into and vandalized. At least three more churches have also been attacked.
In Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria and across the Islamic world many Christians are terrified. They are living in fear and intimidation, facing the prospect of widespread, massive and violent reprisals from angry Muslims if America and its allies attack Afghanistan. At a time when Church and political leaders in the West have, quite rightly, rushed to condemn attacks against Muslims, they cannot understand why these leaders have not also spoken up on their behalf, or come to their defense. They feel betrayed both by their fellow Christians and by Western Governments.
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of the Barnabas Fund commented, "The situation is extremely serious and demands urgent attention. Never in living memory has the situation for Christian minorities in the Islamic world been so precarious." The Barnabas Fund, 03 October 2001
Rock Music is one of the most destructive forces to hit our nation in the last fifty years. It has demoralized our culture and seduced and corrupted at least two generations of our youth. The lyrics have become more and more disgusting, and the beat is sensual. All of this is calculated to appeal to the basest side of human emotions. The Devil is using Rock to desensitize, demoralize, debase and destroy. It has taken our culture down a dead-end road, which furnishes no way to return.
We are reproducing for evidence the cover of Newsweek for July 16, 2001. The headlines scream, "Jesus Rocks." Rock is a deadly weapon outside of religion, but its deadliest form has moved into many Churches. There is no such thing as "Christian Rock," because, if it is Rock, it cannot be Christian. The scantily dressed youth pictured on the cover were improperly dressed, and their pose for the picture is disgraceful. The cover then reads, "Christian Entertainment Makes a Joyful Noise." Once again they misrepresent the truth by calling this travesty "Christian Entertainment," because there is no such thing.
Then this issue of Newsweek devotes ten full pages of colored pictures and text promoting this mockery of Jesus Christ. The editors of this magazine should be ashamed of themselves. The whole thing is calculated to disguise that which is sinful and wrong, and try to mix it with Christianity.
More and more churches are slowly laying the groundwork, in order to introduce this form of music. Once sound churches are now bringing in the music of the Charismatics. The meaningless choruses so popular in many churches, creeps into the services often being projected on a screen. The Contemporary Music, inspired by the worldly influence of secular Rock, becomes a popular tool to stir up excitement in the services. Many churches institute two Sunday Morning services. One service will be contemporary with the kind of worship, music, and preaching that will appeal to the brainwashed Rock influenced youth. Then there will be a traditional service with the older hymns and more subdued service, so as to not upset the older set. (After all, the older group is the one that pays the bills.)
Rock music does not come in all of a sudden, but it is introduced slowly in order to not upset the congregation. The influence of background tapes, used by singers has had a strong influence in getting this type of music into churches. Slow change will work, if there is not too many old fashioned Bible believing people who will boldly protest. A lot of this flows into the church through the youth ministry, and sometimes even good people without much discernment are deceived into thinking it is a good thing.
Billy and Franklin Graham have helped to introduce the music of the world into the religious life of America. There was a time when the Graham Crusades featured some of the finest Christian music, but those days are gone. Instead they have brought the Night Club and Bar Room singers to make their crusades a success. Johnny Cash, Ricky Skaggs and a host of others have been imported from the world long enough to entertain for Christ. Then they go back to their same old practices. The world doesn't mind a religion that has all the flavor of the world.
The artists and performers are people that have been greatly influenced by the secular Rock music industry. The sensual beat, the platform posture, and the way of presenting the music all came out of the deadly secular Rock movement.
It is sad, but Christians are following a brand of performance that is modeled after such people as Elvis Presley, Jimmie Hendrix, and Marilyn Manson. Drugs, and alcohol, along with illicit sex, have left a shattered junk yard of human lives destroyed by the rock music industry and its performers. There is no way to bring a clean thing out of an unclean thing. "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one" (Job 14:4).
Marilyn Manson is a weird looking, weird acting singer and entertainer. He is among the shock troops of the rock music industry. He insists on wearing a woman's name, but he is out to debauch the youth. The following news item lets you know where he stands.
