In the article that follows, you will see the most enlightening article, written by Dr. Elmer Towns a close associate of Jerry Falwell and the Co-Founder of Liberty University. Elmer Towns is a skilled writer and a recognized leader in evangelical and fundamental circles. He has written a number of books and articles in religious magazines and papers.

The Cat Is out of the Bag

At long last Dr. Towns has let the cat out of the bag, and has revealed what the International Baptist Alliance is all about. The Baptist Bible Tribune and other fundamental publications have glossed this over in previous articles. Since they have a hard sell to get the IBN accepted by many churches and pastors, they have only told us part of the story. According to previous articles, the IBN was only a group of three or more fundamental Baptist Fellowships getting together in a loose network of churches.

NOW we are finding out that the IBN is to be a substitute for the corrupt liberal Baptist World Alliance. Now we are finding out that the Southern Baptist Convention and other Baptist groups are going to be a part of it. It is clearly an attempt to link the more conservative Baptists of the world into an organization to counter act the WBA. This is quite a revelation of the entire scheme which will lead to compromise in doctrine and standards of separation.

We have reproduced the entire article by Elmer Towns for evidence, so that you can see with your own eyes what he has written. If honest Bible believing Baptists in the various fundamental Baptist fellowships were really informed they would bail out of the IBN, if they have the guts to do so.

BWA Has a Long History of Apostasy

Town implies, if he does not state, that the Baptist World alliance has a rather recent slip into apostasy and compromise. He says, “the historic Baptist World Alliance traded its evangelistic fervor in favor of more leftist social policies, a new tide of conservative Baptist cooperation began swelling through the International Baptist Network....” This seems to say that the IBN was only started to counteract the BWA, since it had adopted leftist social policies. The real truth is that the BWA has been apostate for the majority of its 99-year history. For many, many years the Southern Baptist Convention has been the largest financial supporter of this modernistic alliance. My question is, why did not the SBC separate from the BWA many years ago? Southern Baptists should bow their head in shame for the vast amounts of money that they have fed to this monster. It was not until 2004 that the SBC stopped supporting the BWA. Shame, shame that they waited so long.

He states, “The SBCs action was not hasty. First, it set up a study committee to determine the future connection between itself and the BWA. The committee noted, ‘A decidedly anti-American tone has emerged [within the BWA] in recent years.’” That is the understatement of the year. Seventy years ago true fundamental Baptists were exposing the BWA, but for all these years the SBC has faithfully been the largest supporter of the BWA.

Former SBC President Jack Graham stated, “The Baptist World Alliance is becoming a marginalized organization which is having a smaller and smaller influence on the Gospel of Christ around the world.” His statement that “the BWA is becoming a marginalized organization,” is very deceptive, since the BWA has been outside the realm of Bible believers for most of its history.

SBC’s Withdrawal From BWA Spawns IBN

His article states, “The SBC’s high-profile departure from the Baptist World Alliance last summer set the stage for a new alliance. On February 9, at the Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas, the first public meeting of the International Baptist Network (IBN) drew representatives from more than three dozen denominations, theological seminaries, colleges and mission boards, and individual churches.”

This is a clear admission that the SBC was a major force in the founding of the IBN. I doubt that many in the organized fellowships had any idea of this in the early meetings of the IBN. He goes on to write, “Further, they are committed to partnering together in Great Commission projects to impact all nations with Bible morality and in expressions of human compassion.” This brings the Baptist Bible Fellowship, World Baptist Fellowship, and the Southwide Baptist Fellowship into a “partnering” relation with the Southern Baptist Convention. This is a fundamentalist sell out and compromise of the fellowships and the SBC.

Towns wrote the following, “Dr. Rawlings noted that many of the Independent Baptists present in Dallas had at one time criticized the Southern Baptists for its ‘liberalism.’ But he noted that, beginning in 1979 when the fundamentalists of the SBC began moving the Convention toward the right, the new leadership dealt with their liberal fringe elements that had gained control of its institutions. Hence, today the Southern Baptist Convention stands unashamedly for its historic roots upon which it was initially founded.”

Has the SBC Removed the Modernist?

The Baptist Convention of Texas (SBC) has not dealt with the modernists in the Convention. It is the largest of all of the SBC state Conventions, and it is badly divided, and the liberals seem to be in control. None of the SBC Colleges in Texas have been purged from modernism. The SBC Colleges are all controlled by the State Conventions, and not by the national SBC. Baylor University, Waco, TX is the largest Baptist University in the world and it is firmly in the hands of the modernists. They have started a Seminary there called Truett Seminary. It is not controlled by the national SBC. It is liberal to the core.

The State Conventions are riddled with modernism and who knows if they will ever be cleaned up? There are 19 SBC churches listed in the Lubbock telephone directory and we do not think they are all listed. Some of these churches are large and there is no indication that the majority of them are in favor of removing the liberals. Space will not allow me to reprint all the compromise that we have exposed in these churches in the past. Second Baptist Church is completely committed to liberalism.

SBC Controls the Seminaries

The president of the SBC appoints the board members of their various Seminaries. By electing the more Conservative presidents for a number of years, they have been able to greatly improve the Seminaries. Now Southern Baptist Seminary (the oldest) in Louisville, KY, and Southwestern Baptist Seminary (the largest) in Ft. Worth, TX, are run by presidents such as Paige Patterson, and Albert Mohler. They are in the Conservative wing of the SBC. Other Seminaries have also been affected. Who knows if the many State colleges will ever be cleaned up?

The Fellowships Have Departed From Their Founders

The article by Towns claims SBC has dealt with the liberal fringe elements in the SBC. (They are not fringe elements and they have not been dealt with.) Then he goes on to write, “At the same time, many Independent Baptist groups have struggled with uncompromising members of the right over issues of second-degree separation, hyper-legalism and a King James-only Bible.” What a revelation that statement is. The Independent Baptist groups have dealt with the Bible believers. Believe me you, this is not the only three issues in which they have departed. Baptist distinctives on the doctrine of baptism and the Lord’s Supper have also been abandoned, along with modest apparel and decent non-contemporary music.

