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American Family Association has verified the authenticity of the below e-mail exchange between an ABC/Disney television viewer with the ABC Television Online Webmaster. Please read the exchange and contact ABC/Disney with your polite input about their very intolerant and hate-filled reply.
I wrote to ABC concerning a program called "THE PRACTICE." One of the lawyer's mother decided she was gay and wanted her son to go to court to help her get a marriage license to marry her 'partner.' I just sent the letter yesterday and really did not expect a reply....but I did... My original message was:
ABC is obsessed (or should I say abscessed) with the subject of homosexuality. I will no longer watch any of your attempts to convince the world that homosexuality is OK. THE PRACTICE can be a fairly good show but last night's program was so typical of your agenda. You picked the 'dufus' of the office to be the one who was against the idea of his mother being gay and made him look like a whiner because he had convictions. This type of mentality calls people like me "gay basher."
Read the first chapter of Romans (that's in the Bible) and see what the apostle Paul had to say about it...He and God and Jesus were all 'gay bashers.' What if she'd fallen in love with her cocker spaniel...is that an alternative lifestyle? (By the way ...the Bible speaks against that, too.)
Jim
How about getting your nose out of the Bible (which is ONLY a book of stories compiled by MANY different writers hundreds of years ago) and read the Declaration of Independence (what our nation is built on) where it says "All Men are Created Equal" -- and try treating them that way for a change!?
Or better yet, try thinking for yourself and stop using an archaic book of stories as your crutch for your existence.
Abc.online.webmaster@abc.com
Thanks for your reply. Evidently, I hit a nerve from your harsh reply. I will share it with all with whom I come in contact. Hopefully, the Arkansas Democrat Newspaper will include it in one of their columns.
And...I will be praying for you.
Jim
George Washington...It is impossible to rightly govern the world without the Bible.
John Adams...The Bible is the best book in the world. It contains more than all the libraries I have seen.
Thomas Jefferson...The Bible makes the best people in the world.
Abraham Lincoln...But for this Book we could not know right from wrong. I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.
Ulysses S. Grant....The Bible is the anchor of our liberties.
Rutherford B Hayes...The best religion the world has ever known is the religion of the Bible. It builds up all that is good.
William McKinley...The more profoundly we study this wonderful Book.. the better citizens we will become.
Theodore Roosevelt...No educated man can afford to be ignorant of the Bible.
Herbert Hoover...The whole of the inspirations of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ. To read the Bible is a necessity of American life.
Jesus Christ...It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
THE BAPTIST STORY, Sermons On The Trail of Blood, by A. A. Davis. Paper cover, 244 pages, plus an excellent chart which helps greatly in understanding Church history. (Available from: Tabernacle Baptist Church, P. O. Box 3100, Lubbock, TX 79452) $8.00 plus $1.75 postage and handling in U.S.A.
The late A. A. Davis was a long time Baptist pastor. He was encouraged to write this book by J. M. Carroll, who wrote The Trail of Blood. Bro. Davis spent many years of research in writing this book, and gave these sermons in many churches across the United States. This is a wonderful book, and we are grateful that it has been reprinted. Many Baptists, sad to say, know very little about the wonderful history of Baptists, which covers over 1900 years.
PROVERBS FOR PRACTICAL LIVING, By D. Curtis Martin, D. Min. Paper cover, 292 pages. Published by Martin Publishing, Sioux Falls, SD. (Available from Tabernacle Baptist Church, P.O. Box 3100, Lubbock, TX) $12.95 plus $2.50 postage and handling in U.S.A.
This book was written by an Independent Baptist preacher. This excellent volume arranges the book of Proverbs under 14 different topics, and miscellaneous. Some of the topics are attitudes, emotions, wickedness, and wisdom. All verses are printed out in full from the King James Version. It is fully indexed so that you can look up any topic in Proverbs. It is a wonderful resource for studying the wisdom found in Proverbs.
Reviewed by E. L. Bynum
THE BAPTIST PASTOR, by Dr. Larry K. Landis. Papers cover 52 pages. Published by Wilderness voice Publications, Liberal, Kansas. $4.95 plus $1.00 postage and handling in the U.S.A. (Available from Tabernacle Baptist Church, P.O. Box 3100, Lubbock, TX)
An excellent book by an experienced Independent Baptist Pastor. Every pastor and every Church member should have a copy. Chapter heads include, What He Is Called, His Calling, His Qualifications, and The Pastor's Authority. The contents of this book would be very helpful for a preacher to preach a series of sermons on "The Baptist Pastor." Church members could learn a lot concerning the pastor and how to treat him. There is a widespread lack of knowledge on this subject among Baptist Church members.
