The key to freedom

This commentary by “modern American missionary” to France Garold Anderson, really explains in clear terms what Christian freedom is all about. Despite the rhetoric of “love” we hear so many times coming out of the mouths of liberals (what an ironic label), the freedom Jesus Christ offers is bold and demanding. Christian freedom isnt doing what we desire, but rather submitting to the Lordship of Jesus. h/t to my brother in Germany.

The Key to Freedom
by Garold Andersen 

“If you hold to my teaching, you are truly my
disciples: then you will know the truth and
the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Garold Andersen is the author of Brand New Bag.

“Arbeit macht frei” (work will make you free) was the phrase written over Nazi work camps during the Second World War. It’s a great slogan for anyone wanting to enslave a nation. Today we don’t buy it. In our enlightened world we know that truth, not work, is the key to freedom. We scour books, magazines, newspapers, and the Internet, searching for those nuggets of truth that will continue our great liberation. 

The search, however, reveals a complex snag. What truth? Which newspaper articles should we believe? Which sources are reliable? The more we dig for the truth, the more this new slogan seems no better than “Arbeit macht frei.” If anything, we sense a heavier burden rather than a deeper freedom. “You will know the truth…” That’s the maddening part. How can we know it? Some would say you can’t: truth is just a fable. Others would say it’s relative. Jesus said it’s relational.

Of course, when Jesus spoke of truth he wasn’t referring to the superficial information one gleans from a trip into cyberspace. He also wasn’t speaking of math, science, or religious knowledge, which comes in varying colors and shades. The One who created life was instead speaking of the absolute, unchangeable core of life: the foundational truth that gives meaning to our existence. Is there really such a deep understanding that could give all humans freedom regardless of their external condition? Jesus said, “Yes, I am that Truth.”

When we choose to believe His radical claim, our initial reaction is joy and relief. We sing, “Jesus is the answer…”, take off our shoes, and set up camp. We have a sense of having arrived. The search is over; the answer has been found. But in reality we haven’t really heard all of His words. So Jesus walks into the midst of our retirement camp and repeats His challenge, “IF you hold to my teachings and become my life-long disciple, THEN you will know (experience) the depths of reality…you will know Me and I will destroy your misconceptions of life, shake your faulty foundations, and set you free.” This proposal is altogether different. The light begins to dawn. Jesus didn’t post a campground sign for the kingdom of Truth; rather He has extended an invitation to a relational journey. In the depths of our hearts, if we’re honest, we’re a bit disappointed. We wanted there to be an answer - simple, black and white, and a one-size-fits-all remedy. As the party music fades, the tents come down, and the traveling shoes are laced back onto our feet, we mourn the death of our easy solution. In the midst of this disappointment, we can almost forget that we have been invited to the greatest adventure on the earth: a journey with the Creator of life.

In this superficial, fast-paced world we love sound-bytes and quick fixes, but “Jesus is the answer” isn’t a real solution; it’s merely another slogan. And the version of Christianity that has been built on that thin slogan has left many disappointed and disillusioned.

The inner freedom and ultimate meaning we all desire is not found in the simple recognition of Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus isn’t the answer; He is the truth. There is a profound difference between the two. It’s easy to get excited upon discovering a treasure in a field. It’s quite another thing to sell everything you own in order to purchase that field. Yet that’s the image of discipleship. The continual dismantling of our broken concepts of life and building on His view is the only way to gain the treasure of truth and freedom.

Real freedom, according to Jesus, is the outcome of a relational journey with the truth. It is an ongoing process of replacing the untruths of this world with the empowering ways of God. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t be conformed to the ideas of this age, but be transformed by renewing your mind.” Remember, you have not arrived at the truth; you are on a life-long journey with Him.

Life is filled with issues that are real. They require wisdom, mercy, and inner strength, not one-size-fits-all solutions. The Son of God doesn’t offer us easy answers; He invites us to a journey of transformation and freedom. Anything that is real takes time, and this journey with Jesus is as real as it gets.

