The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama . Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama ! The judge’s poem sums it up quite well.
America? the beautiful,
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims’ pride;
I’m glad they’ll never see.
Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
your house is on the sand.
Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine
choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain
From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God’s love
and a need to always pray
We’ve kept God in our
temples, how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.
We’ve voted in a government
that’s rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;
who throw reason out the door,
Too soft to place a killer
in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
before he leaves the womb.
You think that God’s not
angry, that our land’s a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?
How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?
If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:
Then God will hear from Heaven;
and forgive us of our sins,
He’ll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.
But, America the Beautiful,
If you don’t – then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee..
The ‘wilderness’ is not a concept that is understood too well in
Christendom, despite the fact that it is all the way through the
Bible. From the book of Genesis right through Revelation there
are clear references to the ‘wilderness’ as being something God
often employs in His dealings with men. The pattern is undeniable.
When we look through the Scriptures we see that the wilderness
is often a place of spiritual “crisis” and also preparation. It is the
place God sends us before the “real action” begins – before we
enter into the full purposes of God in our lives. There must be
‘death’ before there can be resurrection. There must be a desert
place before the “promised land”.
The wilderness is a place of trial and testing, of brokenness and
full surrender to God. The props and activities that have kept us
continually striving to “make things happen” are stripped away.
Our self-reliance is shattered and replaced with a total reliance on
God alone. Every “idol” in our lives (often including our own ministry)
is brought under the piercing searchlight of God. Our selfish motives
and ambitions are shown for what they are. This process may take
years. Finally we emerge broken, chastened and purified. The
process has matured and cleansed us in so many ways. We are
now ready for the fulfillment of all that God originally called us to
do. But our heart-motives are vastly different from what they were
before.
We see this pattern all the way through Scripture. Many lessons
can be learned from what we read there. Abraham, Joseph, Joshua,
Moses, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Paul the apostle – and even
Jesus Himself – all had to go through this “wilderness” experience.
Very often it lasted for years and years. Why then should we be
surprised if it happens to us?
Probably the best-known instance of a ‘wilderness experience’ in
the Old Testament is the story of Moses and the children of Israel.
Moses had been raised and trained all his life in the palaces of
Egypt. But when he came face-to-face with his heritage as an
Israelite, he rose up “in his own strength” and killed an Egyptian
slave-driver. He was then forced to flee into the desert, where he
was to spend 40 YEARS as a simple shepherd in the wilderness.
What an enormous length of time! Imagine if every Christian leader
had to spend that long in the wilderness before God would allow
them to lead His people! It is almost impossible to imagine the
depths of despair and “death” to all his dreams and hopes that
Moses went through during this time. In fact, after 40 years it is
hard to imagine anyone being “deader” to the usual ambitions
and temptations of leadership than Moses would have been. And
what PATIENCE these years of waiting must have produced in him!
We see here the lengths that God will go to in the “preparation”
of a leader “after His own heart.” (-Though 40 years is unusually
long). The isolation, the chafing, the crying out to God for deliverance
- all play their part. Such an experience is almost irreplaceable.
That is why God uses it so often. The hearts of driven men are so
similar in so many ways, that God’s “cure” becomes similar also!
He will even shut us up in a kind-of ‘prison’ for a time so we cannot
escape the process. It is that important. He does not want ’self’-
oriented leaders shepherding his precious sheep.
After his 40 years of preparation, Moses returned to Egypt at God’s
command to lead His people out of bondage. This was the beginning
of the entire nation of Israels’ wilderness experience. For when they
left Egypt the only way to their “Promised Land” was through the
desert. Some commentators say that in a straight line, their journey
could have taken just a few weeks or less. But because of their
disobedience and fear, the vast majority of those who left Egypt
were destined to die in the desert, never reaching the Promised
Land. In fact, their wilderness journey ended up taking 40 years!
Now we need to take special note of this fact:- Not everyone who
entered the wilderness survived it. In fact, multitudes perished there.
The wilderness tried them and found them wanting. They went to
the place of testing and failed the test. This is a pretty crucial fact
to realize in our day also. Just because we are “called out” and
enter a wilderness time, does not mean that we will embrace the
dealings of God and respond appropriately. It is entirely possible
to lose everything out there. These people lost out completely.
Only their children came through to inherit the promises of God.
How clearly we see this pattern over and over again – in both the
Old Testament and the New:- That many whom God wants to one
day use are sent into a place of aloneness and brokenness before
being brought into their true destiny. We have not even mentioned
heroes of God such as Noah, Jacob, Job and others who all had
similar experiences. Part of this process lies in the “waiting” that
takes place. Also, the fact that all the supporting ‘props’ are taken
away. The “waiting” alone can be torture.
The wilderness also deals with any fear of man or ’systemized’
way of looking at things. God often uses it to bring a whole fresh
perspective, which is very important for leaders who are going to
be representing a “new” approach or facing opposition because of
the confrontational words that they are bringing. The lonely desert
years give them backbone to stand up to the crowd or the powers-
that-be, and declare God’s truth without compromise. They now
truly fear God rather than man. And they think differently from
others. The wilderness is vital for anyone who is wanting to bring
fresh manna to God’s people.
Are you someone who has been going through such a “desert”
experience, my friend? Be encouraged! Look up, for your deliverance
draws nigh. God only ever sends His children through such
experiences when there is a great purpose to it. Don’t give up. Don’t
be cast down. On the other side lies a ‘land of promise’ if only you
can hang on to Jesus. Be active, be praying, be prepared. Don’t
become “passive” and let the desert swallow you whole. Use this
time to draw closer and closer to Jesus. Dig down and plant your
feet firmly on the Rock. Humble yourself before the Lord and He
will lift you up in due time – if only you can cling to Him.
In Jeremiah 5, God pleaded, “Run ye to and fro through the streets of
Jerusalem…seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be
any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it”
(Jeremiah 5:1). The Lord was saying, in essence, “I’ll be merciful, if I can
find just one person who’ll seek me.”
During the Babylonian captivity, God found such a man in Daniel. And today,
more than ever in history, the Lord is searching for the same kind of godly men
and women. He seeks faithful servants who are willing to “make up the hedge” and
“stand in the gap,” works that can only be accomplished through prayer.
Like Daniel, such a person will be found with God’s Word in his hand. When the
Holy Ghost came to Daniel, the prophet was reading the book of Jeremiah. It was
then that the Spirit revealed that God’s time of deliverance had come for
Israel. As the revelation came, Daniel was provoked to pray: “I set my face
unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and
sackcloth, and ashes: and I prayed unto the Lord my God” (Daniel 9:3–4).
Daniel knew God’s people weren’t ready to receive his restoration. Yet, did the
prophet lambaste his peers for their sins? No—Daniel identified himself with
the moral decay all around him. He declared, “We have sinned…to us belongeth
confusion of face…because we have sinned against thee” (Daniel 9:5, 8).
God strongly desires to bless his people today—but if our minds are polluted
with the spirit of this world, we are in no position to receive his blessings.
Daniel made this powerful statement: “All this evil is come upon us: yet made
we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our
iniquities, and understand the truth. Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the
evil, and brought it upon us” (Daniel 9:13–14).
Would to God we would examine our own walk with the Lord and let the Holy
Spirit show us areas of compromise. We would do more than pray for a
backsliding nation. We would be crying out, “Oh, Lord, search my heart. Expose
in me all of the spirit of the world that has crept into my soul.” Like Daniel,
we could then set our faces to pray for the deliverance of our families—our
nation.
Western Christianity has become a well with no water! What could
be worse to someone dying of thirst, than to finally come upon a
well and then discover that it has no water. I think this is a good
example of what modern religion does. It puts up a front that looks
like it has the answer to life’s problems and even offers that to the
people. Yet in reality, what they get is a show designed to entertain
and get their money. The shame is that the world is thirsty and
we are supposed to have Living Water, but when they come to
drink they find only an empty well leaving them worse off than before.
2 Peter 2:15-18 addresses this very issue. By abandoning the
straight path, they have gone the way of Balaam. Is not the same
true today? The way of Balaam is the wide path. Not speaking
the Word of God but rather speaking words that profit themselves,
not giving the Living Water, but giving out something that tastes
good to the carnal Adam.
On a recent preaching trip every church I ministered at people
came forward confessing sexual sin, and not just a few but many.
Some were even in leadership positions and were counseling
people with the very same issues. The thing that brought this
out was the Word of God preached without fear and the fact that I
am very transparent about the struggles in my own life. This
happens every time that I minister, even though I don’t go out
with the intent – it is just God opening up the chance for Living
Water to come and fill the people once they confess their sins
and repent.
We have a myth that’s been put before the church for so long that
people are numb to the Spirit. We have been told that we can
make revival happen and that’s not true. Revival only comes when
the people are broken and they get clean before God. This means
exposing the hidden sin in their life and being willing to suffer the
consequences of that sin. You can pray for revival for years, but
unless the people are willing to get clean it will not come.
So why is this such a problem? For one thing, many of the people
in leadership are bound up in this very sin. It’s estimated that 70%
of pastors struggle with Pornography and the sad thing is they feel
like they can never confess, therefore, they never come clean and
Living Water cannot flow from the well that they tend. This must
be exposed so people can get free. This sin is so easy to conceal
that before long the person that is bound up in it can justify their
bad behavior. I know I have been bound by this sin and only found
freedom with deep repentance and confession.
It is the same in marriage. Many have sin in their marriage and
will not come clean so grace can heal. Instead they move into
coexistence that brings no glory to God and eventually they end
up in affairs and broken marriages are the result. The divorce rate
is the same in the church as it is in the world for this very reason.
Trust me, sexual sin is just as bad in the church as it is in the
world. Everywhere I go, this is a huge problem and I get many
emails dealing with the same thing from all over the world.
We must address this now and very publicly so people can get
free and we can see God move in His Body. 2 Peter 2:17 says
these people are springs without water. It’s time we become a
well of Living Water for a thirsty world to drink from to become
whole. To do this we need to go through a purification process
by the Holy Spirit!!
Can you think of anything worse than dying of thirst and coming
upon a well and finding out that even though it looks like a well
and has the bucket to draw with, there is no water there to drink.
If you are clean, start praying that a wave of repentance comes
upon the church. If you are not clean, repent and confess and
get clean. We need the Living Water to flow through this world
and it is not God who is holding it back, it is us.
Gluttony is defined as eating so much as to waste or to eat in such a greed that none is left for others, hogging it all for oneself[1]
Gluttony cannot be judged by ones personal appearance
Weight is not a measure of gluttony
Gluttony is not to be confused with slothfulness
True – obesity can be a side effect of a glutton, but not every obese person is a glutton
True – The thinnest man in the world could be the world’s worst glutton just as much as an obese person could
Some people can eat a lot and gain little, and some people eat a little and gain a lot
Gluttony is an act, not a condition
A Glutton is a condition, but not a physical image.
The World’s “Image” Problem
To be healthy is the new fad. I agree, to be healthy is indeed something that is to be strived for. But in our world we are told that health has an image, and they are dead wrong. We are told health looks like thin, tan, green, and fashionable. Only open up any magazine or watch any TV show; the world has a “one size fits all” image problem. Just a few hundred years ago beautiful was considered to be plump and fair-skinned. Now we have shifted to tan and thin. Who is right? What about people that are naturally fair-skinned and only burn. What about people that are born with a thicker figure? Are we to judge what God has made to be “good” or “ugly”? People, and even Christians, spend hours worrying about how they look and they try to mold themselves into an image that really does not exist. Our technology has made the fake image even more so and everyone is buying it. People do not like to accept the fact that everyone is different and it is a beautiful thing. It is sad to see people kill themselves to be something they are not and should never strive to be. Being obese is unhealthy, but just as much so is an extremely thin model. Since when is it ok to look like a holocaust survivor? That is a terrible thing, and so is this deception. If we cannot judge and discern even small things such as this that our society brainwashes into us, how can we have the mind of Christ?
According to A.C. Nielsen, in a 65-year life the average American
will have spent 9 years glued to the TV. Now think about that for a
minute. Nine years of their life spent – doing what? Achieving what?
Can we imagine in our wildest dreams that this is what God wants
for us?
Statistics also tell us that on average, parents only spend 3 – 5
minutes per week in meaningful conversation with their children.
And yet the average child watches television for 1,680 minutes
per week. So who is raising these children? Parents or the TV?
Who is molding their minds, values, and attitudes? Why do so
many Christian children rebel and turn from God in their teen
years? Is there a connection?
We all know that a household of godly LOVE balanced with loving
DISCIPLINE is the ideal for bringing up children. But I want to put
it to you that HOURS OF INFLUENCE also make a huge difference.
I once wrote an article pointing out the two biggest factors in this:
TV and SCHOOL. In other words, TV hours and Peer pressure.
These 2 things alone have the power to change your child’s life.
And many times they are ripping them away from God. In that
article I recommended getting rid of TV and also starting to Home-
school. Many thought I was too radical. But we have seen it work
big-time. And we learnt the hard way.
What do children do when they have no TV? They read books, they
create things, they play with others. And they grow up without that
awful worldly cynicism and rebellion in their eyes. And of course
there are always DVDs if we want them to watch something.
We just had another minor “storm” on our Facebook page over
this quote from Leonard Ravenhill – “If you want your child to go to
hell, buy him a T.V. all for himself and (it’ll) destroy him!”
There were quite a few reactions – both for and against – so we are
going to discuss this on our website too. Here were a few of the
comments from people:-
David – “I agree… my husband and I have been without TV for about
2 months and we have seen God more clearly than ever working
in and through us. No more TV for us!!”
Mishael – “I am soooo anti-video games and t.v. We just got rid of
our t.v. in September. I hated it at first but am finally used to it!
Now when I watch t.v. at friends’ houses, I am shocked at what I
see because I’m not desensitized to it anymore.”
Austin – “I like what Paul Washer says about T.V. Men don’t do
great things by watching other men do nothing.”
Sandi – “In this modern day of technology, we can also include the
internet and our cell phones too. These modern day conveniences
can really preoccupy us, and take us away from Bible study and prayer.”
Marilena - “I agree to this, except that I only bought a TV for my
daughter so I can show her Christian DVDs on it and some cartoons
that are carefully selected by me… TV is a means of feeding things
into your heart… what seeds do you want in there? They will grow.”
Mark – “I’m not supporting TV but I’m also not supporting laws to
live by… If you have a problem with watching unclean things on TV
or the internet or doing anything unclean, making laws to control it
is not the answer. Something is wrong inside you. Laws are for the
unrighteous…”
Judah – “It wasn’t until I got the TV idol out of my life that I
started experiencing personal revival and hearing the call of God
to Street Preach.”
Sally – “Even many (or should I say “most”) of the so-called
Christian programs are eroneous, hypocritical, and/or phony.
According to God’s word, we are to set no unclean thing before us.
Is this law? or is this wisdom?… If you think TV is fine, I challenge
you to try turning it off for just a week or a month and see if
anything changes. If nothing else to prove to yourself that it’s just
a harmless box.”
Marilena – “It is not a matter of a law, but it is a matter of what’s
profitable and what is destructive.”
All of us have probably had the distasteful experience of overhearing someone cursing and using foul language. Sometimes, graffiti “artists” ply their illegal slogans and we’re the victims as we try to hurry our children or grandchildren past some freshly spray-painted wall, park bench, or boxcar. If you venture out very often to a mall or shopping area, then you have likely been subjected to foul language and unseemly activity at some point. If you lived much of your life without Christ in the world (as I did) then chances are that you remember the days when all of those off-color words were a part of your personal vocabulary. Praise the Lord that when He saved me He also cleansed me and, by the convicting power of the Spirit of God, He strengthens me to resist letting fly with a string of expletives in the manner that I once did. I’m not applauding myself here but just crediting the Lord for changing me and for continuing to refine His work in me day in and day out.
The fact is that our speech surely reflects what is going on in our soul. Jesus illustrates this in Matthew 12 as He makes the point that good men speak good things and evil men speak the opposite. He then states, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37). He visits the same line of thinking in Matthew 15 and again in Mark 7. It should go without saying that this is surely no trivial teaching. After all, the Bible succinctly proclaims that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34b).
I’ve said all of that to say that, as repulsed as I am by the crude and filthy things that so effortlessly stream out of the mouths of so many around us these days, I am not shocked by them. Still, I was completely blindsided by such a display when I walked into a Starbucks coffee shop in the Seattle area recently. I wasn’t at all prepared for the blatant, in-your-face, vulgar proclamation spelled out in big block letters inside.
There in line in front of me – in the midst of a busy Saturday afternoon crowd – was an older teen with a brightly colored T-shirt which, on the back, displayed one of the most foul statements that one can make. In fact, I’m not even going to give you an idea of exactly what the shirt said so that your mind doesn’t participate in the guessing game as to what the words were. I lived in the perverted, anything goes world of professional rock music for two decades and I thought I had been around when it comes to what the world offers but, frankly, I stood there nearly dumbfounded, wondering, “Does that offend anyone else here?” As I looked around the busy shop, I took stock of the twenty or so patrons and the four baristas busy serving them. With the exception of one couple at a table in the corner, I may have been the oldest person present and, though I noticed others staring at the fellow whose shirt displayed the message, no one shook their head or seemed to act as though something was uncomfortably out of place. There was no outrage. No offense seemed to be taken. The fact is, I surmise that those present weren’t offended or shocked much at all. After all, it’s only words. Right? No, in reality, the people present, like the majority in our society (especially those under 40), have likely become accustomed to the particular phrase so boldly displayed on the shirt. They had become desensitized and hardened to the culture around them and probably had little if any problem with one of their peers displaying words that not long ago would have outraged the secular culture in a similar circumstance, let alone sorely offended us Christians.
As I stood waiting for my drink and watching the young man, a number of things crossed my mind. Should I ask for the manager? Should I make a scene and publicly call him out, exposing his uncouthness? (This was the response my flesh wanted to take.) Should I follow him outside and try to speak to him? Or should I just shrug my shoulders and be glad that my granddaughters hadn’t been with me to be subjected to the spectacle?
Once he exited the shop, I saw that the Lord had probably saved me a real, possibly dangerous, hassle, as he was obviously just one of several guys sitting around the tables outside. I couldn’t hear what they were saying but, by the looks of them, I can imagine that the text on his T-shirt might have been lightweight in comparison. Frankly, they had every appearance of thugs, young punks just waiting for a turn on “Cops” or a posting on “America’s Most Wanted.” I realize that today it is “cool” to repeatedly tattoo and pierce and display how tough you think you are, but this kid had decided to tell the whole world off in the foulest of words and his friends fit the sentiment displayed on his shirt!
Still angered in a way that simply does not come upon me often, I walked to my car, got in, and observed. Knowing it was fruitless, I decided to call the local sheriff precinct anyway, if only to vent my feelings. When I explained what the situation was to the officer who answered my call, he said, “Sir, I completely agree with you. It is gross and bad for the businesses, but the words on his shirt are constitutionally protected free speech and there is nothing we can do about it.” The officer again sympathized in agreement with me and we hung up.
THE “LOT” SYNDROME
Understand that I am obviously a huge fan of constitutionally protected free speech. However, the base level of which the courts have now ruled in favor does beg for an answer as to what might be protected next. Thanks to the efforts of the ACLU, Hustler’s Larry Flint, and liberal politicians, the courts have neutered nearly every existing obscenity law. It would appear that almost every vile ideal is now hunky-dory in America. We are surely calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20-21) and, sadly, biblically-literate folk know where it is all heading. As I sat observing the scene in front of the coffee shop, I thought to myself, “This is what the breakdown of truth, the loss of decency, and our new “liberal” interpretation of the words ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ have gotten us.” Now our kids take their lead from the pitiful role models and false heroes being turned out by Hollywood, MTV, and Comedy Central. Even the Christians – the real, authentic ones – have been conditioned and have lost much of their ability to blush.
I might add that Christians need to think twice before we condemn this kind of behavior and then shell out money at the box office or for DVD rentals to be fed the same by the growing number of misfits and social degenerates whose perceived talents have made billions while they advocate and validate the foul-mouthed, crude activities we are commonly subjected to.
