The Independent Baptist:

"Plains Baptist Challenger"

January 2004

43rd Bible/Mission Conference - Announced By E. L. Bynum

Britney Spears Treats Marriage As A Joke - By E. L. Bynum

Email From Our Readers - By E. L. Bynum

Getting Accustomed To Sin - By Bill Mosley

Phony Promises - By Norman H. Wells

This past week Britney Spears treated herself to a quicky marriage out in Las Vegas, Nev. In the wee hours of the morning she and some guy, decided to get married. Who cares what his name is, the marriage only lasted a few hours. They had already planned to get an annulment of the marriage, evidently before they were married. According to the network news they appeared at a wedding chapel to get married. They were told that they could not get married without a license, and so they trotted down and got one. (Does anyone know whether you can get a marriage license from a vending machine in Las Vegas? If not, perhaps this will be the next improvement for them.)

This is what Britney and the entertainment world think of marriage. They announced in the afternoon that they were going to file for an annulment. The marriage lasted just 55 hours, before the annulment was officially granted. There were rumors, according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (1-5-2004), that they were drunk, but others denied this. Whether drunk or sober, they may have set a new record for a short marriage, even for Las Vegas.

Perhaps Nevada needs to institute a dual marriage-divorce document. Just save the part below the dotted line, and mail it in when you are ready for the divorce and it would automatically be granted. I suppose the fat cat divorce lawyers would oppose anything that would cut down on their business.

The news clips concerning Britney's escapade were taken from one of her Las Vegas performances. It was too vulgar for a Christian to look at.

At least she was supposed to perform here, and it was a sell out crowd. The women from far and near, brought their little girls as young as five to watch the lurid gyrations of Britney. I believe that in this instance God intervened. No sooner than the spectacular had commenced the power went out to the high powered lighting system and she canceled the performance. There was a time when musicians could take a stage and sing and play without all of flashing lighting effects. Not anymore, they have to have all of the effects or they cannot perform.

The awful tragedy is that mothers, many of them claiming to be Christians, will take their daughters to see such vulgar and suggestive entertainment. It seems to me that they are trying to turn their daughters into harlots or at least immoral persons. You can pass by the record stores, and you will see all of the young children buying the music that helps enhance human depravity. Parents furnish the money, and then later they wonder why their children have gone astray.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

(Proverbs 22:6)

I stumbled(was led?) across you're web site some months ago. I am a writer in the San Francisco Bay area, Petaluma, CA, about 40 miles north of the Golden Gate. I've been working on a novel with some Christian themes, some rather controversial. I chose Lubbock, Tx as the metropolis of evil in the world, pretty much at random. True, I have had some bad experiences in Lubbock, but I have no reason to categorize Lubbock along with Sodom or Gomorrah, or the like. One would think that I'd pick San Francisco to play the role in my novel. Too easy! Any writer could make a case for poor old SF. Anyway, I try to go through at least one of your web site entries each day. And I NEVER see eye-to-eye with you on ALL issues. But every day you give me something to think about, every day there is at least one, usually more, real gems of truth that cause me to stop and think, to stop and run to my Book, thinking, Does the Bible REALLY say that? Thank you for doing what you do, for being who you are and for honestly stating your findings, inspirations, faith. Your friend, John (the ex-Baptist) in North California

Thank youfor your website. I have been looking over it and see all the literature you have. Someone gave me some of your literature years ago and I still have it. I'm thankful you stand for the 1611 King James Bible. It is sad the way things are going now. I don't go to church, because There isn't one in my community that I can trust. I learn more from the internet and the Bible. Thanks again. God bless you and your church. Zel

