By E. L. Bynum
We get criticism. We expect it! We try to take a strong stand in a wishy-washy, fence straddling, compromising age. We are human. Therefore, we like compliments better than criticism, but we must seek to please God rather than man. Was it not for the grace of God, we could be deep in religious error. We are not ashamed to stand up for truth, but we do not wish to do so, in human pride. We desire human friendship, but not at the expense of disobeying God. We desire fellowship rather than fight, but fellowship must be in the “apostles’ doctrine.” (Acts 2:43) We are grateful for the Truth of God, which we did not discover, but it was revealed unto us. Therefore, not in the spirit of pride, but we trust in true humility, we will set forth some things that Tabernacle Baptist Church and her Pastor stand for.
Our Stand on The Bible!
We believe in plenary verbal inspiration. We believe that the words were inspired and given by God. The Bible is complete and needs nothing added to it, or taken from it! We use the King James Version only, in the pulpit and in the Sunday School class room. It was translated from the best manuscripts and has been blessed of God to the use of more Bible believing Christians than any other Bible in any language, anywhere in the world. For more than 300 years it has been the Bible for English-speaking Christians. For 90 years the critics have tried to displace it, with inferior English versions. However, it is still the Bible for most of the fundamental, Bible believing Christians. After viewing the work of those who would improve on the KJV, we say NO to their product. One need not believe that the KJV translators were inspired, for it has been our Sovereign God who has preserved His Word! The KJV should not be revised or changed, but it should be preached and explained.
Because we believe in Divine inspiration and because we believe that God has preserved His Word, we have printed and distributed several million tracts on this subject. These tracts contend for verbal inspiration and for the superiority of the KJV. Many of these tracts show the defects of a number of modern versions.
Our Stand on Missions!
Because of our desire to get the Word of God to every person in the world, according to the great commission, we support missions. The Tabernacle Baptist Church helps with the support of missionaries around the world, who are sent out from individual independent Baptist Churches. We do not support any missionaries that are sent out through mission boards, mission committees, or mission clearing houses. All of our missionaries are sent out by individual independent Baptist Churches who deposit the support in the missionary’s account. Nothing is held back for expenses. The missionary gets every penny that is sent.
We believe in missions as practiced in the New Testament where there were no mission boards, conventions, associations, or organized fellowships. It worked in New Testament times and it works today. God has never altered His plan. Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the Holy Spirit and by the church at Antioch. There was no board, committee or fellowship involved. When did God ever ask us to change from this method?
We believe in and practice faith promise mission giving. Tabernacle Baptist Church has given large special offerings for special missionary projects, such as airplanes, pickups and printing presses. We have practiced the methods discussed above for more than forty years, and it has worked and been blessed of God.
Our Stand on Ecumenicalism!
We stand against modernism and neo-orthodoxy, because they deny the Word of God. We stand solidly against the “New Evangelicalism,” which is a compromise group seeking to lead fundamental believers into working with modernism. We are against ecumenical evangelism, as practiced by Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Youth for Christ, Campus Crusade and other individuals and groups. How can two walk together, except they be agreed? We cannot fellowship with those who do fellowship with such groups. We admit this to be narrow, but we can do no other, if we are to obey the Word of God. We stand against Promise Keepers, and all other similar endeavors. Independent Baptist churches should never be a part of the practices of Rick Warren and the Purpose Driven Life. The new fads come and go, but God’s methods revealed in the Bible never change. The road to compromise is a slippery slope which leads to ruin.
Our Stand on Tongues & The Charismatics!
The modern day tongues movement and other forms of neo-pentecostalism is unscriptural. Not only is the charismatic movement unscriptural, but it is being used to build the apostate one-world church. Although we disagreed with the old line pentecostalism, nevertheless, they were much less harmless than the new type pentecostalism which invades and takes over Baptist churches. Through our tract ministry we have been able to alert thousands of Christians as to the dangers of this movement. We have a number of letters telling as to how churches were saved from the charismatic movement through tracts that we print. Through our tape ministry, we have distributed tapes by this preacher and by others, that have helped not a few in this area. To God be all the glory, and we thank Him for giving us the strength to stand.
Our Stand on Long Hair and Other Unscriptural Practices!
We believe what the Bible says about men wearing long hair. “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” (1 Cor. 11:14) Too many evangelicals have gone along with this unscriptural fad, and more and more fundamentalists are getting soft on this issue. We don’t plan to change our doctrine to suit the trend of the times. We stand 100 per cent against the equal rights movement and other feminist trends, which propose to cast aside the God ordained differences between men and women. The Ordaining of women to the ministry is totally against the teaching of the Bible. We don’t believe that Jesus Christ Superstar, rock operas or any other form of rock music belongs in the Church.
We deplore the lowering of moral standards among fundamental believers. Worldliness is on the increase and Scriptures that teach separation from the world are largely being ignored.
Our Stand on Unscriptural Methods!