It may be constitutionally protected free speech, but, until we Christians bring this stuff up and point out how prevalent and repulsive it is, we can expect only an escalation of the same. This is exactly the plight of Abraham’s nephew, Lot.
The Bible identifies him as a “righteous man” who was “vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked” (see II Peter 2:5-8). Yet, he had lived around such evil for so long that, when the two angels came to warn him of the pending destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19:1-11), he attempted dialoguing with demon-possessed men and even offered his virgin daughters to them in compromise! He had become used to living around the most evil attitudes and activities imaginable and, though disturbed by the foul “conversation of the wicked,” his sensibilities had been severely dulled and his judgment was skewed.
Though I wish somehow that I would have publicly confronted the young man, in retrospect, I should have asked for the manager of the coffee shop and complained that they had even served him. However, judging from what I saw, it would probably have done little good. I have learned since the incident that the corporate policy of Starbucks is to never refuse service to a customer due to offensive language or behavior. Frankly, though, I encourage store owners and even corporations such as Starbucks to institute a discrimination policy similar to “no shirt, no shoes, no service” when it comes to obscenity. Yes, this is America, and I thank God that our free speech – even that which offends – is protected. However, we also have the right to ostracize clientele who are in effect running customers off and whose presence works against the intended shopping experience that businesses count on giving customers, particularly in a social/leisure setting like a Starbucks store. As I was writing this, a friend told me of an instance when a teenager was actually thrown out of a Sam’s Club outlet because he was wearing a T-shirt similar to the one I’ve described here. Right on and Amen!
This is all a result of the culture’s creeping acceptability of offensive and down-right evil language, behavior, and attitudes. Moreover, the real core reason for this is often because of “freethinking” parenting that an 18- or 19-year-old could act out in this casual, laissez faire way. By the way, the young man walked away with a fellow easily in his 40’s. I wondered to myself, “Could that been his father???!!!” This is just a small reflection of what my generation has brought upon us with the hippies, free love, LSD, and the counterculture movement. Forty-five years ago we proclaimed, “If it feels good do it,” and “Do your own thing, man,” and the fruit of that thinking is now apparent in the teen culture of 2010.
SYMPTOMS OF THE END
But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
- Matthew 24:37-39
In 1 Samuel 15 we find that in God’s economy rebellion is equal to witchcraft. This is surely the spirit of our age today. Jesus, of course, had it pegged in the above passage from Matthew 24. Just as in the days of Noah, the world today is oblivious to its precarious spiritual plight and the judgment that is fast approaching – but wise followers of God’s Word do understand. The majority of those in the world around us seem to think nothing of what I’ve described above. The culture is careening headlong toward destruction and seems to be completely unaware of it. Here we are, condemning “free speech” and protected expression that would have horrified the world, let alone the Church, a short time ago. I feel certain that, instead of agreement, over time I’ll receive some anonymous mail telling me how prude-like and backward I am. Somebody – claiming to be “Christian” – is bound to repeat the tired old line continually voiced so often by the world: “Don’t shove your old-fashioned, outdated morality down my throat, Eric Barger!” Well, I’m not. If you are a defender of using dirty words and want to argue about it, take it up with God. After all, our now-extinct obscenity laws, which those hapless folks at the ACLU have managed to have stricken, were each reflections of biblical morality. Of course, though, who wants that now? Since we’re so “educated” and so enlightened and so very much ahead of every previous generation, then we surely don’t need to be concerned with the archaic rules that so restricted and repressed our thirst for immorality in times past, right?
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
- Ephesians 4:29
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
- Colossians 3:8
Let’s also remember that, in the midst of all of this, we have a genre of people manning Emergent Church pulpits who claim it’s kosher and oh so freeing to let fly with any and every profanity (including the one on the T-shirt that provoked this missive) and that these counterfeit Christians do so from behind the “sacred desk,” the pulpit! I cringe to think of what many claiming to be followers of Christ have accepted – all because they don’t bother to read or believe the Bible. There, my friends, is the root of the problem.
HOPE
I imagine a few reading this might have a clue as to the type of talk and activity secular (and some Christian) teens engage in today. Frankly, however, most of you would be shocked to know the things texted by teens to one another. Each week we hear increasingly troubling accounts of children as young as 8 and 9 engaging in sexual activity and, as prevalent as this stuff might be, this grandfather of four isn’t taking it lightly. I surely don’t want to stand idly by while some foolish kid, flaunting his lack of morality and couth on a mission to acquaint my kiddos with the crudest of words in the English language, does so without any interference.
So, is it a lost cause? Have we so lost our way that we should just expect our teens to be drawn into the gutter that produced the T-shirt I saw this week? Many popular bumper stickers display the same sorts of messages and with atheist groups now proclaiming on billboards around the world, “There is no God,” it makes me wonder if the same gross phrases will soon be visible for all to see along our nation’s highways, too.
The most pressing question for the majority of those who will read this is, “What hope do our Christian teens and children have?” The psalmist asked the same question in Psalm 119. Verse nine asks, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” and then continues with the only answer – “By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” It is only a lost cause if we clam up and do nothing when we are faced with evil. It is only a lost cause when we fail to point the next generation to the truth Psalm 119 expresses in this passage.
The only hope for our children and grandchildren is a foundation rooted firmly in the Word of God and a solid and reverent relationship with the Savior, Jesus Christ. It may go without saying to some and may not fit the psychologically-bound mold that so many think can fix their problems, but resolving to follow God’s precious Word is simply the only antidote for what ails us and the only remedy that will stave off the judgment of God upon us.
I encourage you to be aware, yet not distraught, that we are watching as the end-times activities prophesied in the Bible are coming to pass all around us. Matthew 24 is a veritable checklist that alerts Bible-believers as to where we are on God’s sovereign, prophetic time table at present. It was just the kind of repugnant filth that I saw adorning the young man’s T-shirt inside the coffee shop that surely typified Noah’s day before the flood and the time of Lot just before fire fell from heaven. The orgies of ancient Rome were surely on par with the public acceptance of foul speech and perverse activities that we are watching become normal in this hour. We can be absolutely assured that, unless there is a dramatic acceptance of Jesus Christ accompanied by true repentance across our land, it will end the same way for America as it did for Egypt, Sodom and Rome. The question for us remains: will we stand and be counted, or will we just try to blend in with the perishing and act like evil is actually normal?
Question: I have a friend who commented, “I’m so puzzled why the U.S. is giving Israel all the weapons they ask for. They’re forcibly taking over Palestine, [that has] nothing…no weapons, nothing. Israel is just bombing the heck out of them…leaving nothing and taking over everything. More people need to learn about this….Israel’s cause is not a good one, a Christian one, or a justified one in any sense of the word.” How should I answer this?
Response:Your friend’s errors concerning Israel need to be corrected. The U.S. has never given “them all the weapons they ask for.” Neither is it true that the “Palestinians” have no weapons. One of the reasons for Operation Cast Lead, the last Israeli incursion into Gaza, was that the Arabs were constantly firing missiles, rockets, and mortars into Israeli cities. Have we forgotten Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in the 1980s, where, after pinning the PLO in Beirut, the PLO was evacuated to Cyprus? In 1982, I was amazed to watch trucks loaded with all sorts of munitions being loaded for transport during this evacuation.
Have we forgotten that in 1948 the UN partitioned the promised land, and the Arabs were given Gaza, the West Bank, and substantial portions of the land? They refused to accept it, and shortly thereafter, five Muslim armies invaded. Had they accepted the land, the so called Palestinians would have had their state then. The term “Palestinian” was only adopted because the Arabs perceived its political value. Not too long before the Six-Day War, the Jews were called “Palestinians.” During WWII, the British had a Palestinian Brigade, all Jews. The Palestinian Post(now The Jerusalem Post) was a Jewish newspaper. The Palestinian Symphony was an all-Jewish orchestra.
There is certainly enough documentation to demonstrate that Arabs wanted nothing to do with the name “Palestinian” or “Palestine” until they saw the advantage of the same. As Walid Shoebat has asked, “Why is it that on June 4th, 1967, I was a Jordanian and overnight I became a Palestinian?” Consider the following quote: “There is no such country as Palestine. ‘Palestine’ is a term the Zionists invented. There is no Palestine in the Bible. Our country was for centuries part of Syria. ‘Palestine’ is alien to us. It is the Zionists who introduced it” (Auni Bey Abdul-Hadi, Syrian Arab leader to British Peel Commission, 1937).
If Israel is “bombing the heck out of them…leaving nothing and taking over everything,” why did they relocate settlers out of Gaza and turn it over to Hamas? It cannot be overemphasized that the Palestinian Charter has always called for the literal destruction of Israel. We often forget that Islamic prophecy demands the literal extermination of every Jew. Imams are often fond of quoting from the hadith: “Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, ‘The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say, ‘O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him’” (Volume 4, Book 52, Number 177). The “hour” means “the last day.” So, for the last day to come, the last Jew must be killed. This is Muslim theology.
Some feel that the Jews no longer occupy a special position with the Lord. Jeremiah 31 spoke of the time to come when the Lord would make a new covenant with them. In that day, the nation of Israel would no longer need the old covenant that He had made with their fathers (i.e., the law). More wonderful yet, each one would know the Lord from the least of them unto the greatest (vv. 31-34). This same passage states that the Lord has given specific signs (the sun, moon, and stars), promising that He will never totally cast away the nation of Israel. If there is no sunrise, phases of the moon, or the stars cease shining, we’ll absolutely know that the Lord has cast away Israel. We must not let our preconceptions dictate the pronouncement of Scripture.
We charismatics celebrate the Holy Spirit, yet our theology of the
Spirit is often off balance.
Two popular charismatic speakers stood on a stage two years ago
and decided they should demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit.
One guy pretended to throw an imaginary “fireball” at his friend,
who promptly fell over as if he had been zapped by the divine power.
Then, feeling equally playful, the guy on the floor stood to his feet
and threw the “fireball” back at his friend—who fell after the “blob”
of God hit him.
Everybody laughed and had a hilarious time at this outrageous
party. There was just one problem. The Holy Spirit is not a blob,
a fireball or any other form of divine energy that can be thrown,
manipulated, maneuvered or controlled.
This scenario happened in a charismatic church—a place
where the ministry of the Holy Spirit is presumably honored
and understood. It’s incredibly sad that many of us who wear
the charismatic label have forgotten what the Scriptures teach
about the third person of the Trinity. At the risk of sounding way
too elementary, I’d like to offer this basic layman’s guide to
pneumatology—the study of the Holy Spirit and how He works:
1. He is the Spirit of the Lord. He is not a force (as in Star Wars),
a magical power or an “it.” The Holy Spirit is God, and we should
revere Him as God. The concept of the Trinity doesn’t make sense
to the human mind. Yet Scripture reveals God as a triune being.
As theologian Norman Geisler writes: “God is one what (nature)
with three whos (persons). This is a mystery but not a
contradiction.”
2. He is our Regenerator. Jesus told Nicodemus that we are
born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:5). True conversion is the
most supernatural thing we will ever experience! When a person
puts his faith in Christ for salvation, it is the Spirit who opens the
heart and quickens divine life. He then indwells us. While this is
an invisible process, it is no less miraculous. When we are
converted our hearts cry out, “Abba! Father” because the Holy
Spirit is “the Spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:15); He gives us
confidence that we are now children of God.
3. He is our Empowerer. When we are baptized in the Holy
Spirit we are “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49,
NASB). The Spirit who already indwells us fills us to the point
of overflowing. Jesus said the Holy Spirit’s power would flow
out of us like “rivers of living water” from our innermost being
(John 7:38). This overflow releases supernatural boldness
(Acts 4:31) as well as the anointing for various gifts of the
Spirit including prophecy, speaking in tongues and healing.
4. He is the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit has access to all the
wisdom and knowledge of God. When we abide in Him, He
leads us continually into truth—causing us to grow and
mature spiritually. He wants to fill us with the treasures of
heavenly revelation. We can fully trust Him because He never
does anything to violate the Word of God. As our teacher
(1 John 2:27), He knows the difference between truth and error,
and those who depend on Him will walk in discernment and
avoid deception, pride and carnality.
5. He is our Counselor. This word is also translated “Advocate,”
“Comforter” or “Helper.” The Greek word, parakletos, means “one
called alongside to help.” It implies that the Spirit comes to our
legal defense when we are accused or troubled; it also means
He is a close friend who offers encouragement, consolation and
direction when we face any difficulty. He is truly a friend who
“sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24).
6. He is our Intercessor. This is probably one of the greatest
miracles of grace. The Spirit who lives inside of us “intercedes
for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26). Even
when we don’t know how to pray, the Spirit prays the perfect
will of God. No matter what kind of dark difficulty we face, the
Spirit travails for us until we emerge on the other side.
7. He is our Unifier. Like the master conductor of an orchestra,
the Holy Spirit pulls together each individual Christian—with all
of our diverse gifts—and causes us to flow in synchronization as
one body. The Spirit distributes His gifts to individuals (1 Cor. 12:11)
and He brings about the “fellowship of the Spirit” (2 Cor. 13:14)—
a supernatural, loving harmony among believers that overcomes
jealousy, envy, strife and bitterness.
8. He is our Refiner. The Spirit took the form of a dove at Christ’s
baptism, but He is often portrayed in Scripture as a fire. He is
the “refiner’s fire” (Mal. 3:2-3) who purifies us of selfishness, pride
and wrong motives. The Holy Spirit is indeed the fire of blazing
holiness, and He can be both grieved (Eph. 4:30) and quenched
(1 Thess. 5:19) when we disobey His promptings.
As we prepare to celebrate the day of Pentecost in less than a
month (it’s on May 23), let’s meditate on all aspects of the Spirit’s
work in our lives—and invite Him to fill us in a fresh way.
Mark dedicates more of his account to Jesus’ miracles than any of the other Gospel writers. For Mark, these miracles were a demonstration of Jesus’ power. His power over disease, death, to provide food, His authority to forgive sin, the forces of evil, power over evil spirits not in His immediate proximity, power to heal the blind, and even over nature.
Many flocked to Him to be healed and fed. Some wondered who Jesus was. However, others followed Him. Jesus is a miracle worker.
“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts; and yet show I unto you a more excellent way,” (I Cor.12:28-31).
The apostle Paul says in (Eph. 4:11), that “Jesus gave.” This passage also says, “God set.” It doesn’t say that Peter Wagner gives the Body of Christ Apostles or prophets… Jesus gave and God sets them into the Body of Christ. Notice this Corinthians’ passage calls the Body of Christ “the Church.”
The Church is the Body of Christ. The Gift of Miracles is a supernatural gift that God gives for the Body of Christ is the Church. The Holy Ghost sets ministry gifts in the Church – not man. There is a vast difference between God’s setting some in the Church and a man setting some in the Church. A study of Church history reveals how down through the centuries various groups have endeavored to get back to what they call New Testament practices.
They’ve set up Institutions which often were something man manufactured – something in the flesh, something carnal. These men “called” and “set” people who had no divine calling into certain offices.
This is unscriptural.
God does the setting.
God does the calling.
You simply do not enter the ministry, any phase of it, just because “you” feel it is a holy calling and “you” want to do it.
You never enter the ministry because “someone else” tells you that you are suited for it.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the boy of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we hence forth be no more children, tossed to AND FRO, AND CARRIED ABOUT WITH EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE, BY THE SLEIGHT OF MEN, AND CUNNING CRAFTINESS, WHEREBY THEY LIE IN WAIT TO DECEIVE,” (Eph. 4:11-14).
If God calls you, then he will properly prepare you through study of the Word and your committed walk with Jesus.
Acts 9:13-16, –“ Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” KJV
This article is taken from Eric Barger’s live seminar teaching and video presentation
“The PROOF and the POWER of the RESURRECTION.”
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins…If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
I Corinthians 15:12, 17, 19
Today, the life and deeds of Jesus Christ are perhaps under more skeptical scrutiny than at any time since His earthly life some 2000 years ago. Along with the virgin birth, the nature of the miraculous in His ministry and of course His very deity have long been the target of many skeptical claims and theories. However, no facet of Jesus’ life is as contested as is His bodily resurrection from the dead.
The resurrection is certainly one of the most debated and perhaps the most critical of the major doctrines that comprise the bedrock of Christianity itself. Though each of the so-called “central” or “essential” doctrines relating to Jesus’ godhood are equally important, the physical resurrection from the tomb stands as the very lynchpin of the Christian faith. That is, all other claims about Jesus find overwhelming validation and completion in His triumph over the grave. It proved His deity as the Son of God whom the Scriptures foretold and it gave those who would place their trust in Him the greatest hope of all – the assurance of eternal life (I Corinthians 15: 12-19, 51-57). My hope is that in this reading your faith will increase and that you will gain more awareness of the utter necessity for Christians to be ready “to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you…” (I Peter 3:15).
24 / 7 / 365
I hope it is evident that the resurrection of the Lord is a pivotal event, the scope of which goes far beyond the yearly commemoration of Passion Week. In fact, it is no overstatement to conclude that the resurrection of Jesus is an event on which the very existence of the Church depends. I often comment that if the events ofJesus’ earthly life accomplished the fulfillment of the other 323 Messianic prophecies concerning the Jewish Messiah – yet had He remained lifeless in the grave – then, regardless of the sum of His great works, example and teaching, He was NOT the Savior. Thus, without a physical resurrection from death, He couldNOT have been the Messiah and we are then still hopelessly lost in our sins and destined for eternal separation from God.
In our day, when doctrine is undermined, ignored and replaced by feelings, flesh and sloppy exegesis, I find myself often embroiled in discussions with those who want to claim the title of “Christian” yet do not hold to the essential teaching that actually allows one to use the term. Bluntly put, one cannot be an authentic “Christian” and at the same time deny essential doctrines such as the virgin birth, sinless life, deity and resurrection of Jesus. While they may be sincere, devout and very religious, those who deny these and other essentials (see The Apostles Creed) are also sincerely deceived, horribly mistaken and lost.
RESURRECTION FACT? – THREE SOURCES
There are three sources to consider when examining the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection.
1 - Eyewitness Accounts
2 - Scriptural Evidence
3 - Statistical Evidence
So with that, let’s examine the evidence for the resurrection.
1 - Eyewitness Accounts
After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
The Apostle Paul, 55 AD (I Corinthians 15:6)
Skeptics enjoy pointing out that the only known eyewitnesses that lend credence to Christ’s resurrection are those mentioned in the New Testament. While this is true, when one understands the reliability of the Bible as a history book it actually adds to our contention that Jesus came out of the tomb alive. We only have miniscule recorded data from ancient times as opposed to the veritable overflow of information being created today…not everyone blogged on the Internet or surfed through hundreds of cable channels back then!
The above statement by Paul holds tremendous weight. Five Hundred Eyewitnesses? Think of that. Paul is chiding the Corinthians, rebuking them for entertaining any thought that Jesus could still be in the tomb. If five hundred people witnessed any event today we can rest assured that it would be recorded as a bonafide historical event! The fact that this account is found in the Bible should be of no controversy to us either.
The Bible is the best kept record in the history of mankind. No other book (actually 66 different unique letters and accounts) has been so well guarded. The Old Testament stands as the longest kept record in the history of mankind. It is a common argument of the skeptics that the text is inaccurate because of language translations and the passing of time itself. This idea is dismissed for several reasons but becomes nearly laughable when one examines the fact that we have manuscripts dating back thousands of years that were copied meticulously by scribes who knew that if they changed anything (i.e. “one jot or tittle”) from one copy to another it would cost them their very lives. The New Testament was carefully recorded and maintained with the same standards as was the Old Testament.
So, when the New Testament speaks of or records information concerning the direct encounters people had with the risen, glorified Christ, can it not be trusted for pure historical content? Of course – providing one’s skepticism doesn’t outweigh one’s quest for truth.
2 - Scriptural Evidence
Obviously, we have plenty of biblical evidence for the resurrection. Here are just a few instances:
- The resurrected Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:10-18).