In the first place the WBF, BBFI, and SBF are not Independent Baptists. True Independent Baptist Churches refuse to be a part of these unscriptural organizations. The WBF and the BBFI flowed out of the fundamentalist movement. Dr. J. Frank Norris, the fiery pastor of First Baptist Church, Ft. Worth, TX, is the daddy of the World Baptist Fellowship. It was an outgrowth of his exposing the rampant modernism in the SBC in the 1930 — 1950. It really came into being in the latter half of the 1930"s. It continued to flourish until 1950 when a large number of pastors pulled out of the WBF and organized the Baptist Bible Fellowship. The daddy and recognized leader of the BBF was G. B. Vick, pastor of the Temple Baptist Church, Detroit, MI. He had been an associate of Norris for many years before the split.

Norris and Vick have been betrayed by their followers by going into the IBN with the Southern Baptists. It is my sincere belief that neither one of them would have joined the IBN. I personally observed both of them when they were still alive. It is clear that the WBF and the BBFI are going into the IBN with Southern Baptists, which will mean the eventual death of the Fellowships. This whole thing is proof that the fight has departed from these former fighting fundamentalist. When I think of a Network, I think of a spider web which is a skillfully constructed network to catch flies and other bugs that the spider will devour. The spider of the IBN has woven a fine web to catch Baptists.

The daddy of the Southwide Baptist Fellowship is Dr. Lee Roberson, pastor (at that time) of the Highland Park Baptist Church of Chattanooga, TN. He is still alive while in his 90"s. Now his followers are leading his movement into the IBN (web).

Towns’ article contains the following paragraph.

“Dr. Randy Ray, pastor of North Florida Baptist Church in Tallahassee, said, ‘The IBN is possible because the SBC has dealt with its liberal left and Independent Baptists have dealt with its radical right.’”

I must say that the WBF and BBFI have done a better job of dealing with their “radical right,” than has the SBC. The “radical right” should have been called Bible believers. They had enough guts to get out of their unscriptural Fellowships, and now they are the real Independent Baptists.

IBN Headed by a Southern Baptist

We have stated this in a previous issue, but we will let Mr. Towns tell us again in his own words.

“Dr. Gene Mims became the executive director/president of the International Baptist Network after having been president of LifeWay Christian Resources of the SBC for 13 years. LifeWay is by far the largest Southern Baptist division. It was formerly known as the Sunday School Board of the SBC.”

There you have it straight from the horses mouth. Need I say more? Perhaps at a later date I will have more to say. Thank the Lord for freedom to print the truth.

DR. ELMER TOWNS
Co-Founder, Liberty University

The preaching of the Gospel is like a roaring river that cannot be dammed up by liberalism, bureaucracy or apathy. When one church loses its evangelistic zeal, God raises up another church to flood the area with the Gospel. When one denomination caves in to liberalism, God elevates another group to cover that area with the preaching of His Word.

So it was when the historic Baptist World Alliance traded its evangelistic fervor in favor of more leftist social policies, a new tide of conservative Baptist cooperation began swelling through the International Baptist Network (IBN), an emerging movement of Baptist groups that is committed to remaining faithful to the authority of Scripture and fostering a passion to evangelize the world.

The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) was made up of 211 Baptist unions and conventions, comprising a community of approximately 110 million Baptists in more than 200 countries around the world.[1] But when the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) dropped out of the BWA in the summer of 2004, that number significantly dropped. Paige Patterson, then-SBC president, noted the “continual leftward drift in the Baptist World Alliance,” in announcing the SBC’s departure after a 99-year association.

The BWA was originally organized to be at the forefront of worldwide evangelism and to respond to the humanitarian needs of people everywhere. But in the summer of 2004, the SBC voted to withdraw its membership from the Baptist World Alliance and encouraged its executive committee to empower what it termed a Kingdom Group Task Force “to continue studying how the SBC may establish an even closer bond with conservative evangelical Christians around the world.”[2]

The SBCs action was not hasty. First, it set up a study committee to determine the future connection between itself and the BWA. The committee noted, “A decidedly anti-American tone has emerged [within the BWA] in recent years. Continued emphasis on women as pastors, frequent criticism of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptists, refusal to allow open discussion on issues such as abortion, and the funding of questionable enterprises through Baptist World Alliance provide just a surface sampling of what has transpired in recent years.” The committee further said the BWA, “Gave apparent approval to aberrant theologies.”[3]

Former SBC President Jack Graham stated, “The Baptist World Alliance is becoming a marginalized organization which is having a smaller and smaller influence on the Gospel of Christ around the world. Southern Baptists desire to work with like-minded believers who share our strategic commitment to the Word of God and to the message of Christ.”[4] In essence, the Southern Baptists wanted to aggressively preach the Gospel to the unsaved, confer its money to the needy without religious compromise, and be true to its Baptist roots. The SBC leadership determined that this could not happen through the association with BWA.

An Ensuing Alliance

The SBC’s high-profile departure from the Baptist World Alliance last summer set the stage for a new alliance. On February 9, at the Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas, the first public meeting of the International Baptist Network (IBN) drew representatives from more than three dozen denominations, theological seminaries, colleges and mission boards, and individual churches. Many came to find out what God was doing and to determine if they wanted to be a part of this fledgling new movement.

The IBN had an earlier organizational meeting in Atlanta on April 24, 2003, where a handful of Baptist leaders began looking at the New Hampshire Confession of 1833 as a foundational accord for their cooperation. That celebrated theological statement had become the doctrinal foundation for the Southern Baptists, Baptist Bible Fellowship, World Baptist Fellowship, Southwide Baptist Fellowship and many Baptist groups around the world. That early group reformatted the articles, updated the language and clarified the expressions of eschatology, then christened it “The Georgia Baptist Confession.”