We believe in witnessing and soul winning, but we don’t believe that it can best be done by compromise. Much of the compromise today is tolerated and practiced in the name of “love.” Billy Graham’s ecumenical evangelism is well cloaked by a supposed “love for souls.” Many independent fundamentalists are now practicing things that can never be justified by the Bible. You guessed it, their defense is “love for souls.” The house of the Lord is turned into a play house, theater, entertainment center and community social center, all in the name of “love for souls.” The bus ministry which can be a good thing, is often turned into a bribe offering work. Offering prizes, food, vacations, horses, cars, and other assorted prizes to get people to ride the bus, and it all goes under the cloak of “love for souls.” If we “love souls” more than we love God and His Word, then we have turned souls into an idol that God will never tolerate. God’s work must be done God’s way if it is to be blessed of Him. Any method new or old, must be judged in the light of the Word of God, not by whether it seems to work. Hauling the ark on a new cart seemed to work, but in the end, it brought death and destruction in the days of David. (1 Chron. 13:7-10) They copied the whole idea from the ungodly Philistines, rather than doing it God’s way. (Num. 4:15; 7:9)
This is not meant to demean the noble list of hard-working soul winners today. It is rather a rebuke to those who hide every unscriptural practice under “love for souls.” The new evangelicals, the Charismatics and modernists all try to fit under the garment of “love for souls.” It doesn’t fit them, and it is even more unbecoming on the fundamentalist. It ought to occur to the fundamentalists at least that if there was a better method for winning souls than that found in the New Testament, then God would have included it in the Book. Some may no doubt love souls more than this unworthy writer, but I defy any man to prove that he loves souls more than Jesus or Paul. Yet, they never resorted to the unscriptural methods of this day, and I do believe that they were smart enough to think of them. In these last days we need a dynamic drive to spread the gospel to lost souls, but we believe that God insists that it be done in a way that does not violate the letter or the spirit of the Bible.
Our Stand on the Independence And Autonomy of the Church!
We are often asked as to which religious denominational movement the Tabernacle Baptist Church is affiliated with. Our answer is none! We want to be independent to do as God pleases, not as we please. We have yet to see it proven that a New Testament Church can join or affiliate with any organization, from a scriptural standpoint. We have friends that disagree with us on this. We can disagree without being disagreeable. We can and do cooperate with churches who believe as we do on this, in the sending out of missionaries and other common projects, but it is on a one to one basis. Others who see it differently, have the freedom to practice what they believe. Each servant and each church will have to answer to the Lord. We desire no warfare with those who believe the Bible and yet whose church practice differs from ours. Yet, we will not buy peace by silence. We will not be intimidated by large fundamental organizations who at times seem to desire to crush all those from whom they get no support. Though at times the road gets lonely, yet we are encouraged by a great host of those who believe as we believe, not because they are following us, but because they are reading the Bible. Our stand has been the same for more than forty years, and we have no intention of changing.
We are thankful for the many who pray for us every day. Keep it up! We need this more than anything you can do for us. We have a desire to spread the truth in these days. Through our local Church ministry we are doing that very thing. Through the Plains Baptist Challenger, our tract ministry and tape ministry, we are endeavoring to spread God’s Word in the English-speaking world. We have paid subscribers in all 50 States and in many foreign countries. We publish hundreds of thousands of tracts per year, and we have to buy tons of paper to do this. We do not beg for or solicit offerings. God has always supplied our needs. We contract no large debts, yet the Lord has given us a fully equipped print shop, including the computers that this paper is composed on. We charge for our tracts and tapes on a non-profit basis, and our books will show that we make no profit. Pray that we will be more effective! We are human and there is plenty of room for improvement, but please don’t expect us to turn soft on sin, separation and the silly sinful fads of the day!
By Bill Mosley
The incentive for missions reaching out to lost humanity did not originate in the mind of man. It had its beginning in the mind of God in eternity past. The One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, continues to reach out to man, His prime creation. (Isa. 57:15) Before the fall Adam was accustomed to perfect communion with God. That relationship was severed when Adam sinned.
Since nothing is hidden from our omniscient God, Adam’s condition could not be concealed. Not only was that true with Adam but for every human on earth. It has forever been so, it is now and will forever be. (Heb. 4:13) “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” God was well aware of the time, place, and manner of Adam becoming alienated from walking with Him. Adam’s walk with God would never be the same as it had before. In Adam’s alienated condition God purposely sought him out, not the other way around.
Adam’s inability to find his way back into fellowship with God was passed on to his posterity. (Rom. 3:11) “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” Satan’s instinctive desire is to dull the mind of man and to discredit the Word of God. Every denial of truth has originated with Satan. His first question, “Hath God said,” (Gen. 3:1), was heeded by Adam and Eve. Thus leading to man’s degeneration. The next three questions came from God to Adam for his deliberation. These questions from God should make any man consider where he stands in relation to God and eternity. “Where art thou?” (Gen. 3:9). “Who told thee...” (Gen. 3:11). “What is this that thou hast done?” (Gen. 3:13) Where are you, who told you, and what have you done? Answering these questions honestly surely reveals to humanity their destitute condition before God.
Our obligation to lost humanity is to show men where they are without God. To know the answer to “Why Mission,?” we need only to understand the heart of God toward lost souls. Paul acquaints us with the mind of Christ as being of similar mind with God concerning man’s plight. (Phil. 2:5-8) Since Jesus and the Father are one, and the same God, both are equally involved in seeking and saving the lost. (John 10:30; Luke 19:10)
The Lord’s church and its every member must think seriously about “Why Missions?”. First of all because it is...
The Lord’s Commission
Jesus came into the world to follow and proclaim the Father’s pattern of seeking Adam. He in turn taught His disciples to do the same as He and the Father. Not only during His early ministry, but Jesus continued exhorting His disciples as the time drew near for His return into heaven. (John 20:21) “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” At least 15 times in the book of John, Jesus proclaimed the Father had sent Him. The authority to go is from the Father and His Son. As sons of God we are sent forth with the same Spirit of Christ. (Gal. 4:6) “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
The Lord has commissioned His church to follow the same pattern. No other organization has been so charged to go. That gives His church an awesome responsibility. Jesus began by sending the first church and instructing them what to preach. (Matt. 10:5-7) “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Preaching and proclaiming the truth was and is the only designated operation of the church. Instructing His disciples to never look back, Jesus also appointed another seventy to go into every city and place. The harvest of souls was eminent, and those who were involved were far too few. They not only were to go themselves but to earnestly pray that the Lord of the harvest would send other laborers into the harvest. (Luke 10:1-3) The instruction for the church is the same today as then. (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.”