- He appeared to other women (Matthew 28:8-10).
- The longest such event took place as Jesus walked up to seven miles with Cleopas and his unnamed companion (perhaps his wife?) on the road to Emmaus. As they walked, Jesus unfolded a “prophetic apologetic” concerning Himself (Luke 24:13-32).
- Jesus appeared to eleven disciples as well as others (Luke 24:33-49).
- He appeared to ten of the apostles and others (John 20:19-23).
- The famous “He is Lord and God” encounter with Thomas and the other apostles (John 20:26-30).
- He appeared to the apostles several more times (John 21:1-14, Matthew 28:16-20, Luke 24:50-52 and Acts 1:4-9).
- Saul (soon to be Paul) encountered the risen Lord in Acts 9:3-9 as well.
3 - Statistical Evidence
There is no doubt that to reach the most intellectual around us a statistic or two may get their attention. As a good friend of mine says, “Bait the hook with what the fish are biting on.” So let’s examine a couple of interesting, make that mind-blowing, facts.
In the 1950’s a statistician named Peter Stoner wrote a book entitled Science Speaks. In the book he examined the mathematical odds for any person perfectly fulfilling just 8 of the 324 Messianic prophecies and yet not being the Messiah.
Prophecies such as: Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), Messiah is to be preceded by a Messenger (John the Baptist) (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1), Messiah is to enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9), Messiah is to be silent before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7) and four other documented events prophesied in the Old Testament and completely fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ.
Stoner states that the statistical probability of any man fulfilling just these eight prophecies as Jesus did and yet not have been the Messiah is 1 in 10 to the 17thpower. Friend, that’s 100,000,000,000,000,000 to 1 !!!
Stoner illustrates this number by supposing that we take 10 to the 17th power the amount of silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover theentire state of Texas in stacks two feet deep. He then says, to take one silver dollar and mark it and stir the whole mass thoroughly.
Now blindfold a man and tell him he can travel the entire state – roughly 850 miles east to west and 900 miles north to south – but instruct the man that he must then pick up one silver dollar on the first try and show that it is the right one, which has been marked. What are his chances? 1 in 10 to the 17th power.
If one investigates just 48 of the O.T. prophecies fulfilled in Jesus’ life, the number is 1 in 10 to the 152nd power, or roughly double the amount of electrons in the entire Universe! Truly, if a person is honest, statistical probability of fulfilled prophesy destroys skepticism!
SO WHY DOESN’T EVERYBODY BELIEVE?
To allow themselves to feel better about sin and to remain firmly planted as their own “god,” men have devised many theories concerning the resurrection. After all, if He didn’t rise from the dead, then all bets on Christianity are off and we’re free to live any old way that we so choose.
Concerning theories, my vicarious mentor, the late Dr. Walter Martin, said: “A theory is a magnificently developed idea ganged up on by a brutal bunch of facts.”How true. In my seminar presentation we examine each of these theories and several others to see if there is any possibility of truth lurking about in them. Limited space allows just a mention of them here.
The Wrong Tomb Theory – The women went to the wrong tomb and thus led Peter and the others there as well and nobody figured it out. Hummm, I can think of one group who would have corrected such as error – the Pharisees! As soon as Peter began raising havoc by proclaiming the Gospel they would have directed everyone to the “right” tomb – if Jesus had still been there!
The Swoon Theory - This theory espouses that Jesus never died on the cross but merely passed out and was mistakenly considered dead. Then, after three days He revived, muscled his way out of the grave clothes, rolled away a stone weighing approximately 2000 lbs, exited the tomb and overwhelmed a group of Roman soldiers single-handedly and appeared to His disciples unscathed who believed He had risen from the dead.
Dr. Hugh J. Sconfield’s book The Passover Plot taught this. German apostate Frederick Schlermocher did also. If you believe this could be true, may I suggest that, regardless of any theological disagreements you may have with Mel Gibson, you see the movie “The Passion of the Christ” and tell me if you believe that a man could survive without food, water and medical attention for three days and then come strolling out of the tomb ready to assume His duties as the Savior of the world! This theory also makes Jesus into a LIAR.
The Replacement Theory -Taught by Islam in the Koran and believed by many non-Muslims, the replacement theory suggests that someone took Jesus’ place at the foot of the Cross and died in His place allowing Him to slip away without anyone noticing!!?
The Stolen Body Theory – Depending on who is espousing this theory, the ideas are in direct conflict. First, one theory states that the Jews/Romans removed the body for “safe keeping.” If the Romans or Jews had the body, they could have brought it out and, as Dr. Martin taught, “paraded the rotting corpse down the streets of Jerusalem” and simply destroyed Christianity on the spot.
This theory goes up in smoke because of the Biblical record and because of logic as well.
This particular Stolen Body theory is in direct conflict with the one mentioned in Matthew 28. If the Jews or Romans had the body, why did they need to accuse the disciples of stealing it and in doing so give healthy bribes to the soldiers who were standing watch at the tomb? (Matt. 28:11-15 records this.) This leads us to the other “stolen body” theory.
If the disciples had the body and were merely attempting to fake Christ’s resurrection, then we’re faced with accusing the disciples of being completely lunatic.
Wouldn’t the idea of the disciples possessing the non-resurrected body of Jesus put a damper on every one of them preaching a bold faced lie that would eventually cost them their own lives and also the lives of dozens, if not hundreds of their family and friends?
Somebody would have cracked and eventually admitted that the resurrection was actually a hoax. Considering that all of the disciples except John died of martyrdom (and John’s exile to the island of Patmos wasn’t a vacation!), the supposition that they stole the body of Jesus is so far out that no further comment is needed. (Matthew didn’t comment on it either in Matthew 28.)
So if the body of Jesus wasn’t taken from the tomb by the Jews, the Romans or the disciples as the soldiers watched, our next theory needs examination…it is“The Sleeping Soldiers Theory.”
The Sleeping Soldier Theory – First, Roman guards were not likely to fall asleep with such an important duty. But if the soldiers were sleeping, how did they “know” it was the disciples who stole the body? It could have been someone else!
Second, it seems physically impossible for the disciples to sneak past the sleeping soldiers and then move a two-ton stone up an incline in absolute silence, unwrap the body, rewrap it in grave clothes they brought with them, and finish by carefully folding the head piece neatly next to the linen? PLEASE…give it a rest!!! Certainly the guards would have heard something.
Third, the tomb was secured with a Roman seal. Anyone who moved the stone would break the seal, an offense punishable by death. Do you think the disciples were ready for that after watching their leader’s horrible death? Not yet…not without RESURRECTION POWER!
RESURRECTION POWER !!!
You see, the world can have their theories as to why they think Christ didn’tresurrect and we Christians can have our evidences as to why we know that Hedid. But when it comes down to it, the real proof of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is in the fact that after 2000 years that same power that brought forth the King of Kings from the dead is still rescuing sinners from spiritual death; still healing sickness and disease and still setting captives free from the bondage of Satan’s grip!
What could have possibly motivated Peter to boldly preach “Christ and Him crucified” just 40 days after denying that he even knew Him? It was RESURRECTION POWER!
It is this same power that has driven Christians worldwide to proclaim “He is Risen” for 2000 years – even if in doing so it meant torture or death.
I encourage you to use the facts surrounding His resurrection as you dialog with the lost following the biblical command to “defend the faith” (Jude 3) and give men answers for the hope that lies within you” (I Peter 3:15). But I encourage you to celebrate, walk in and magnify the power of the resurrected Christ in every facet of your life. There is an unspeakable reward for those who will diligently seek Him on “resurrection day” and also the subsequent 364 days of the year.
There are some Christians who are obsessed with the devil. Their lives are wrapped up in what he’s doing – not in what Jesus did. But frankly, they are in the minority. Most Christians I know don’t give satan a second thought. In fact, according to a Barna poll, the majority of people in the US who call themselves Christians do not believe in the devil or the Holy Spirit. It is to that I must speak. I came to know Jesus by direct revelation. I was delivered from the world of the occult and demons because Jesus Himself appeared to me – or rather, He took me to Himself in heaven. I do not say that lightly – it is the absolute truth before God. My battle to be free of demons was real. The confrontation to demand my full release was not a fantasy. And since that time nearly 32 years ago, that battle has continued in the lives God has brought to me to help deliver from their evil grip. They have made it clear, both in invisible action and visible confrontation, that if they could destroy me utterly, they would. They have tried, and only by God’s mercy, they have failed. But the battle has never ceased. The Holy Spirit is a real Person. He has comforted and instructed me from the beginning. I dare not engage satanic forces without Jesus’ authority or the power of the Holy Spirit. After all, Jesus cast out demons – and commanded us to do the same. We stand on the cusp of one of the greatest outpourings of demonic forces in history. And where does the church stand in this country? If the statistics are our indicator, then it appears we are powerless, denying that demons and the devil are even real – or if they are, so what? Just accentuate the positive. Why should we be concerned? Because the occult is permeating everything around us: TV, movies, music, games, and education. Now, if you don’t believe in the Bible, or just the portions you like, you can stop reading now. But if you do believe in the whole Bible as God’s Word, then you understand that not only is all occult practice (little or big) forbidden, but also that the occult world is owned by demonic spirits, and that practicing the occult results in oppression and often demonization. That means that an increasing number of kids and adults who come to church have this influence. And we aren’t prepared to deal with it. Frankly, we don’t know how. I have been fishing around the Internet lately in Christian “apologetic” groups. They seem to be made up of the same “like-minded” people who deny ritual abuse and the dangers of the occult, the same ones who have labored so diligently to silence the voices of those who sound the warning cry. Many of these people are the same ones who have, in effect, wiped out the playing field. With the exception of perhaps Neil Anderson, author of the Bondage Breakers, and a handful of tiny ministries, the standard that opposed occultism and its influence has been taken down and shredded. Call it a preemptive strike to ensure the church is powerless and helpless against what is coming. I am not suggesting we should obsess over the devil. I certainly don’t. But ignore his plan at your own peril. (1 Peter 5:8) It was common for the New Testament church and leaders to be confronted with demons and the occult. (Acts 8:18-24, Acts 14; 11-14, acts 16:16-18, etc.) Jesus said this would be part of our work. (Mark 16:17-18). If you truly live a Spirit-filled life, you will confront this. And if you minister to broken, addicted people, this may also be part of it. Instead of equipping and preparing believers to do so, the new wave of Christian intellectuals and apologetic elitists are not only downplaying – sometimes even denying – the existence of the demonic kingdom, they are determined to minimize, criticize and dismiss anyone or anything that promotes the need for “spiritual warfare.” If our battle, as Paul said, is not against flesh and blood, but against powers, principalities and spiritual wickedness in high places, (Eph. 6:12) then the war is not against philosophies, principles, and secular worldviews in high places. We are fighting an intelligent, invisible army. Even the Archangel Michael contended with their warlords. (Daniel 10:13) These real demons and princes of hell did not go away in the New Testament. They are firmly entrenched against us NOW. And the tragedy is, their strategy has been to get believers to ignore them, deny their existence, dismiss their weapons and compromise our congregations with occultic cancers. And they have succeeded with barely a protest from the Christian world at large. Once the doors of compromise were opened through the media, music and literature and Christians stopped being concerned about Harry Potter, Halloween, Buffy, psychic hotlines and a host of other occult influences, we surrendered more territory than you can imagine. That’s why Wicca is the fastest growing religion among youth: We denied the seriousness of both occult powers and the need for God’s power in our lives, and the inherent recognition of the supernatural as real and needed by youth and in youth was dismissed – and a whole generation of kids began following the only options left to them – the occult, witchcraft and satanic practices. In denying the reality of the devil and ignoring him, we’ve played into his hands perfectly. Because the devil, if you ignore him, will be as quiet as a church mouse. He won’t disturb your peace as long as you don’t disturb him. But if you once shine the light of truth on our compromises, you will see him as plain as day – and you will have his full attention. And you had better be armored to fight when you do. Demonic armies are like spiritual “sleeper cells”- they are among us – hidden in our compromises, our false security and our powerless Christian walks. They avoid obvious “September 11” type strikes. All their poison is coated in honey. And they ridicule, along with those Christian intellectual elitists, anyone who says they are real, or try to expose them. We’re our own Tokyo Rose. So what do we do? We must wake up adults and equip our youth and children. The greatest preparation we can give our kids is the Power of God and His Anointing to storm hell’s gates. We must teach them “not to be ignorant of satan’s devices”; we must give them basic bootcamp on the enemy’s ways. Then we must make them recognize the war for the lost and bound – that we are not called to be comfortable and happy, but each is called to the fight to redeem the lost. We must make them know their purpose, and the Power of God to fulfill it. We must make them proactive, reactive, and scrappy little soldiers ready and willing to take the world on for Jesus and to defeat the “sleeper cells” of spiritual compromise in our midst and in the world. We have a long way to go. To fail to try is to insure our defeat by default, and we will remain an emasculated and irrelevant social club rather than the mighty army God has called us to be. Gregory Reid
“I need to talk to you about your book,” a mother of one of the young people at the youth center I was involved with told me one night when I was busy losing to one of the kids on a videogame. My book, Nobody’s Angel, chronicled my involvement in the occult world before being delivered by Jesus. We got into a back part of the building where it was quiet. “Fire away,” I said, not knowing what to expect. “Talk to me about Edgar Cayce,” she asked. Now, there was someone I could discuss. Along with Bishop Albert Pike, Edgar Cayce was a man whom I followed, read all of his teachings and his writings had convinced me that being a Christian and a medium were not incompatible. Only after I became a Christian, learned the scriptures, and was delivered from the demonic forces that had deceived me, did I come to know Cayce was a false prophet. Nice, yes. Sincere, yes, but nevertheless a false prophet. False prophets rarely know that is what they are. “Edgar Cayce was an occultist,” I told my friend’s mom. “But he taught the Bible!” she exclaimed. I paused. “But, he was an OCCULTIST.” I restated. “But he HEALED people!” she said, with a look of desperation in her eyes. I paused again. “BUT HE WAS AN OCCULTIST,” I said very deliberately. “Oh dear God,” she said as her face turned ashen white. “I’m in big trouble.” She proceeded to tell me about attending a ladies’ Bible study at a good, solid church whose pastor I had known for years. The study was held by the wife of one of the oldest and most solid elders in that church. After a number of months, the elder’s wife invited my friend and a handpicked few other ladies to a more private, “deeper life” kind of group study. They went eagerly. But within a short while, she realized something wasn’t right. The teacher began to introduce Edgar Cayce’s teachings to them. She taught them that the Bible contained the words of God, but wasn’t perfect. Soon she was teaching reincarnation. In fact, she told them that she had been married to the High Priest Melchizidek over a million years ago on Jupiter. When I spoke truth to my friend, the terrifying reality of how deceived she had been hit her with full force. She immediately made plans to cut all ties with this woman and her “Bible Study” group. How did she end up in that place? One, her knowledge of the Bible’s clear teachings about reincarnation and the occult practices God forbids was nearly non-existent. It wasn’t really her fault; it isn’t taught in most churches, and hasn’t been for quite some time. But more importantly, she was ensnared because she trusted her teacher. The lady was well-respected, in her sixties, and she and her husband had a sterling reputation. And she was so sincere. And nice. Who was SHE to question someone with credentials and history, someone who had taught the Bible for decades? Maybe, she reasoned, it was just her problem, not her teacher’s. Maybe, she thought, she just wasn’t deep or mature enough to get these “greater truths.” This is how error and spiritual deception grows in the church unchecked. I have a rule with the youth I teach. If I am wrong, if I misquote, or if I am teaching a half- truth or a lie, I make it clear that they are responsible to CALL ME ON IT. It is their duty to do so, not just for them, but to protect others. I will not be like some who say, “Who are you to question me? The Bible says to ‘touch not Mine Anointed.’” Truth supersedes my position, my power and my pride. I am glad my friend woke up and left her “teacher.” But what disturbed me most was that her teacher was a woman who was well-known in church circles throughout the entire city. She was deeply involved in the intercessory prayer movement. And she had laid hands on and prayed for nearly every pastor in our city! And yet, she had not been discerned, nor discovered, nor confronted, nor stopped. Where is our discernment? If we cannot discern and deal with such a blatant matter, how can we ever hope to deal with the little foxes, the little tampering with truth that are seeking even now to unravel the whole tapestry of truth within the church? And how then can we expose the bigger lies that even now are beginning to wrap their tendrils around the Body of Christ? Gregory R Reid
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?- I Kings 3:9
I like Paul Young. Having heard him speak about his life and book three times recently in Portland, Oregon I found him to be passionate, witty and funny. While at Young’s alma mater (Warner Pacific College), I was able to spend a few moments with him privately during which time I asked him to personally respond to several criticisms and concerns that I and other Christians are raising about the theological contents of his book. I wish I could report that he allayed my apprehensions but instead, I went away convinced that The Shack is more than just a little offbeat but is, as Dr. Albert Mohler pegged it on his radio program, “blatant heresy.”
Yes, The Shack is indeed a novel. And many will wonder what could be wrong since it is identified as a Christian book and authored by a man who claims to be a Christian? After all, The Shack is heralded by many seasoned Christian leaders. Pastors are preaching from it. Sunday School classes and small groups are reading and discussing it. Many Christians are buying it by the case to give as gifts. Some Christian Schools are even sanctioning and encouraging the reading of the book. But this is not just a benign story of man overcoming life’s challenges. Make no mistake, the book presents doctrine throughout its clever and gripping story – something the author clearly intended to do. Therein lays the problem.
Trading the Kingdom for a Shack
For those unaware of the book’s storyline, here is the description of The Shack from Amazon.com.
“Mackenzie Allen Philips’ youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness.
Four years later in the midst of what he refers to as ‘The Great Sadness,’ Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.
Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever.
In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant ‘The Shack’ wrestles with the timeless question, “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?”
The Shack is a publishing phenomenon but you may ask “is it really any big deal?” This self-published book has sold 4+ million copies since its May 2007 release. It debuted at #1 on The New York Times Bestseller List and has remained there for the past 25 weeks as of this writing. It has also held the #1 position on many other bestseller lists including Amazon.com, USA Today’s Top 150 Books, Barnes and Noble, Borders Books and is the #1 book of 2008 at ChristianBook.com. According to the author, the book is currently selling 87,000 copies a week in the secular book stores alone. All of this has allowed Young and his two publishing partners the luxury of holding out for just the right major motion picture deal as well. But there is a reason why several dozen publishers turned this book down. Here are a few of my observations – and objections.
The Shack’s Trinity
Several chapters into the book, a most unorthodox version of the Holy Trinity is revealed. Young’s tale diminishes Almighty God from His rightful position as a supernatural being. Instead of speaking by His Word and His Spirit, He is morphed into a feminine figure reduced to passing notes to those whom she wants to communicate with.
God is portrayed in The Shack as a large African-American woman named “Papa” also called “Elousia.” (Talk about gender confusion!) Jesus is a Jewish carpenter complete with a tool belt and the Holy Spirit is depicted as an Asian woman named after “Sarayu,” a mystical river in ancient India related to the Hindu deity Kali. Clearly, there is a trinity in The Shack but it is absolutely not the Trinity.
From my first glance at The Shack, it struck me that the idea of God in human form – even in the pages of a novel is more than just theologically questionable. It is forbidden by several passages from both the Old and New Testaments not the least of which is the Second Commandment (Exodus 20: 4-5). The Apostle Paul proclaims, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man…” (Romans 1:21-23a)
Of The Shack, Chuck Colson’s BreakPoint contributing editor Travis McSherley wrote, “This is the root of the book’s problems. In the course of the biblical narrative, God the Father never reveals Himself in the form of a human. In fact, Christ rebukes His disciples for even suggesting it. (See John 14:5-10)
The Shack would not dispute these limits of understanding – it dedicates many pages to chastising believers who cling too tightly to traditional views of God’s nature. Yet, instead of expanding our thinking and our appreciation for divine mysteries, the book shrinks them quite dramatically by creating a deity so clearly influenced by human expectations of what God should be.”