Reviewed by E. L. Bynum
THE DEFINED KING JAMES BIBLE, Rev. D. A. Waite, Th.D., Ph.D, General Editor. The Authorized King James Bible, Unaltered, Large Print, with Uncommon Words Defined. Published by The Bible For Today Press, Collingswood, New Jersey.
There is a continual river of verbal assault against the truth of the Word of God in the King James Version of the Bible. Although Satan first introduced this attack in the Garden of Eden his emissaries have carried the same torch to this day. Satan began this distraction from full reliance upon God's Word when he said to Eve, "Hath God said?" (Gen. 3:1) From that time forward there have been countless messengers of the devil who are adept at transforming themselves into "angels of light." (2 Cor. 11:14)
The Greek Text amassed by Westcott and Hort in 1881 resulted in over 5,000 changes that differ with the Textus Receptus from which the King James Bible was translated. Since that time there has been a constant and endless onslaught on the reliability of God's Word. This has resulted in repeated confusion and controversy over the constant flow of versions rolling off the press. The last half century these have been more numerous than ever.
Without considering the source or reliability of the translation, many argue for one rendering of the Bible and some another. Some have argued against the KJV because of antiquated wording. This is the purpose of this review.
D. A. Waite, Th.D., Ph.D, director of The Bible For Today, is the General Editor of "The Defined King James Bible." He and his staff, D. A. Waite, Jr., M.A., M.L.A., Author and Editor, Pastor S. H. Tow, D.D., M.D., Contributing Editor, and Daniel S. Waite, M.A., M.Div., Publication Coordinator, have collated a King James version of the Bible with every so- called antiquated word defined as a foot note on the same page it appears in the text. Characteristics of The Defined King James Bible are considered below limited only by space and ability.
The large 12 point type is clear and spaced well for easy readability. The seven and three quarter by ten and one-half inch Bible has a three-quarter inch margin on each two-column page simplifying verse identification. The type clearly stands out on white gilded edged paper. As with all Bibles purchased anew, navigating the pages become easier with use.
The ability and background of the editor and contributing editors can easily be examined. Their desire to be true to the Greek text cannot go unnoticed in the preface and introduction. Countless hours of positive examination are evident in the accumulated information available. Even a casual use of any good Greek Concordance will prove the reliability of this defined Bible although it will not reveal the intense study involved. The black genuine leather cover gives the Bible an attractive and protective appearance.
The outstanding feature of The Defined King James Bible is the identification of uncommon words used in the King James Version. Although any person can search out the meaning of many of the occasional use of uncommon words in the KJV, the editor has made available their definition at the bottom of each page. The words in question are in bold print and clearly numbered to identify their meaning. There is also an identifying mark at the end of every 85 verses for daily Bible reading that can be completed in one year. A brief synopsis of each book of the Bible along with other fundamental information is found in the Table of Contents.
The appendix is a catalog of information about the Authorized King James Bible. A defense of the KJV in these last days is clearly given. A section of old verb endings are classified and explained. A chart is furnished that reveals how we got our Bible. A diagramed illustration declares the good fruit of the Authorized Version and the evil fruit of modern versions. Thirty- one pages are devoted to an urgent plea by Pastor S. H. Tow, D.D., M.D, for Christian fervency in these "Last Days." This defense of the Authorized KJV is among the best I have read. It begins with the call of God's people back to the faithful and reliable King James Version and ends with the awareness of the soon coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. This section alone is most valuable.
There are many other commendable features about this Bible. My earnest prayer is that those who take advantage of The Defined King James Bible will not only benefit from the Word of God but will be made more knowledgeable of its preservation in the King James Version. This Bible is beneficial not only to all Christians as a primary Bible, but it is an asset to any pastor's library.
Reviewed by Bill Mosley
"Building Bridges" is the theme for the upcoming Indiana Billy Graham Crusade to be held on June 3-6, at the RCA Dome in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indiana Billy Graham Crusade is announced in great detail with a nightly listing of all the special speakers and musicians on page 30 of the May 1999 issue of Decision Magazine (the official voice of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association).
Special music will be provided by the Bill Gaither Vocal Band on June 3, (Gaither is well known for his ecumenical ties to Roman Catholicism and his broad affiliation with prominent New Evangelicals and Charismatics). Also, on June 3, Deion Sanders, (of professional football fame), will be the guest speaker. Sanders has appeared on such prominent New Evangelical programs as: Richard Roberts, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland and John Hagee.
On June 4, country-music, superstar Ricky Skaggs will be providing the special music, while NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon will be special guest speaker. For your information both of these world-renowned personalities have "questionable" Christian testimonies and certainly do not uphold Christian virtue and old-fashioned Biblical morality of separation!
Then, on June 5, Kidz, Gig, (featuring Psalty the Singing Songbook) will be performing special music for the children who are in attendance (this will take place during the morning). That same evening will feature a "Christian Rock Concert," with NeXt, Generation featuring Audio Adrenaline, Anointed and Michael W. Smith. Note: all these prominent Christian Contemporary Musicians have ecumenical ties with modernist Roman Catholics, New Evangelical compromisers and Charismatic deceivers!