Dear Pastor Bynum,Greetings from Zambia, Africa in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I praise God for having lead me to your website of Sunday School Outlines. I have been looking for material to use in our Sunday School program which is fundamental in position and I tried to check on the net by using search engines and I came across your site. I couldn't believe the wealth of material that is contained there. I plan to use the material in the Church that I am Pastoring and encourage the Pastors in the churches that we are planting see to if they can use some of the material. My main reason for writing is to ask for permission to put the lessons in booklet form for quarterly Sunday teaching. Of course we will indicate that the lessons were prepared by you and used by permission if you allow us. I may send you a copy of a booklet for you to see the way they will be coming out. Hoping to hear from you and may God bless your ministry. Please if you are in position send us some fundamental Christian literature for our Bible Institute Library as well as for our church planting ministry. Pastor Francis B. Mulenga Lusaka, Zambia Africa.

Editor's Reply: Thank you for your warm and friendly Christian letter. Certainly you may print the outline for distribution in Africa. I would appreciate you giving us credit for them, just as you suggested. We are working to get many other outlines on our web page. E. L. Bynum

Dear Pastor Bynum,I am a Baptist missionary-pastor in Perth, Australia. I have one copy of your tract D-514 "Whatever Happened to Christian Music?" This month we are studying Christian music on Sunday evenings. I would like to have permission to quote the above tract (in 4 sections) in our church bulletin over a four week period. Please let me know if this is permissible. Also, do I have to get permission to use some of the SS materials you post on your web site? How about other material you have posted? Thank you. Scott Childs

ELB Answers:Dear Brother, It is on the web for you to use. By all means put the tract in your bulletin. Use the Sunday School materials and other things as well as long as you use them in an honorable way. May God bless your ministry.

Thank youso much for this website. It is such a blessing, I am encouraged by this. Yes I do agree that this so called Christianity is not real Christianity. I got saved on August 29, 03 in Milwaukee, WI. Now I seek to serve the Lord in the right church. The church I am going to now is not what God would approve of. Please pray for me. Thank you so much and may God richly bless you. Thanks. Also I am a firm believer in the King James 1611, not the NIV and others. Thank you again. From a concerned Christian, Gabby Chi

Dear Ms Lamb,I am just writing to thank you so much for the book Learning to Live by the Bible. It was a real blessing and one of the best books I have ever read because it is all based on Scripture. I will certainly be reading and referring to the book on a regular basis as I know it will be a great help to me in my Christian life. I would be grateful if you could also pass on my thanks to Pastor Bynum for taking the trouble to put the book together. May God richly bless you all at Tabernacle Baptist. Kind regards, Toyin Popoola

Dear Pastor Bynum,I am nearly 65 years old, and the teacher of our church's Adult Sunday School class. I love teaching and wanted to thank you so much for your kind permission to use your webbased lesson outlines "for the glory of our Lord and the good of believers." I will be reminded to pray for you and your church, and thank God for folks like you, each time I use one of your lessons; and they will always be used for the glory of our precious Lord and the good of believers. Thank you. God bless you and your people, Serving Jesus with you, Dick

"For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men." (Jer. 5:26)

Rationalizing sin has become a modern day skill. The end justifying the means syndrome is a prominent spiritual disorder of today's citizenry. This is damaging enough in the secular world, but it is impossible to defend in the area of Christianity. It is even more injurious when it surfaces in the Lord's church.

The Scripture above is from God through Jeremiah to His people. It is a sound warning that "wicked men" will find their way into the congregation of the righteous. Peter said it this way: (2 Pet. 2:1) "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." To miss or ignore the advice given in these words is to ensure God bringing perilous times on His children.

God's people, in the case given to Jeremiah (5:24), would not say, "Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth (to guard or protect) unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest." Their spiritual deficiency and iniquitous ways separated them from God, and turned away both the rain and the harvest. They had allowed wicked men to indoctrinate them with heretical methods of service. Verse thirty-one of this chapter identifies these wicked men as false prophets. Yet Israel had not only gotten accustomed to their deceptive notions but "loved to have it so" (v. 31).