Sin, Hell, Judgment, Salvation, the Incarnation,
Hierarchy and Authority in the Godhead, a Polynesian
Goddess and other assorted problems
Here are just a few of the many issues raised by The Shack:
- Young’s Papa character insists that sin is its own punishment. This distorts the reality of Hell and discounts eternal retribution for sin.
- Readers of The Shack are told that Jesus is only the best way to know God – not the only way.
- The Shack teaches that when Jesus went to the cross, God Almighty died there too. This is a heresy known as patripassianism. (In our private conversation I challenged Young about this but to no avail.)
- The Shack states that there is no structure or hierarchy within the Trinity and that the three personages of God are all equally subject to one another and to humans as well. I challenge fans of The Shack to open a Bible and try to make that square with the Scriptures!
- Young’s “Papa” character is suspiciously akin to a Polynesian/Hawaiian goddess who also happens to be known as “Papa.” When I quizzed Young on this he denied any knowledge of such a deity. However, the similarities with The Shack’s God character are stunning.
Now lets move on to perhaps the biggest concern.
Is Paul Young still a “Reconciling Universalist?”
I have noticed that in nearly every electronic or print media interview Paul Young volunteers that he is “not a universalist” and does so without ever being asked about it. But is he merely parsing words? Young is obviously nervous about the Christian world becoming convinced of any such thing. That said, it strikes me as odd that on a web page intended to answer critics of the book one of his editors, Wayne Jacobson, acknowledges that Young had previously embraced a form of universalism known as “universal reconciliation” and that this belief indeed appeared throughout the original manuscript. (Jacobson refers to it as “ultimate reconciliation” to avoid using the dreaded “U” word, universalism.)
Jacobson’s website states: Does The Shack promote Ultimate Reconciliation (UR)?
“It does not. While some of that was in earlier versions because of the author’s partiality at the time to some aspects of what people call UR, I made it clear at the outset that I didn’t embrace UR as sound teaching and didn’t want to be involved in a project that promoted it. In my view UR is an extrapolation of Scripture to humanistic conclusions about our Father’s love that has to be forced on the biblical text.
Since I don’t believe in UR and wholeheartedly embrace the finished product, I think those who see UR here, either positively or negatively are reading into the text. To me that was the beauty of the collaboration.” (See: http://www.windblownmedia.com/shackresponse.html)
It is obvious that Young, Jacobson, and partner Brad Cummings all have a great deal to lose by not doing their best to debunk the book’s critics. They are very aware of where Young was theologically when he wrote the book. And that is the point isn’t it? It is the contents of the book (and presumably that of the forthcoming motion picture) that is being criticized here.
In the very beginning, I began to smell universalism in The Shack by simply reading it. These thoughts were more than confirmed through a very scholarly paper critiquing The Shack written by Dr. James De Young. Other leaders who have been critical of the book including Dr. Michael Youssef, Janet Parshall, Jan Markell and Dr. Larry DeBruyn have quoted Dr. De Young’s research – and for good reason.
Dr. De Young is a conservative professor at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is fluent in Greek and Hebrew and also teaches an elective on the early Church Fathers. He is well equipped to expose universalism from both biblical and historical perspectives. Perhaps equally important to our discussion here, is the fact that for several years both Dr. De Young and Paul Young were members of a theological discussion group or “think tank” known as the M3 Forum. In response to the bountiful amount of universalistic ideas found in The Shack, Dr. De Young has published a well-documented 39 page paper which can be accessed at: http://theshackreview.com. Once on the website you will also find several shorter documents and a discussion forum with remarks from readers, many of which defend The Shack. These comments serve to illustrate the tremendous confusion and lack of biblically thinking we see abounding inside the Christian community today.
After having Young tell me face to face that he was not a universalist, I asked him about Dr. De Young’s paper. He bristled at me and made several accusations about De Young which I now understand to be unfounded. Since the meeting with Paul Young, I had the opportunity to meet personally with Dr. De Young for several hours. In our meeting he shared another yet-to-be-released paper with me which he has written exposing Paul Young’s very bold defense of universal reconciliation. I can best describe the information in it as shocking. In fact, in the Spring of 2004, Paul gave one of the most complete defenses of universal reconciliation imaginable and reiterated this position on at least two occasions – the latest being in May-June 2007 – after writing The Shack.
Having had no previous indication that a staunch believer was in their midst, Paul Young’s revelations heralding universal reconciliation came as a complete blind-side to the M3 Forum members. After the group contested Young’s ideas, Dr. De Young gave a lengthy rebuttal to all of Paul’s points, branding Young’s position as heretical, citing a church council decision from the 6th century. After this event in 2004, Paul Young ceased participating in the M3 Forum.
In reflecting on my personal conversation with Young at Warner Pacific in October 2008, I wish I had asked specifically “Are you now or have you ever been an advocate of universal reconciliation?” (Note that classical universalists believe that all religions lead to the same place where as those who hold to universal reconciliation believe that all men <read that “ALL”> are already saved because of Jesus’ work on the cross.) This position purports that there is no penalty for sin, no literal hell and no need to accept Christ and repent of one’s sins. It dramatically undermines the work of the Church, evangelism and the core teachings of the New Testament. It is a satanic trap denying essential beliefs taught by Jesus, the Apostles and Bible believers throughout the Church Age. It is also exactly what Young believed in 2004. It is what he believed when he wrote The Shack and whether he believes it today or not you can be fairly certain that with millions of dollars at risk he is not about to re-edit The Shack to try and make theological corrections – at least without an act of God anyway. Again, it is not how skillfully Young may craft his words in denial of being a universalist or even what he may actually believe today that is the real question. It is the theological contents of The Shack that orthodox Christian critics are concerned with. Besides, universalism is but one of the many glaring unbiblical aspects of the book.
The REAL Problem
The bottom line concerning books, movies, television shows and other input like The Shack is that if our emotions rule and we fail to use scriptural discernment we can be taken captive by “evil imaginations”
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit… - Colossians 2:8
Knowing that the author actually portrayed himself as both Shack characters Missy (the violated-then-murdered six year-old) and her father, Mack (the one searching for God in a painful world) one’s heart surely breaks for what Paul Young has evidently endured in his lifetime. However, if readers fail to think biblically and allow only The Shack’s emotional storyline to grip them, they chance becoming prey to the very thing that I believe has duped many Christians into accepting and even endorsing the book. Empathy towards the author or his characters or becoming enamored by what many testify to as the positive real-world outcome of reading the book cannot trump one’s biblical analysis of the work. Young plays upon emotions constantly in the book and also as he lectures publically equating that because hearts are allegedly being touched that God must be giving approval to The Shack. When speaking to me personally, he emphasized the concept that results are all that matters. I responded that just because people testify that the book is somehow helping them, this does not necessarily mean that it is actually ordained by God. After all, God can use many means to reach people. God regularly uses disasters, accidents and tragedy of all sorts – even unorthodox or cultic books for His glory. This however doesn’t mean that God somehow deems heresy or terrible events as somehow good or positive in and of themselves.
The Nicest Heretic
Paul Young is perhaps the nicest heretic I have ever dealt with personally. That may sound flip but it’s true. He is a very nice guy who is presenting and defending some very dangerous even seductive heresies. As one who wears his emotions on his sleeve and who found himself being swayed by the heartbreaking storyline of The Shack, I must again caution. To allow a gripping story to cloud our ability to detect even the subtle theological errors strewn throughout its pages is exactly what Dr. Michael Youssef meant when he described The Shack as “a deep ditch that’s covered by beautiful landscape.”
The disturbing truth is that books like The Shack would never become a bestseller in the Christian world if Christians were on guard, thinking biblically and were willing to follow the Scriptures! In these dangerous days it is paramount that we actively develop “eyes of understanding” which constantly check everything by the Word of God – especially the stuff that claims to be of God. The Scripture implores us to prove or test all things (I Thessalonians 5:21-22) and this test can only be accomplished one way – by knowing the Bible and then utilizing what we know from it. Every Believer needs to be alert to the reality that in these last days deception is going to come at a rate never fathomed before. Mark my words, as time passes Satan is preparing to use unheralded and brazen trickery that will look and sound very spiritual, even Christian. The only hope we have to successfully avoid the traps is by prayerful, dedicated and aggressive study of God’s unchangeable Word. Otherwise, sooner or later we’ll find ourselves amongst a growing number from previously trustworthy evangelical circles that are heading straight for apostasy.
Jesus warned us in Matthew 24 that if the end days were not shortened by His return even the very elect would be deceived. Can we not assume that many who currently hang around the Church – and even some who preach or write books now popularly accepted in Christian circles – may in reality never endure to the end and are thus actually wolves in sheep’s clothing?
It is no secret that over the past decade there has been an explosion of tattoos and body piercings in our culture. While the information here is intended to help Christians make sound decisions from a biblical worldview, hopefully these words might also help lead others away from tattoo parlors and toward the Lord. Also, I have written and re-written to edit this down to fit printable page size for one 8.5×11 sheet, so be aware that there is much more to be said on this subject than space here allows.
In times past, tattoos were reserved for a very small number of people. The word tattoo represents the Samoan word meaning “open wound.” The ancient origins of this practice could go back before the seventh century b.c. and are related to religious ceremonies and traditional rites of passage. Through the centuries, tattooing has been the most common way of marking prisoners. The British tattooed deserters and Hitler’s thugs so marked those interned in concentration camps during the Holocaust. Always accompanied with negative connotations, tattoos were seen primarily on sailors, homosexuals, Hell’s Angel biker-types, gangs, and assorted criminals.
But now, that has all changed. The stigma has faded and what was once clearly disdained by many cultures has become fashionable. Tattoo artists have sprung up in communities large and small to keep up with the demand. Tattoo and body piercing parlors are indeed everywhere and, according to a 2006 survey taken by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology an estimated 36% of Americans aged 18-29 now sport tattoos.1 A Harris Interactive poll conducted in January 2008 concluded that 14% of all adults in the United States have a tattoo, with the highest incidence (25%) found among gays, lesbians and bisexuals.2
Tattooing is a craze, to say the least, and the demographics of those currently craving tattoos seem to have no bounds. Though most states have age limit laws concerning tattoos, now pre-teen girls across America are either begging to be tattooed or just going behind their parents’ backs to attempt acquiring “body art.” Aiding the craze is the fact that a majority of sports, music, and movie stars have them. It is unquestionably the trendy mark of being “cool” and is accepted in many circles today. Often accompanied by body piercings, tattoos have become status symbols, and even the identifiers of a new generation.
So Christians think . . . ?
Don’t suppose that everybody in the church is on the same page concerning tattoos and piercings. The Internet is replete with sites defending tattooing as not only acceptable but preferable for Christians. Some justify tattooing for believers by discounting Old Testament passages such as Leviticus 19:28 (“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord“). These people would claim that simply because the passage is Old Testament “law” it has no application or bearing whatsoever in the life of the Christian today! While we do not live under the Mosaic law, biblically-minded Christians indeed should glean information and godly insight on how to live life as we examine the Old Covenant. There are also some Christians who are making stands completely against the growing tattoo/piercings culture, but are doing so in such a way as to never come close to effectively communicating with tattoo advocates. As well-intentioned (and even right) as some in opposition may be, heavy-handed legalism such as “a tattoo is a ticket to Hell” is likely to do little in making substantial progress in communicating truth on this highly charged issue. Regardless, make no mistake that there is a sizeable faction of folks claiming to be Christians who are lobbying in favor of tattoos today, including some who may even claim that tattoos are witnessing tools. Though I haven’t personally seen it yet, it is not outside the realm of possibility that some church somewhere may at some time elect to offer discount coupons for “Christian” tattoos in their Sunday bulletins!
So, with such a shift in the supposed public perception and accessibility of tattoos and with such completely differing opinions in the church, what position should the Christian take? While I am not intimating that merely having a tattoo is a sure sign of eternal destruction, please carefully consider the following points.
Everybody’s Doin’ It . . .
Though I do not want my words here to be divisive in themselves, I know that this topic is itself polarizing – especially if you have a tattoo. It’s either love ‘em or hate ‘em, and I don’t want to fail to point out that what is said here is in no way intended to inflict guilt on someone who has already marked his or her body in this way. Once you’ve done it – it’s done and cannot be undone without considerable doing! We all make bad decisions, and though many may want to justify something like this, one common statement kept coming up while I was researching this. Over and over, again and again, people said, “I wish I hadn’t done it.” Though tattoo removal is possible, it is expensive, painful, and sometimes not completely successful. What I am trying to get across here is that before anyone allows a tattoo to be inscribed on his or her body, they need to weigh the decision carefully and possibly go against the culture and peer pressure that factor into this issue.
Studies and surveys also show that a person who tattoos himself is immediately handicapped for employment. While an NBA star or #1 NFL draft pick can probably tattoo themselves all he likes, the person looking for an accounting career may find that his or her position at the office may be hamstrung by tattoos – if indeed they are even able to land the job they are seeking.
A 2007 survey by Vault, a company that publishes career information, states that 85% of employees say tattoos and body piercings impede a person’s chances of finding a job, let alone a career.
The Vault survey discovered that workers with tattoos can expect over 42% of co-workers to have lowered opinions of them. Additionally, while only 18% of those with tattoos believe that body art has hindered their careers (with .06% saying it helped), the Vault survey indicated that 66.9% of persons with tattoos conceal them while at work.3
A Real “Stand-Out . . .”
Many argue that a tattoo is a way of making a statement or being an “individual.” No, not really. Those of us in the original 1960s hippie movement (such as myself) made those same rebellious and lame statements about long hair, bell bottoms, and marijuana. The fact is that marking and piercing one’s body surely doesn’t separate anybody from the crowd. But it goes a long way toward identifying a person in some negative ways. Regardless of how popular sporting a tattoo may be in some circles, just having them can include some very detrimental consequences.
Being tattooed or piercing a body part doesn’t mark you as a leader, either. Instead, it merely identifies you as yet another follower. The cold fact is that the majority of those who make the decision to be tattooed before maturing and giving long and calculated thought to doing so will sooner or later likely regret it. But again, please hear my heart. If you have a tattoo – and what I have said already rings true to you – these words aren’t intended to rub salt in the wound (no pun intended) or to somehow pronounce eternal judgment on you.
If you don’t already have one, I suggest that before you follow others in this fad you stop and carefully examine this craze in context of the prophetic end-days in which we live. A tattoo from a tattoo parlor will not send you to Hell, but one in the future just might. More on that later.
Consider the following, as even the pro-tattoo website SacredInk.net sounds this warning:
Tattoo is a significant life-choice and should be only entered into with a great deal of forethought. Some questions to ask if you are young and considering a tattoo are:
* Am I legally of an age to get a tattoo?
* If I live with my parents, would my parents support my decision?
* Would I be defying the authority God gave my parents over me at my current age?
* Would I still want this particular image when I get older?
* What if my future mate wouldn’t like having to see this image for a lifetime?
* Would this tattoo be in an area of my body that would be plainly visible? – Many people do unfairly judge people with tattoos as being “second-class.”
* Would this image bring God glory?
* Do I feel fully convinced that tattoos are allowable for Christians?”4
The underlying issues raised here need to be considered:
·- Are we not the Temple of the Holy Spirit? (I Cor. 3:16, 6:19)
·- Is there something wrong with the way God created us without tattoos/piercings?
· – Would tattooing affect or influence your future spouse or even your children?
·- Is getting a tattoo actually more about defying authority (spirit of rebellion) than about having the actual tattoo itself?
·- Are Christians who defend and promote tattooing coming from a truly biblical viewpoint, or are some defending tattoos because they have marked their own bodies and want others to join them in their often rebellion-laced decision?
God did not originate tattoos. When one thinks of things being done “on earth as they are in heaven” (Matt 6:10), it is hard to imagine a tattoo parlor behind the pearly gates! I feel confidant that there will be no tattoos in Heaven.
Christians who advocate for tattooing need to look around at not only who they are identifying with, but also at the associated health risks. In 2001, research done by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center indicated that those who received a tattoo in a commercial tattoo parlor were nine times more likely to contact hepatitis C than people who did not mark their bodies.5
Many in our culture live only for the pleasure of the moment, and just as I once thought nothing about the future, having one’s body inscribed with permanent ink is a decision that will, in many cases, last a lifetime. Without even discussing what a particular tattoo may represent (i.e. occult symbols, naked bodies, etc.), just having one may sooner or later turn from exhilaration to despair. It did so for All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers.
Hamilton’s story is one of mountaintops and valleys. From the number-one pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft with a four million dollar signing bonus, to hopeless drug addict, estranged from his wife and family, Hamilton marks the beginning of his downward spiral by “hanging out with the wrong people in tattoo parlors” where he was first introduced to cocaine. During a recent interview, Hamilton repeatedly reiterated the price of the fateful decision he made to have himself tattooed.6 He related that associating with the wrong people and being in the wrong place was completely influential in his fall into drugs and then out of baseball for three years in 2003. Finally, at his lowest point, Hamilton showed up on his grandmother’s porch asking for a place to stay. Though at first glance she didn’t even recognize that it was Josh, she took him in, helped him clean up, and began presenting the gospel to him. Accepting Christ as Savior, Hamilton successfully battled through the demonic dreams and night sweats brought on from drug withdrawal, and fought his way back to baseball – and his wife. Victoriously, in 2007 he was elected to the American League All-Star team and amazed fans during the All-Star Home Run Derby.
Josh Hamilton has become a walking testimony of God’s great delivering power. He is also a billboard for what can happen to even the most talented and gifted who innocently start “hanging out” in tattoo parlors. One lingering reminder of just how low he had gone are the 26 tattoos that cover Hamilton’s arms, torso, and neck, including one of Satan on his left elbow. Regardless of the Texas heat, when Josh takes the field he now goes out of his way to cover as much of his skin as possible to hide the hideous nature of the tattoos he acquired while heading toward the bottom. He now regrets getting every one of them.7
Why Now? – Preparing for “The Mark”
Why has there been such an increase in both the acceptance of and the acquiring of tattoos during our day? When considered in the light of Bible prophecy, the explosion of tattooing and the exponential increase of thirst for demonic supernaturalism are, I believe, no accident. This is a calculated, demonic, end-time phenomena, the purpose of which is to desensitize as many as possible concerning markings on their bodies.
Just hours before finalizing this piece, I decided to have dinner and then give this article one last read-through. While out of the office, I received a question emailed from a gentleman named Mike whom I’ve known for several years. He has never before communicated anything to me on the subject of tattoos – until tonight. If circumstances had been slightly different, this article would have been finished before receiving Mike’s email. However, as I answered Mike’s note (which shared his concern about a kid’s tattoo machine his granddaughter had received as a gift) I realized that I was writing the finishing lines of the article as well. I wrote:
“Your timing is uncanny, Brother Mike. Tonight I am finishing the final edit of a article I’m writing for Southwest Radio Ministries. They want to format and print the first run of it this week. In three weeks they are airing a program that Brother Noah Hutchings and I pre-recorded some time ago on tattoos.
“Though there is very little in Scripture dealing directly with tattoos, there is one somewhat controversial passage in Leviticus 19, the context about which both liberals and conservatives completely disagree. (Most of the arguments revolve around accepting an admonition not to mark oneself that comes from the law, in particular, Leviticus.) However, though the New Testament seems to be mute on directly addressing tattoos and piercings, you are exactly right in mentioning the rebellion factor involved. We also have the strong admonition to abstain from any appearances of evil (1 Thess. 5:21-22). (Think about some of the demonic, gang related, and just plain sick stuff that has been called ‘body art.’)
“But as important as issues like overt rebellion and demonic art may be, I believe an even bigger concern is the fact that the entire tattoo craze is methodically conditioning and preparing the mindset of many in our world concerning the acceptance of a future mandated mark on their body. Now that a growing percentage of people have undertaken having themselves tattooed, would it be any stretch to imagine how much more readily these people might accept a similar mark which would provide them the ability to buy, sell and sustain life?