Manson Curses Bible and Christians. At the Ozzfest rock concert in Denver, June 21, satanist
Marilyn Manson cursed the Bible and Christians and claimed that God is a
bad influence. Manson held up a Bible and cursed it and led the crowd of
23,000 young people in cursing the Christians who had tried to stop his
appearance at the concert. Manson read from the book of Psalms and then
asked the crowd, "Now I ask you, who is the worse influence, God or
Marilyn Manson?" The rock crowd screamed out, "God!" Friday
Church News Notes, July 6, 2001
Many rock stars died young from drugs, alcohol, and tragic accidents. Many
of their avid followers have met similar fates, but the damage is so great
that it can never be measured.
It is not our purpose to answer all the garbage found in this issue of Newsweek, but read the following quote.
"Are You Ready to Rip the Face off this Place?" Screams the lead singer of Pillar. A hyped-up crowd of teens-6,000 strong-goes nuts. The aggressive rap-rock band launches into a pummeling kick off number, the surly singer pounding the stage with his steel-toed boot, sweating right through his baggy Army fatigues and black bandanna. He gestures like a member of some vicious street gang as he screams and roars into the mike, his arm swinging low as if on the way to the requisite crotch grab. This crude move is as integral to rap-rock as the blown kiss is to a lounge act, and is usually accompanied by a testosteroid explosion of expletives. The singer's hand slaps down hard on his thigh-and stays there. Gripping his pants leg with conviction, he screams, "Jesus Christ!" Pause. "Is he in your heart?"
It's time to wreak havoc and give praise at Festival Con Dios, the first Christian alternative-rock tour. This is the sanctified answer to hedonistic summer blowouts like Lollapalooza and Ozzfest, an extravaganza where amped-up rock and roll meets tamped-down self-control. On the tour, which will span more than 30 U.S. cities throughout the summer and early fall, the ska band the OC Supertones dedicates its music to God while goofing around the stage in giant Afro wigs. Thuggish rapper T-Bone busts gangsta-style rhymes about the Lord. Newsboys, the festival creators and platinum-selling Christian-rock veterans, warn of judgment Day in an upbeat song as their drummer defies gravity on a vertical, rotating riser. And it's all in the name of Jesus. Newsweek, page 40
Of course you will not find this example in the church where Rock is being introduced, but this is where it is coming from, and this is where it is going. Rock is all about rebellion, and it is the same in its religious form. Note the following quote comes from page 42, under a picture called Jammin' to Beat the Devil. "Rebellion and Christianity go together ," says lead singer Mark Stuart. "The most rebellious rock-and-roll person you can be is a Christian-rock front man ...." In their own words they reveal that Christian Rock is about rebellion. We had better listen to what God says about rebellion. "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (I Sam. 15:23).
We close this article by taking a quote from The Voice in The Wilderness, (Sept. 2001), as they write about the same article.
Do these kids come on their own? The article points out that most of them come on church buses, and their churches buy tickets in blocks. Maybe before we say too much about the direction our youth are going we need to take a look at the parents and churches and see where the kids are coming from.
Is there any Gospel message there? Maybe this will give you a clue as to what goes on while some sugar-coated message might be going on- "Fans can hear a 10 piece band play, hear an inspirational sermon by a youth pastor and watch motorcycle and bicycle stunts performed off the side of the stage." It would be little, if anything, anybody would get out of a sermon while trying to see all the other stuff going on at the same time I would think.
The article names the OC Supertones and says, "They dedicate their music to God while goofing around the stage in giant Afro wigs." Thuggish rapper T-Bone busts gangsta-style rhymes about the Lord. Newsboys, the festival's creators and platinum-selling Christian-rock veterans, warn of judgment day in an upbeat song as their drummer defies gravity on a vertical, rotating riser, and it's all in the name of Jesus.