Just before the Lord ascended back to heaven before the awe stricken disciples, Jesus once again reminded them of their charge. (Acts 1:8) “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Not only should missions be important because it is the Lord’s commission, but because of...
The Lack Of Contrition
Sinfulness not only worsened after the fall, but spiritual degeneration happened very rapidly. The overwhelming trait of humanity was and is the absence of a penitent heart. The degradation increased until only evil was found in the heart of man. (Gen. 6:5) If there had been a public school system in that day, the teachers would have been chastised for mentioning the name of God, if any were so inclined. Had the secular government used the motto, In God We Trust, some antediluvian law firm would have challenged its legality. Remember the Lord’s words in Luke 17:26. “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” When God spoke the following words through Ezekiel the priest, it did not stir the sin saturated heart of Israel. (Ezek. 7:5) “Thus saith the Lord GOD; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come.” The nation had a commonality, “an only evil” of heart, and such a condition had tranquilized their spiritual sensitivity.
Man has a heart problem. He lacks not only the ability but the desire to be sorry for sin. He does not have the knowledge to determine what is ahead for the unrepentant. (Jer. 17:9) “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” A deceitful heart may be found in the least obvious setting. King’s palaces are not exempt from a wicked heart. A king on his housetop fell through lust into a bed of sin. A president in his office blackened the position he held through fleshly lust. Situation ethics is not a new doctrine, but has been extensively used in high places to cover up a deceitful heart. King Solomon could say with authority, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” (Prov. 23:7). Paul’s solemn warning should sound an alarm to every wandering heart. (Heb. 3:12) “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Sinful man will indeed give an answer to God. (Rom. 14:12) “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” For those who are saved yet lethargic in service to God and His cause should keep this in mind: (Heb. 10:30c,31) “The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Not only should “Why Missions?” be correctly answered because of it being the Lord’s commission and the lack of contrition in the heart of man, but also because of...
The Lost’s Condition
Every man is alienated from God by his natural inclination to sin. Man was conceived in sin from his parents. (Psa. 51:5) Every mentally developed individual will eventually come to the place in life when they know without doubt they are destitute of eternal hope. Even then they may not know of the seriousness of their predicament. The church at Ephesus was reminded of this by Paul. (Eph. 2:12) “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:...”
This kind of condition can only worsen when humanity assumes they can manage for themselves. Devices to attain the goal of soul preservation is not a new view. Jeremiah faced a people who held to this very concept. Even after being made aware of one day answering to a Holy God, they still perceived they were secure in themselves. Although Israel was informed of their need to make their ways and doing good, they devised their own hopeless inventions. (Jer. 18:12) “There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.” In their heart they imagined their devices would work. They were determined to behave themselves according to their own twisted imaginations. When Noah and his family, with all air breathing animals, came from the ark, God made a statement of man’s condition from his youth. (Gen. 8:21) “...for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth;...” To avoid this truth in society today a person would have to be blind as a bat and deaf as a post.
Mission work is an essential, not a troublesome exertion. Souls are permanently hopeless without a Saviour. Sorrow grips the heart of a true believer when they think of someone dying without hope. Though sorrow comes with the passing of a saved loved one, it is not the same sorrow when those without hope depart this life. (1 Thes. 4:13) Death without Christ seals the eternal destination of a soul. In the direction a tree falls, there will it lay. (Eccl. 11:3) If a soul departs this life without the Saviour they will be forever lost. There is no purgatory for the lost between life on earth and an enlarged hell. The lost will hear these words from the Master: (Matt. 7:23) “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” At the final White Throne judgment this pronouncement will be carried out: (Rev. 20:15) “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” It is becoming unlawful for anyone to disparage fornication, adultery, or homosexuality. Yet the law of God for this immoral activity will never be invalidated. (Jude 7) “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” Here, leaded in the rock of God’s Word, is a specimen of God’s holy retribution against godless men and women. The vengeance of God is His justice executed against unrepentant sinners.
What a blessed consideration God has exemplified to lost humanity. This is proved in this fact that “God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9) The law of God that condemns lost sinners is overridden by another law. (Rom. 8:2) “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (See also John 3:18) Eternal condemnation is declared null and void by repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21) He is indeed able to save to the uttermost. (Heb. 7:25) “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
When the lost condition of humanity is considered, the why of missions is magnified. Preaching the Word of God becomes most important and pursuing the lost becomes preeminent. If the lost are to be reached with the Gospel of Christ some have to go and some have to send. (Rom. 10:14,15) “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” (Mark 16:15), is not a request but a command of the Captain of our salvation. The words of the mother of Jesus could be as well applied here as at the marriage in Cana of Galilee: “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”
Any local congregation of people will dwindle spiritually if missions is only a pastime. There may be as many cars in the parking lot as there was at Sardis. They had a name that they lived but no mission. They had the authority but forgot their assignment. Sardis may have been guilty of what many churches are today. Cutting funding of missions to be more functional to participate in movements.
May God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit touch our hearts toward missions. Amen.
Dear praying friends,
Over the years we have had much opposition from the Baptist Union. They just can’t seem to fathom the idea of Baptist Churches not being part of some man made denomination. Also, Baptist Union churches, as a rule, tend to be very liberal (I think the word they like is “progressive”). Over the years they have put the word out that Independent Baptist churches are not to be trusted.