“Mike, for twenty years I have been saying that Satan’s predicted Mark of the Beast could be a tattoo. Whether it’s an implanted i.c. (integrated circuit) chip, a tattoo, or something we don’t even know of at this point, it WILL be some sort of mark on the hand or forehead, and accepting it will doom untold millions to an eternity in Hell at the hands and direction of Antichrist.
For anyone who studies the end-times and biblical prophecy, I think it is a near certainty that tattooing is not some harmless, meaningless fad. To me, there is little doubt that the skyrocketing acceptance and popularity of tattoos and body piercing in these end-days is leading to a climax found in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation.”
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
What did he say? Take back what the world has stolen? If you have never had someone use that line as an excuse to keep the world in the same room as the church then count yourself blessed. We are experiencing an entire new form of Christianity today and a new method of Christian thinking and philosophy, I call it “Christianization”. It is the idea that Christians can take things that were once considered sinful and change them into a new “cool” Christian expression or thing.
1 Peter 1:14-16
14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy\
My favorite is the new fad of “Christian tattooing” that has been on the rise in the youth of today and in recent “Revivalists”. People who undergo this process first often look to find other Christians who believe the same as they. Then after having a five-minute conversation about “why it’s ok to have a tattoo” they cover their ears and get their own. Later, if asked how they know its ok, they usually exclaim something like “God confirmed it to me”. Yea Right. I’ve learned that people that want to get a tattoo never are interested in researching the history of them. I tell them they can see from history it was never of God. They say, “That’s interesting” and then the next day they have a new picture of Jesus on their chest. Sounds like they had already made their decision long ago, it’s called “Pet sins”. When everything else is a sin, your one chosen favorite hand-picked sin can now become OK. That seems to be a popular fad in this “Christianization”.
“You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh on account of the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:28
This verse not being so “clear-cut” to some, tells me the LORD glorifies in no marks upon us. When looked at from the “pet-sinners” point of view, they tell how the verse is specifically saying that unless you get a tattoo for the dead, it is perfectly fine. What? They expect the bible to list every form of sin in the whole world. Another new fad of this movement is “If it’s not specially dealt with in the bible, it’s ok”. A quote from a “Christian” tattooing website explains their reasoning like this:
“As no one with a Christian tattoo is trying to pacify a pagan deity, it is safe to say this verse is not relevant to us (1)”.
First, they make the wrong generalization that no one has this intention. Second, they ignore the fact that changing the name of it doesn’t change the intentions that the tattoo was created for. These are the same kind of “Christians” that will try to defend participating in Halloween. But sadly, just because you change it in your mind, doesn’t change the fact that you are participating in something that means the opposite.
I like to tell people that the term “Christian tattoo” is an oxymoron. I ask them what they would think if I told them I was going to go smoke some “Christian drugs’. They reply, “That’s not the same thing!” when really it is. Salt water can’t exist with fresh water, just as sin can’t exist with holiness. A Christian tattoo isn’t any more Christian than “Christian” metal music. What a joke!
If it looks the like world, talks like the world, and acts like the world, it is the world. Instead of letting the Holy Spirit do what He wants to, we just take our old lusts and passion and “convert” them to make it easier for us and to attract pagans. We love our prideful man schemes don’t we? We love to get all the glory. That’s what we say when we use things as coffee bars, and concert worship to deceive the lost into thinking that Jesus is not that weird. It’s a game. A sick religious game in which a member counts how many hands go up in a service and then boasts about it to other members playing the same game. While the Holy Spirit is bored and grieved, we stay comfortable and lukewarm: A horrible tradeoff.
You can’t have the best of both worlds. Either ditch your sin, or ditch Christ!
1. bible support for tatoos. religioustatoos.net. [Online] [Cited: 5 7, 2009.] http://www.religioustattoos.net/Bible_Support/index.php#leviticus.
This week’s announcement about evangelist Todd Bentley’s hasty remarriage and restoration is sending a confusing message to the church.
I groaned when I learned early this week that Canadian preacher Todd Bentley, leader of the controversial Lakeland Revival, had decided to divorce his wife, Shonnah, and marry his former ministry intern, Jessa Hasbrook. The news surfaced after almost nine months of silence and speculation, during which time the board of Bentley’s Fresh Fire Ministries in British Columbia publicly scolded him for committing adultery.
In a statement released March 10 by Rick Joyner, the popular author and minister who is overseeing Bentley’s restoration process, we were told that (1) Bentley married his new wife several weeks ago and moved to Joyner’s base in Fort Mill, S.C.; (2) Todd and Jessa agree that their relationship was “wrong and premature” and that it “should not have happened the way it did”; (3) Bentley will remain out of public ministry while he seeks healing; and (4) Joyner will oversee the healing process with input from Dallas pastor Jack Deere and California pastor Bill Johnson.
“Many of us have rejected biblical discipline and adopted a sweet, spineless love that cannot correct.”
It was also announced that Bentley plans to relaunch his ministry, called Fresh Fire USA, in Fort Mill, and that Joyner is now collecting donations from supporters to help rebuild it. (The Canadian ministry Bentley started has now been renamed Transform International, and it has severed ties with the evangelist.)
In a few places in his statement Joyner expressed tough love, especially when he said: “We know that trust has to be earned and that Todd will have to earn the trust of the body of Christ for future ministry, which will not be easy, nor should it be.” He also made it clear that true repentance and restoration “can only come if we refuse to compromise the clear biblical standards for morality and integrity.”
But there were some glaring omissions in the statements released this week that indicate a fundamental weakness in our freestyle approach to “restoring” fallen leaders.
First of all, it is outrageous that Shonnah Bentley, Todd’s first wife, does not seem to be an issue in the current discussion. Her name is never mentioned in Joyner’s statement—while Todd is mentioned 18 times. We are never told how Shonnah is handling the divorce. How will she manage to care for the three children she and Todd share? She and the kids seem invisible in this process. Yet if anyone needs healing and restoration, is it not the other half of this broken family?
Second, we charismatics still seem to have a habit of elevating gifting above character. It’s almost as if the end justifies the means. (So what if a preacher ruins one marriage and makes a hasty decision to marry a younger woman—the important thing is that we get him back in the pulpit to heal the sick!) That is a perversion of biblical integrity. God can anoint any man or woman with the Holy Spirit’s power; what He is looking for are vessels of honor that can carry that anointing with dignity, humility and purity.
What is most deplorable about this latest installment in the Bentley scandal is the lack of true remorse. In his own statement, Bentley apologizes for his actions and says he “takes full responsibility for my part for the ending of the marriage.” But how can he be taking “full responsibility” if he willingly chose to have a girlfriend on the side—and then married her immediately after his divorce was final? Why did he hide for several months when he should have been listening to counsel and seeking reconciliation with his first wife?
Many Christians today have rejected biblical discipline and adopted a sweet, spineless love that cannot correct. Our grace is greasy. No matter what an offending brother does, we stroke him and pet him and nurse his wounds while we ignore the people he wounded. No matter how heinous his sin, we offer comforting platitudes because, after all, who are we to judge?
When the apostle Paul learned that a member of the Corinthian church was in an immoral relationship with his father’s wife, he did not rush to comfort the man. He told the Corinthians: “You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst” (I Cor. 5:2). Sometimes we must draw a ruthless sword in order to bring genuine healing. The “wounds of a friend” are faithful to bring conviction and true repentance (see Prov. 27:6).
Paul actually delivered the unrepentant Corinthian man to Satan “for the destruction of his flesh” (5:5) so that he could be saved. That does not sound very nice. Many today would call Paul’s tactic harsh and legalistic. But that is because we have lost any true sense of the fear of the Lord—and we don’t realize that our laxness about God’s standards is a perversion of His mercy. When the sin is severe, the public rebuke must be severe.
In all the discussion of Bentley and the demise of the Lakeland Revival, I am waiting to hear the sound of sackcloth ripping into shreds. We should be weeping. We should be rending our hearts—as God commanded Israel when they fell into sin (see Joel 2: 13-14). To give guidance to a confused church, our leaders should have publicly decried the Lakeland disaster while at the same time helping both Todd and Shonnah to heal.
We have not mourned this travesty. We have not been shocked and appalled that such sin has been named among us. We act as if flippant divorce and remarriage are minor infractions—when in actuality they are such serious moral failures that they can bring disqualification.
If we truly love Todd Bentley, we will not clamor for his quick return to the pulpit. While we certainly want him to be fully restored to fellowship with God, we cannot rush the process of restoring a man to ministry. Leaders must live up to a higher standard. We must demand that those involved in Bentley’s restoration not only love him but also love the church by protecting us from the kind of scandal we endured last year.
For centuries, 1 Timothy 2:11-15 and 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 have been utilized to uphold the practice of forbidding women to have leadership roles within the church. What few realize, however, is that scripture passages like these seem to fly in the face of other scriptural passages that uphold and edify women’s roles as leaders. So how are people to interpret these passages in light of the rest of scripture?
Paul and the Women of Corinth
If 1 Cor. 14 is to be upheld as a church-wide mandate, Paul has problems within the context of his own letter. In 1 Cor. 11:4, Paul sets out a standard of dress for women who pray and “prophesy.” Now many would argue that to “prophesy” is different than “preaching,” but in the Greek, the word “propheteuo” means “to proclaim God’s message,” “to preach,” and “to speak God’s message intelligibly” (as opposed to speaking in tongues).[1]
Given the need for a covering over their heads, it is apparent that men were present when these women were preaching. Thus, either Paul suddenly gets amnesia when he makes the statement later in chapter 14 that women should remain silent, or Paul is addressing an entirely different issue. The latter seems the most likely, since by chapter 14, the topic of conversation has shifted to the subject of spiritual gifts and, in particular, the inappropriate use of the gift of tongues. Given the ecstatic, frenzied nature of the pagan rituals that many of the Corinthians would have been partial to, maintaining order and putting the best face on the church as possible was of the utmost concern to Paul. If that meant women needed to refrain from the act of speaking in tongues, then so be it.
Problems with False Teachers in Ephesus
The 1 Timothy text finds itself in a similar situation. Timothy’s congregation was located in Ephesus, an equally pagan city that, as referenced earlier in Timothy, had been subject to many false teachers who were leading the congregation astray. Certain women in the church were falling prey to these false teachers, who were then, in turn, teaching the same false doctrines and drawing men away from the true teachings. This was creating a lot of disorder and dissension within the church, and Paul needed to establish some kind of rules to re-establish order in the church at Ephesus.
Other Scripture Passages that Uphold Women’s Leadership Roles in the Church
With these contexts in mind, one can now look at all the other places in the Bible where women were very clearly involved in leadership roles. In fact, Paul gives a litany of women who worked hard in the cause of the gospel in Romans 16, even going so far as to call one of these women, Junia, an apostle! In Philippians 4, Paul again lists several women who struggled beside him in the work of the gospel. Given the “gospel” is telling people about Christ, such work undoubtedly involved preaching and teaching. Interestingly, two of Paul’s prized students are a married couple, Priscilla and Aquila, but Priscilla is always mentioned first—an odd structure for Paul’s day. In Acts 18:25-26, both Priscilla and her husband Aquila take Apollos aside to instruct him on baptism. Priscilla is obviously involved in teaching a man here.
Acts 9:36 tells us of a female disciple, Tabitha (also called Dorcas). Given the definition and purpose of a disciple was to learn and eventually become like the Rabbi they were learning from, if women were not to become teachers or ministers, then they would not have been allowed to be disciples, either. Philip’s four daughters are also referenced as being prophets.
Jesus and Women
In the gospels as well Jesus treats women on a much more equal standing than was the custom of his day. The Samaritan woman was told to go tell the men of her town what she had seen and heard. Mary of Bethany sat at the feet of Jesus just as the male disciples did rather than doing traditional “women’s work” like her sister Martha, and Jesus’ response was that Mary was doing the better thing. And of course, one can’t forget that the very first evangelist to spread the good news of Jesus’ resurrection was, in fact, a woman—Mary Magdalene. If Jesus himself felt a woman was worthy of preaching such wondrous news, it seems shameful that so many churches have stifled this role.
Early Church Schism
In fact, women were very instrumental in the early church—that is until the schism between the Montanists[2] and the Orthodox church over two of Montanus’ female prophets, Maximilla and Prisca, who told of visions of Christ in the form of a woman. Because of this, by the fourth century, female prophetic activity ceased to be officially recognized, as female prophets were now regarded as especially suspicious, despite the history of female prophets throughout the Bible (Philip’s daughters, Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, etc.).[3]
In the end, the question that must be asked is: which texts seem the most normative? The majority of the bible which upholds women as preachers and teachers, or these two texts that are pulled out of their context?
‘HEBREW ROOTS’ and “YESHUA ONLY” MOVEMENTS -
DANGEROUS??
Below is a very interesting testimony from a lady who was deeply
involved in these movements.
Like me, you have probably come across Christian groups telling
us Gentile Christians that we need to get back to the Torah and
observe the Jewish Sabbath and Feast Days, etc. This is often
called the “Hebrew Roots” movement – and some of it is fine -
simply learning more about Jewish culture and traditions, etc.
But then there is the very real danger of LEGALISM. To me, the
entire thrust of the movement ends up going right against the
New Testament – in fact, right against true Christianity. I think it
can become very dangerous. -The bondage of the Law again.
And then there are the people who claim that we MUST call
Jesus by the name “Yeshua” – even though the apostle Paul
simply called Him by the Greek word ‘Iesous’. They say that
unless we use “Yeshua” we are totally “off”. Well – I believe
the facts completely overturn this theory. I don’t mind people
calling Jesus ‘Yeshua’ if they wish – but to make a “doctrine”
out of it is extreme error in my view. However, it is amazing the
number of people who are being caught up in all this – as though
it were the “great answer” to all our problems! (It’s not).
Below is the testimony of a woman who was deeply involved:
“I wanted to share with you why I feel that the Hebrew Roots
Movement & Sacred Name Movement is just as dangerous as the
The Latter Rain Doctrine. Coming out of both I feel confident in
saying so. I grew up in the Assembly of God church, one that did
not teach Latter Rain/Dominion poison. After my husband and I
were married (he grew up Baptist) we began searching for something
deeper ( I think that is how you get sucked into Latter Rain etc.,
you feel like there just has to be something more, sadly the Word
of God is not enough). We began attending a non-denominational
church which would turn out to be one of many disastrous church
experiences.
This church was heavy Dominionist and were really into the
“shepherding” thing so that they knew everything about everyone
and would use it as a form of control. This was our first experience
with the prophetic movement and we were drawn in by it. After
leaving there because of the control issues (we did not notice the
theology was twisted because we were deceived) we continued
on in the prophetic circles including attending Bill Hamon’s church
when we were able to travel there and reading everything we could
from all the big NAR’s. Well after about 10 years of this running
after new revelation (we had a huge box of tapes with personal
prophecies!) we became really disallusioned with the hypocrisy,
lawlessness and cheap grace attitudes. We decided to leave the
Apostolic/Prophetic church that we were attending. This did not
sit well with the “Apostle”. In these types of churches you do not
leave unless you are “sent out” by the Apostle, which never
happens by the way.
After leaving we were contacted by a couple that had left a few
months before we had. Before visiting with them, I remember really
clearing going to my bookshelf and taking a book off the shelf that
was a study on Galatians, I know now the Lord was trying to warn
me but sadly I put the book back without taking a look at it. Well
we began to meet with this couple and we shared our frustrations
about the lawlessness, etc. that we had left (at the time I did not
know anything about Latter Rain and how it was connected to the
Prophetic/Apostolic movement, it would have explained so much).
They gave us a book by Lew White called Fossilized Customs.
The book has some facts but much twisted truth. We took the bait
though. The whole book is about how the name Jesus is supposedly
pagan along with a lot of other extreme ideas! Thus Sacred Name.
These people believe that you can only use the name Yahweh
when referring to God, the Father and Yeshua (some use Yahushua)
all else is pagan and Satan has deceived all Christians into using
the name Jesus and that Jesus really means Zeus! And this has
been revealed to only the remnant (notice the Gnostic elitism)
which is funny because they pride themselves on staying away
from anything remotely Greek!
Well this began a four year journey with these people. We backed
off a bit of the Sacred name only but began studying many Jewish
writings. You must understand that this was all very gradual and
the leader of this group was very skilled at studying things and
presenting it to us.
Sadly to say we drifted more and more from the New Testament,
the new covenant and the cross of Christ. That is the danger of the
Hebrew Roots movement. You want so desperately to return to the
Word of God but in the end it takes you away from it in it’s entirety.
The leader began planting seeds such as” the New Testament was
not totally flawless since it had been written in Greek there were
many different texts and some may not be accurate”. He began to
pick and choose and before we ended up leaving he had pretty
much thrown out Galatians and John because it did not reconcile
to his theology! He taught that the Virgin birth was just a doctored
up Catholic version of the Word. He taught that Jesus was Joseph
and Mary’s natural born son even though he could not prove this
scripturely. That is why he brought into question the accuracy of
the translations.
You are probably saying “how could you stay?” All I can say is
that deception does not happen over night it is gradual, we became
emotionally tied to these people and looked to them as a mother
and father (I think that is why many stay in abusive churches).
We participated in the feasts of the Bible and of course we observed
Sabbath religiously every Saturday (what got me is that instead of
us resting we had to go to the leader’s home early that morning to
hear hours of his twisted teaching!). He began to teach that we
became righteous through the law and that was why Yeshua came
to show us how to keep the law. He actually began to teach that
we needed to keep as much of the Law of Moses that we could
and it was lawlessness not to do so. In essence you basically had
to convert to Judaism even though we literally did not.
We started to get a clue about a year before we actually cut all
ties and we started to question him about some of the laws in the
Old Covenant and how we were uncomfortable with some about
slavery for instance, of course he came up with some justification
about it. Around this time he began making references to having
more than one wife. My husband and I were really uncomfortable
with these continuous comments and so one day we confronted
him (his wife was not present and by the way it was obvious this
journey was taking it’s toll on her as well by this time.) He told us
he was one of those that could love more than one woman! (There
is double standard because it is unthinkable for a woman to have
more than one husband in their eyes!). We told him “what about
the words of Jesus (in the beginning God made male and female,
etc.) but what was obvious to us was not to him. If it wasn’t in
“Torah” then it didn’t count!
Well that was it, I cried all weekend and we just began to think
about everything and the path that we had been on and how far we
had strayed from the gospel and it was heartbreaking! I take full
responsibility for allowing myself to be deceived but I must say
that man really messed with my mind! He was skilled in twisting
scripture and to this day I still struggle with some things. I almost
lost my faith in God because of my involvement with these people.
My husband came through a little easier than myself.
I have to say there are many sects within the Hebrew Roots
movement and not all believe what I have shared. But the core
belief is that the church has strayed from it’s Hebrew roots and
that God is restoring this revelation (the same theme of the Latter
Rain) but only to a select few and the rest of the church is pagan.
Because of this belief you begin to cut yourself off from the Body
of Christ and before you know it you are isolated. You are no longer
the salt of the world. You do not witness or share the gospel
anymore because you don’t believe the gospel anymore!
The very thing that you think is bringing you closer to God (returning
to His word) takes you further away because it is a twisted
perception of the Word of God. My heart goes out to anyone caught
up in this deception because it leaves you so confused. I praise
God that he opened our eyes to this and for His grace and mercy
and for the blood of Jesus which is our true Redeemer!”
FIVE KEYS to SURVIVING the CRISIS
-by Andrew Strom.
Since I believe (like others) that 2009 is going to be a year that
“All hell breaks loose” (-Yes – you can quote me on that), I believe
it is very important that God’s people come to grips with the key
things that will help us survive – and even thrive – through this dark
period of great Shaking. The following keys are taken from my
book, “SURVIVE the DEPRESSION”-
(1) SPIRITUAL PREPARATION. As has been intimated all the way
through the book, the most important keys to surviving and thriving
in this present crisis are ‘SPIRITUAL’ in nature. The root causes of
this mess are things like greed, apathy and the “Love of money” –
which are all SPIRITUAL diseases. And thus the answers are
mostly spiritual also. Those who merely prepare in physical or
practical ways will find this out to their great cost. If you want to
survive and thrive, prepare yourself “spiritually” above all else.