Soulforce lied (technically) about church visit says Warren

The pastor of one of the churches on the Soulforce Family Outing debacle is refuting the gay christian group’s account of their visit to his church.

Rick Warren said in a statement that the Soulforce press release was “100% false”.

(You) were correct in assuming Newsweek quoted a Soul Force press release headline that was 100% false. We did not invite this group and I will not be meeting with them. They invited themselves to draw attention to their cross country publicity stunt.

My staff has already told them that neither my wife nor I will meet with them for any discussion or debate. This weekend, both Kay and I are receiving awards from two different universities so we’ll be out of town! Also, it’s Father’s Day and I’m spending the holiday with my children and grandchildren, as are all my staff.”

Rick Warren
Saddleback Church

At issue was a Newsweek editor Lisa Miller’s “article” which quoted from a Soulforce press release and published it as if were true. Miller later added a corrective addendum to her story.

It also highlights how the MSM will do anything to glorfy homosexuality and its practioners through media to the American public. Gay and lesbian journalists are urged refuse “defamatory rhetoric” because, they contend, it is akin to asking a white racist to comment on black civil rights. Fatally flawed ideology, but it explains why the msm only does fluff pieces or emotionally charged stories which portray homosexuals as perpetual victims of a hateful society.

Unfortunately, its not any different with the religious wing of the homosexual movement. Victimology becomes them.

To rebuke or not to rebuke?

I have no problem saying that we do a lot of rebuking on this site. That’s because the gay christian movement needs to be rebuked sharply until they repent. Did you know that rebuke is actually a hard component of grace?

The scriptures, contrary to the one dimensional love message of the gcm, is multifacted. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, it is to be used for doctrine (a foundation for beliefs), reproof (evidence), correction (redemptive disciplinary correction), and  instruction in righteousness. Note that this is profitable or advantegeous to be the recipient of such benefits. Thus, the biblical perspective is that it is both good and required.

You wouldn’t know that talking to or reading the angry, but unlearned comments from gcm supporters and others who base much of their lives on fickle opinion.  Consequently, a majority of people who a minimal bible believers reject rebuke, correction and instruction while branding it “judgmental” and “bigoted”. But here’s the truth: no one is beyond rebuke or correction in righteousness. No one. Not you, not I no one. The catch is that only scripture is the proper judge for our conduct and words.

While studying about rebuke, I came across this article par excellence by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon of A Purtian’s Mind. The article is called “Thoughts on Rebuking”.

“Where the wicked man hates rebuke, so at the same time the Christian should love the rebuke, but has a hard time incorporating it into his heart and mind because sin is still present.  Rebuking is loathsome to the wicked mind and heart.  It is loathsome to the sinful flesh.  Christians still struggle with the sinful flesh, and so rebukes that are pointed toward them are also sometimes rejected and despised.  However, Christians must face the fact that one of the means that God’s gives them to overcome sin is the rebuke and reproof.  Though it may be hard to digest, and bitter when taken, the Christian should receive it with joy if they truly love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.  The rebuke is something that draws them out of sin and closer to Christ.<It is something that draws out sin, and changes the attitude, mind and heart toward that which is holy.  Why then would they still continue to hate the rebuke?  The answer to this is also relatively easy – when Christians are rebuked for sin, they often love their sin more than they love Christ and so hate to change or be comforted to His image.”

Do yourself a major favor and read this commentary. I accept righteous rebuke and correction because I want to be holy and pleasing to God, not equal. I want my life, beliefs, thoughts and actions to conform to the image of Christ, not society’s drifting “values”. Why? Simply because holiness is God’s command to his children, not equality. This is why “radical inclusion” doctrine will never be compatible with the scriptures.

1 Thessalonians 4:17   For God has not called us to uncleanness, but unto holiness.
Uncleannes: Gr “akatharsia” which denotes any physical or moral impurity.