Finally, on June 6, CeCe Winans, (who is long, known for her ecumenical ties to Roman Catholicism, New Evangelicalism and heretical Charismatics) will be singing live in concert.
All of this is just more confirmation for fundamentalist Christians that Dr. Billy Graham is continuing down the road of ecumenical dialogue and apostasy. The King James Bible warns- us of "deceivers" who will arise and lead many astray during the last days immediately preceding Christ's return. (see, I Tim. 4:1-3)
God's sure command is "Building Walls" of pure Bible Separation (II Cor. 6:14-18). Those who seek to "Build Bridges" of ecumenical dialogue are, helping to "tear down" the walls of Bible Separation in order for the false, ecumenical, harlot, one-world church described in Revelation 17 to be built and established, (read all of Revelation chapter 17).
"One of the wonderful things about the Crusade thus far is the way diverse elements of the church have come together in unity focused on the hope found in Jesus Christ," said Ed Simcox, chair of the Crusade executive committee and former Indiana Secretary of State. "We determined early on that each of our 15 workers committees would have co-chair leaders who would cross racial and cultural lines. The crusade breaks down a lot of walls and builds a lot of bridges." (emphasis mine)
All of this sounds pretty good and impressive to man, but according to God's Word this is contrary to the purity of God's holiness and is an affront to the Truth of God's counsel, (see Acts 20:27-32).
Every true and faithful God-honoring fundamental pastor should begin immediately to warn his sheep concerning the ecumenical nature and dangers of apostasy concerning the upcoming Indiana Billy Graham Crusade to be held June 3-6 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana!
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28)
· An undue emphasis stressed upon "unity" at the precious and eternal expense of Bible truth.
· Prominent world-conforming personalities are invited to speak
· A false emphasis is placed upon "Building Bridges" rather than faithfully preserving the walls of Bible Separation.
· No emphasis is stressed upon the vital importance of Bible Doctrine.
· A false and unscriptural ecumenical "unity" is the desired end.
· Man's carnal philosophy, "let's forget our essential doctrinal differences and come together for the gospel" is the method used.
· Replacing the God-honoring Old King James Bible with today's modern corrupt versions.
· Replacing Christ-exalting sacred music, (i.e. George Beverly Shea), with carnal, flesh-appealing contemporary music, (i.e. DC Talk).
· An undue emphasis upon "para-church" ministries and a diminishing scriptural emphasis placed upon the local church, (i.e. Promise Keepers, Campus Crusade For Christ, Focus on the Family).
· Dialogue with Christ-rejecting modernists is sought after, rather than faithfully exposing their damnable heresies.
· Billy Graham had Christ-rejecting Bishop James Pike on his New York City Crusade platform in 1957 (Pike utterly repudiated the doctrine of Christ's virgin birth and blood atonement).
· Today's New Evangelicals are merging with the Roman Catholic Church despite the fact that Romanism preaches and teaches a false gospel.
· Popularity with the religious world means more than fidelity to Jesus Christ.
· These New Evangelical "dreamers" are leading the church straight into the Mystery Babylon Harlot.
From Bible Believers News Service, Mark H. Sanford, Editor
Bill Hybels and Robert H. Schuller are like two peas shelled out of the same pod, and they are helping to build the One World Harlot Church. They will be back together again at the Robert H. Schuller Institute For Successful Church Leadership, January 24-27, 2000. This will be held as always at the beautiful Crystal Cathedral of Garden Grove, California, where Schuller is pastor, and where his nationwide telecasts originate. I know that this article will infuriate the followers of Bill Hybels, but what we shall say is the truth, and that is more important than the approval of man. I know that I am writing the facts that such a meeting is to take place, because I have my very own invitation, along with the pictures of the speakers.
Hybels and Schuller are spiritual twins of compromise and distortion of the Word of God. They will share the platform for the above conference with Louis Palau, Evangelist from Portland, Oregon, who seems to have modeled his crusades after Billy Graham. He has held huge crusades in the U.S. and in Latin America. Another speaker will be John Maxwell of Atlanta, Georgia. Walt Kallestad, Pastor of the Church of Joy, of Glendale, Arizona will also be a speaker. Dr. H. B. London, Jr. from Focus On The Family (an associate of Dr. James Dobson), Colorado Springs, Colorado, will also be on the program. Another speaker will be Bishop Sundo Kim of a Methodist Church in Seoul, Korea. Of course Robert H. Schuller, and Mrs. Arvella Schuller will also be speaking.
Holland B. London is from Focus on the Family. May I suggest that London and Dobson should focus on the Bible for awhile. It might help them to associate with the right crowd.