Spend time seeking God, get rid of all sin, obey Him implicitly,
help the poor, leave behind the shallow “junk” of our culture and
become a radical disciple of Jesus. If you have a family to care for,
put the same principles into practice. Become a RADICAL
FAMILY for Christ! Don’t delay. We are out of time. Such “spiritual”
preparations are by far the most important answer to surviving and
thriving in these dark times. But don’t just selfishly seek God so
you can “survive”. Seek Him for His own sake. Become a true
disciple who lives for Christ – not for what you can “get out of it” –
but because your deepest desire is to utterly glorify Him.
(2) POSITION YOURSELF. Sometimes Christians can get away
with being in the wrong place for quite some time. But not in a
crisis like this. Every Christian needs to ask themselves right now,
“Am I exactly where I am meant to be? Am I am with the people
that God wants me with? Am I in the right group, the right city?” If
you know that God has been whispering to you for quite some
time that you are meant to be in a different place, then do not
delay. Get yourself and your family into the place that you know is
in the very center of His will – even if it means losing money, or
leaving behind friends, a well-paid job, or whatever. This is no time
to be caught anywhere but in the exact center of God’s will for
your life. Pray about it and take action. Don’t put it off!
(3) FOOD STORAGE. This can be a difficult thing to talk about
today because there have been so many “false alarms” such as
Y2K, etc. However, there have been a number of prophecies about
food shortages and famine in the days ahead – even in developed
nations like America. I certainly believe this is possible. In fact, we
are already beginning to see disruptions of international shipping
and trade caused by the Credit Crunch. Even basic grains and
foodstuffs may be affected – which could have terrible
consequences for the Food Supply in the months and years ahead.
So if God has been whispering to you to start a garden or to
collect canned goods, then you need to heed that “still small voice”
and begin to prepare in this way. Again, if this is something you
feel God has been warning you about, PLEASE DO NOT DELAY –
but act quickly to get yourself positioned for what lies ahead. It is
relatively painless to gather canned goods – and they can always
be used whether there is a crisis or not. And gardens likewise.
(4) SMALL GROUPS HELPING THE POOR. So far the pointers
we have been discussing fall into the category of “Surviving”. But
this one comes under the category of “Thriving”. If you want to
thrive in this crisis, get involved in ministering to the poor and
needy. (Sadly there will be a lot more of them as time goes on).
When I was down in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina there was
one Spirit-filled Fellowship that was “thriving” in the midst of the
chaos. They had filled their sanctuary with food, clothes, and
emergency supplies of all kinds – and they were ministering to
hundreds. They also prayed with many of those they helped. In the
midst of that crisis, when many churches had closed down and
many pastors had left town, this Fellowship was thriving and
becoming a Help and Ministry center for the entire community.
They were a light in the darkness – a “city set upon a hill” -
ministering to many who ordinarily never go near a church. And if
you look in Scripture you will see that this is exactly what the
early Christians were like. Helping the poor was a big priority with
them also.
In the first chapter of the book I mentioned how important it is to
band together with perhaps 2 – 3 other families that we can link
arms with when times get really tough. (We may even end up
LIVING with some of these people. Do you have friends who are
that close?) And in conjunction with this I urged people to use
these small groups to begin to minister to the poor. I cannot tell
you how important this is, if we want to “thrive” – not just ‘survive’ -
through this current crisis. This is one of the absolute keys. In fact
it is very doubtful if we can even have real New Testament
Christianity without a strong emphasis on the poor and needy. It is
that crucial. So will you be a “light shining in the darkness” during
this present crisis, my friends?
(5) LISTEN FOR THE “STILL SMALL VOICE”. We already put
“Spiritual Preparation” at the top of our List of priorities, but I just
need to re-emphasize this aspect. To survive this crisis, we simply
MUST be walking close to God and listening to His voice. We
have to hear from Him. And we have to be ready to respond – even
if it means “leaving all”. This is utterly crucial, and for many people
may literally be the difference between life and death. Learn to
listen to God’s voice and obey Him. Wherever he wants to send
you, whatever He wants you to do – do it. And I pray that not only
will you be one who “survives” this crisis, but one who ‘thrives’ – to
the glory of God the Father. May the Lord be with every one of you
in these dark days, my friends.
-Please comment on this article at the following website-
“Is a church defined by its numbers?” by Riley Reade
In the times we live in today, many people want many things. Their expectations are never ending and time only knows just how spoiled today’s Christians have become. Churches do not only offer the “presence of God” but now also like to add their own additions to attract and satisfy the people in the name of Christ. Or so they think. A church is praised if its congregation matches the seats in a sports stadium and looked down upon if they barely can fill half of its seats. It leads to the question of who is the judge? Does God really care about numbers?
I came from a large church before I made True Light Ministries my home. From the first visit I knew that TLM had something my last church did not. I also found something that my last church had more of than TLM. The two realizations puzzled me. I thought that they were both supposed to work hand in hand. The first was the presence and power of God at TLM, the second was the lack of people in its congregation. For months and months I could not understand how a church could have one without the other. It discouraged me. Every time I would attend TLM, if the numbers of the people were less than the previous week I would get very frustrated. I did not know who was to blame in this situation. Was it TLM’s fault for not reaching out to the people? Was it Gods for not convicting them? Is there something that we have been forgetting to do? Not until recently had I found the answer to these questions. The problem is not with God nor True Light Ministries, it is with the Christians of today.
We have made church into something that it is not. Instead of attending church to worship God and enter into his presence, we have made it a place of fellowship and fun. And if there is not fellowship or fun, then people do not come. Church is not 25% God, 25% friends, 25% fun, and 25% fellowship. It was made to be 100% God. Do I believe we can have fellowship at church? Of course! But we should never be discouraged if we don’t have a group of friends around us to have fun with at church. Church is for the presence of God, and the maturing of the saint or saints. It should not be about numbers! It should be about you growing in God alone! So what if there’s no one to go and “hang out” after church with, is that what church is here for?! As far as I am concerned, all there needs to be for a blessed church is a preacher, the presence of God, and someone who wants to grow. A church with ten faithful people is better than a church with 10,000 unfaithful people. Since when has church been all about us anyway?
I left many friends at my last church, but now I do not complain about it. I believe God honors my sacrifice for his presence, and is maturing me every day. And if I ever thought about leaving my small church with Gods power just for the fact that I don’t have people to shake hands with, I believe it would be an insult to God. To me, it would be saying “God, I love your presence, but I would rather have less of it just to have more friends.” I did not become a Christian for friends and big churches, I became a Christian because I want to live for God. I want to have a personal relationship with him. Friends are awesome, but it’s not a package deal. You shouldn’t need other people to worship God, it is between you and Him.
The Bible does not say “Blessed are they that have big churches and know many people.” It says “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matt. 5:6) It is not about the people around me, it is about God and my soul. I should go to any church that gives me the most of God I can take. Most churches today that are large in numbers mostly are so because of their compromise. They give the people what they want, leaving them empty and faithless. Do I want to see TLM grow in numbers? YES! I live for the day when God fulfills his promises, but we have to realize that a church is defined not by its numbers, but the obedience of its members.
If you and I are attending church for any other reason besides God, learning from God’s Word, or worshiping Him, we need to look at our walk. My problems are not with big churches, small churches, or really any sized church. My problems are with Christians, and how they have false expectations for churches…as I once did. God is the source, and the reason we go. Not for the people, not for the hype, but to honor God.
It’s about to happen—very soon, one nation, and I’m speaking prophetically- -if I’ve ever heard anything from God in my life, I heard it-the nations,…Very soon a European or North African or Eastern nation is going to default on it’s international loan and when that happens, within two weeks, Mexico is going to default. Mexico owes $100 billion —80% of it to American banks—and here’s what is going to happen: about two weeks after the first country goes bankrupt, (we’re going to survive that, because most of that (money of the first country) is owed to European banks—German, Swiss and French banks—) but a second country is going to go down, probably Argentina or Brazil, and we’ll kind of live that down and say: “Well, maybe it’s not going to hurt,” but two weeks after the first country goes down, Mexico’s going to default on $100 billion.
And when the banks open the next day at 9 in the morning, $15 billion an hour is going to be withdrawn from our American banks—they’re going to be running our banks—the Arabs—All the Latin American countries, they’re going to be running our banks–and before the day is over, the U.S.A is going to have to declare a “bank holiday.”
SIX MONTHS OF HORROR:
And we’re going into six months of the worst hell America has ever seen—there’s going to be chaos—not even the National Guard’s going to be able to quiet it down—we’re going to have to call out the whole U.S. Army.
Now I’ve had visions recently, for I’ve been in New York City and I was in Macy’s in a vision, and I saw people walking around stunned because they couldn’t get their money out of the bank.
Now I’m going to give you a word of advice, the first country goes bankrupt—I’ve documented this and I’ve got it sealed in an envelope, and I’m going to call all my friends and I’m telling you—this is the first time I’ve said it in a public meeting like this—but the first country that bellies up, you go get every dime you have—church get your money out of the bank–because there’s going to be a bank holiday and you won’t be able to get a dime for six months. Now, of course, there’s going to be -restored, but the nation will never be like it is again.
There’s going to be fear like we’ve never known—judgment at the door. When I was at Macy’s Dept. store in a vision and I watched people walking around stunned, they didn’t know what to do, they didn’t know what was happening; then a bunch of people walked into Macy’s and suddenly went wild and began to steal and within an hour everybody— I saw the spirit of everybody in the store—they were robbing and stealing—they raped Macy’s and destroyed five floors—Macy’s was raped and ruined in a period of an hour or two.
In its Dec. 15 cover story, the magazine tried to rewrite the Bible. Don’t believe the lies.
by: J. Lee Grady
If awards were given for shock journalism, Newsweek would win the prize for its provocative Dec. 15 cover story. The headline, hanging above a simple black Bible with a rainbow-striped ribbon sticking out of it, reads: “The Religious Case for Gay Marriage.” With one big kaboom, writer Lisa Miller dropped a literary bomb on 2,000 years of Christian scholarship by suggesting that Jesus would have been OK with Matthew marrying Mark and Luke marrying John.
We are accustomed to mainstream journalists shoving evolution down our throats as if no scientist in the world doubts that theory. But Miller’s diatribe against traditional Christian morality takes cultural brainwashing to a new level. She is a good ventriloquist (she makes the Bible say a lot of things it doesn’t say) but the real dummies are the people swayed by her biased reporting.
Lee Grady urges readers of ‘Fire in My Bones’ to sign up for Charisma News Online, our new and improved twice-weekly news bulletin. Get late-breaking Christian news reports delivered directly to your inbox, absolutely free. Click here to subscribe.
In case you haven’t read her treatise (click here), Miller bends the truth back and forth until she makes a pretzel out of certain Bible passages—while suggesting that David and Jonathan may have been messing around. There are so many lies per column inch in this story that an editor should have killed it—or at least demanded some objectivity. I guess the folks at Newsweek decided it’s their job to rewrite biblical morality. Here’s how Miller missed it by a mile:
Lie #1: The Bible doesn’t define marriage as one-man/one-woman. Miller insists that heterosexual monogamy can’t be found anywhere in the Bible. She must not have opened to the first page. The first three chapters of Genesis provide the ultimate biblical foundations for marriage and family. God created a man and a woman as perfect and equal partners—and blessed their union, making it the most holy of relationships. It doesn’t get any more fundamental than Adam and Eve.
Lie #2: Old Testament polygamy negates the relevance of biblical monogamy. The fact that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had multiple wives—or that David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then added her to his collection—doesn’t unravel one-man/one-woman marriage. The Bible never says God sanctioned polygamy; it was man’s carnal nature that caused him to dominate women (see Gen. 3:16) and treat them as property. Biblical patriarchs were not perfect—and their multiple wives were evidence of their sin, not proof that God rewrote the rules so they could have a harem. It was not until Jesus Christ broke the power of sin that men found the grace to build faithful, monogamous marriages.
Lie #3: Lesbianism is not called a sin in the Bible. While Miller reluctantly admits that the Old Testament condemns sex between men “in a handful of passages,” she claims that sex between women isn’t addressed. Wrong again! The apostle Paul clearly denounces lesbianism in Romans 1:26, where he calls homosexuality between women “unnatural” (or “against nature”) as well as a “degrading passion” (NASB). Miller gets an F in New Testament 101 for skipping over that obvious verse.
Lie #4: Old Testament laws against homosexuality don’t apply now. The book of Leviticus calls homosexuality “a detestable act” (20:13) and an “abomination” (18:22)—a strong term that means “a vile, shameful, or detestable action, condition or habit.” Yet Miller insists that since Jewish ceremonial laws don’t apply today, then sexual standards in the Torah can be discarded. In fact, she calls the passages in Leviticus “throwaway lines.” Big mistake. God’s moral law is tied directly to His unchangeable character, while ceremonial law was linked to the old covenant—which He set aside when He enacted a new covenant in Christ. The coming of Jesus did not make stealing, murder or adultery lesser sins. Neither did His coming legitimize homosexual practice.
Lie #5: New Testament condemnation of homosexual behavior is misunderstood. Citing a common argument used by some gay-affirming churches, Miller suggests that the apostle Paul’s condemnation of gay sex in Romans 1 only applies to really despicable Roman emperors and other sexual predators who practiced male rape or multiple forms of perversion. In other words, if two men just want to make love—with no violence involved—then their erotic expression is perfectly OK.
Where does Miller get permission to make this bizarre argument? Certainly not from the biblical text, which says it as plain as day: “In the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error” (Rom. 1:26). This passage affirms that any form of sexual contact between men—violent or not—violates God’s law.
Lie #6: The Bible never excludes people from God’s blessings. Miller quotes liberal theologian Walter Brueggemann, who insists that the Bible “is bent toward inclusiveness.” This is where she really makes big blunders in her reasoning. She asks: Would a God of love send anyone to hell? Since Jesus came to liberate sinners, and since the church is called to evangelize people from all racial and economic groups, surely He will shower His love on people of all sexual persuasions, right?
This is where Universalists, inclusionists and gay-affirming churches miss the message of the gospel. They love to talk about God’s forgiveness, but they deny the necessity of repentance. They refuse to see that God made the road to salvation narrow. And they ignore the reality that eternal punishment awaits all who refuse to come to the Son of God on His terms.
Paul the apostle was quite exclusive when he talked about sexuality. “Do not be deceived,” he wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:9, “neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” No one can explain away that passage. The God of the Bible draws clear lines. His mercy is great to those who come to Him in humility, with a willingness to change; but for those who arrogantly insist on living in their sin, only judgment awaits.
Many naive people—including biblically illiterate Christians—will be deceived by Newsweek’s gay-marriage arguments. Let’s sort through the lies and choose God’s truth over the depravity of modern American culture.
- must have correct view of scriptures (early church rejected those who did not follow teachings of Moses and apostles)
- false prophets drum up their own prophecies w/ false assurance
- true prophets are called and chosen by God (they do not progress from immaturity to maturity marked by mistaken prophecies to accurate prophecies as a man would learn a profession)
main scriptures: Is 28:7, Jer 23:17,22, 28:8,22,29, Ex 7:9, 2 Kgs 4:1-7, 1 Kgs 22:7, Dt. 18:13,15,18-20, Dt 1, Ezk 12:21-14:11
Many of my christian friends and today’s christian youth still desire worldly things. Now comes the question, “Is it a sin to tattoo?”
Heres a great look at a book called “To Tattoo or not to Tattoo”, by Terry Walkins. I chose just a few paragraphs.
“Throughout history the cutting of the flesh and blood-letting are rituals performed to unleash demonic and supernatural powers. Because the “life of the flesh is in the blood” [Leviticus 17:11], the blood is highly valued in the occult as the “power source”. And by releasing or letting the blood or the “power source” – supernatural power is unleashed.”
There’s no question that tattoos originated from the satanic ritual of blood-letting and cutting of the flesh as described in 1 Kings 18.
In fact, in Leviticus chapter 19 verse 28, where the Lord clearly condemns the tattoo, “Ye shall not make any . . . print any marks upon you.” Notice what else is included in the same verse. . . Obviously, by the context, the Lord connects the forbidden “marks” or tattoo, – “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh. . .” (more on Leviticus 19:28 later)
“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.”
(Leviticus 19:28)”
THE TATTOO’S GREATEST ENEMY. . . THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
In the pages of history, whenever and wherever “tattooing” pagan tribes were converted to Christianity, without exception, one of their first pagan practices to “pass away” [ 2 Corinthians 5:17] – was the tattoo. Why? Because, unlike today’s disobedient carnal “tattooed” Christians (or so-called?), the converted pagan KNEW the tattoo was against the Word of God. The Holy Spirit quickly “told” the converted pagan – no tattoo.
“Just as occurred in other cultures with tattoo traditions, when these pagan tribes were ‘converted’ to the Christian religion, their spiritual and cultural rites (which included tattooing, piercing and scarification) were outlawed. . .”
(Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book : A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications, p.9)
Amazing. . . When the Lord Jesus Christ enters in – the tattoo goes out.
“Whenever missionaries encountered tattooing they eradicated it.”
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 101)
“While these and other body modifications continued to be practiced underground as a way for non-Christian people to identify each other, God forbid you got caught and your mark was revealed.”
(Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book : A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications, p.11)
I have many friends before they were saved received a tattoo. And without exception, everyone of them is ashamed, and as much as possible they cover it. But before they got saved – like the pagan tribes – they proudly displayed their tattoo. And let me add – most of the time, this is before they’ve read Leviticus 19:28, or before anyone even told them a tattoo is wrong. After receiving the Lord Jesus Christ, with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit, they KNEW the tattoo was displeasing to their God. What about you?
A booming testimony to the author of the tattoo is recorded by Steve Gilbert:
“When Cortez and his conquistadors arrived on the coast of Mexico in 1519, they were horrified to discover that natives not only worshipped devils in the form of status and idols, but also had somehow managed to imprint indelible images of these idols on their skin. The Spaniards, who had never heard of tattooing, recognized it at once as the work of Satan.”
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 99)
Even though, these Spaniards “had never heard of tattooing” – they “recognized it at ONCE as the work of Satan”.
And some of today’s carnal, rebellious and disobedient Christians (or so-called Christians?) gibber-gabber nonsense about “marking themselves for Jesus”. . .
According to survey and statistics, Scutt lists the reasons why people get a tattoo and the number two reason – “to secure a place in heaven”.
“Reasons for getting a tattoo: 2. To secure a place in heaven.
5. To propitiate malignant spirits at time of death.
6. To acquire special characteristics through totemism and ancestor worship.
9. To make the body sexually interesting.”
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 13)
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TATTOOS OF TODAY?
I know what some are thinking. . . Sure, in the past tattoos were linked to criminals, depravity, and immoral behavior – but not today.
Today, the tattoo is worn by celebrities, athletes, politicians and business people. It’s adorned in high fashion mags and sports mags. There’s absolutely no data to even remotely suggest tattoos are linked to criminal or immoral behavior. No sir. Today’s tattoo is high-fashion and cool.
Oh. . . Really?
A very comprehensive study and analysis of tattoos, was recently published in April, 2001. The study was performed by Dr. Timothy Roberts, a pediatrician at the University of Rochester Children’s Hospital. The detailed analysis was taken from a study of 6072 young people, ages 11 to 21. From all over the United States. From all different ethnic groups. From all economic and social backgrounds. In other words, very thorough and reliable data models were constructed for the study. In fact, this study is probably the most comprehensive and conclusive analysis of tattoos ever conducted.
According to the study, today’s tattooed young people:
Are nearly four times more likely to engage in sexual intercourse
Over two times more likely to experience alcohol related problems
Nearly two times more likely to use illegal drugs
Over two times more likely to express violent behavior
Over two times more likely to drop out of high school
Dr. Roberts writes, that the results of the study reveal:
“Tattooing in adolescents was significantly associated with sexual intercourse, substance use, violence and school problems in bivariate analyses and in logistic regressions adjusting for sociodemographic factors and peer substance use.”