My fear is that churches are today falling into the same trap of deceitfulness as Israel did. New ideas for church growth surface as regular as tadpoles coming up for air as they prepare to shed their tail and gills, and become a land based frog. It doesn't take the new frog long to forget his watery birth place and become a land-lubber with little water experience remaining. It is happening so today in religious circles, with pulpits disappearing, suits and ties seemingly too bothersome, and choirs sounding decidedly more like entertainers than worshipers.

As surely as false prophets led Israel to trust in less than scriptural procedures, spiritual leaders today are available to those who want to leave the traditional methods of worship that have glorified God for centuries. Even as the people then "loved to have it so," so also some readily accept deception rather than fear the Lord.

Consider how rapidly many things that were once believed to be wrong, and often deemed to be wickedly sinful, are becoming gradually more acceptable. It is much like entering into a darkened room and our eyes gradually adjusting. Before long objects that seemed too suspicious to handle soon became permissible to lay hold of. Such is the case concerning...

Universal acceptance of homosexuality is mushrooming beyond belief. The government of Taiwan announced in recent months that it will bring in legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. If so, it will make the island nation, off the coast of mainland China, the first in Asia to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. The supreme court of the state of Mass. has granted gay couples full marriage rights. Those who count this a victory are planning the same tactical moves in other states that brought this about in Mass. Such action has brought about movements to make a constitutional change that would declare that marriage can only be between a man and woman. Whether or not this is constitutionally necessary can be debated, filibustered, and voted in or out. But the eternal truth is, there is no argument about it. Homosexuality is a sin against God and is altogether unnatural. With all the highbred animals in existence, none have been brought about by mating male to male or female to female. It takes a donkey and a mare to produce a mule, not a donkey and a male horse. God put a male and female of every species of animals, birds, etc. on the ark. This was to populate the earth with their species. That is inherent in nature. The natural thing then is to accept God's declaration that when women or men burn in their lust one toward another of the same sex it is not natural. (Rom. 1:26,27) This results in their being given over to a warped, worthless understanding of what is convenient. (Rom. 1:28)

Even with opposition against appointing a homosexual Episcopal bishop V. Gene Robinson, the ECUSA expects their parishioners to become accustomed to this. After all, Robinson stated that he knew many homosexual priest in the Episcopal church who would make good bishops. Although the world wide Anglican church disagrees with the ECUSA, bishops in this organization surely travel abroad as in all other religious organizations. There is little doubt that before many years pass this move will be globally accepted in Episcopal circles.

Will this take place in other denominations? Be sure there will be high points, considered such by its promoters, of this action broadcasted on the airwaves. Whether or not those transmitting the upbeat news of the supposed attributes of this actions are Episcopalians, the propellant fueling this comes from a deeper source. Satan is the promoter of all sin and the rank accuser of the brethren. Those supporting the homosexual agenda are his advocates. Those biblically opposing such absurdity are deemed right wing conservatives with no sympathy for the rights of others. At least they have one thing right, I am a conservative. A traditional, conventional, conservative, right-wing Bible believing Baptist that will never become accustomed to the homosexual life-style. I proudly declare to be on the same page with God on this matter and with those who follow God's directives.

Evil conspirators also have strong ambitions to once and for all bring about the acceptability of...

When Roe vs. Wade became law in 1973, abortion advocates felt they had won a major victory. Now, they assumed, any unwanted pregnancy could be ended legally. Simply because a man-made law lifts the penalty of killing the innocent, it does not change God's legislation on the matter (Exo. 21:22-25). Since Roe vs. Wade became law, between 40 and 50 million innocent lives have been snuffed out, and maybe even more. Only recently has partial birth abortion been declared illegal. All abortion has always been illegal in God's court. Yet the pro-abortion crowd expects everyone to get accustomed to the murder of babies.