The latest was when a Baptist Union woman told sister Sharon that we were a cult because, get this, we are against rock music! Imagine such a thing!
Well, she was right and wrong. We are against rock music, but that hardly qualifies us a cult.
This woman had been told that all Independent Baptist churches are against rock music. Would to God that were true. Sadly, some of them not only refuse to stand against it but have actually embraced it in their services.
The December 2004 issue of Calvary Contender gave the following quote from Rick Warren (who is not a Baptist). They wrote, “in The Purpose Driven Church (p. 279), Rick Warren boldly declares, ‘We use the style of music the majority of people in our church listen to on the radio – contemporary pop/rock.’ This is the world’s music, and it draws the worldly into the church. In plain words, the music in purpose-driven churches is not chosen because it pleases God, but man. Purpose-driven worship is less about worshiping God than about entertaining the ‘worshipers.’ That is its deliberate design. Thus, the music and the entire ‘program’ (like any secular performance) must appeal to the audience rather than to the One whom they are supposedly worshiping.” (Emphasis mine M.M.)
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17
In His service,
Bro. Mike Meredith,
Missionary to Australia
Randy Sanders Column
Re: A-J Editor Randy Sanders Opinion page column “Drunken drivers deadly menace” (A-J, 12-26).
Thanks to Randy Sanders. His recent Sunday column on drunken drivers was very timely.
The awful carnage caused by drunken drivers is a scandal. It is good to tell them not to drink and drive, but many of them will not heed the advice. Unfortunately, many belt down a few drinks and they are convinced that they are skillful drivers.
I strongly oppose the proposal to change the law so that only a vote of the City Council would be required to have a liquor election. The more alcohol that is made available, the more it will be bought and consumed.
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1)
E. L. BYNUM/Lubbock
Via e-mail
Christians Should Write Their Newspaper
By E. L. Bynum
The letter printed above, is one that I wrote to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal recently. They did publish it just as it is quoted above. This is only an imperfect attempt to express my thoughts for the public that reads the daily newspaper.
If more Christians would take time to write letters to the Editor of their newspaper, it could have some impact in public opinion. Letters must be fairly brief, or they will not be published. Remember to be respectful and use a certain amount of wisdom if you want your letter to be published. Most newspapers have certain rules as to length, etc. Consult your newspaper about their regulations. Many newspapers will accept a letter by email. Most newspapers require your name and address, but they will not publish your address.
Edited by E. L. Bynum
(Editor’s Note: In our News & Views column we quote from many different sources. Please understand that this does not necessarily mean that we approve of all of the publications from which we quote.)
Muslim School in Jewish Synagogue— Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, has a unique display of interfaith coexistence. A Jewish church has rented a portion of its building to a Muslim school. Pre-kindergartners through eighth grade studies Allah and Arabic along with secular subjects. The Rabbi of the synagogue gave the school students a presentation on Hannukah. Ecumenism is on the rise among those who claim Christianity. Watch for inter-religion activity to intensify as ecumenism continues to rise. (W. W. Mosley, hereafter WWM)
Satan Services Sailing— Naval technician Chris Cranmer, 24, has been allowed to register by the captain of HMS Cumberland, based at Davonport Naval Base in Plymouth. The move will mean that he will now be allowed to perform Satanic rituals on board the vessel. (BBC News, via Sword of the Lord, 12/17/04) The British Armed Forces have allowed this, but be sure they would never allow a Baptist chaplain to preach doctrinal messages from the KJV. Anton Szandor LaVey is the founder of the Church of Satan. Its birth place was San Francisco in 1966. This satanic event all started when Cranmer “stumbled across a copy of the Satanic Bible. LaVey died in 1997 and went to the place prepared for Satan and his angels (messengers). (Matt. 25:41) —WWM
Cloned Cat for Comfort— A 12/23/04 AP article reported the first cloned-to-order pet sold in the U.S. A Texas woman grieving over the death of her pet cat, banked the cat’s DNA for future use. A 9 week old kitten was delivered at the cost of $50,000. Where a man’s treasure is there will his heart be also. If this kind of heart was focused on missions, think of how many missionaries could benefit from this amount. Guess who will be in the final will of this woman. (Psa. 49:10) “...the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.” —WWM
God Blessed America— A conservative writer and history professor says historical documents from America’s founding fathers clearly indicate they intended for the country to be a Christian nation. Dr. Thomas E. Woods is the author of the recently published Politically Incorrect Guide to American History. He says revisionists have done a good job of hiding the vision that the nation’s founders truly had for America. “It was just absolutely taken for granted that this is, by and large, a Christian people,” Woods says. “And as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Joseph Storey said in the early 19th century, it was understood from the beginning that Christianity was to be in effect the religion of the people and would be looked upon benignly – and even directly and indirectly promoted – by the federal government.” (AgapePress, 12/23/04) God blessed America because its founders placed their trust in His divine salvation and preservation. No liberals crossed the Atlantic to flee biblical Christianity. It was the Christ of Christianity that brought them here. —WWM
The Obstetrician’s Fault?— The South Carolina Supreme Court has thrown out a so-called “wrongful life” lawsuit by a mother who claims she would have aborted her child had she known he was severely disabled. Jennie Willis brought the suit on behalf of her eight-year-old son, who is missing most of his brain. Her attorneys argue that she would never have wanted her son to live such a difficult existence, and that a doctor should have warned her in time to get an abortion. (AgapePress, 12/22/04) Those who hold that abortion is not an act against a person might agree with the mother. They argue that it takes full development to produce another human. Yet abortion is murder any time after conception. This mother’s son is yet underdeveloped. If she will wait, God will fully develop her son in eternity. A civilization with no compassion is the result of a society with no Christ. Moral deterioration is a modern day black plague that can only be controlled by a spiritual transfusion with the blood of Christ. —WWM
A Mainly Ignored Fact— “The ACLU is never going to change. It is an anti-American organization. It is a group that seeks to destroy all that makes America a unique experiment in freedom. It is an organization in league with all of America’s enemies. It is an organization that hates God, hates what is right, decent and morally upright.” (Joseph Farah, WND editor.)