There will be 30 of these festivals throughout the big cities of the U.S. this summer. Preachers, parents, I do not glory in printing anything like this but as a minister, a watchman set on a wall to warn about any and all dangers that threaten men's eternal souls, I must be faithful. Do you not see the tremendous challenge we face as we seek to guide our young people in the ways of righteousness? As Newsweek pointed out more than once in this article, the people who sponsor such festivals have one thing in mind, not the salvation of our youth but the filling of the producer's coffers with the almighty dollars. What will they say when they stand before the Great White Throne Judgment of God? What will the preachers and church members say that failed to speak out?
Such festivals are nothing more than the rock concerts of the wicked, Woodstock and others. The only difference is one has no stamp of decency, the other has a religious tone. God help us.
The books of the minor prophets reveal major spiritual setbacks both for Israel and Judah. God's prophets identified numerous deficiencies in their moral conduct as well as in their doctrinal purity, which brought this about. Hosea's prophetic ministry covered the reigning period of four kings of Judah. They were Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. This period also covered the reign of Jeroboam over Israel.
Only the most casual reader could miss the central theme of the principal problem of both Judah and Israel. It was spiritual deterioration because of disobedience to God's word. Every tribe of God's chosen nation were censured because of neglecting proper worship. This was the result of their disregarding the guidelines for worship established by God. Consider Ephraim for this time of reflecting on worship. Can this be comparable to some modern day worship, even in the Lord's church? It is a serious consideration but I fear this is so. Remember Paul's comment to the church at Corinth concerning the Old Testament record. (1 Cor 10:11) "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."
Hosea is a good representative of every called man of God concerned with the spiritual welfare of those under his ministry. His most outstanding quality was revealing God's feelings toward spiritual neglect and debauched worship. It is never an easy job, but it is necessary to discover and uncover sin in worship. Hosea dealt with truth, in plain and pointed words, relating to Ephraim alone hindering Israel's spiritual healing. (Hosea 7:1a) "When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered,..." Their iniquity was improper worship openly and shamelessly conducted. Ephraim had a heart problem when "they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face." (Hosea 7:2) As sure as God remembered "all their wicked" worship, just as surely worship in the Lord's church is also before His face. (Rev. 2,3)
Hosea proclaimed Ephraim was "a cake not turned," the result of their mixing themselves "among the people." (v. 8) A caked not turned soon becomes irreversible. On one side hardened, in this case opposed to direction from God, and on the other hand soft and pliable to receive every satanical scheme in worship. Hosea exposed their false energy when he said, "Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin." (Hosea 8:11) Altars made to sin are sure to be sin to those who make them. They created sinful altars whereon their fleshly worship was offered. They did this to the furtherance of their habit of sin in worship. They repeated their altar making because the latest altar created had lost some of its appeal and zeal. All too often this is the case in the modern church.
Much of modern worship (?) seems to be stimulated more by noise than being still and knowing God. (Psa. 46:10) When one stringed instrument no longer satisfies to appeal to the congregation, a horn or drum-roll will be employed. It was not the strong wind that rent the mountains and broke the rocks, nor was it the earthquake that shook the mount of God. Neither was it the consuming fire that devoured all before it, but the still small voice of God that got Elijah's attention. (1 Kgs. 19:10-13) It was then that Elijah went out to the mouth of the cave and received instruction from God. There is often too much distraction by human energy for the Holy Spirit to direct a soul in need.
Making a proper altar unto God was the chief objective of every Old Testament saint who feared God. To do other wise would surely be sin against a holy God. (Exo. 20:3) "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Proper worship to the Lord should also be the highest priority in the Lord's church. Ephraim did not heed the warning from God. (Deut. 11:16) "Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them." Never forget the Lord's warning to the churches of Galatia, and to us today. (Gal. 6:7,8) "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Someone wrote concerning this Scripture, "This stands as a warning beacon to our generation that the shoals of spiritual destruction lay hidden just below the surface of deceit. Far too much fleshly service to God is falsely sacrificed on the altar of fraudulent sentimentality."
As surely as Israel and Judah had the ability to build altars to sin, so also has the Lord's church today. Unnoticed enticements to satisfy fleshly desires to worship are charging the unguarded beachheads of the Lord's church.
Altars become sin when . . .