(Timothy A. Roberts, M.D. and Sheryl A. Ryan, M.D., Tattooing and High-Risk Behavior in Adolescents, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Strong Children’s Research Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY)
Dr. Roberts, writes in the “conclusion” of the study that tattoos “have strong associations with high-risk behaviors in adolescents”
“Conclusion: Permanent tattoos have strong associations with high-risk behaviors in adolescents. The presence of a tattoo during examination of an adolescent should prompt in-depth assessment for high-risk behaviors.”
(Timothy A. Roberts, M.D. and Sheryl A. Ryan, M.D., Tattooing and High-Risk Behavior in Adolescents, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Strong Children’s Research Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY)
It is worth mentioning, Dr. Roberts, himself has a tattoo. And before the study, Dr. Roberts admittedly believed that people with tattoos were unfairly stereotyped. One of his purposes of the study was to prove that point. After the overwhelming results, Dr Roberts, admitted, “I was more than a little surprised at the result.”
After evaluating the data, Dr. Roberts says, “A tattoo is a sign that doctors, parents, teachers ought to be asking about the teenager’s behaviour.”
BUT WASN’T JESUS A REBEL?
I hear this “rebel-party-line” from Christians:
“Hey dude, yea man, I’m a rebel just like Jesus. Yea, man, He was the real rebel. He rebelled against the system, man. Yea, man, He’s the ultimate rebel. Man, like, that’s why I wear my tattoos – I’m rebelling against the system.”
Heavily tattooed, Sonny of the “Rastafarianism-Christianity-AND-God-Knows-What-Else” punk-rap-metal rock band P.O.D. claims Jesus Christ was the first rebel — and the “first punk rocker”!
“We believe that Jesus was the first rebel. He was the first punk rocker going against all the rest of it”
Sonny, P.O.D.
(http://www.shoutweb.com/interviews/pod0700.phtml)
Let’s get something straight! The Lord Jesus Christ was NOT A REBEL! The Bible is very clear. The Lord Jesus Christ was OBEDIENT unto death – even the death of the cross!
Phil. 2:8
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing that every wicked, abominable sin committed in history was going to be placed upon Him (2 Cor. 5:17), knowing that He was going to drink the cup of wrath of God, and in great agony, His sinless sweat was dropping as it were great drops of blood — even then, Thank God, Thank God — HE DID NOT REBEL! As He prayed “. . .not my will, but thine, be done.”
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luke 22:42-44
Yes. The Lord Jesus Christ was ‘against’ the world and the system – but it was because the world was the REBEL – not the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank God – He was OBEDIENT to the will of God. The world, the flesh and the devil REBELLED and is REBELLING against the Word of God. Just like anyone that disgraces themselves with a “God-forbidden” tattoo
The book is filled with much, much more information and facts. It answers anyones questions and does not leave any reason for a christian to defend tattoos. We need to study history more.
I wanted to re-post this with the article and not just the link. here it is.
The Seeker-Friendly Way of Doing Church
T. A. McMahon
The “seeker-friendly,” or “seeker-sensitive,” movement currently taking
a host of evangelical churches by storm is an approach to evangelizing
through application of the latest marketing techniques. Typically, it
begins with a survey of the lost (referred to by a leading church in
this trend as the “unchurched,” or “unchurched Harry and Mary”). This
survey questions the unchurched about the things their nearby place of
worship might offer that would motivate them to attend. Results of the
questionnaire indicate areas of potential changes in the church’s
operations and services that would be effective in order to attract the
unchurched, keep them attending, and win them to Christ. Those who have
developed this marketing approach guarantee the growth of the churches
that conscientiously follow their proven methods. Practically speaking,
it works!
Two churches are seen as models for this movement: Willow Creek
Community Church (near Chicago), pastored by Bill Hybels, and Saddleback
Valley Community Church (south of Los Angeles), pastored by Rick Warren.
Their influence is stunning. Willow Creek has formed its own association
of churches, with 9,500 members. Last year, 100,000 church lead-ers
attended at least one Willow Creek leadership conference. More than
250,000 pastors and church leaders from over 125 countries have attended
Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Church seminars. More than 60,000 pastors
subscribe to his weekly email newsletter.
We visited Willow Creek Community Church not too long ago, and it seems
to have spared no expense in its mission to attract the masses. Looking
past the swans gliding across a mirror lake, one sees what could be
mistaken for a corporate headquarters or a very upscale shopping mall.
Just off the sanctuary is a large bookstore and an extensive eating area
supplied by a food court with five different vendors. A jumbotron screen
allows an overflow crowd or those enjoying a meal to view the
proceedings in the main sanctuary. The sanctuary itself is spacious and
high tech, complete with three large screens and state-of-the-art sound
and lighting systems for multimedia, drama, and musical presentations.
While impressive, Willow Creek is not unique among mega-churches with a
reach-the-lost-through-whatever-turns-them-on mindset. Mega-churches
across the country have added bowling alleys, NBA regulation basketball
courts with bleachers, exercise gyms and spas, locker rooms, auditoriums
for concerts and dramatic productions, and Starbucks and McDonald’s
franchises-all for the furtherance of the gospel. Or so it is claimed.
Although it’s true that such churches are packing them in, that’s not
the whole story in evaluating the success of this latest trend in “doing
church.”
The stated goal of seeker-friendly churches is reaching the lost. Though
biblical and praiseworthy, the same cannot be said for the methods used
in attempting to achieve that goal. Let’s begin with marketing as a
tactic for reaching the lost. Fundamentally, marketing has to do with
profiling consumers, ascertaining what their “felt needs” are, and then
fashioning one’s product (or its image) to appeal to the targeted
customer’s desires. The hoped-for result is that the consumer buys or
“buys into” the product. George Barna, whom Christianity Today calls
“the church’s guru of growth,” claims that such an approach is essential
for the church in our market-driven society. Evangelical church-growth
leaders are adamant that the marketing approach can be applied-and they
have employed it-without compromising the gospel. Really?
First of all, the gospel and, more significantly, the person of Jesus
Christ do not fit into any marketing strategy. They are not “products”
to be “sold.” They cannot be refashioned or image-adjusted to appeal to
the felt needs of our consumer-happy culture. Any attempt to do so
compromises to some degree the truth of who Christ is and what He has
done for us. For example, if the lost are considered consumers and a
basic marketing “commandment” says that the customer must reign supreme,
then whatever may be offensive to the lost must be discarded, revamped,
or downplayed. Scripture tells us clearly that the message of the Cross
is “foolishness to them that are perishing” and that Christ himself is a
“rock of offense” (1 Cor 1:18; 1 Pt 2:8). Some seeker-friendly churches,
therefore, seek to avoid this “negative aspect” by making the temporal
benefits of becoming a Christian their chief selling point. Although
that appeals to our gratification-oriented generation, it is neither the
gospel nor the goal of a believer’s life in Christ.
Secondly, if you want to attract the lost on the basis of what might
interest them, for the most part you will be appealing to and
accommodating their flesh. Wittingly or unwittingly, that seems to be
the standard operating procedure of seeker-friendly churches. They mimic
what’s popular in our culture: top-forty and performance-style music,
theatrical productions, stimulating multi-media presentations, and
thirty-minutes-or-less positive messages. The latter, more often than
not, are topical, therapeutic, and centered in self-fulfillment¾how the
Lord can meet one’s needs and help solve one’s problems.
Those concerns may be lost on increasing numbers of evangelical pastors
but, ironically, not on some secular observers. In his perceptive book
This Little Church Went to Market (see resource materials), Pastor Gary
Gilley notes that the professional marketing journal American
Demo-graphics recognizes that people are
…into spirituality, not religion….Behind this shift is the search
for an experiential faith, a religion of the heart, not the head. It’s a
religious expression that downplays doctrine and dogma, and revels in
direct experience of the divine¾whether it’s called the ‘Holy Spirit’ or
‘cosmic consciousness’ or the ‘true self.’ It is practical and personal,
more about stress reduction than salvation, more therapeutic than
theological. It’s about feeling good, not being good. It’s as much about
the body as the soul….Some marketing gurus have begun calling it ‘the
experience industry.’” (pp. 20-21)
There’s another item that many pastors seem to be missing in their
excitement over “growing your church through attracting the lost.”
Although numbers seem to rule in this seeker-friendly mania (an amazing
841 churches in this country have reached the “mega” category, with
2,000 to 25,000 weekend attendees), few have realized that the sizeable
increase in church attendance is not due to the influx of the
unchurched. During the last 70 years, the percentage of this country’s
population attending church has been relatively constant at about 43
percent. A spike of 49 percent in 1991 (years prior to today’s initial
seeker-sensitive enthusiasm) gradually declined, returning to 42 percent
in 2002 (www.barna.org). From where, then, do those mega-churches, which
have outfitted themselves to accommodate the unchurched, get their
members? Mostly from smaller churches that aren’t interested in or that
can’t afford the fleshly attractions. And what of the supposed horde of
unchurched Harrys and Marys who have been assembled? They constitute a
very small part of mega-church congregations. During his year of
researching Willow Creek, G.A. Pritchard, in his book Willow Creek
Seeker Services (Baker Book House, 1996), estimated that the targeted
unchurched made up only between 10 and 15 percent of the 16,000 or so
who attended weekend services!
If this percentage is typical among seeker-friendly churches, which
likely is the case, a rather disturbing situation has developed.
Thousands of churches here and abroad have completely restructured
themselves as outreach centers for the unchurched. This, by the way, is
not biblical. The church is for the maturing and equipping of the
saints, who then go out to reach the lost. Nevertheless,
seeker-sensitive churches have turned to entertainment and conveniences
in order to attract Harry and Mary and make them feel comfortable in
their new church environment. In order to keep them coming back, they
have avoided the thorough teaching of Scripture in favor of positive,
uplifting messages designed to make them feel good about themselves. As
unchurched Harry and Mary continue to attend, they get only a vague hint
of biblical truth that might bring conviction of sin and true
repentance. Worse yet, they get a psychologized view of themselves that
undermines that truth. However, as grievous as that situation is, it
doesn’t end there.
The vast majority of those who attend seeker-friendly fellowships
profess to be believers. Yet most were drawn to those churches by the
same worldly allurements that were meant to entice the unchurched, and
they continue to attend, being fed the same biblically anemic diet
created for the wooing of unbelievers. At best, they receive the skimmed
milk of the Word; at worst, pablum contaminated with “profane and vain
babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called” (1 Tm 6:20).
Certainly a church can grow numerically on that basis, but not
spiritually. Furthermore, there is no opportunity for believers to
mature in the faith in such an environment. In defense of
seeker-sensitive churches, some have argued that mid-week services are
set apart for discipleship and getting into the meat of Scriptures. If
that indeed is the case, it’s a rare exception rather than the rule.
As we’ve noted, most seeker-friendly churches focus much of their time,
energy, and resources on accommodating unchurched Harry and Mary.
Consequently, week after week, the entire congregation is subjected to a
diluted and leavened message. Then, on Wednesday evening, when a
fellowship is usually reduced to quarter or a third of its normal size,
would it be reasonable to assume that this remnant is served a
nourishing meal featuring the meat of the Word, expositional teaching,
and an emphasis on sound doctrine and discipleship? Hardly. We’ve yet to
find a seeker-friendly church where that takes place. The spiritual
meals offered at mid-week services are usually support group meetings
and classes for discerning one’s spiritual gifts or going through the
latest psycho-babble-ized “Christian” bestseller such as Wild at Heart
rather than the study of the Scriptures.
Perhaps the most insidious aspect of the seeker-friendly approach to
doing church is an attempt to impress the unchurched by looking to and
quoting those regarded as the experts in solving all their mental,
emotional, and behavioral problems: psychiatrists and psychologists.
Nothing in the history of the church has undermined the truth of the
sufficiency of God’s Word for “all things that pertain unto life and
godliness” (2 Pt 1:3) more than the introduction of the pseudo-science
of psychotherapy. Its thousands of concepts and hundreds of
methodologies are unproven, contradictory, unscientific, and thoroughly
unbiblical, as we’ve documented in our books and in previous articles.
Pritchard observed that at Willow Creek “Hybels not only teaches
psychological principles, but often uses the psychological principles as
interpretive guides for his exegesis of Scripture….King David had an
identity crisis, the apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to do
self-analysis, and Peter had a problem with boundary issues. The point
is, psychological principles are regularly built into Hybels’ teaching”
(p. 156).
During my own visit to Willow Creek, Pastor Hybels gave a message that
began with Scripture and addressed the problems that result when people
lie. However, he mustered his chief support regarding the harmful
consequences of lying from psychiatrist M. Scott Peck, the author of The
Road Less Traveled (Simon & Schuster, 1978), who declared in that book
(pp. 269-70), “God wants us to become Himself (or Herself or Itself)”!
Saddleback Community Church like-wise is entrenched in the
psychothera-peutic. Although claiming to be Christ-centered rather than
psychological, it has one of the largest conglomerations of Alcoholics
Anonymous-based 12-Step recovery programs in the country. The church
sponsors more than a dozen support groups, such as Adult Children of
Chemically Addicted, Codependency, Co-Addicted Women in a Relationship
with Sexually Addicted Men, Eating Disorders, and so forth. Each group
is normally led by someone “in recovery” from the “addiction,” and the
resource materials for understanding the “disorder” include books mostly
authored by psychiatrists and psychologists (www.celebraterecovery.com).
Although “in denial” about his use of “pop psychology,” much of it
permeates Rick Warren’s work, including his seven-million bestseller,
The Purpose Driven Life, which is largely about self-fulfillment,
promotes Celebrate Recovery, and is sprinkled with psych references such
as “Samson was co-dependent” (p. 233).
The overriding message from psychologically driven Willow Creek and
Saddleback is that the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit are
insufficient for delivering a person from a habitual sin and for
transforming his or her life into one that is fruitful and pleasing to
God. Again, what these churches say and do is exported to hundreds of
thousands of church leaders around the world.
A large part of the evangelical church has developed a pleasure-laden,
cruise ship mentality, but it will result in a spiritual Titanic.
Seeker-friendly church pastors (and those tempted to climb aboard) need
to get on their knees and read the words of Jesus to the church of the
Laodiceans (Rv 3:14-21). They were “rich, and increased with goods,” yet
failed to recognize that in God’s eyes, they were “wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Jesus, standing outside
their church, where they had unwittingly displaced Him, offers them His
counsel, the truth of His Word, which alone will enable them to live
their lives for His pleasure. There can be nothing better here on earth,
and for all eternity. TBC
This age of novelties would seem to have discovered spiritual power in
brass bands and tambourines….The tendency of the time is towards
bigness, parade, and show of power….Jesus said “Preach the gospel to
every creature.” But men are getting tired of the divine plan; they are
going to be saved by the priest…by the music…by theatricals….Well,
they may try these things…but nothing can ever come of the whole thing
but utter disappointment and confusion. God dishonored, the gospel
travestied, hypocrites manufactured by the thousands, and the church
dragged down to the level of the world.
C.H. Spurgeon
The Church of God has gone into the entertainment business! People must
be amused, and as the church needs the people’s money, the church must
supply the demand and meet the craving! How else are godless hypocrites
to be held together? So the picture show and entertainment…take the
place of the gospel address and the solemn worship of God. And, thus,
Christ-less souls are lulled to sleep and made to feel “religious” while
gratifying every carnal desire under the sanction of the sham called the
church! And the end? What an awakening [in eternity]!
“Like all the other wonderful works of God, this Book bears the sure stamp of its author. It is like Him. Though man plants the seeds, God makes the flowers, and they are perfect and beautiful like Himself. Men wrote what is in the Bible, but the work is God’s. The more refined, as a rule, people are, the fonder they are of the flowers, and the better they are, as a rule, the more they love the Bible.
The fondness for flowers refines people, and the love of the Bible makes them better. All that is in the Bible about God, about man, about redemption, and about a future state, agrees with our own ideas of right, with our reasonable fears and with our personal experiences. All the historical things are told in the way that we know the world had of looking at them when they were written. What the Bible tells about heaven is not half so strategic as what Professor Proctor tells about the hosts of stars that are beyond the range of any telescope – yet people very often think that science is all fact, and that religion is only fancy. A great, many persons think that Jupiter and many more of the stars around us are inhabited, who cannot bring themselves to believe that there is a life beyond this earth for immortal souls. The true Christian puts faith before reason, and believes that reason always goes wrong when faith is set aside. If people would but read their Bibles more, and study what there is to be found there about Heaven, they would not be as worldly minded as they are. They would not have their hearts set upon things down here, but would seek the imperishable things above.
EARTH THE HOME OF SIN
It seems perfectly reasonable that God should have given us a glimpse of the future, for we are constantly losing some of our friends by death, and the first thought that comes to us is, “where have they gone?” When a loved one is taken away from us, how that thought comes up before us! How we wonder if we will ever see them again, and where and when it will be! Then it is that we turn to this blessed Book, for there is no other book in all the world that can give us the slightest comfort; no other book that can tell us where the loved ones have gone.
Not long ago I met an old friend, and as I took him by the hand and asked after his family, the tears came trickling down his cheeks as he said:
“I haven’t any now.”
“What,” I said, is your wife dead? ”
“Yes sir.”
“And all your children, too?”
“Yes, all gone,” he said, “and I am left here desolate and alone.”
Would any one take from that man the hope, that he will meet his dear ones again? Would any one persuade. him that there. is not a future where the lost will be found? No, we need not forget our dear loved ones; but we ,fly cling forever to the enduring hope that there will be a time when we can meet unfettered, and be blest in that land of everlasting suns, where the soul drinks from the living, streams of love that roll by Gods high throne. In our inmost hearts there are none of us but have questionings of the future.
“Tell me, my secret soul,
0, tell me, Hope and Faith,
Is there no resting place,
From sorrow, sin and death?
Is there no happy spot
Where mortals may be blest,
Where grief may find a balm,
And weariness a rest?
Faith, Hope and Love – best boons to mortals given -
Waved their bright wings, and whispered:
Yes, in heaven”
There are men who say that there is no heaven. I was once talking with a man who said he thought there was nothing to justify us in believing in any other heaven than we know here on earth. If this is heaven, it is a very strange one – this world of sickness, and sorrow, and sin. I pity from the depths of my heart the man or woman who has that idea.
This world that so many think is heaven, is the home of sin, a hospital of sorrow, a place that has nothing in it to satisfy the soul. Men go all over it and then want to get out of it. The more one sees of the world the less they think of it. People soon grow tired of the best pleasures it has to offer. Some one has said that the world is a stormy sea, whose every wave is strewed with the wrecks of mortals that perish in it. Every time we breathe some one is dying. We all know that we are going to stay here but a very little while. Our life is but a vapor. It is just a mere shadow. We meet one another, as some one has said, salute one another, and pass on and are gone. And another has said, it is just inch of time, and then eternal ages roll on; and it seems to me that it is perfectly reasonable that we should study this book, to find out where we are going, and where our friends are who have gone on before. The longest time man has to live, has no more proportion to eternity than a drop of dew has to the ocean.
CITIES OF THE PAST
Look at the cities of the past. There is Babylon. It was founded by a woman named Semiramis, who had two millions of men at work for years building it. It is nothing but dust now. Nearly a thousand years ago, some historian wrote that the ruins of Nebuchadnezzar’s palace were still standing, but men were afraid to go near them because they were full of scorpions and snakes. That’s the Sort of ruin that greatness often comes to in our own day. Nineveh is gone. Its towers and bastions have fallen. The traveler who tries to see Carthage, can’t see much of it. Corinth, once the seat of luxury and art, is only a shapeless mass. Ephesus long the metropolis of Asia, the Paris of that day, was crowded with buildings as large as the capitol at Washington. I am told it looks more like a neglected graveyard now than anything else. Granada is now the housing place of lions and jackals. It was once very grand, with its twelve gates and towers. The Alhambra, the palace of the Mohammedan kings, was situated there. Probably the animals play with the monarchs’ bones. Little pieces of the once grand and beautiful cities of Herculanaeum and Pompeii are now being sold in the shops for relics. Jerusalem, once one of the grandest cities of the universe, is but a shadow of itself. Thebes – for thousands of years, up almost to the coming of Christ, the largest and wealthiest city of the world – is now a mass of decay. Very little of Athens and many more of the proud cities of olden times, remain to tell the story of their downfall. God drives His plowshare through cities, and they are upheaved like furrows in the field. “Behold,” says Isaiah, “the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance; behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. All nations before him are as nothing, and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.”