Accompanying the pain to the little body of the unborn, abortion brings unending grief to the expectant mother. Expectant mothers who consider abortion are discouraged by Planned Parenthood to seek counter council from those who would seek to persuade her of the wrong she planned. PP is the nation's largest abortion provider. CNSNews.com reports PP is using taxpayer dollars from Morrow Co., Ohio to recruit new customers. A document obtained by that news release stated the amount received was over $5,000. The grant was from the "Wellness Program Committee" who "administers taxpayer funded grants including those to the federal/state Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program.

The scheme above includes selecting teens from Morrow County, training them and paying them "$5 for each new customer, up to 20, referred to Planned Parenthood's abortion clinic in Cardington, Ohio." How could anyone with any degree of sympathy for the unborn ever be expected to get use to this abominable activity? Adding to the inhuman act of abortion is the insanity of recruiting school children to become accessories to the crime of murder. Young people can more quickly be directed to accept this, as in all other disreputable activity. If this is kind of action continues, it will as time passes become more tolerated if not widely accepted as normal.

Becoming accustomed to sin and sinful activities may be more easily described by the following conditions society has gotten use to.

Adam and Eve were made aware of their nakedness as a result of their sin. No one had to tell them they were undressed when they heard the voice of God. Ham and his descendants received a curse because he looked upon his father's nakedness (Gen. 21). The priests who offered sacrifices on God's altar were advised how to ascend that their nakedness might be hid (Exo. 20). For the same reason they were instructed how to dress in Exo. chapter 28. God does not leave us without information on how He feels about modesty. Yet the world never considers the will of God when new clothing styles are on the drawing table.

Revealing styles fill modern showrooms for both men and women. Not only is more flesh revealed each year, more suggestive form fitting is advertised. The vernacular used in sale's pitches for such clothing would not have been allowed in public yesteryear. The angular view in sale catalog, etc. display the most provocative look possible. Yet most must admit that it does not quite stir the uneasiness in the heart as it once did. It is indeed possible that even the Christian circles we are involved with are getting accustomed to this.

To bring getting use to the status quo a little closer to our understanding, remember when girls wore dresses to school and boys wore full length overalls or pants. (Oh, you don't remember? That is the point!) Some readers may be too young to remember, and then some may have became too accustomed to today's styles to recall. Most boys and girls also wore long sleeve shirts and blouses. I recently looked through an old annual of the late '30s and early '40s. Every girl from the senior class down through the first grade wore dresses that covered their knees while sitting. Every boy in the same age frame were completely covered from collar to shoe sole. After WWII ended and women left working in war defense factories they continued to wear the same style of clothing in public that they then did at work. When men came back from service their appearance took on a decidedly different look. From that day to this there has been a coming closer together of the opposite sexes in attire or the lack thereof. Today there is little thought given to godly attire because people no longer care, or are becoming accustomed to the existing condition.

Now to something that will very likely seem more ridiculous than any of the above, at least to some readers. That is the expectation of many that the listening public would become accustomed to...

Webster's II New College Dictionary defines profanity as: the quality or state of being profane; abusive, vulgar, or irreverent language. Volumes could be wrote concerning the vile language used over the airways. Both TV and radio are saturated with words that should not be used by any person. Yet it is becoming more tolerated if not accepted as each day passes. It would not be proper here to reveal the most recent vulgarity the FCC has decided can now be used on TV. The email watchdog I use did not filter out this word even in subject matter. When confronted about this they wrote me that such a word was not considered spam or inappropriate.

Even the simplest answer to a question seems to require swearwords for a `yes' or `no' to be understood. There is an obvious lack in the vocabulary of too many. They seem to believe that obscenities have to be used to get a point across. Conversations would be curtailed greatly if all obscene terms were deleted. It is almost unheard of to follow biblical directives to carry on a conversation. James makes it clear that there is a biblical method to follow in speaking. (James 5:12) "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." Of course this is the rule the `brethren' are to follow. Yet every man/woman and their posterity will answer to God for using profanity. One of the ten commandments is enough to make this so. (Exo. 20:7) "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." It is little wonder that Satan's law firm fought so feverishly to have the Ten Commandments removed from the Ala. capitol rotunda, and other places.