It is paramount to know and believe that God is above all. Since the Lord Jesus and God the Father are One, the preeminence of Jesus is also primary in worship. (John 10:30) The human mind, apart from direction by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, is not persuaded to proper worship. God's thoughts and directives are recorded and preserved in the Bible. Apart from this Book, man has no clue concerning proper worship. (Isa. 55:8) "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."
The casual manner of worship to God the Father and God the Son is evident-evidenced by casual dress, often sloppy, many times by both the pastor and the people. "God understands" is a poor remedy for lack of reverence to God. It is poor defense for careless appearance to claim God looks on the heart and not the outer man. Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Matt. 12:34) The evidence of the desires of the heart are revealed in man's actions. This certainly includes his appearance and attitude.
Jesus was speaking to His church when He spoke these words, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matt. 18:20) Few scriptures are as misused as this verse. A few verses earlier Jesus instructed brethren to tell the church if a trespassing brother would not repent. The Lord's promise to those two or three, was to His assembled church. The church He built, Himself being the chief cornerstone and the true Foundation was given the keys to the kingdom of heaven to bind and loose.
This being so, His divine presence in the assembly of His church should be anything but common place. "He is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Col. 1:17) The heavenly Father made clear to Israel the glory He deserved. (Deut. 10:17) "For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:..." Jesus is also "the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;" (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16).
There was no arrogance among the people when Ezra blessed the Lord before the people. (Neh. 8:6) "Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground." There is no haughtiness here, nor is there any fleshly performance. There were no Benny Hinns called in to heighten the worship. No Willow Creek Laymen's Conference to teach reverence to God and leadership to laymen. God was simply and singularly the center of worship in the heart of a repentant people.
How much so-called worship is actually a sacrifice of self exaltation? Building altars to trends and tendencies replace God and expel Him to a common place in the eyes of men.
Altars also become sin when . . .
(Mal. 1:13) "Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD."
Another example which Paul referred to is in 1 Cor. 10:11. Such a weariness is demonstrated in the area of service to the Lord Jesus. Lackadaisical attitudes toward gathering together for preaching and prayer too often conquers the flesh. The world has immersed Wednesday evening in its most popular attractions. Colleges have their most "important" activities on Wednesday evening. At one time, highschool coaches forbade their teams to participate in any activity on prayer meeting night. This is no longer the case in most areas. If Baptist church members would stay away from such activities and attend prayer meeting and Bible study on Wednesday, the admission at these events would drop considerably.
Various persons and parties are blamed for an economic tumble. Likewise traditional, God honoring worship is blamed for spiritual decline. Nations in past centuries and especially in the case of God's people, both spiritual and economic declines have been related to sin. No nation will prosper long apart from recognition of the creator God. It has been said that 2 Chron. 7:14 is applicable only to Israel. Let me say, with what I believe is a bit more perception of how God deals with the redeemed, that it applies to any and all of God's people in any age. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land," is the best antidote known to man. If following the conditions stated here would help Israel, it will surely be of benefit to any people of God. Pestilence, drought, and want can be reversed by seeking God's help and hand to lead. This is not the Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swaggart, and Jim Bakker type of "wealth and salvation" wrapped in the same cloth. Needs and wants are often separated by human desire. Be sure if the Lord's church would get down to the business it was commissioned to do and follow the design in 2 Chron. 7:14, there would be a great change in America. Greediness and self aggrandizement would be all but eliminated.
Altars also become sin when . . .
The Lord has given direct orders to His church to preach the Gospel to all nations. It is the church's responsibility to carry out His plan. (Matt. 28:19,20) "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Altars of other methods have been created to carry out this commission. The blend of methods of mission work was once confined to denominational boundaries. Now it has reached the amalgamation of denominations from Baptist to Catholics. The WCC and NCC are now comprised of almost every evangelical denomination known. Man has developed a Babel fortification whose confusion has deluded the biblical guide for mission work.