When some people read some of the articles on Bill Hybels, Billy Graham and others, they write to Hybels or Graham to ask if it is so. Of course they never hear from these men directly, but they hear from someone on their staff, and they usually give some kind of denial. Some people are so naive that they believe the misinformation that they receive from these men or their organization. For instance we published an article in the Plains Baptist Challenger, January 1998, exposing Bill Hybels and the Willow Creek Association which he headed. In a previous article we pointed out that Bill Hybels, Rick Warren, and John Maxwell had spoken in a Conference in Schuller's Church. When a man in our Church wrote the Hybels organization about this, they denied that it had ever happened. Of course the man that answered the letter was either misinformed, or he lied about it. I went to the Library and found the ad in Christianity Today, in which the Conference was advertised. Below you will find a part of the article from the Plains Baptist Challenger, January 1998.
Bill Hybels proudly gives Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian the credit for inspiring him to build the Willow Creek ministry. This French born professor did his undergraduate work at the University of Paris. Then he enrolled at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts, where he received a Master of Divinity degree.
While Gordon-Conwell is named after two great men, it is a hotbed of new- evangelicalism and modernism. Gordon and Conwell would flip over in their graves, if they knew how their names were being used.
After pastoring for five years in Albany, New York, Bilezikian moved on to teach in Wheaton College. (This is another hotbed of new-evangelicalism, and a synonym for compromise.) After accepting the presidency of a Christian college in Beirut, Lebanon, he returned to the United States in 1971. He soon joined the staff of Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois (another school of compromise). It was there that he indoctrinated Bill Hybels into this new kind of ministry.
No doubt Robert Schuller, pastor of the Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, California, has had a tremendous influence on Hybels. Schuller with his perpetual grin, can be seen on many television stations nationwide. He believes that self-esteem is the new reformation, and wrote a book to prove it. On page 15 of his book he declares "Self- Esteem" and "Self-Love" are the same thing. His theology and his message are a thousand miles from being biblical. The gospel he preaches would not save a fly, much less a sinner.
We shall give some quotes from "Rediscovering Church," by Lynne and Bill Hybels which clearly show the relationship between Hybels and Schuller. "In April he (Hybels) read Robert Schuller's book Your Church Has Real Possibilities, which affirmed Bill's belief that one could reach unchurched people through the local church." (P. 51) "During the latter years of Son City and the early years of Willow Creek, Bill (Hybels) traveled periodically as a consultant to youth groups. One group with whom he had an ongoing relationship was the high school Youth group at Garden Grove Community Church in Garden Grove, California (now the Crystal Cathedral)." (P. 68) This is Robert Schuller's Church.
"DIVINE ENCOUNTER. In the fall of 1976, Bill (Hybels) took another trip to Garden Grovethis time to take the staff, module directors, and other lay leaders of Wil low Creek to a pastors conference there. During the conference, our entire entourage somehow ended up in Robert Schuller's office which at that time was in the upper floors of the Tower of Prayer. Bill told Dr. Schuller about our efforts to establish a church for the unchurched and about our seeker services and about our tentative plans to buy land for a future building. Bill asked Dr. Schuller if he could give us any advice regarding our next step.
"Dr. Schuller answered, `If you give God a thimble, perhaps He will choose to fill it. If you give God a five-gallon bucket, perhaps He will choose to fill that. If you give him a fifty-gallon drum, perhaps He will choose to do something extraordinary and fill even that. If God chooses to do a miracle, you'd better be ready for it. Don't buy a thimbleful of land. Buy a fifty-gallon drum.'" (P. 69)
They go on to tell us that Schuller was highly esteemed by them. "Had we been `puffed up' with the affirmation offered us by a man so highly esteemedthe only credible adult who had given us any encouragement?
"As I look back through the years I can't help but think that what happened that day was exactly what we thought it was at the time: a divinely staged encounter. We returned home changed." (P. 69)
"On a Saturday night in June 1977, Robert Schuller graciously came and spoke at our fund-raising banquet in the ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel in Des Plaines, Illinois...Dr. Schuller affirmed the value and potential of the dream to the 1,000 people who attended." (P. 70)
Down through the years the relationship between Hybels and Schuller has continued. They have spoken in each others churches on a number of occasions. A few months ago, we published an article from the Calvary Contender, which stated that Bill Hybels, Rick Warren, and John Maxwell had spoken at a conference at Robert Schuller's Church, and that homosexuals were there for training. Bill Mosley, a veteran preacher who is a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lubbock, wrote Hybels asking about this. He received the following reply.
Regarding your recent correspondence:
Bill Hybels never attended or spoke at any conference for gay and lesbian pastors. In fact, Bill, Rick Warren, and John Maxwell have never done a conference together anywhere in the world, let alone the Crystal Cathedral.