The Cost Is More Than $s— Proposition 71 established the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and authorized the sale of $300 million in bonds each year for a decade to fund the research. It has been estimated Californians will have to pay back $6 billion for 30 years for the bonds. The initiative not only supports embryonic stem cell research but permits the cloning of human embryos for research purposes, which also destroys the tiny human beings. That specific type of cloning is also referred to as “therapeutic cloning.” (Baptist Press, 12/27/04) $6 billion is not the only cost in this project. Premeditated murder carries the death penalty. Likely the ACLU will not pick up on this ‘injustice.’ —WWM
Entertainment Evangelism— “Recording artist Matthew Blagg will be performing at a public concert this Sunday ... at the 1st Baptist Church, Mangum, OK. Everyone is invited to this exciting musical event.” (Mangum Star, 12/30/04) This evidences a continuing move of many SBC churches toward modernization in worship(?). Blagg records contemporary Christian music and is used widely in ecumenical circles. He will be performing at the Nat’l. Pastors Convention, 2005 where speakers from many denominational walks will be speaking. Women pastors will be featured there, among whom will be Rick Warren’s wife, Kay. Others speakers are Lee Strobel, Tony Campolo, Ed Dobson, and many others. The key word in this announcement from 1st Bapt. Ch. is “performing.” Blagg says, “[Music] can tear down walls and build bridges between the generations, and between cultures.” Jesus said of His message: (Luke 12:51) “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:” Read the following two verses. Sounds like Jesus has a different message than Matt Blagg or 1st Bapt. Ch. —WWM
‘Purpose Driven’s’ Purpose— When ... “fundamental” brethren cooperate in Warren’s 40 Days of Purpose they are aligning themselves with Assembly of God, Anglican, Baptist Union, and the Salvation Army to name just a few. This is from Rick Warren’s Saddleback web site: “......musical experiences ranges from accompanying the praise and worship music of John Tesh to playing with secular grunge rockers to performing with some of the top jazz musicians in the country. He also plays in Saddleback’s worship band on the weekends and in Purpose Driven Church conferences held on the Saddleback campus.” ...The leaven of the world’s music has permeated the camp of the new evangelicals and has now spread into the camp of the fundamentalists and there does not look like there is going to be a purging anytime soon. (Aus. Ind. Bapt., 1/05)
Rock & Roll Episcopal Bishop— “Rock and roll may once have been regarded as the devil’s music, but the Rt. Rev. John Bryson Chane, Episcopal Bishop of Washington, has found a way to make it do the Lord’s work. Chane, a former rock and blues drummer, has just released a compact disc featuring the foot-stomping, sweat-raising reunion concert that he and five band mates played at a Washington-area hotel in April. Proceeds from the sale of The Chane Gang...... The disc is composed of 13 rock and blues classics, including Mustang Sally, Not Fade Away, Gimme Some Lovin’ and Suzy Q.” (Episcopal News Ser., 12/9/04) The Editor of Australia Independent News, 12/28/04, reminds us: (2 Peter 2:22) “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
The World Hated Jesus First— Four Christians are facing up to 47-years in prison and $90,000 in fines for preaching the Gospel on a public sidewalk, a right fully protected by the First Amendment. On October 10, 2004, the four Christians were arrested in Philadelphia. They are part of Repent America. Along with founder Michael Marcavage, members of Repent America – with police approval – were preaching near Outfest, a homosexual event, handing out Gospel literature and carrying banners with Biblical messages. When they tried to speak, they were surrounded by a group of radical homosexual activists dubbed the Pink Angels. A videotape of the incident shows the Pink Angels interfering with the Christians’ movement on the street, holding up large pink symbols of angels to cover up the Christians’ messages and blowing high pitched whistles to drown out their preaching. Rather than arrest the homosexual activists and allow the Christians to exercise their First Amendment rights, the Philadelphia police arrested and jailed the Christians! (Am. Family Assoc. Online) (John 15:18) “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”
Can Marriage Be Saved?— Marriage is in trouble in the U.S. assaulted by a fearful divorce rate, soaring cohabitation, sex and childbearing increasingly detached from wedlock, and now, thanks to “gay” activists, a redefining. In Scandinavia, marriage has become virtually a minority option. In African American society, children are more likely to be born outside of marriage than not. (11/04 Chr. Today) Consider: (1) Lifelong healthy marriage is good (2) Divorce is extremely bad for children, as is angry parental conflict (3) Hostile, ”get-it-all-out“ communication destroys marriages (4) Living together before marriage leads to increased divorce. (CC,12/04)
From Apathy To Atheism— A recent poll indicates a striking decrease in the number of people in Britain who believe in God. In 1968, a Gallup poll found that 77 percent of people said they believe in God, but that number has fallen to just 44 percent today, according to the Telegraph in London. ...just 38 percent of Britons believe in heaven and 23 percent believe in hell.” (BP , 1/14/05) There will come a time that no poll will have to be taken on this matter. The reason being: “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Rom. 14:11) This not only applies to the Brits but to all nations and people. —WWM
God Bless America!!— On Tuesday President George W. Bush said that he doesn’t “...see how anyone could be president without a relationship with the Lord.” In an exclusive interview with the Washington Times he answered a question about the lawsuits to stop references to God in the inauguration by saying, “First of all, I will have my hand on the Bible.” (Religious Freedom Coalition, 1/14/05) Thank God for a president that is not ashamed to admit he calls upon God. Pray that he will take the same stand as Nebuchadnezzar. (Dan. 3:29) “Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.” —WWM