The authority Jesus gave His church to go, cannot be entrusted to any man-made mechanism. Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the church at Antioch, not a fellowship, convention, or association of Antioch, Jerusalem, Damascus and others. It was the Holy Spirit who spoke to the church at Antioch concerning Paul and Barnabas, not a board or system delegated to do this work for them. Paul reported back to the church which sent him out, and rehearsed all that God had done with them. (Acts 14:26,27)
Altars also become sin when . . .
The preaching of the Word of God must dominate in worship, or replacement altars will soon be built. Bible doctrine that reproves, rebukes, and exhorts, accompanied by longsuffering is the charge Paul gave Timothy. (2 Tim. 4:2) Israel became dumb to the Word of God because of neglect of the same. God sent His words to them by "the prophets, rising up early and sending them;" but they would not hear. (Jer. 29:19)
Doctrine is diminished on two parallel fronts, the proclaimer and the people. Paul's reason for charging Timothy to preach the word in season and out, is given in the following statement. (2 Tim 4:34) "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." It is the preacher's business to preach uncorrupted doctrine, it is the people's responsibility to hear. Endure in the above verse implies to hold oneself up against as a comparison. Worship that pleases the Lord is held up beside the plumb line of His word in the hand of the Lord.
On the other hand, people learn to be complacent even in the face of danger because of ignorance. (Jer. 4:22) "For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge." Watchmen for the Lord must guard against easy living becoming the greatest hindrance to being alert. (Isa. 56:10) "His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber." Very often it is the watchman of the church who cannot be aroused by wolves of sin creeping in. These will not spare the flock simply because the watchman is stretched out beside the congregation. He must be aroused and must bark loudly to warn night and day. (Acts 20:30,31)
Altars become sin when . . .
Indifference toward sin is common in society. This should not be so in the Lord's church and in the lives of its members. David made it very clear; if iniquity was regarded in his life the Lord would not hear him. (Psa. 66:18) The following verse indicates David took care of any transgression against God made known to him. (Psa. 66:19) "But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer." For the believer in Christ it is a recognition and full confession of sin from a repentant heart that brings cleansing. (1 John 1:9)
Indifference toward service is sure to follow by apathy toward sin. Someone reminded David, and he was glad when they said, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." (Psa. 122.1) The church urgently needs spiritual exhortation as the end approaches. This cannot be accomplished if assembling together is disregarded. (Heb. 10:25) "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
The greatest hindrance to proper worship in the Old Testament was improperly constructed altars, or the misuse of properly constructed altars. This should be a warning example for pastors of the Lord's church. Let us make sure our worship glorifies God.
Ever since September 11, 2001, we have heard a lot about Islamic Fundamentalists. It has been said over and over again that they are responsible for the terrorists' attacks. I believe that to call them Fundamentalists is gross misrepresentation on the part of the news media and the general public.
For one thing, I have never heard these terrorists or their apologists call them Fundamentalists. It could be that they have called themselves Fundamentalists, but if so, I have certainly missed their words. I think that it is another attempt by the liberals to smear fundamental Christians. I remember that the media called David Koresh (Waco) of being a fundamentalist. They continue to paint radicals in our society with this same brush. It is a smear campaign to ruin the reputation of the true fundamentalist Christians.
True fundamentalist Christians are a million miles removed from the radicals in our world. They do not believe in violence and terrorist attacks, but simply want to get back to the fundamental truths of the Bible.
If we use the correct definition of a fundamentalist, with my reservations, then I will gladly proclaim that I am a fundamentalist. Webster's Unabridged Dictionary defines it thus: "fundamentalism, 1. orthodox religious beliefs based on a literal interpretation of the Bible (e.g. complete acceptance of the story of creation as given in Genesis and rejection of the theory of evolution) and regarded to as fundamental to the Christian faith. 2. [sometimes] the movement among some American Protestants emphasizing this belief: opposed to modernism." They also say, "fundamentalist, a person who believes in fundamentalism." I am a Baptist and not a Protestant, and I believe the whole Bible, not just a short list of fundamentals. I am of course, fervently opposed to all forms of modernism.
As you can see, there is nothing about the Islamic or any other false religion in the definition of fundamentalism or fundamentalist.