Even many who would not use `my God' in their conversation seem not the least concerned about using `my Lord' in a vain manner. Fifty five times in the Psalms alone, more than one of the writers are inspired to refer to God as `my God.' Fourteen times in the same book `God' and `Lord' are used together in a worshipful manner to our Heavenly Father. The use of euphemisms trickle from the mouth of many Christians who give little thought to what is being implied. The following verses should be enough for the believer to consider the dishonor he/she may be bringing upon God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in casual conversation. (Eph. 4:29) "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." (Col. 3:8) "But now ye also put off all these, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth."

Although there are many other conspicuous sins that society has become so accustomed to as to think it acceptable if not proper, we will consider only one more at this time. Two people living together outside of marriage. The accepted term for either of the persons in such a case is known as a...

It is not uncommon to read a notice in the paper of a `baby shower' although there has never been a `bridal shower.' Too regularly baby births are announced giving the name of the father and mother whose names are not the same. In such cases, it is not Mr. & Mrs. `Joe Smith,' but `Joe Smith and Mary Jones.' Although the names here are imaginary, the situation is very authentic.

Rental property owners will have to screen promising tenants closely or they will be renting to live-in couples. If a couple is refused admission in such a case their argument is commonly close to, "But this is the 21st century." Under what circumstances could any earthly time frame affect this sort of arrangement, is always a mystery to me. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb. 13:8) God spoke to the sons of Jacob in this manner:"For I am the LORD, I change not . . . " (Mal. 3:6) Paul listed `adultery' as one of the manifested works of the flesh. (Gal. 5:19)

The sad truth is, the topical sins considered above, and so many others, are deemed acceptable today in many instances. It is the believer's responsibility not to be conformed to this world. (Rom. 12:2) What more incentive do we need to correct spiritual impairments than the Word of our God? Believers should have an inherent desire to understand the Saviour's will and to please Him. To know His will is simply to know His Word and adjust our lives to it. The world has become more churchy and the church has become more worldly that in many cases it is difficult to tell them apart. Thank God for those who not only refrain from accepting the world's trends and terminology, but also warn and teach their children so. Let us guard against the temptation to get `use to' sin and debauchery, but cry aloud in opposition. (Isa. 58:1) "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."

Chapter 18 from the book "The Religion Racket." Today's religion is continually making promises that it cannot keep. The tragedy is that these promises are made in the name of God, and the people associate these failures with Him. Everyone has problems, difficulties, fears, etc., and when religion promises to eliminate all these problems, many are quick to seek this wonderful cure all. To say that people become disappointed in their experiences with these false promises and turn away from all religion is to put it mildly.

The fierce competition for members between churches and denominations today prompts them to strive to outdo one another in making promises. Religion pretends to be a panacea that will eliminate everything undesirable and give anything that is desired.

Again, today's religion can be compared with the old time medicine man traveling around with a wagon loaded with bottles of wonderful elixir that is guaranteed to cure anything and everything. By the time people discovered it was a phony, the medicine man was in the next town. The wonderful elixir generally had such a high percentage of alcohol that the user was easily deceived into thinking it worked ... for a while. Rather than admit they had been hoodwinked, many would pretend the elixir really worked. So it is with religion. Too many are willing to pretend that the phony promises religion has made are really working rather than admit they have been hoodwinked.

The promises that today's religion is making are really something. One religious book, reprinted sixteen times, has chapter headings like these:

God Wants You To Be Prosperous

God Wants You To Be Successful In All You Undertake

Turning To God For Success And Good Fortune

This book proposes that their idea of religion will give satisfactory answers to questions like:

"Are you in need of greater prosperity?"

"Would you like to be more beautiful and charming?"

"Would you like to own a business of your own?"

"Are you over or under weight?"

"Would you like to have more friends?"