This is an ugly rumor and I pray that you'll pass on the accurate information to other parties that might inquire. Thank you for checking with us first.
In Christ,
Paul Braoudakis
Communications Director
Willow Creek Association
Brother Mosley gave me a copy of the above letter from Paul Braoudakis. Then he wrote to the editor of the Calvary Contender who stood by his report. He had received his information from a pro-homosexual paper which clearly stated that over 100 people from the Metropolitan Community Church went to this Institute at Schuller's Church for training. It is possible that Hybels did not know that the homosexuals were there, since they would have been a small part of those in attendance. I am sure that Schuller would have known since they registered from the Metropolitan Church.
Mr. Paul Braoudakis of Willow Creek Association in the above letter said, "In fact, Bill (Hybels), Rick Warren, and John Maxwell have never done a conference together anywhere in the world, let alone the Crystal Cathedral." This gentleman, either lied or said this through ignorance.
When I read this, I went to the public library and looked at copies of Christianity Today on microfilm. I found the ad that I was looking for in the September 16, 1996 issue. That issue of CT contained a full page ad for "The Robert H. Schuller Institute for Successful Church Leadership." This meeting was to take place on January 27-30, 1997, and the pictures of the speakers were printed in the ad. The pictures and names found in the top row include, Robert H. Schuller, Bill Hybels, Rick Warren, and John Maxwell, along with others. These the same people of which Paul Braoudakis, Communications Director for Willow Creek Association said, "Bill Hybels never attended or spoke at any conference for gay and lesbian pastors. In fact, Bill, Rick Warren, and John Maxwell have never done a conference together anywhere in the world, let alone the Crystal Cathedral."
This shows you just how far these people will go to cover up their sin of compromise. Plains Baptist Challenger, January 1998
It is not difficult to discover the heresy of Dr. Robert H. Schuller, since he is also a writer. I have his book "Self Esteem, The New Reformation," published by Word Books, in 1982. When you read this book, you can easily see that Schuller is not only unsound in doctrine, but in fact he is an apostate of the first order.
Schuller said, "I don't think anything has been done in the name of Christ and under the banner of Christianity that has proven more destructive to human personality and, hence, counterproductive to the evangelism enterprise than the often crude, uncouth, and unchristian strategy of attempting to make people aware of their lost and sinful condition." --Christianity Today, Oct. 5, 1984 (Emphasis ours).
Please note that he says, that "to make people aware of their lost sinful condition," is unchristian. If we do not make people aware of their lost and sinful condition, then we are failing to do what the bible says. I do find that Schuller is denying what Paul taught in Romans 3 and elsewhere. Listen to the Bible:
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood:Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:10-18). "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). (Emphasis ours).
Paul was not worried about the self-esteem of a lost soul, he was interested in the eternal destiny of that soul. Schuller says that it is, "crude, uncouth, and unchristian," "to make people aware of their lost and sinful condition." You might wonder why he does not read his Bible. I am sure that he has, but he does not believe the Bible.
Please note Schuller's definition of sin. "What do I mean by sin? Answer: Any human condition or act that robs God of glory by stripping one of his children of their right to divine dignity." "I could offer another complementing answer, `Sin is that deep lack of trust that separates me from God and leaves me with a sense of shame and unworthiness.'" He further says, "Sin is any act or thought that robs myself or another human being of his or her self-esteem" (Schuller, Self Esteem, p. 14).
"I can offer still another answer: `Sin is any act or thought that robs myself or another human being of his or her self-esteem.' And what is `hell'? It is the loss of pride that naturally follows separation from God . . . A person is in hell when he has lost his self-esteem." (Schuller, Self Esteem, p. 14, 15).
Can you imagine anything more heretical and more deadly for the souls of men? Sin is loss of self-esteem. Hell is loss of self-esteem. Of course he has no Scripture to prove these heretical statements. Schuller is his own authority, so what does he need with the authority of the Scriptures?
Here is his own definition of what he means by self-esteem, "I must admit that I am not totally happy with that word, `Self-Esteem.' Years ago I tried the word, `Self-Love.' I found the pervasiveness of a negative self-image so saturated the minds of persons that most people couldn't handle that term `Self-Love." I have tried others, `Self-Worth,' `Self-Dignity,' `Self-Value,' `Human Dignity,' `Positive Self-Image,' `Ego-Needs,' `Human Pride,' and none are perfect." You can see from Schuller's own words that Self-Esteem is really just Self-Love. This is so contrary to the Bible that it hardly needs any refuting. However, I will give one passage that completely disproves his false theory. "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (I Tim. 3:1-5). (Emphasis ours) Here is God's warning for the last days, and self-love is set forth as one of the vile and wicked sins that will be evident.