We are constantly being told by religious and political leaders that the Islamic religion is a peaceful religion. We believe that all of history shows that this is wrong. If we accept the idea that Islamic terrorists are Islamic fundamentalists, then this proves that Islam is not a religion of peace. This would indicate that they are the representatives of the original Islamic religion. To call them fundamentalists, is to admit that their beliefs are the essential and basic principles of Islam. This we admit is probably, but sadly true.
True religious freedom does not exist in any Moslem nation. We have allowed millions of them to move to the United States and build their Mosques. Many of the clerics in these Mosques preach religious violence and stir up hate. Yet, I challenge you to show me any Moslem country where Christians can go and build churches and openly invite people to come. In Indonesia, they have terrorized and killed many Christians. Missionaries are in grave danger of losing their lives if they go there. There are a large percentage of the people in the Philippines that are Moslems. Our missionaries in Mindanao, Philippines are being evacuated, because of the severe threats of death from Moslems.
In Pakistan, Christians have been recently killed
and churches burned, by the followers of Islam. In Afghanistan, if a person
converts to Christianity, the penalty is death. Relief workers from the
West have been put on trial because they are Christians. Try practicing
mission work in Iran or Iraq, and you will see how peaceful the religion
of Islam is. When our armed forces were in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, to pull
their chestnuts out of the fire 10-years ago, they could not practice their
faith openly. Severe restraints were put on the religious freedom of our
troops.
Try going to Syria, Egypt, Libya, or Sudan and spreading the Christian faith,
then wait and see what will happen to you. Many thousands of people in Southern
Sudan, who claim to be Christians, have been slaughtered or sold into slavery
by the Moslems of the North.
Please do not try to tell me that Islam is peaceful or that they believe in an open society, or in true religious freedom. All of the history refutes this view. All of the current events in this world refute this view. While it may be politically and militarily expedient to say that Islam is peaceful, the facts will not bear this out.
No, we should not hate Moslems! The Scripture tells us what we should desire for these people. "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 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" (I Timothy 2:3-6). Every follower of Islam in this world needs to be saved. In so doing, they would turn from their false god to Jesus Christ. We should witness to those in the U.S., and try to win them to the Saviour. All of the rest in every country need to be evangelized, but that is a difficult and dangerous thing to do.
This does not mean that Islamic terrorists should not be found and brought to justice. They have committed terrible atrocities and they should be brought to justice. Hitler claimed to be a Christian, but he was nothing but a terrorist and an international criminal. He had to be brought to justice. In the process, many innocent people had to die. The same may be true before the Islamic terrorists are brought to justice.
I just finished reading a lengthy article in the internet version of USA Today titled, The bare facts on dress codes: Cover up. The article was an eye opener to me concerning the appalling dress standards of many teenagers and some public schools attempting to set some sort of decent dress code. (By the way, the PUBLIC schools here in Australia have school uniforms. Something the USA might want to consider).
Please read the following quote from one of the parents interviewed for the article:
"The school stops them, and we won't allow it either, says Yani, the father of two teen girls. Already Sarah, 15, had to return a multicolored miniskirt, even though it might have passed through the school code. "I just said, `No.'"
Like many parents, he says today's kids have begun dressing like "hookers and slobs." The skin-baring fashions pushed on teens by retailers are fine with him, he says, "if the kids were going swimming!"
It is interesting to note that this "father of two teen girls" accurately describes the clothing that many of today's youth wear, makes them look like "hookers and slobs." Surely no parent would want his or her children to look like that. Yet this same man goes on to say that such dress would be appropriate "if the kids were going swimming."
My question is simple: why is it OK for people to expose themselves like "hookers" while at the beach yet not while at school, or in the mall, or anywhere else? Surely God does not want his people to look like "hookers or slobs" at any time. Those who excuse such nudity while at the beach need to wake up and consider what message they are sending to those who are watching.
The credibility of national leaders has been closely related to their moral integrity. A nation's credibility before God is certainly affected by the credibility of its leader. Old Testament examples abound to the fact that righteousness enhanced rulership. On the other hand, sin often diminished sovereign rule. (Prov. 14:34) "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." It is significantly important that leaders of men and nations have a standard of moral behavior based on the Word of God.