They wrote the following Preamble: The International Baptist Network is a network of Baptists whose fellowship is founded on the historical Baptist Confession, in harmony for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission.”

The group’s membership policy is simple, “It is the policy of the International Baptist Network to invite participation from pastors, missionaries and any Christian servant or layman who embraces the beliefs expressed in the Georgia Baptist Confession of 2004, and agrees in purpose to consummate the Great Commission in our lifetime. Further, as the ‘face of the 21st Century Baptists,’ we agree to stand uncompromisingly for the Word of God, commit ourselves to global evangelism and pledge to do all things with excellence.”[5]

The IBN is comprised of many Baptist groups that stand uncompromisingly for the authority of the Word of God. They are committed to global evangelism as their driving force and to cooperation and harmony with all Bible-believing Baptists to bring individuals into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Further, they are committed to partnering together in Great Commission projects to impact all nations with Bible morality and in expressions of human compassion.

How does IBN plan to carry out these lofty goals? First, they are committed to promoting fellowship of IBN endeavors in every nation so that Bible-believing Baptist missionaries can develop a strategy of evangelism, church planting and are able to present the Gospel to every person with every means possible. Second, IBN plans a visible testimony to all levels of government with a view of impacting public policy with the morality of Christianity. Third, IBM will conduct a number of national and international conferences to encourage local churches, pastors and workers to evangelism and prayer in carrying out the work of Jesus Christ.

The meeting was hosted by Dr. John Rawlings, former pastor of Cincinnati’s Landmark Baptist Temple, who said, “This is a great day to which we have come because we who believe in the authority of every syllable of the Word of God; we can get together to evangelize the world in our lifetime.” He went on to say, “This meeting is unprecedented; we’re rewriting history.”

Dr. Rawlings also stated, “Our denominational labels are not doctrine, and this meeting is not about denominational labels; this meeting is about the fundamentals of the faith.” He added that when all agree on the teaching of the Word of God, our relationship together will come out of our convictions, while our convictions will come out of the Word of God. He said our conviction is that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, which is our only authority.[6]

Dr. Rawlings, who at age 91 is the senior statesman of Baptists, set further standards for the cooperation: “Our conviction about baptism is a symbol of a professed truth that Jesus Christ lived sinlessly as no other man lived, that He died a substitute for sin as no other man died, and that He rose again to give life to all those who believe in Him. So we baptize to bind our allegiance to Jesus Christ because of His death, burial and resurrection.”

Dr. Rawlings noted that many of the Independent Baptists present in Dallas had at one time criticized the Southern Baptists for its “liberalism.” But he noted that, beginning in 1979 when the fundamentalists of the SBC began moving the Convention toward the right, the new leadership dealt with their liberal fringe elements that had gained control of its institutions. Hence, today the Southern Baptist Convention stands unashamedly for its historic roots upon which it was initially founded.[7]

At the same time, many Independent Baptist groups have struggled with uncompromising members of the right over issues of second-degree separation, hyper-legalism and a King James-only Bible.

Dr. Randy Ray, pastor of North Florida Baptist Church in Tallahassee, said, “The IBN is possible because the SBC has dealt with its liberal left and Independent Baptists have dealt with its radical right.”[8]

The Fundamentalist Southern Baptists and Independent Baptists discovered each other and determined that they have vastly more things in common than they have differences. Even though they had systematically avoided each other over the years because of their negligible differences, they had not ignored their common beliefs.

So, the IBM is built on the fact that Baptist churches answer to God and no one else. These churches are self-delegating bodies and cannot be controlled by headquarters; Baptist churches have one overriding purpose — to plant new churches in order to win the world to Jesus Christ.

What splintered the former Baptist World Alliance was compromising doctrine. Correspondingly, what will hold together the International Baptist Network is fundamental doctrine.

And what doctrine is fundamental to Christianity? First, the Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God without error, and is the only authority for Christians and churches. Second, Jesus was born of a virgin and is the God-Man. Third, the sinless Son of God died a substitutionary death for sinners and those who believe in Him can be forgiven of their sins and guaranteed a home in eternity with God. Fourth, the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead gives new life to all believers. Fifth, the bodily return of Jesus Christ at the end of this age will complete God’s plan and purpose on this earth.

Dr. Gene Mims became the executive director/president of the International Baptist Network after having been president of LifeWay Christian Resources of the SBC for 13 years. LifeWay is by far the largest Southern Baptist division. It was formerly known as the Sunday School Board of the SBC.

Dr. Mims, seeing a tremendous challenge facing New Testament churches everywhere, said, “With the changes in our culture and how they affect Baptist denominations, fellowships and associations, the IBN is the perfect vehicle to allow likeminded Baptists to cooperate fully with one another to evangelize the earth.”

He added, “It seems to me that the time is right for like-minded Baptists in the U. S. and around the world to get together and do what our Lord has commanded us to do.”

The International Baptist Network is not a denomination, nor is it a super denomination. It will not send out missionaries or church planting teams and will not hire pastors nor raise huge amounts of money for operation. It is rather a network to help Baptists focus on carrying out the Great Commission in our generation, and, within that focus, keep Baptists in harmony with one another.

Dr. Mims said, “The IBM will help the pastor in the smallest church to be a part of something worldwide. It will help the layman in any part of the world to contact fellow Baptists around the world. It will give support to Baptist missionaries wherever they labor.”[9]

For further information on this vigorous new effort, readers may contact Dr. Gene Mims, Executive Director/President of International Baptist Network, 2000 RiverEdge Park-way, Suite 525, Atlanta, GA 30328. Readers may also call (770-644-7260) or send e-mails (gmimsAThotmailDOTcom).