See how Antioch has fallen! When Paul preached there it was a superb metropolis. A wide street, over three miles long, stretching across the entire city, was ornamented with rows of columns and covered galleries, and at every corner stood carved statues to commemorate their great men, whose names even we have never heard. These are never heard of now, but the poor preaching tent-maker who came into its portals, stands out as the grandest character in all history. The finest specimens of Grecian art decorated the shrines of the temples, and the baths and the aqueducts were such as are never approached in elegance now. Men then, as now, were seeking honors and wealth and mighty names, and seeking to enshrine their names and records in perishable clay. Within the walls, we are told, were enclosed mountains over seven hundred feet high, and rocky precipices and deep ravines gave wild and picturesque character to the, city of which no modern city gives us an example, These heights were fortified in a marvelous manner, which gave to them strange startling effects. The vast population of this brilliant city, combining all the art and cultivation of Greece with the levity, the luxury and the superstition of Asia, was as intent on pleasure as the population of any of our great cities are to-day. They had their shows, their games, their races and dances, their sorcerers, puzzlers, buffoons and miracle-workers, and the whole people sought constantly in the theatres and processions, for something to stimulate and gratify the most corrupt desires of the soul.
This is pretty much what we find the masses of the people in our great cities doing now. The place was even worse than Athens, for the so-called worship they indulged in was not only idolatrous, but had mixed up with it the grossest passions to which man descends. It was here that Paul it came to preach the glad tidings of Christ; it was here that his converts were first called Christians, as a nickname; the first time the name, was ever used, all followers of Christ before time having been called “saints ” or “brethren.” As has been well said, out of that spring at Antioch, a mighty stream has flowed to water the world. Astarte, the “Queen of Heaven,” whom they worshipped; Diana, Apollo, the Pharisee and Sadusee, are no more, but the despised Christians yet live. Yet that Heathen City, which would not take Christianity to its heart and keep it, fell. Cities that have not the refining and restraining influences of Christianity well established in them, seldom do amount to much in the long ran. They grow dim in the light of ages. Few of our great cities in this country are a hundred years old as yet. For nearly a thousand years this city prospered; yet it fell.
I do not think that it is wrong for us to think and talk about heaven. I like to locate, heaven, and find out all I about it. I expect to live there through all eternity If I was going to dwell in any place in this country, if I was going to make it my home, I would want to inquire about the place, about its climate, about the neighbors I would have, and about everything in fact, that I could learn concerning it. If any of you were going to emigrate, that would be the way you would feel. Well, we are all going to emigrate in a very little while to a country that is very far away. We are going to spend eternity in another world a grand and glorious world where God reigns. Is it riot natural, then, that we should look and listen and try to find out who is already there, and what is the route to take? Soon after I was converted, an infidel asked me one day why I looked up when I prayed. He said that heaven was no more above as than below us; that heaven was everywhere. Well, I was greatly bewildered, and the next time I prayed, it seemed almost as if I was praying into the air. Since then I have become better acquainted with the Bible, and I have come to see that heaven is above us; that it is upward and not downward. The spirit of God is everywhere, but God is in heaven, and heaven is above our heads. It does not matter what part of the globe we may stand upon, heaven, is above us.
In 17th chapter of Genesis it says that God went up from Abraham; and in the 3d chapter of John, that he came down from heaven. So, in the 1st chapter of Acts we find that Christ went up into heaven (not down), and a cloud received him out of sight, Thus we see heaven is up. The very arrangement of the firmament about the earth declares the, seat of God’s glory to be above us. Job says, “Let not God regard it from above,” and we find the Psalmist declaring, “the Lord is high above nations, and His glory above the heavens.”
Again in Deuteronomy, we find, “who shall go up for us to heaven?” Thus, all through scripture we find that we are given the location of heaven as upward and beyond the firmament. This firmament, with its many bright worlds scattered through, is so vast that heaven must be an extensive realm. Yet this need not surpass us.
It is not for short-sighted man to inquire why God made heaven so extensive that its lights along the way can be seen from any part or side of this little world.
In the 51st chapter of the prophecy of Jeremiah we are told that: He hath made the earth by his power; he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. Yet, how little we really know of that power, or wisdom or understanding! As it says in the 26th chapter of Job: Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? But the thunder of his power, who can understand?
This is the word of God. As we find in the 42nd chapter of Isaiah: Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth bread unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk within. The discernment of God’s power, the messages of heaven, do not always come in great things. We read in the 19th chapter of the first book of Kings:
“And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”
It is as a still small voice that God speaks to His children.
Some people are trying to find out just how far heaven is away. There is one thing we know about it; that is, that it is not so far away but that God can hear us when we pray. I do not believe there has ever been a tear shed for sin since Adam’s fall in Eden to the present time, but God has witnessed that. He is not too far from this earth for us to go to Him; and if there is a sigh that comes from a burdened heart to-day, God will hear that sigh. If there is a cry coming up from a heart broken on account of sin, God will hear that cry, He is not so far away, heaven is not so far away, as to be inaccessible to the smallest child. In the 7th chapter and 14th verse of 2nd Chronicles, we read:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal, their land,”
When I was in Dublin, they were telling me about a father who had lost a little boy, and he had not thought about the future, he bad been so entirely taken up with this world and its affairs; but when that little boy his only child, died, that father’s heart was broken, and every night when he got home from work, they would find him with his tallow candle and his Bible in his room, and he was hunting up all that he could find there about heaven. And someone asked him what he was doing, and he said he was trying to find out where his child had gone, and I think he was a reasonable man. I suppose there is not a man or woman but has dear ones that are gone. Shall we close this book to-day? Or shall we look into it to try to find where the loved ones are? I was reading, some time ago, and account of a father, a minister, who had lost a child. He had gone to a great many funerals, offering comfort to others in sorrow, but now the iron had entered his own soul, and a brother minister had come to officiate and preach the funeral sermon; and after the minister got through speaking, the father got up, and standing right at the head of the coffin, looking at the face of that loved child that was gone, he said that a few years ago, when he had first come into that parish, as he used to look over the river he took no interest in the people over there, because they were all strangers to him and there were none over there that belonged to his parish. But, he said , a few years ago a young man came into his home, and married his daughter, and she went over the river to live, and when that child went over there, he became suddenly interested in the inhabitants, and every morning as he would get up he would look out of the window and look over there at her home. But now, said he, another child has been taken. She has gone over another river, and heaven seems dearer and nearer to me than it ever has before.
My friends, let us believe this good old Book, that heaven is not a myth, and let us be prepared to follow the dear ones who have gone before. There, and there alone, can we find the peace we seek for.
SEEKING A BETTER COUNTRY
What has been, and is now, one of the strongest feelings in the human heart? Is it not to find some better place, some lovelier spot, than we have now? It is for this that men are seeking everywhere; and yet, they can have it, if they will; but instead of looking down, they must look up to find it. As men grow in knowledge, they vie with each other more and more to make their homes attractive, but the brightest home on earth is but an empty barn, compared with the mansions that are in the skies. What is it that we look for at the decline and close of life? Is it not some sheltered place, some quiet spot, where if we cannot have constant rest, we may at least have a foretaste of what it is to be. What was it that led Columbus, not knowing what would be his fate, across the unsailed western seas, if it was not the hope of finding a better country? This is was that sustained the hearts of the Pilgrim Fathers, driven from their native land by persecution, as they faced an iron-bound, savage coast, with an unexplored territory beyond. They were cheered and upheld by the hope of reaching a free and fruitful country, where they could be at rest and worship God in peace.
Somewhat similar is the Christian’s hope of heaven, only it is not an undiscovered country, and in attractions cannot be compared with anything we know on earth. Perhaps nothing but the shortness of our range of sight keeps us from seeing the celestial gates all open to us, and nothing but the deafness of our ears, prevents our hearing the joyful ringing of the bells of heaven. There are constant sounds around us that we cannot hear, and the sky is studded with bright worlds that our eyes have never seen. Little as we know about this bright and radiant land, there are glimpses of its beauty that come to us now and then.
“We may not know how sweet its balmy air,
How bright and fair its flowers;
We may not hear the songs that echo there,
Through these enchanted bowers.
The city’s shining towers we may not see
With our dim earthly vision,
For death, the silent warder, keeps the key
That opes the gates elysian.
But sometimes when adown the western sky
A fiery sunset lingers,
Its golden gate swings inward noiselessly,
Unlocked by unseen fingers.
And while they stand a moment half ajar,
Gleams from the inner glory
Stream brightly through the azure vault afar,
And half reveal the story.”
It is said by travelers, that in climbing the Alps the houses of far distant villages can be seen with great distinctness, so that sometimes the number of panes of glass in a church window can be counted. The distance looks so short that the place seems almost at hand, but after hours and hours of climbing, it looks no nearer yet. This is because of the clearness of the atmosphere. By perseverance, however, the place is reached at last, and the tired traveler finds rest. So sometimes we dwell in high altitudes of grace; heaven seems very near, and the hills of Beulah are in full view. At other times the clouds and fogs that come through suffering and sin, cut off our sight. We are just as near heaven in the one case as we are in the other, and we are just as sure of gaining it if we only keep in the path that Christ has trod.
I have read that on the shores of the Adriatic sea, the wives of fishermen, whose husbands have gone far out upon the deep, are in the habit of going down to the seashore at night and singing with their sweet voices the first verse of some beautiful hymn, After they have sung it they listen until they hear brought on the wind, across the sea, the second verse sung by their brave husbands as they are tossed by the gale-and both are happy. Perhaps, if we would listen, we too might hear on this sea-tossed world of ours, some sound, some. whisper, borne from afar to tell us there is a heaven which is our home; and when we sing our hymns upon the shores of earth, perhaps we may hear their sweet echoes breaking in music upon the sands of time, and cheering the hearts of those who are pilgrims and strangers along the way. Yet we need to look up-out, beyond this low earth, and to build higher in our thoughts and actions, even here.
You know, when a man is going up in a balloon, he takes in sand as a ballast, and when he wants to mount a little higher, he throws out a little of the ballast, and then he will mount a little higher; he throws out a little more ballast, and he mounts still higher; and the higher he gets the more he throws out-and so the nearer we get to God the more we have to throw out of the things of this world. Let go of them; do not let us first set our hearts and affections on them, but do what the Master tells us_lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. In England I was told of a lady who bad been bedridden for years. She was one of those saints that God polishes up for the kingdom; for I believe that there are a good many saints in this world that we never hear about; we never see their names heralded through the press; they live very near the Master; they live very near heaven; and I think it takes a great deal more grace to suffer God’s will than it does to do God’s will; and if a person lies on a bed of sickness, and suffers cheerfully, it is just as acceptable to God as if they went out and worked in his vineyard.
Now, it was One of those saints, and a lady, who said that for a long time she used to have a great deal of pleasure in watching a bird that came to make its nest near her window. One year it came to make its nest, and it began to make it so low she was afraid something would happen to the young; and every day that she saw that bird busy at work making its nest, she kept saying, “O bird, build higher!” She could that the bird was going to come to grief and disappointment. At last the bird got its nest done,, and laid its eggs and hatched its young; and every morning the lady looked out to see if the nest was there, and she saw the old bird bringing food for the little ones, and she took a great deal of pleasure in looking at it. But one morning she woke up and she looked out and she saw nothing but feathers scattered all around, and she said, “Ah, the cat has got the old bird and all its young.” It would have been a mercy to have torn that nest down. That is what God does for us very often just snatches things away before it is to late. Now, I think that is what we want to say to church people_that if you build for time you will be disappointed. God says: Build up yonder. It is a good deal better to have life in Christ and God than any where else. I would rather have my life hid with Christ in God than be in Eden as Adam was. Adam might have remained in Paradise for 16,000 years, and then fallen, but if ours is hid in Christ, how safe!”
“A great many people tell you, “I will become a Christian when Christ comes and seeks me.”
I was talking to a gray-haired man in my native town not long ago who, when I spoke to him about his soul, suggested that he would become a Christian when the Lord Jesus Christ came to him. He was waiting till Christ hunted him personally. And there is a class like him in every community.
What more would you like Him to do for you than what He has done already? What would you like God to do more for us? He sent to us the prophets, and we murdered them. He sent His Son from Heaven to be a sacrifice for us. He sent us the Holy Ghost, who is in the world to give us peace and happiness.
Would you like Him to send His Son again to earth to suffer for your sins? My dear friends, what more are you waiting for? He has been looking for you and hunting for you from your cradle. I will tell you how He seeks.
There was never a sermon which you have listened to but in it the Lord was seeking for you. Some of you might have been asleep while the preaching was going on, but He was seeking you while you slept. Have not some of you heard a sermon in which your conscience was troubled? You went away, but you came back again. The Spirit of God came upon you again and again, and you were troubled. Haven’t you passed through that experience? That was the Son of God seeking for your soul.
You might have had a tract presented to you. You might have turned it off. It might have been headed with our same text. That was the Son of God seeking for your soul. He has used a four-page tract-sometimes just one page-to seek to convert a man.
He is seeking through the Bible. I contend that a man can find in every page of this Book that He is seeking him through His blessed Word. This is what the Bible is for-to seek out the lost.
He seeks through His works; He seeks through these ministers, through this building. What is this building for? That you may come and lay your sins right in this tabernacle-here where Christ is seeking for your souls. Do you think the Devil put it into the heads of those businessmen, in those times of great commercial depression, to put this building up?
It has not been put up to catch your money-no collection has been taken. It is not your money we are after: it is your soul.
Do you believe it was Satan who put it into the hearts of those ministers to preach the Word night after night? Was that the Devil’s work? No. It is the Son of Man seeking for your souls. This building, these crowds ought to act as warnings to every man and woman walking these streets.
Another way He seeks you: In the silent midnight hour you have been troubled; you could not sleep. Your mind has been at work. The Son of Man has come into that bedroom. You have felt Him knocking at the door of your heart, and you knew it was to save you. Many of you have passed through that experience. In that hour, the Son of God has sought you.
Many of you, in the sickroom of the loved mother (or loved wife or dear child), have felt the knock at your heart. You have been summoned from your room in the stillness of the night and have been told your loved one has passed away. You recollect an incident like this in your life. At that moment your heart has told you, you ought to be a Christian. That was the Son of Man seeking you.
At the grave of some lost one too you have heard a voice whispering, “Consecrate yourself to Him.” That was the Son of God seeking you. Many must have experienced this. There has not been a day that He has not sought for you, and He still seeks for you.
Forget for a moment the preacher, forget for a moment all your surroundings, and pause to ask yourself, “Has not the Son of Man sought for my soul?”
I will stress again that He seeks for you. Has not the Son of Man been abroad in this community?
Go to Farwell Hall and see the crowds who go there every day; look at the multitudes who nightly assemble here. They don’t all come to hear Mr. Sankey sing nor to hear me preach, for there are many far better singers and preachers. It is the Spirit of God who brings them.
Many of you, while in church listening to the preaching, got mad at something said in the sermon, and you have gone out. That was the Son of Man seeking your soul.
While in Philadelphia a man with his wife came to our meetings. When he left the service, he wouldn’t speak to his wife. She thought it was very strange but said nothing and went to bed thinking that in the morning he would be all right.
At breakfast, however, he would not speak a word. Well, she thought this strange, but she was sure he would have gotten over whatever was wrong with him by dinner.
The dinner hour arrived, and it passed without his saying a word.
At supper not a word escaped him, and he would not go with her to the meeting. Every day for a whole week the same thing went on.
But at the end of the week he could not stand it any longer, and he said to his wife, “Why did you write Mr. Moody and tell him all about me?”
“I never wrote to Mr. Moody in my life,” said the wife.
“You did,” he answered.
“You’re mistaken. Why do you think that?”
“Well, then, I wronged you; but when I saw Mr. Moody picking me out among all those people and telling all about me, I was sure you must have written him.”
It was the Son of Man seeking for him, my friends. And I hope there will be one here tonight who will feel that I am talking personally to him. May you feel that you are lost and that the Lord is seeking for you. When you feel this, it is an invitation for you to be saved…
Dear sinners, Jesus is ready and willing to carry you over the mountains of sin and over your mountains of unbelief. Give yourselves to Him; only grant your consent. It lies with your own will, and if you accept His offer, from the clouds of your transgressions you shall be lifted into the Heaven of joy and peace that the world knows not of.”
This quote is from a letter written by Mr. Jones to a young minister, pg. 9 of The Welsh Revival: Its orgin and development.
“Two things are necessary to be a successful preacher: first, to pray much in secret–to be there many times in the day, wrestling with God–to wrestle each time as if it were the last, and not to rise from your knees until you have a proof that te Lord has heard you. Ask the Lord in faith, and with great fervency, what to say to the people. Go straight from your closet to the pulpit each time, then will the anointing follow your preaching, and every word you say will be recieved as from an angel of God. another thing is, to preach pointedly and rousingly–aiming at the conscience each time–telling people their sins to their faces–caring nothing for the good or bad opinion of men, but to keep ‘a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men;’ and beware of displaying yourself in any of your sermons. I try to aim at two things in studying and preaching: one is, not to say anything to show off myself; another is, not to say anything to amuse the people. I would wish to preach each time as if I had to die in the pulpit when I had done preaching–as if I had to go direct from the pulpit to judgment. If we are not in this frame, we shall do very little good.”
The more I attend True Light Ministries, the more I appreciate it. Some would say that we don’t have much, I say that we have almost everything. The presence of God, freedom for the Holy Spirit to move, and obedience to the Lord. We may not have many “members” but the few we have are not just any christians. These are people that understand the word dedication and faithfulness. They understand that they must stand and fight, even sacrifice and wait much for the Lord to move. No matter what comes there way, every week they don’t show any negativity or walk in self-pity. I say this not to bring glory to them but to what the Lord has done in TLM. When people come to TLM, they mean business with God. That cannot be said about many churches. The church was built on the very Word of God and His promises. It was built on faith and hope. I know I will get fed, and I won’t have to worry about compromising or pleasing man. The first time I ever attended, I was overwhelmed with the fear of the Lord. People often ask me why I attend such a small church over previous churches I used to attend, I simply answer “The Lord brought me here”. He did, I know it was for many, many reasons. I know I can find the Lord there, and I hope, no matter how big TLM gets, that will never change. I write this not to glorify the ministry, but to glorify the one who dwells within it. The Lord asked Peter THREE times did he love him, and THREE times the Lord said “feed my sheep”. Don’t you think the Lord meant it?
When Pastors don’t warn their church, they do not protect their flock. It frustrates me how some pastors will not say certain things in fear of losing members or offending others. Don’t they really care about the flock? Its better to warn and to lose, than to not warn and let your church run into deception! The thing that saddens me most about the church today is the lack of christians to stand. To stand for what they know is right, and to boldly and openly proclaim it.
Watching tv the other day I came upon a “worship artist” known as Mary-Kathryn, and found her music quite different. Her new album “dreams and visions” has reached to the tops of the New Age charts and it has been nominated for an award in the category of New Age. Her website describes her music like this “Dreams & Visions succeeds in invoking feelings of weightlessness, causing you to feel like you are floating from note to note. The looping sensation of Mary-Kathryn’s voice strings every word together, making it seem as if spaces or punctuation do not exist in music.” Mary-Kathryn claims that God told her to be a light in the New Age, but watching one of her performances, it looked much like the actual thing with a hint of “supernatural” and scriptures. Now, I am not against being a light in the darkness, but the light must in fact be a LIGHT. What I saw on tv was a burnt out candle and a deep blending of the smoke. Is she showing them Christ, or just confusing them more?
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