David's sin of adultery with Bathsheba caused family heartbreak and national disaster. (2 Sam. 11,12) Bathsheba's husband was murdered in David's effort to cover up his debauched actions. The son of their adulterous affair faced an early death. A father and mother were broken- hearted at the loss of their child. The effects of this lustful affair were not confined to this ruler's house. Although David's life was spared, the credibility of the nation he ruled decreased in the sight of others. Also the heathen nations, who had no reason, now had occasion to blaspheme the Lord God. This is the message of the prophet Nathan to this national leader. (2 Sam. 12:14) "Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die." It was not only an occasion, but a great occasion to abhor the work and Word of God. This holds true to this day. A nation's credibility depends largely on the moral ethics of its leader. David's credibility had seriously diminished his spiritual state before God and his effectiveness in leading a nation.
King Solomon's wisdom was from God, and the result of his unselfishness toward rulership. (1 Kings 3) The Lord chose him to lead the greatest and most powerful nation in existence at that time. Israel was both spiritual and supreme in power and wealth, all because of the favor of God upon this king and nation. Surrounding nations heard of and noticed the excellence with which Israel abounded. Solomon unashamedly spread his lifted arms toward heaven before the altar of sacrifice and worship and all the people, to bless the God of heaven for His bountiful mercy and blessings. (1 Kings 8) The king extolled the God of Israel as the one true and only God. (v. 23) With a contrite heart he asked for forgiveness. (vv. 30,34) He requested the Lord's intervention when he led the nation out to battle. The nation was also of such an attitude to pray for help from the Lord God when they faced their national enemies. (1 Kings 8:45) "Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause."
This all ended when Solomon's moral credibility crumbled before God. He sexually loved "many strange women" in direct disobedience to God's command. (1 Kings 11:1) A condensed direction that the leaders of Israel were to follow is given by Moses. (Deut. 17:16,17) "He shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold." Egypt is a type of sin and the world. A sad commentary on the conclusion of Solomon's reign is seen in 1 Kings 11:3: "And his wives turned away his heart." (Prov. 13:15) "Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard."
It is no different today with nations and their leaders who have brought disgrace to the name of God and His cause. Have we as a nation forgotten the source of true happiness and national well being? Have we disregarded the truth that those who approach the Lord to stand in His holy presence must have "clean hands, and a pure heart;" and have "not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully"? (Psa. 24:4)
Our nation is facing the difficult times referred to in 2 Timothy 3. Every detailed description given in verses 2-5 control our society. Perversion and diversion seems to be the dominating force from the White House to the School House. Personal pleasure supersedes dedicated determination. Impudent attitudes have displaced God-fearing convictions. There is a prevailing form of godliness, but a denying of the power of the one and only Creator God. The Elohiym of the Bible, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is not the same as `Allah' or other false gods of fraudulent religion. The reason men forget God and He forsakes them is they do not keep his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes foremost. (Deut. 8:11) Hosea reveals the consequences of forgetting God's spiritual and moral law. (Hosea 4:6) "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." Will the pastors/preachers stand up and call sin by it first name? Thank God there are still some who, from the pulpit, condemn gambling, dancing, promiscuity, and other "socially acceptable" sin. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and identified in His Word. (Col. 2:2,3) To know what we must do involves knowing what we must not do. God's command, "Thou shalt not," is fully as important as, "Thou shalt."
There is abundant biblical evidence of forgetting God and His precepts and all the while claiming His endorsement. Israel feared the Lord but served their own gods. (2 Kings 17:33) This brings me to something that I believe is a most serious default in the security of our nation. It is hazardous to presume that a national and spiritual leader's moral integrity is of little or no significance. Yet the media, and others, have duped a large percent of people in the U.S. that prosperity outweighs propriety and money overrides morality.