[1]Baptist General Convention of Texas, “Baptist World Alliance” http://www.bgct.org/bgctroot/office.cfm?sectionid=112, (accessed 10 February 2005).

[2]Don Hinkle, SBCNET, “2004 SBC Annual Meeting,” Indianapolis, Indiana, June 15-16, 2004, http://www.sbcannualmeeting.org/sbc04/newsroom/newspage.asp?ID=29, (accessed 10 February 2005).

[3]Baptist Press News, “End Ties to BWA, Panel Recommends to Southern Baptists,” 19 December, 2003, http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews. asp?Id=17305, (accessed 10 February 2005).

[4]Jack Graham, President, South-ern Baptist Convention, BPNEWS, “SBC President Adds Endorsement to Departure from BWA,” as stated in article 23 December, 2003, http:// www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp? Id=17333, (accessed 10 February 2005).

[5]Dr. Randy Ray, “A Great Awakening,” article written as Mem-ber of IBN Executive Committee.

[6]John Rawlings, quoted at IBN strategy meeting in Dallas, 9 February 2005; personal notes by Elmer Towns.

[7]Ibid.

[8]Dr. Randy Ray, “A Great Awakening.”

[9]Dr. Gene Mims, stating from Baptist Network Executive Committee Meeting (unofficial minutes of IBN Executive minutes) 20-21 December 2004.

The new pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church (Bob Jackson) intends to keep publishing the Plains Baptist Challenger. He has asked me to remain as the Editor and I plan to do that for the foreseeable future. The Challenger and the printing ministry are an important part of the work of Tabernacle Baptist Church. I am personally gratified that Pastor Jackson sees the value of this work. The Lord led the TBC to call a man that was of like mind in this area.

I will be doing most of my work at home, and around July 1st, I will be giving up all pastoral duties at the Church. The PBC will continue to take a strong stand on doctrine and separation as we have in the past. We are looking forward to the ministry of our new Pastor. His wife Gail will be a blessing to the ladies and the Church.

I will be available beginning in August, for some revival meetings, mission conferences, prophecy conferences, and other meetings.

Pastor Bynum, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your web site. It was very informative and scriptural. Keep up the good work for the lord. Bro. Brent Norris, pastor, faith Baptist church, Violet, Louisiana

Thanks 4 your lesson on anxiety and worry it’s a good lesson keep up the good Job and GOD bless u

Bro. Bynum: May God richly bless you as you enter retirement and continue to minister as God opens doors. I have been acquainted with your ministry for over 25 years and have been blessed by your publications etc. I especially enjoy the “News and Views” section in the “Challenger.” It is so informative. May the Lord richly bless you and your family! Wayne L. Powell, Elliston, VA

Hello — I go to this church with a friend but don’t believe in what I am being taught because it is different then my former Baptist teachings and such... I don’t believe SDA’s need to be so concerned with living or practicing Jewish tradition when they are Gentiles and not Jewish and living in today’s times. Is that okay? Can you give me any ideas, advice or wisdom on this type of church? Thanks, Cathy

Dear Bro. Bynum, I have been subscribing to the Plains Baptist Challenger for some years now and have only recently gotten “online” and have been wanting to write to you for sometime. I really enjoy the Fundamentalist Baptist approach to Christianity and feel that your publication helps me immensely to stay on that “straight and narrow path.” Just when I start to think some of the compromising in our world today might be ok I receive an issue of The Challenger and it puts the world’s ideas back into perspective with the Bible and I repent and reaffirm my commitment to Christ. Thank you for continuing to produce such an informative and timely publication. I plan to be a continued subscriber for many years to come and would appreciate it if you could recommend some of your other publications — although I am sure they are all excellent — that would be especially useful in understanding and defending the Fundamentalist views. Sincerely, Michael J. Mensi, Jr.

Editor’s Note: We do not usually print as long a letter as the following one. It was so interesting, we decided to print it anyway. ELB

Plagiarism: Plains Baptist Challenger, May 2005. Regarding Pastor Tim Reynolds article on “Satan’s Subtlety and Bible Revisions.” Salutations to all, especially Pastor Bynum and family, from Mike, a small pebble in the church of God.

Many times I thought of writing to thank you for your work in Christ and thought the better of it. Ye must get thousands of e-mails, so I put my personal wants on hold. However, due to Pastor Bynum resignation and Brother Bob Jackson taking leadership, I need to put my spiritual mammon in the bank and not a hole in the ground. So let me proceed.

I have had three loves in my life. The heretical New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, the damnable The Living Bible paraphrased and finally the blessed Authorized Version or the King James 1611 Holy Bible. There are others. Yet, they need not be stated due to the lack of use therein.

If ye are astute, you will recognize my first love as the book used by the cult of Jehovah’‘s Witnesses. I was born and raised under this “”Organization”“ and Providence has delivered me from that oppression of approximately twenty-five years.

After leaving, I purchased the next love of my life at the Christian Book store with a plethora of versions. The Living Bible is much akin to the Witness NWT so I felt very comfortable. Yet, as the scriptures says at Amos chapter eight verse eleven, “”Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:”“ I was starving for the true WORDS of God.

Hence my third love, the Authorize Version. This is a new love for me, since I have been using this Holy Book since the year of our LORD, two thousand and four and I love the WORDS of the Almighty therein. Personally, I am having no problems with this great manuscript due too the Holy Ghost assistance. Thus, the reason for this letter. Since my fiftieth year on this plaint, May of 2002 A.D., I have been endeavoring to put my life story into print and this task will be completed at God’‘s own timetable. Also of note, I have had severe polio since the age of two and I am now enjoying post polio syndrome at this time. God’‘s grace is sufficient as with Paul. In addition too that, I have had to rewrite my manuscript to align with the Authorized and found it delightfully enlightening. This bring me to the article mentioned above.