"Would you like to have more good fortune and success in everything you try?"

"Would you like to have more pep and energy throughout the day?"

"Would you like to get married?"

"Are you unable to sleep at night sometimes?"

Now that just about covers it all. A religious cure all. Be successful and prosperous in everything you try. Be beautiful and charming. Get a successful business. Gain weight, lose weight. Get a lot of friends. Have pep and energy all day long. Get married. Sleep at night. Come one, come all ... just a few more bottles left! Don't laugh. This book is in its 16th printing. And there are many more that are similar. Perhaps you bought one.

Is it any wonder when someone with a real need turns to a religion making such phony promises that he eventually turns away from all religion in disgust?

It is an accepted Biblical fact that a great deal of the physical disease which plagues us today is closely associated with our mental, emotional, and spiritual condition. Become angry before or after eating a big meal and chances are you'll get an upset stomach. Anyone knows this and also the remedy ... don't get angry. If you stop getting angry, you have a wonderful cure for stomach upset ... sometimes. A lot of our physical ailments would disappear if our spiritual condition were healthy. To offer religion, however, as a cure all for all diseases is downright fraudulent.

When religion gets a little more sophisticated, it doesn't offer get rich quick schemes or promise cures for lumbago, but it does put great emphasis upon such conditions as worry, anxiety, stress, guilt, fear, sorrow, etc. Elaborate claims are made concerning how to rid one's self of these conditions. Again, it must be stated that a great deal of worry, anxiety, guilt, etc. will be eliminated when the spiritual condition is healthy. However, to set down spiritual rules that one can follow to eliminate all turmoil and sorrow is to deliberately deceive. This is a fake cure all.

These phony promises bring about another tragedy. People immediately associate the failures of these promises with the promises pertaining to eternity and come to the conclusion that they also will fail. This destroys all faith.

Today's religion seems to have forgotten some of the basic teachings and examples of the Bible. Christ said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation." (John 16:53.) It is also stated that in this life there will be tears, sorrow, and pain. (Rev. 21:4.) It cannot, therefore, be a sign of religious failure when these things come.

The Apostle Paul could speak of being "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." (II Cor. 6:10). Sorrow came but he could rejoice in the help he received. Religion is not a cure all for all our troubles, but it is the best source of help we have in facing these troubles and problems. The promise of religion is to provide help in facing these difficulties ... not getting rid of them. Look at Christ, our example, when he said; "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful unto death." (Mark 14:34). Even in sorrow and death, God gave victory.

Today's religion has only emphasized the attractions of religion. It is not mentioned that to be truly religious means sacrifice, denial, and a willingness to live contrary to the popularly accepted standards.

These phony promises are also directed at another angle. "Successful" religious promoters will offer a set of rules for religion and guarantee success if they are followed. Seminaries indoctrinate their students with little pat schemes and ideas that are supposed to make them an instant success. One book that presents plans for making a Sunday School grow in attendance makes this statement, "No school can be a failure if it will use even one tenth of the thousand suggestions which are contained in this volume..." In this book, failure means a lack of a great number in attendance, and success means a large number in attendance. It seems such a shame that Jesus, or even Paul, didn't have this book on how to be a success.

Another book on how to be "successful" in building a large church attendance states in its introduction, "The world turns its back on a failure and listens to the man who delivers the goods and who has been successful in his field." In this book he (the author) gives you the "how" of a successful church program. "The rest is up to you."

The world turned its back upon Christ ... by this standard, He was a failure. Paul, alone in a prison, deserted by his friends, and waiting to be executed would also be classified as a failure. Again, it seems a shame they didn't have one of these books written by men who knew how to be successful.

The tragedy of this is seen in the lives of young men who give themselves in dedicated service to the Lord. These phony promises of success are held out, and when they fail too, often a truly great life is discouraged and sometimes wasted. We need to turn from phony promises and again turn to the real thing which is far better.