When men of political prominence are faced with a moral conduct deficiency, it is all but forgotten if they weigh heavy in other achievements. The debauched activity of Bill Clinton, Teddy Kennedy, Gary Condit, and others has little or no bearing on their influence over others. When society benefits materially or life is made easier, those who brought it about have a free rein of debauchery in the eyes of too many. When I hear these men and their like-minded colleagues say, "God bless America," I wonder how He possibly could.
The above is despicable enough, but there is even a more detestable image portrayed and too often accepted. In the recent attack upon our nation many have been asked to voice their opinion on the procedure to follow in dealing with the guilty. An early morning interview of Jesse Jackson by NBC's Katie Couric (9/27/01) revealed the absolute ignorance of America's media coverage concerning such an attack from our enemies. It would be a greater disaster than the bombing, if America's security abides in the likes of Jesse Jackson. America's need for moral integrity in internal or foreign affairs is in destitute circumstances, if Jackson and others like him are our only hope. The media, namely Katie and Matt on NBC, (others are just as corrupt), show more respect toward the views of "The Reverend" Jackson than they do toward the president of the U.S.A. Why would any sound-thinking individual seek the advice or even the thoughts of Jackson, with his moral and patriotic deficiency. His recluse, as a result of the news release of his out-of-wedlock child, was short lived. Jesse was interviewed the day of this writing concerning the maneuvers that the President and others need to take in their pursuit of justice. Jackson revels in the free commercial time and basks in the spotlight of national attention. It is as though the "Rev." was the epitome of both spiritual and national security.
This political Baptist (?) preacher (?) has little if any interest in the welfare of the nation he calls home. To my knowledge Jackson has never pastored a church or held a political office. Yet the liberal media and some political leaders feel it is advantageous to seek his advice on both spiritual and political matters. Paint this man's credibility any hue imaginable and it still resembles absurdity.
Deceitfulness seems to reign because devotion to God and country has abdicated the throne. What a blessing it would be if the religious dedication so prevalent now would be directed to the true God of heaven. However, to believe that it is would be highly questionable. What a blessing it would be if patriotism currently so popular had been well and alive when God was expelled from school. If every heart stirred about the thousands who perished in NYC and DC had been as stirred in the case of Roe vs. Wade, millions of aborted babies would now be having families of their own. Pets injured in the World Trade Center are receiving more consideration than the millions of aborted babies. Except during the early days of clean-up in NYC, babies were aborted (murdered) free of charge in NYC between Sept. 18 & 22. Yet not one spiritual leader has dared to publicly call upon America to repent. Among those who spoke in the National Cathedral on Friday following the bombing was the most famous Baptist evangelist on earth today. What an opportunity for Billy Graham to declare the need for America to repent for the murderous sin of abortion. What an opportunity to point out to America that accepting the sin of homosexuality as a normal lifestyle is an evil, immoral sin. Yet no mention in his talk, or that of any other speaker there, that our nation and its leaders are delinquent in our duty to God. You wonder if I would have said it? Here it is. Read it to whosoever will. America must repent of her sin of murdering babies, adultery, homosexual behavior, dismissing god from school and public facilities, if she is to be blessed of God!
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chron. 7:14) If you claim this verse only applies to Israel, then I must assume you are not one of His people called by His name. "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (Acts 11:26)
America received a letter signed and delivered to her shores by terrorist postmarked Sept. 11, 2001. God give us a Hezekiah who will spread this letter before the Lord God of heaven and heed His reply. When America repents, the Lord will then say to His enemies, "Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel." (2 Kings 19:22) What a blessing to be a nation with so high a reverence for God that He would say, "Raising your voice against this nation is even against the Holy One of Israel."
A nation that serves the true God has no need for alliance with nations that serve Baal or other false gods. As a matter of fact, such alliances will endanger America's success. Pray for a prophet Nathan to stand and say with conviction, "Thou art the man!" (2 Sam. 12:7) Give us a Nehemiah who will pray, "We have sinned against thee; both I and my father's house have sinned." (Neh. 1:6) Pray for a Daniel to confess that " for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers . . . thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us." (Dan. 9:16) You say this will only work for Israel? It will also work for America if we mean business about repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.