Another ‘Cowboy Church’— Years ago there was a ‘Cowboy Church’ which sprang up at the Rodeo Arena in Lubbock, TX. Another in Altus, OK has just had their first anniversary celebration event. Their drawing theme is that it is a ‘non-traditional’ service. The article names the couple who founded the church on 1/18/04. That is not so non-traditional. Like all other churches founded after Jesus established His church, they are doing their own thing. The church is “reaching out to people who like horses, cattle, and farming,” etc. The people that may attend there are “intact families, divorced, single-parent families, one parent working and the other attending, one gone hunting or fishing then coming for the service and then going back,...” (Altus Times, 1/14/05) Seems like some of this is fairly traditional. Especially those “gone hunting or fishing.” Except some never come back. Nothing said about preaching, but then someone besides Jesus founded the SW Cowboy Church. (2 Tim. 4:2) —WWM
Ecumenical Solidarity— “An inter-faith service is to be held in Sydney......to show solidarity through prayer for the tsunami victims. Organized by the NSW Ecumenical Council, the gathering will include Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Christian representatives.” (Reported in AIB Newsletter,1/16/05) The Editor of the AIBN is on target when he points out in 2 Cor. 6:14,15 there can be no unequal fellowship. Certainly every sane person with a heart for souls cannot help but lament that great tragedy. The greatest catastrophe is not the loss of possessions, but it is the thought that so many died without Christ. —WWM
Crisis Without Christ— Crisis pregnancies often end in crisis abortions. Most post-abortion moms were encouraged to have abortions and convinced the decision was tantamount to having some unwanted tissue removed from their womb. But after abortion, many women experience grief, especially later when they desire pregnancy when starting a family. Most grieve in silence because of shame, often fearing condemnation from both their home and church families. (The Federalist Patriot, 1/19/05) Fearing the condemnation of God is far greater than the censure from all others combined. The greatest deficiency of a murderous society is clarified in Rom. 3:18. “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” There is great wisdom in developing the fear of God. (Prov. 1:7) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” —WWM
Christian Symbol Troublesome— Anything that remotely promotes Christianity is troublesome to the far left. Even the U.S. Secret Service are afraid they might be maligned if they permitted too much leniency toward Christianity. “As reported by Talon News last week, the Christian Defense Coalition requested the Secret Service take away language in their list of banned items for the Inaugural Parade that specifically prohibited crosses from being included in public displays by those in attendance. Crosses had been named among other contraband in a list of items disallowed at this event.” (Talon News, 1/18/05) The director of Christian Def. Coal. had this to say about it. “It is very troubling for federal law enforcement to suggest that somehow a cross presents a greater danger to national security than other religious symbols.” Be sure the emblem of Islam would not be prohibited if it was made out of cast iron. The homosexual crowd also was permitted a section ‘roped off’ especially for them. —WWM
Abortion’s Anguish— “Norma McCorvey, the former ‘Jane Roe’ whose case first legalized abortion on demand 32 years ago, says she is formally asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take her case and to reverse Roe v. Wade, or at least, order a trial on the merits. McCorvey’s case cites the sworn testimony of more than 1,000 women hurt by abortion.” (Talon News, 1/19/05) Ms. McCorvey states how she now feels about abortion. “With Each child aborted, there is another tragedy: the harm to the mother... I’ve worked in abortion facilities, and I’ve seen firsthand the horrific nature of abortion and its devastation to women and girls.” It is impossible to un-abort a child. But the murder of the unborn could be stopped. —WWM
Discrimination Against Christian Students— “A school district that limits the religious expression of Christian students is allowing Muslim students to skip class to observe the month of Ramadan. The New York City Department of Education has given Muslim students at Brooklyn International High School permission to miss class four consecutive Fridays to observe the religious holiday.” (AG, 10/25/04) You can be assured that no grade affecting tests will be given on these days. Islam is gaining respect it doesn’t deserve. It has depressed every nation where it is the majority religion. Our nation will not be exempt unless God intervenes. It should make us tremble to suppose these words were said to America. (Jer. 7:28) “. . . This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.” —WWM
CCM Industry Is About Money, Popularity, & Glorifying The Artists— Dave Hunt writes (11/04 Berean Call): “...[I]t should be obvious to any thinking observer that today’s ‘worship music’ is designed to please man, even the carnal and unsaved, and not God. In The Purpose Driven Church (p. 279), Rick Warren boldly declares, ‘We use the style of music the majority of people in our church listen to on the radio ......contemporary pop/rock.’ This is the world’s music, and it draws the worldly into the church. In plain words, the music in purpose-driven churches is not chosen because it pleases God, but man. Purpose-driven worship is less about worshiping God than about entertaining the ‘worshipers.’ That is its deliberate design. Thus, the music and the entire ‘program’ (like any secular performance) must appeal to the audience rather than to the One whom they are supposedly worshiping...” Seeker friendly mega-churches in an extreme zeal for growth are “purposely” designed to give “worshipers” what they want. (Calvary Contender, hereafter CC.)