I was deliberating on the title of my next chapter due to the fact that I was going to dialogue about the Authorize and its impact in my life. My chapter title of choice was, “”Yea, hath God said?”“ The very next day I noticed Pastor Tim Reynolds article on “”Satan’‘s Subtlety and Bible Revisions”“ and thought to myself, “”If the man reads this section, he would think I plagiarized his idea!”“ Thus, this correspondence.

The article that Pastor Tim Reynolds wrote is great. Nonetheless, I already knew the information therein. Pastor Bynum and his staff has done an excellent job in educating me due to their website. In addition too Mr. Bynum, Sandy Simpson and Mike Oppenheimer, as well as my old mentor Walter Martin we never met due to his death , have been instrumental in my walk with the LORD.

Thus if ye read my book, possibly finished ten years after the rapture, know I did not plagiarize your idea. I believe we are both Christ minded. We think alike and thus come to the same conclusions for we have one teacher, the Holy Ghost.

I will leave you with this warning however. Christian Research Institute my old haven has become apostate under Hank Hanegraaff and I left that organization of many years due to my relationship to Christ. I have noticed many great organizations of the LORD seem too deviate from YHWH when a new leader comes to power. So my prayer to ye Brother Jackson is that ye will be the Joshua to Moses Pastor Bynum and that the Almighty will guide thy footsteps. Mike

Playboy’s Pop-up Porn — Soon pornography will be available to our children over their cell phones. Playboy hopes to make their porn available to the 170 million cell phone subscribers throughout North America. No doubt scores of other pornographers will follow Playboy’s lead. An independent study by IDC revealed that 33.2% of cell phone users in America, more than 55 million, are between the ages of 5 and 19. (Am. Family Asso. Online) Satan is well adapted at using convenience inventions to support his scheme to trap the simple. He uses the same tactics to entertain the gullible. The snare of the devil is set to take captives as his will. We are indeed surrounded by perilous days. (2 Tim. 2:24-3:1) (W. W. Mosley, hereafter WWM)

Watchdog Growls At Christianity — An organization known as Open Center was founded some 20+ years ago. One of its primary purposes is to make sure America doesn’t go too far to the right. It seems to OC that Christianity is becoming a ‘threat’ to the liberal segment of the population. OC throws all claiming the name Christian into the same pot. Even the crackpots who kill abortion doctors/workers are used to point out the ‘risk our nation faces’ because of the religious right. It seems OK to such an organization for laws to be passed in favor of leftist groups, but highly dangerous to the populace if God’s Ten Commandments are in public view. Pray that God will deliver us from both the Pharisees and the Herodians of today. —WWM

Judge Decides 13-Year-Old May Have Abortion — A pro-family group is criticizing a Florida judge’s decision to allow a 13-year-old girl in state custody to have an abortion. (GOPUSA News, 5/4/05) Whether or not the girl was in this condition before becoming the state’s responsibility is not clear. If she was not and became pregnant after the fact, where is the state’s concern for her while under their care? If she was, where is their concern for the young person she is carrying? Since God and His Word have been dismissed from having any place in government, where is the stabilizing force in such matters? The answer? (Psa. 33:12a) “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD…” Yet this very judge, who likely was sworn into office with his hand on the Bible, would surely declare it unconstitutional to correct his decision by using the Word of God. —WWM

Christianity Too Influential — A CNSNews report stated that a watchdog group has brought to the attention of the defense secretary that Air Force officials are bias toward evangelical Christianity at the Air Force academy. After stating that the mixing of church and state have no place in any of our service academies, the exec. director of Americans United said, “Air Force officials must move quickly to ensure that church-state separation is respected at the Academy.” Wouldn’t it depend on which church or which state you were in? Very likely the director of AU has never been in an Air Force plane in the ‘state’ of being shot down. Nor in a church which preached eternal security of the soul. It is very probable that his convictions would be altered quickly about separation of church and the state had this been so. —WWM

Convenience Abortion — A UK abortion group has released figures revealing a “dramatic rise” in the number of women having repeat abortions — one in three abortions is committed on women who have already had at least one abortion, according to a London Daily Mail report. The British Pregnancy Advisory Service — a taxpayer-funded agency and the UK’s largest abortion provider — argued the abortions were for “lifestyle” reasons, as only one in 100 is committed for so-called health reasons. BPAS also said that 20 to 24 year-olds now comprise the largest group of women having abortions — women who are in college or who are starting their careers — who deem pregnancy as something that would get in the way of their careers. Of the 181,582 abortions committed in England and Wales in 2003, 57,241 — 32 percent — were in women who had had a previous abortion, an increase of one-third over previous statistics from 1993. There was an overall 3.2 percent increase in abortion numbers compared to 2002, and a 15 percent increase over 1993 figures. (LifeSiteNews online, 5/17/05) (Psa. 127:3) “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

ACLU Opposes Abstinence Teaching — The American Civil Liberties Union sued the US government Monday, arguing that federal funding of a countrywide abstinence program is illegal because it promotes religion. The ACLU takes issue with the Silver Ring Thing abstinence drive because it derives from a Christian ministry. In addition, the silver ring — a perpetual memento of the abstinence oath — has inscribed upon it a verse of scripture. The program has received over $1 million in funding from the Department of Health and Human Services since 2003, as part of abstinence-only sex education. (LSN online, 5/17/05) The ACLU is right about abstinence being a Bible teaching. Abstinence is indeed the will of God. (1 Thes. 4:3) “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication…” Is it possible that the three following verses are also bothersome to the ACLU lawyers? —WWM

Those On The Left Hand — A federal appeals court has ruled that the phrase ‘In God We Trust’ on a government building does not violate the separation of church and state. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Richmond, Va., ruled May 13 the national motto may remain on the facade of a county government building in Lexington, N.C. A three-judge panel of the court stated that the phrase does not violate the First Amendment prohibition on government establishment of religion. (Baptist Press, 5/17/05) The anti-God ACLU would be happy to deface any and all government buildings, even the U.S. Capital. You can be sure they care nothing about history nor about the law of God. Their souls will one day tremble at the very sound of His voice. (Matt. 25:41) “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels…” If there should be a saved individual working for this God slandering organization, pray they could legally understand this verse: (2 Cor. 6:17) “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,…” —WWM

Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese — “Diana Duyser, of Hollywood, Fla., made a grilled cheese sandwich in the fall of 1994. Duyser said she took one bite when she noticed ‘the Virgin Mary staring back at me.’ She preserved the sandwich in a plastic case until 2004 when she auctioned it off…” (Berean Call, 5/17/05) The BC reported the sandwich brought a whopping $28,000. Some cheese sandwich! Can you imagine the wealth the O.T. prophets could have accumulated if they had been living today, and had been of such a mind. This is as ridiculous as Benny Hinn taking a trip to Kuhlman’s grave to get a spiritual high. All that keeps this from being funny is the eternal seriousness it encompasses. (Isa. 55:1) “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” —WWM

Enforcing Homosexuality — “…since the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling [legalizing homosexual marriage over a year ago], parents can no longer opt their children out of pro-homosexual lessons and activities in school. During school assemblies [it is asserted], speakers will come in and tell the young people gathered “that the Bible’s prohibitions on homosexuality are essentially misinterpretations, and if your parents believe them then they’re wrong.” Parents have even been arrested by police for resisting having their kids exposed to homosexuality, the pro-family advocate claims. (AP, 5/16/05) This publication also reported a nun wearing a rainbow sash said she believes homosexuality “is a gift from God.” Lawyers are filling their coffers fighting for freedom from Christianity. They would not dare take the case of these parents who are fighting for their rights to protect their children from being exposed to such filth. The MSJC joins the ACLU in doing “evil with both hands earnestly.” (Micah 7:3) —WWM

Marriage Amendment Unconstitutional? — In a decision certain to be appealed, a federal judge in Nebraska Thursday ruled that the state’s popular constitutional amendment on marriage violates the U.S. Constitution. The court declared the amendment “amounts to punishment” and that “the institution of marriage is difficult to define and/or describe.” (LSN, 5/16/05) The ACLU and their cohorts did not approve of Nebraska’s marriage amendment that read: “Only marriage between a man and a woman shall be valid or recognized in Nebraska. The uniting of two persons of the same sex in a civil union domestic partnership, or other similar same-sex relationship shall not be valid or recognized in Nebraska.” Yet 70% of NE voters approved of the amendment. The ACLU was no where to be found when the Mass. high court approved homosexual marriage. Could this law firm be bias by nature? (Prov. 1:16) “For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.” —WWM

UMC Continues To Be Liberal — “An evangelical renewal ministry within the United Methodist Church is voicing its dismay over the decision by the denomination’s appeals committee to reinstate the clergy credentials of a lesbian minister from Philadelphia, Penn. Recently, the Northeastern Jurisdictional Committee on Appeal voted overwhelmingly to reverse the defrocking of Beth Stroud, who announced in a 2003 sermon that she was living in a so-called ‘covenant relationship’ with another woman.” (AP, 5/13/05) Saved Bible believers must leave the UMC or become accustomed to its acceptance of sin. Be sure the Wesley brothers would be seeking another place to worship. UMC leaders are joining the group in Romans 1 being “inventors of evil things.” —WWM

A Retailer’s Rap-Sheet? — “Wal-Mart has announced its approval of a ‘Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Associates’ affinity group for employees. Some pro-family advocates believe it is only a matter of time before this group demands same-sex partner health benefits, financial support for homosexual meetings, ‘pride’ parades, and workshops.” (AP, 5:13/05) If indeed Wal-Mart is advancing the homosexual agenda, shoppers may not be saving as much shopping there as they first thought. (2 Sam 3:39b) “…the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.” —WWM

A Good Step In The Right Direction — The final step to passage of the most significant pro-life legislation in Oklahoma in 30 years was passed by the state House of Representatives in a 95-3 vote May 12. [It] includes parental notification, informed consent and penalties for injury or death of a child in a mothers womb when the woman is attacked or killed. [The bill also] clarified the value of the life of a child in a mothers womb. (BP, 5/16/05)

Nations Laden With Iniquity — Sociologists and anthropologists who have studied the death of civilizations have found that rampant sexual immorality, feminism, and homosexuality have been factors in destroying nations. (Traditional Values Coalition, 5/12/05) (Isaiah 1:4) “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.” Any nation that believes they are gaining freedom from God’s Word by legalizing indiscriminate immoral activity are assuring themselves of divine judgment. Righteousness still preserves a nation “but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Prov. 14:34) It does matter what you believe!! —WWM

The Cure? — Repentance & Faith — Homosexual activists Karla Jay and Allen Young revealed in their 1979 Gay Report that 73% of all homosexuals have acted as “chicken hawks” — that is, they have preyed on adolescent or younger boys. (Free Republic, 5/8/05) Homosexual organizations claim that 1 out of 10 of the U.S. population are of homosexual tendencies. They are as wrong about that as they are that some people are born to be gay. But then what else but myths can you expect for those who have been given up to uncleanness? There is hope in Christ awaiting any sinner who will repent of their sin and turn to the Lord Jesus in faith. Godly sorrow is sure to bring about repentance. (2 Cor. 7:10) And faith remains the substance of things hope for that produces evidence. (Heb. 11:1) May we never cease to preach “both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21) —WWM