What is Schuller's definition of the new birth? Listen to his own words: "To be born again means that we must be changed from a negative to a positive self-imagefrom inferiority to self-esteem, from fear to love, from doubt to trust" (Schuller, Self-Esteem, p. 68).
According to this heretic, Jesus never called a person a sinner. "While Christ was on earth, he remained sinlesshe never shamed himself or others. He never called any person `a sinner'"
(Schuller, Self Esteem, p. 100). The following Scripture refutes his words. "And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matt. 9:2). Why did this man need his sins forgiven, if he was not a sinner? I guess he must have lost his Self-Esteem. Paul addresses the sin question in many places, but we shall quote only on verse. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23).
We always thought that Jesus Christ was the incarnate Son of God, but Schuller has a different idea. "Christ is the Ideal One, for he was Self-Esteem Incarnate" (Schuller, Self Esteem, p. 135).
His admiration for the Pope of Rome and for the Roman Catholic Church is amazing indeed. Maybe he is hoping to be the Pope's successor, or perhaps he hopes to turn the Crystal Cathedral into Vatican II (just kidding). Listen to his words. "I found myself immediately attracted to Pope John Paul II when, upon his election to the Papacy, his published speeches invariably called attention to the need for recognizing the dignity of the human being as a child of God" (Schuller, Self Esteem, p. 17).
Schuller often participates in ecumenical efforts with Catholics. David Cloud sent an email which included the following: "Schuller frequently speaks at conferences with Roman Catholic priests and bishops. He spoke at the `Washington for Jesus' rally on April 28, 1980, with priests John Bertolucci, John Randall, and Michael Scanlon. In October 1987, Schuller spoke at a Roman Catholic conference called the Jesus Day VII, in Chicago. Catholic priests Matthew Fox, John Powell, and Richard McBrien also spoke (National & International Religion Report, Sept. 21, 1987). In August 1988, Schuller participated in the ecumenical Congress '88, in Chicago. The Archbishop of Chicago, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, brought the opening address of the Congress. This faithful son of Rome was introduced as a `warm, caring, Christ-honoring, Christ-like brother' (Frank Bumpus, `New Evangelicals United with Catholics and Liberals,' (F.B.F. News Bulletin, Nov.-Dec. 1988)."
Cloud further stated: "Schuller participated in the publication of a series of books on evangelism co-sponsored by Tyndale House and the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association. The first book in the series, What Christians Can Learn from One Another about Evangelizing Adults, included articles by Schuller, Pope John Paul II, Archbishop Joseph Bernardin, as well as others."
"In March 1998, Schuller visited Pope John Paul II en route to a Church Growth conference in Sicily. It was `the fourth time Schuller and the Pope had met, hand-to-hand, heart-to-heart at the Vatican' (Foundation, May-June 1998). The Pope expressed interest in how their churches could work together in the Vatican's preparation for the Year 2000 Jubilee celebrations" (Calvary Contender, 8-15-98).
It must be that they are in agreement. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). The followers of Hybels claim that he is a sound Bible believing evangelical. I could never believe that, as long as he associates with Robert H. Schuller. No real Bible believer would ever be associated with an apostate such as the man from the Crystal Cathedral.
Someone needs to ask these people a good Bible question. "And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD" (II Chron. 19:2).
It is hard for me to understand why any Bible believer could follow men such as Bill Hybels, John Maxwell and Rick Warren, when they are speaking for a man like Schuller. Many Baptist (?) Churches are adopting the methods of Bill Hybels, John Maxwell and Rick Warren. This is strange indeed that they would follow people who are in bed with Schuller. After all, Schuller is in bed with the Pope of Rome. Many Baptist churches have followed the advice of these men and dropped the name Baptist. Of course when they are no longer Baptists, they should drop the name Baptist. Many Southern Baptist Churches are following the "purpose driven church" philosophy of Hybels and Warren.
What is really bad, is that some Independent Baptist pastors are running off to these conferences where all this heresy is introduced. Soon their churches will be going down the same road that new-evangelicals have already followed. "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil . . . " (Ex. 23:2).
2 Chr. 5:1 "Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God."
The chapter under consideration records the furnishing of the finished Temple under the direction of King Solomon. His father, David, had amassed most of the physical material that made up the structure of the Temple. Also all the things that David had dedicated were brought into the Temple after its completion. The elders of Israel, heads of tribes, chief of the fathers of Israel were assembled to bring the Ark of God from Jerusalem into the Temple of God. The Ark and all the holy vessels were placed in their proper place.
What a display of reverence to God and devotion to His holiness this must have been. To say the least, God was well pleased with the action of King Solomon and His people, Israel. While their voices mingled in praise with the accompaniment of the proper instruments, God made His presence known to them in an undeniable fashion. While they were "praising and thanking the Lord. . . .For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD..." (II Chron. 5:13).