J. I. Packer Said Charismatic Movement Is Of God— J. I. Packer, while still a Regent College professor and a senior editor of Christianity Today, said the Charismatic Movement “must be adjudged a work of God.” (July 15, 1989 CC) He said it is in the mainstream of historic evangelical orthodoxy on key doctrines. He said, “If the charismatics err, they err only by expecting to receive from God, whose face they seek, more than he actually promised.” Packer said: “Sharing charismatic experience...is often declared...to unify Protestants and Roman Catholics at a deeper level than that at which their doctrine divides them. This, if so, gives charismaticism great ecumenical significance.” New Evangelical theologians such as Packer lend respectability to the Charismatic Movement, which then in turn, has become a catalyst for the ecumenical movement’s world church of Antichrist. Some individual charismatics them-selves may be “of God” but the movement itself has many heretical doctrines. —CC
‘The Prosperity Gospel’ — In a 1997 TBN telecast, Paul Crouch said: “If you have been healed or saved or blessed through TBN and have not contributed ...... you are robbing God and will lose your reward in heaven.” John Hagee says: “When you give, it qualifies you to receive of God’s abundance,” and, Hagee adds, “If God gives to you before you give to Him, God Himself will become a liar. If you are not prospering, it’s because you are not giving.” (Dr. Ralph Colas, IBFNA’s The Review) Another popular charismatic, Benny Hinn, is quoted in the December 14 Alabama Baptist (and December 4 CC) as saying salvation and healing should never be separate. —CC
AIDS In Africa— AIDS kills about 6,000 people each day in Africa, more than wars, famines, and floods. Life expectancy in Botswana has dropped to 44. It has 70,000 orphans. Uganda became the first African country to beat back its AIDS epidemic, and AIDS there has declined dramatically through a U.S. funded abstinence/condoms/prevention program. (11/6 World).
Islam Is Most Violent— Alvin J. Schmidt, a U.S. sociologist and theologian, in a new book, describes Islam as “the most violent religion the world has ever known.” (9/20 C. News) It’s not a religion of peace, as the trendy mantra goes. —CC
Quotes On Fundamentalism— Missionary Rocco Piserchia said Andy Rooney attributed voters’ reliance on religion in the recent election to ignorance. “I am an atheist,” Rooney said. “I’m sure I’ll offend a lot of people by saying this, but I think religion’s all nonsense.” He said Christian fundamentalism is a result of a lack of education. “They haven’t been exposed to what the world has to offer.” Prof. Gerd Ludemann describes liberal theology as “contemptible.” “I don’t think Christians know what they mean when they proclaim Jesus as Lord of the world. That is a massive claim. If you took that seriously, you would probably have to be a fundamentalist. If you can’t be a fundamentalist, then you should give up Christianity for the sake of honesty.” (Al Mohler, 11/23/04 Crosswalk, adapted excerpts) —CC
Movie Ratings Now Less Strict— Today’s movies contain significantly more violence, sex and profanity on average than movies of the same rating a decade ago (9/16 Ala. Bapt.). A movie rated PG-13 today contains comparable content to an R-rated movie a decade ago, according to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health. (Calvary Contender, hereafter CC)
Is It Hate Speech To Collect Bible Verses On Homosexuality?— Last year a Pentecostal pastor in Sweden was found guilty of offending homosexuals in a sermon and sentenced to one month in prison under a trial test of a law against a law against incitement (9/04 Chr. Today). He had described homosexuality as “abnormal,” and called homosexuals “perverts.” The prosecutor played an excerpt from the sermon, called it an attack, and said: “Collecting Bible [verses] on this topic as he does makes this hate speech.” —CC
Christian Coalition, Casinos, Catholicism— Ralph Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition (similar in many ways to Moral Majority), admits to accepting $1.23 million in consulting fees tied to Indian-run gambling casinos (9/9 Ala. Baptist), but he says he never advocated in favor of gambling. Meanwhile, Alabama Christian Coalition head, John Giles, has found his home in the Roman Catholic church. Dave Hunt comments on this: “The Catholic Church teaches that a person must be baptized and become good enough to enter heaven.......But the Bible declares that no one can ever be good enough to merit heaven. Salvation is a gift of God.......” —CC
Muslim Terrorism & AIDS— “Infidels” have “hijacked” the supposedly “peaceful” religion of Islam. Hurricanes and terrorism have taken a terrible recent toll. Yet: “HIV/AIDS globally is already the worst disaster in recorded human history.” (Record) In Africa, some 28 million have the AIDS virus. (7/24 World) Despite the U.S. record $15 billion initiative (more than all other countries combined!) to fight the global spread of HIV, we are disdainfully pilloried by AIDS activists. —CC
Word Faith Danger— Word Faith is the fastest growing movement within the professed Christian church. Two closely [related] factions are involved. The first is the Norman Vincent Peale (“positive thinking,”) Robert Schuller (“possibility thinking”) with their roots in the Hagin, Copeland positive confession. Here you run across such names as E.W. Kenyon and Wm. Branham (Faith & Freedom). Kenneth Copeland denies Christ achieved our salvation on the Cross. In his magazine he denies the deity of Christ and says “that every Christian is guaranteed physical healing and financial prosperity.” —CC
Fundamentalism Is Not New— It is a mistake often made by educated persons who happen to have but little knowledge of historical theology to suppose that fundamentalism is a new and strange form of thought. It is nothing of the kind; it is the partial and uneducated survival of a theology which was once universally held by all Christians. How many were there, for instance, in Christian churches in the 18th century who doubted the inspiration of all Scripture? A few, perhaps, but very few. No, the fundamentalist may be wrong; I think that he is. But it is we who have departed from the tradition, not he, and I am sorry for the fate of anyone who tries to argue with a fundamentalist on the basis of authority. The Bible and the corpus theologicum of the Church is on the fundamentalist side. - Kirsop Lake, via Frontline (CC)