Reading, ‘Riting, ‘Rithmatic, & Raunchy — In Massachusetts, a father was arrested because he refused to leave his sons elementary school until the principal agreed to follow Massachusetts parental notification law concerning sexual content in instruction. The father, David Parker, wanted to introduce the subject of homosexuality to his 6 year old rather than have the school do it for him. School officials declined to notify the father as required by law and provided books to kindergarten students that portrayed homosexual couples alongside heterosexual couples. (BP, 5/19/05) Mass. has lately legalized homosexual unions. Now they are getting them prepared to accept this sinful lifestyle in kindergarten at 3 — 5 years old. This is not what the writer of Prov. 22:6 had in mind. This Mass. school administrator must have learned this move in his college ‘GAY 101’ class. The reason is clear why the wicked walk on every side. (Psa. 12:8) —WWM

Non-Baptist Yet Baptist? — One of two Baptist (SBC) churches in Mangum, OK had an altercation in one of their meetings recently. When they came to a fork in the road of their disagreement one group took one fork, another took the other. The splinter group began services the very next Sunday at another location. The Enterprizer, 5/12/05, had an advertizement of their new name, design, and location of services. “We have chosen Abundant Life Church as our new name. Jesus came to bring abundant life to everyone (John 10:10).” Meeting time and place were also noted as well as this notation at the bottom of the ad. “A member of the Baptist family of churches.” I assume they feel more comfortable in the family of churches who do not want ‘Baptist’ in their name. It is good that some at least are kind enough to leave Baptist off their title since they are not true Baptist. Thank you! —WWM

First Reader Eliminated — A century ago many learned to read with the use of the Bible. Bible verses quoted by superintendents, principals, and classroom teachers even in my school days was not uncommon. References to God in a reverential manner was to be expected. “[N]ot long ago (in an elementary school in Knoxville, Tennessee), the children were stopped on the playground and told by the school principal that they could no longer hold their informal Bible study during recess, and that they must not bring their Bibles to Karns Elementary School again.” (AP, 5/18/05) Many of our parents and grandparents learned their ‘abc’s’ by instructors that used Bible names and words. ‘A’ as in ‘Adam.’ ‘B’ and in ‘Bible.’ Of course that was before the day of the ACLU. The ACLU can be thankful to our Lord they were not around when that generation was going to school. That gerneration knew nothing about tolerating anti-God movements. No politician would dare run for office on a ‘freedom of choice’ platform. —WWM

God — The Highest Authority — Found on Planned Parenthood’s web: “My friend says that life begins when the egg and sperm join together. I say that it begins when a baby takes its first breath. Which of us is right?” This question was answered by “Dr. Vanessa Cullins who is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist and vice president for medical affairs at Planned Parenthood Federation of America.” She said, “The really hot question is, ‘When does being a person begin?’ Most medical authorities and Planned Parenthood agree that it starts when a baby takes its first breath.” All authority comes from God, and the ‘most authorities & PP’ above do not agree with God on this matter. They must have gotten their information somewhere other than the Bible. The writer of Psa. 139:15 declared God’s knowledge of his substance before he was born. The Almighty certainly disagrees with the Dr. and PP when He spoke of Jeremiah in this manner: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jer. 1:5) God knows a person before, during, and after birth. To answer the question above, God is right! Tell an expectant mother that the movement within her body is nobody!! Stand with a young couple as they place their little still-born baby girl in the grave, and tell them that she is a nobody!! They even gave her a name and placed it on her grave marker. Board-certification doesn’t change this. —WWM

An Innocuous Sermon — “The national Parliament of Scotland instituted a four-minute slot in its proceedings in which representatives of Scotlands religions would be invited to speak. On the whole, the slot called, ‘A Time for Reflection,’ has mainly consisted of innocuous moments in which ministers come to Holyrood to speak in bland terms on inoffensive topics.” (LSN, 5/4/05) The ability to create Nuclear weapons isn’t the only thing other countries has acquired from the U.S. Like too many modern day prophets, the Scots have legislated a situation much the same as in Isaiah’s day, “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits…” (Isa. 30:10). Paul was right to say, “…necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16b) —WWM

The Muslim Message — Palestinian Friday Sermon by Sheik Ibrahim Mudeiris: Muslims Will Rule America and Britain, Jews Are a Virus Resembling AIDS. We have ruled the world before, and by Allah, the day will come when we will rule the entire world again. The day will come when we will rule America. The day will come when we will rule Britain and the entire world — except for the Jews. The Jews will not enjoy a life of tranquility under our rule, because they are treacherous by nature, as they have been throughout history. The day will come when everything will be relieved of the Jews — even the stones and trees which were harmed by them. Listen to the Prophet Muhammad, who tells you about the evil end that awaits Jews. The stones and trees will want the Muslims to finish off every Jew. (WorthyNews Online, 5/13/05) This Muslim Sheik and others are challenging the truth found in the 20th chapter of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Those redeemed by the blood of Christ, including all saved Jews, will have only one ruler and that will be the King of Glory. (Psa. 24). —WWM

God Alone Is Truly Successful — “Scientists at Newcastle University, the first in Britain to obtain a licence to carry out therapeutic cloning for stem cell research, said they had successfully produced a blastocyst — a tiny, early-stage embryo consisting of a hollow ball of cells — cloned from a human cell using nuclear transfer. …The announcement came on the same day that a team of South Korean scientists announced they had developed the first lines of patient-specific stem cells, designed to match the DNA of a specific person.” (YahooNews, 5/19/05) Yet these very scientists would likely deny that life begins at conception. They call their product a human embryo — they call God’s work of reproduction a mass. “For in him [the unknown God] we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” (Acts 17:28) —WWM

The Unstable Earth — December’s great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake — the most powerful in more than 40 years and the trigger of a devastating tsunami — shook the ground everywhere on Earth’s surface. Weeks later the planet was still trembling. …The earthquake and resulting tsunami, which swept across the Indian Ocean, killed more than 176,000 people in 11 countries and left about 50,000 missing and hundreds of thousands homeless. (Washington [AP], 5/19/05) It is unlikely that any person on earth, who has feelings, has not been touched by this great devastation. This is not the last time the Lord God will shake the earth. When the sun darkens and the moon shines no more, as God punishes the world for its evil, a greater fear will be felt than in last Dec. There will then be no proud boasting or haughtiness this happens. (Isa. 13:13) “Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.” God said He would do this, and He will. Repent now!! —WWM