Not since Moses had finished and erected the Tabernacle in the wilderness had so great a display of God's presence been manifested (Exo. 40:34,35). The presence of the Lord was so controlling over those present that the flesh even of the priest was unable to stand and minister their office. What a blessed sight this would be today if the blessed Holy Spirit was so in control in the house of God, which is the Lord's local church (I Tim. 3:15), that the inventions of men would be inoperable.
The spiritual excellence that Israel enjoyed had reached its highest point. Solomon was the third king anointed of God to lead His people. The beginning of his reign emphasized true worship to the God of heaven. The worship place and the provisions were of the highest standard required by God to bring Him honor and glory. There were certain treasures (deposits) in the house of the Lord that were laid up in honor to the God of the house. When Jacob had his dream of a heaven bound ladder with the Lord standing at its top rung, it had a lasting effect upon him. When Jacob awoke, he called this place Bethel, the house of God (Gen. 28:11-22). However, when he returned to this same spot some twenty years later after experiencing multiple interventions of God on his behalf he called it El-bethel, God of the house of God (Gen. 35:7). Let us never lose sight of the One who is Head over all things (Eph. 1:22,23).
When the best of men neglect the least of service to the Greatest in heaven the worst of regression begins. Not many decades passed until Israel and her kings began to lose the desire for the once highly respected worship that filled the house of God. The luster of the Temple began to fade in their minds and the intensity of the ministry lost its significance in the hearts of the priests. When men lose sight of whose house it is and who is Lord over His house a depraved attitude prevails. It is then that the inventions of men eclipse true worship (Eccl. 7:29). Sons and daughters of once dedicated Israelites were soon sacrificed on the altar of devils (Psa. 106:37-39). Space does not permit belaboring the reason for the downward path taken by God's chosen people and their leaders. However, as all Bible students can relate, those articles laid up "among the treasures (deposits) of the house of the Lord" were eventually stolen away by the enemies of God. Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt, etc., each received their spoil because someone neglected their designated post. The basic reason for this was that the priest and people began to believe it unnecessary to guard the deposit they were given.
I am convinced that this is more than a bit of biblical history recorded for our reading enjoyment. It should be a spiritual enlightenment for those who will heed. Even as there was the dwelling place of the God of heaven on earth then for His people Israel there is a house of God on earth today and a people for the Lord to dwell among. Paul clearly identifies the house of God and the responsibility of maintaining proper behavior in worship. 1 Tim 3:15 "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." This is the very body of baptized believers that Jesus refers to in Mat 16:18 "And I say... thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Paul further instructed Timothy that he as a pastor had a responsibility to guard the treasures of this house of God as surely as Israel's responsibility in the O.T. I Tim 6:20,21 "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen."
"O Timothy" implies the deep concern of Paul as he writes this inspired letter. The obvious requirement is that Timothy, and all succeeding pastors/preachers, "keep" the committed treasure of proper behavior (proper doctrinal practice) in the house of God, the Lord's church. The idea of isolating this treasure from all earthly treasures (inventions of men), to watch carefully over it and be on guard against it being spoiled by intruders. Be aware of the possibility of it being taken away or contaminated by impressionist or imposters. The impressionist will paint a colorful portrait that all is acceptable if it is done in the name of the Lord. The imposters are a little more dangerous when he declares he is doing a thing but is hiding the real purpose for doing it from the people.
Sadly both are in operation today in the house of the Lord. Remember this is the Lord's house and He alone has the power to direct. The charge to "keep" the doctrine of separation is being neglected by pastors of Baptist churches (II Cor. 6:17,18). Baptist churches in the city of Lubbock, Texas are at this writing engaged in a joint effort with Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Church of Christ, and Charismatic churches to explore the feasibility of joint sponsorship of a future Franklin Graham crusade in Lubbock. Someone is failing to keep their charge! Why would any Baptist join affinity with the offspring of the very organizations that put many of their predecessors to death for their belief in Christ? (See "The Trail of Blood," by J. M. Carroll, et al.) Jehoshaphat had already hopped on the toboggan sled downhill when he made his fatal error of joining affinity with Ahab (II Chron. 18:1ff.). As future generations came and departed from the scene of life, Jehoshaphat's act of affinity with Ahab ended in the ruin of the worship of the true God.
Just as surely as his act gave way to Baal worship and other false gods so also will the act of joining affinity with false religion today sets a precedence for future generation of the Lord's church. Baptist youth directors in Lubbock are taking their young people to such outings as "Hearts Afire." These outings are sponsored by a mixed multitude of religions including Baptist. Here long-haired, guitar plucking, drum-beating, hippy-looking characters screaming so-called CCM lyrics get themselves and the attending crowd worked into a frenzy and call it a spiritual experience. Indeed it is but it is NOT the Spirit of God! It is at least the spirit of the flesh and at most the spirit of the devil. When young people return from such outings and give a report to their pastor and church it often seems like a circus gone amuck. A fit of wild shouting from the youth on the pulpit platform of the church building, expecting a reply from the youth in the audience and call it worship. Many hearts of staunch, dedicated, enlightened saints have their hearts broken when leadership not only sanctions such activity but get involved.