Islam & Christianity Equal Religions?— Fuller Seminary has received a $1 million grant from the Justice Department to help fund a project aimed at calming relations between Christians and Muslims, seeming to promote the idea that the two are equally acceptable religions. Its proposed interfaith code of ethics rejects offensive statements about each other’s faiths, affirms a mutual belief in one God, and pledges not to proselytize. Nearly 100 retired SBC missionaries signed a plea in June asking Christian leaders to refrain from making inflammatory public statements about Islam which would harm missionary work in Muslim lands (1/3/04 World). A SBC spokesman said “for Fuller to declare that Christians and Muslims worship the same God would be a radical departure.”(12/8 Agape) The Council on Amer.-Islamic Relations is demanding an apology from Paul Harvey for referring to Islam as “a religion which encourages killing.” (Calvary Contender, hereafter CC)
China Crushes House Churches— Inside sources say Red China is crushing the house church movement. It considers unregistered churches political subversives. Protestant churches can register only through the China Christian Council and its related Three-Self Patriotic Movement. Both closely cooperate with the Communist regime, which forbids worship outside state-backed official “patriotic” religious bodies (1/04 Chr. Today). Worship is allowed only in government-monitored churches, temples, and mosques. In a two-month period beginning last mid-August, authorities closed or bulldozed over 100 churches in one town. (12/23 Huntsville Times). Today, about 15 million Protestants and 10 million Catholics worship in the official churches. Millions more belong to unofficial house churches. —CC
Faith-Based Funding Rules Still Apply— In 2000 Congress voted to give $600,000 to fund Bowery Mission’s summer camp for at-risk youth through the Dept. of Justice. But a Justice Dept. bureaucrat said Bowery couldn’t receive the money unless it stopped hiring only Christians. Bowery said that would destroy its mission. After a year of wrangling, Justice let the grant go through on a one-time deal (Jan. ‘04). So all the rules are still in effect and Christian organizations can’t get Justice Department grants if they hire only Christians. Washington runs what it funds! —CC
Toronto Drops Laughter & Bizarre Noises— A decade ago charismatic worshippers at a small church near Toronto’s airport began laughing uncontrollably. They also made animal noises – braying, barking, howling and roaring. They collapsed to the floor, staggered as if drunk, shook and jerked; wept, wailed and yelped. Faces contorted, groans, and bodies prone on the floor, “slain in the spirit.” (12/27 HT) These wild manifestations were called “Holy laughter,” “laughing revival,” “signs and wonders,” etc., but now dubbed “the Toronto Blessing.” In 1996, the church was kicked out of the Vineyard movement for being too extreme. —CC
SBC To Depart BWA— The Southern Baptist Convention is almost certain to drop out of the Baptist World Alliance this year, saying it is becoming too liberal and “openly advocating aberrant and dangerous theologies.” (12/20/03 HT) Since the SBC is the BWA’s largest and most generous member this would be a huge blow to the BWA which received $300,000 last year from it. The alliance is understandably upset. Its leader Denton Lotz called it a tragic move that would “bring a schism within the life of our worldwide Baptist family and thus is a sin against love.” But James Draper, an SBC leader, says the alliance “seems to have lost its doctrinal moorings and shows no desire to engage in the kinds of discussions that would return the organization to its biblical foundation.” See 2 Cor. 6:14-17. —CC
RC Bishop Refuses Communion To Pro— Abortion Politicians -A pro-life group is praising a Roman Catholic bishop for using the authority of his office to deal with what it calls a public scandal. Bishop Raymond Burke of La Crosse, Wis., has issued a formal decree barring pro-abortion Catholic politicians from receiving Communion. (1/13 RT) Burke, a Catholic legislator who supports procured abortion or euthanasia, after knowing the teaching of the Church, commits a manifestly grave sin which is a cause of most serious scandal for others. Since Amer. Life League’s effort began last year, it has identified over 500 state and federal officeholders who claim to be Catholic while making public pronouncements on abortion that are contrary to Church teachings. ALL will continue to publish the names of public officials who claim the Catholic faith, yet ignore the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life. We will continue to...send a loud and clear message to all Catholic public officials: “You cannot be pro-abortion and Catholic.” —CC
NRB Conference— This takes place in Charlotte this year (Feb. 13-18) and, true to form, includes ecumenical speakers and CCM singers. Speakers include: Chuck Swindoll, Franklin Graham, Adrian Rogers, John Piper, Michael Cassidy, Chip Ingram, and Janet Parshall. Music by: Talley Trio, Larnelle Harris, and Stuart Neill. Pres. Bush and Tom DeLay are invited. Dr. Colas will attend with press credentials. —CC
Maxwell & New Age— A Nov. Faith And Freedom article lists three disturbing things about popular author John Maxwell. First is the manner in which he handles the Scriptures to “teach” his principles is sometimes egregiously mistaken.... Second he either implicitly or explicitly endorses some New Age teachers and doctrines. Third in addition to the New Age elements peppered throughout his material, Maxwell also employs questionable theological doctrines, such as the mistaken notion of the miraculous, a conspicuous absence of the cross, and questionable psychological doctrines (self-esteem, etc.). —CC