God’s Law: Displayed or Displaced? — The entire Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has decided not to rehear a decision upholding the Ten Commandments as part of a historical display in one Indiana courthouse. In March, a three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit appellate court issued an opinion allowing the inclusion of the Ten Commandments as part of a display known as “The Foundations of American Law and Government.” Last week, all 11 judges on the court voted not to rehear the case from Elkhart County, Indiana. (AP, 5/20/05) Ala. Judge Moore may get his job back along with the monument display of the Ten Commandments. All lawyers need an education in God’s law before taking their bar exam. Better man-made laws would be the outcome. (Prov. 3:5,6) “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” —WWM

Pope’s Funeral, Big Worship Service, Legacy — Pope John Paul II’s recent funeral was the biggest “worship service” in history. He stood opposed to extra-marital sex, homosexuality, and pornography. Yet some charged him with protecting and reassigning sodomite priests in the huge priestly pedophile scandal in America. After he was eulogized for all of his “good works,” the prayers begged God to let him into heaven, calling on Mary and the saints to intercede for him. But as G.E. Veith put it (4/23 World): “Sadly missing was the liberating gospel of salvation through faith in the free forgiveness won by Christ alone.” In our day, if Muslims and Hindus demonstrate good works, Catholics teach that these in other such religions can be saved, even apart from conscious faith in Jesus Christ. Rome has said even pious atheists will get to heaven. John Paul II’s Assisi prayer/peace meetings 1980s with leaders of some 32 world religions (animists, etc.) were a heretical step toward syncretism. He has approved evolution and socialism (4/11 Christian News). He told Muslims: “We believe in the same god,” and kissed the Koran (12/1/99 CC). The St. Louis Dispatch said JP II preached hope. But truly, there is no hope in the Pope! ((Calvary Contender, hereafter CC)

Methodist Court Overturns Gay Minister’s Ban — A Methodist court panel in April reinstated a gay minister who had been defrocked for declaring to her denomination that she was in a relationship with another woman (4/30 Huntsville Times). Another UMC appeals panel voted to oust Beth Stroud for violating UMC’s ban on “self-avenged, practicing homosexual clergy.” —CC

Van Impe Praises The Pope — Pastor Dennis W. Fox comments as follows concerning an April 16 and an April 23 Jack Van Impe program: “How sad to see a man who once warned against Catholicism’s errors now defending deceptions of Rome. Van Impe says Rome believes in ‘salvation by grace through faith alone.’ But they do not exegete the Eph. 2:8-9 passage (and others) accurately. According to Rome, God’s grace comes through faith in the sacraments of Rome. Sadly, Van Impe is deceiving Christians with his misinterpretations of the Word of God and his errors. On an April program, his wife read a letter from a Northern Ireland man who falsely labeled Dr. Ian Paisley a ‘bigot.’ The Van Impes praised the letter. Jack said Catholics believe the 5 points of Fundamentalism. He said the new Pope believes the Bible. He wrongly painted Protestants as people who hate Catholics. He ‘corrects’ Protestant teaching with the new ‘Catholic Catechism.’ Dr. Van Impe sure seems to have a deep sentiment against Protestantism and a great admiration for some previous popes and their Catholic doctrines. —CC

Evangelicals More In Common With Pope — After Billy Graham’s first “communist” crusade in Communist Hungary in 1977, Poland invited him to come there. Bill Bright and Graham tapped in to the dynamic Catholic youth movement there. Bright challenged U.S. students to go to Poland as students to a foreign university and start ministries (5/05 CT). Catholics later experienced “a strange unabashed mix of Polish Catholicism — Marian devotion included — and American evangelical revivalism. Campus Crusade returned with 30 staff and trained student leaders…… “Ironically, Bill Bright and others found more in common with John Paul II than with their liberal brothers.” But, how can these “evangelicals” exult in any victory won by yoking up with a Catholic false gospel system, and say “John Paul’s biggest accomplishment was his ecumenism”? —CC

Falwell Has Praised The Pope In Ministry — Dr. Jerry Falwell on various occasions has praised the Roman Catholic pope and has had Catholics preach in his pulpit. Catholics comprised 30 percent of his Moral Majority membership. Dinesh D’Souza’s 1984 biography said Falwell “is a staunch admirer of Pope John Paul II [and said] the Pope and Ronald Reagan are “the greatest in my lifetime.” While admitting doctrinal differences, Falwell said: “I know many Catholic priests who are born again and who preach the same message that I do.” D’Souza says: “To the chagrin and horror of fundamentalists, [Falwell] is sometimes seen at prayer meetings with Catholics and Jews…….” “Can two walk together, except they be agreed”? Amos 3:3 [3/1/95 CC] —CC

Western Baptist College Name Change — It seems in vogue today to change the name of colleges — especially to drop a denomination’s designation such as “Baptist.” Western Baptist College in Salem, Ore. is the latest to officially drop “Baptist” from its name. It will be known as Corban College from henceforth. It had earlier dropped “Bible” from its name. Many former GARBC schools have undergone a name change in recent years. The Northwest Baptist Convention (SBC) recently endorsed Western (a GARBC-related “partner” as an educational institution that their member churches should support (5/05 CT). WBC had cozied with Conservative Baptist churches (NAE member) for several years. (CBA, 3/1/95 CC). —CC

Gun Control Nonsense — Blaming guns for crimes is like blaming: 1) matches for forest fires, 2) cameras for pornography, 3) forks for obesity, 4) radar for a speeding ticket, or 5) pencils for spelling errors……. Gun control is unconstitutional, and is not the answer to our crime problem. Criminals are to blame for crimes. —CC