This does not go without an example in the history of Israel. Ezra 3:12 "But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:..." There are doubtless many elderly saints and some not so elderly whose hearts are broken at the fleshly activity in many Baptist churches today. Much of this is declared to be spiritual and enlightening to the soul. The responsibility for such activity would be cut immeasurably if the personnel and participants would call it what it is instead of saying it is to glorify God. Such "A Conspicuous Requirement" brings on:
There is no doubt as to the root of the problem that brought Israel down from its lofty position with God. The Word of God was first negated; the work of God seemed needless; the worship of God was then neglected. Many are traveling the same descent today. The confusion caused by the flood of new English versions before the populace in the 20th century goes unequaled. Every thing from the NASV to the New KJV is available through money-grubbing publishing companies and bookstores. Their responsibility to God, however, fades in the glaring responsibility of pastors and seminary teachers who misleadingly declare new versions to be nearer the "original autographs" than the Authorized Version (KJV). Knowing in themselves they have not a clue what the original would like in one scroll.
When the Word of God is negated to the point that pastors/preachers tell their congregations the version does not matter, that pastor/preacher best be near at all times to explain why versions differ on doctrinal issues. It seems it would be good to take time to tell them the difference between versions and manuscripts. Then it would be well to explain, at least to some length, the difference between manuscripts. Books abound by reputable authors written in layman language for all who desire to know. (See Tabernacle Baptist Book List.)
When the work of God seems needless other things begin to fill the void. Hence, ball teams, etc., are organized to compete against other churches. Of course the attire during the summer must be lessened for comfort and coolness. After all it is not in the "church" building. Although the church building is not the church, it is the designated place where the church meets and where the church meets the Lord promised to meet with them. Not long after adjusting to the embarrassment of seeing and being seen in skimpy attire on the ball field there will be a meeting at the church building and what a drag it is to change before the meeting. Hence, spineless pastors, parents, and participants disgrace the house of God as well as the God of the house (I Tim. 2:8,9). The attire at many Sunday evening services (if they still meet) looks like a show and tell of the human anatomy. Little is left to the imagination when a twenty-four-inch sewing tape will measure the entire raiment. Where are the pastors that will dare to speak on this matter of indecency?
When the worship of God is neglected for other activities, regular services are dropped. First, the midweek prayer meeting and bible study gives way to "fellowship". (This actually is `gluttony' with a religious title.) Then the Sunday evening service becomes too much trouble to attend. Then the Sunday morning service seems too long and burdensome. A recent new idea sprouted in the fertile field of man's depraved mind. The devil is quick to plant a seed of deception in such soil and did in this one. The idea was that a new mission (Baptist?) was to be started that might never meet as a congregation on the first day of the week. (Acts 20:27; I Cor. 16:2). Lost treasures!
Remember the lost treasures of the House of God in Israel? Where are they today? Much is being spent and effort expended today in search of the Ark of the Covenant, etc. Claim has been made of the discovery of relics of pharaoh and his drowned army and is applauded as greatly significant to the Christian faith. Faith makes that news available free of cost in the Word of God. What real difference does it make where these items have disappeared? What does matter is the treasure (deposit) that the Lord's church is in charge of today. Much is being lost to fleshly desires today that will be gone forever in many local congregations. It may seem alive with superfluous activity but the Lord of the house knows how it really fares. It is of no real comfort to look alive and be dead. Many pastors and youth directors have become good undertakers and can make a corpse look alive. Beware! (Rev. 3:1-6) What a comfort for the faithful to remember the Lord's command and comfort to His true church. (Matt. 28:18-20)
Let's see ... I think it started when Madalyn Murray O'Hair complained that she didn't want any prayer in our schools, and we said OK.
Then someone said you had better not read the Bible in school-the Bible that says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said, OK.
Remember Dr. Benjamin Spock, who said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem? And we said, OK, we won't spank them.
Then someone said that teachers and principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave. And our administrators said whoa, no one in this school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don't want any bad publicity, and we surely don't want to be sued.
Then someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want, and we won't even have to tell their parents. And we said, that's a grand idea.
Then someone else said, let's give our sons all the condoms they want, so they can have all the "fun" they desire, and we won't have to tell their parents. And we said, that's another great idea.
And then some of our top officials said that it doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs. And we said, as long as I have a job and the economy is good, it doesn't matter to me what anyone does in private.
So now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "we reap what we sow."
Whoa! What a concept!
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