1 Peter 14-16 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,  but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior [including private sexual behavior];  because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (our bracket insert)

When the blind lead the blind…

The homosexual community (both religious and political) is leading our nation into the point of no return. What’s worse, they may not even be aware of it. Politically and socially, such a statement is deemed prejudical and perhaps even one of “hate”. But only truly spiritual eyes can see that this is true.  Jesus declared that when the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit (Luke 6:39). Like running across a highway during rush hour blindfolded, it is inevitable that one will meet with calamity. In the bible, bindness is always associated with darkness, sin and an inability to see truth. The blind cannot see danger before them nor can they warn others to avoid it. Isn’t it interesting that in Sodom, the angels didnt paralyze the men of Sodom, neither did they take away their speech? Instead, they took away the men’s most precious personal resource: the ability to see. Actually, the Sodomites were already spiritually blind and thus the punishment of natural blindness was only a parallel manifestation.

Dr. James White posted this last year and it merits another hearing. Though it is an unpopular position to take in our pluralistic-driven society, our choice is to continue speaking and trusting God’s way, because it is the only way.

I’ve Been Saying This for Years Now…

  Homosexuals are suppressing the truth of God in their lives. It is a difficult thing to wrestle constantly with your conscience, to put out so much effort into convincing yourself that your sin is good, to call light darkness and darkness light. It is toilsome. Because of their state, homosexuals are particularly angered by anyone who would say “homosexuality is unnatural; it is directly opposed to God’s creative order, it is sinful, life-destroying, and God demands you repent from it.” And so, they are willing to lend their considerable financial (and hence politically powerful) support to any politician who will help them to suppress such speech, or to put it bluntly, to give them super-rights. They wish to be able to say, and do, anything at all: but, at the same time, they are willing to see the rights of others, especially their free-speech rights, denied.
   Now that the party that is most in support of homosexuality and its agenda is in (slight) control of the legislative branch of the US government, the laws that are being used to suppress the open and honest preaching of the Christian faith in Europe, Canada, and Australia, are being promoted here. Under the guise of “hate crimes legislation,” HR-1592 is making its way through Congress, the next major step in criminalizing Christianity in the West. Robert Gagnon has the story here.
   Our society’s hatred of God’s law is so deep, so pervasive, that I honestly see this not as something that will bring God’s wrath–we are well beyond that point–but as evidence of God’s wrath. If my generation passes away without facing the very same seizure of our property, denial of free speech rights, and even imprisonment, faced by our brothers and sisters at the hands of Muslims, Hindus, and Communists around the world, surely the next generation will face such hardships. May God grant us strength and insight to use our current freedoms to form for the next generations a solid foundation upon which they can stand against the fierce storm of the world’s hatred.”  (May 2007)

As Dr. White notes, it take tremendous and sustained effort to suppress God’s truth in your life. The outcome is a seared conscience which sees only the darkness of its own matrix.

Because we are blowing the trumpet against the blindness of the homosexual community, it is not to be interpreted that we advocate violence or death to any person in this sinful condition.  Our sincere desire (as is God’s) is that those in sin would repent before it is too late to repent.

If you are a Christian and you have unrepentant homosexual sin (or any sin) in your life, now is the time to go to Christ and ask Him to wash away your sin. Then endeavor with all your heart and soul to love him and live according to his Word.

Don’t be hoodwinked and bamboozled by the pied pipers of the gay christian movement who in their own blindness,  lie to you and tell you that God accepts your definition of righteousness. In the day that you will stand before God not one of them will be able to answer for you or stand in your place to face God. Remember what Jesus said, when the blind lead the blind, they will both fall into a pit. 

 

Reknowned theologian leaves ACC

We’re glad to share that J.I. Packer, the famed theologian and writer has left the Anglican Church of Canada over acceptance of homosexuality as reported by Charisma Magazine.

Packer said his departure stems from the liberal leanings of his former bishop, Michael Ingham. “He doesn’t believe the things God tells us in the Bible,” Packer told Charisma. “He believes homosexual unions can be a form of holiness. I believe homosexual unions are not part of God’s way. They are barren and mess up human nature.”

With the recent sanctioning of same-sex blessings in the ACC, 15 large Anglican churches in Canada, including St. John’s Shaughnessy, have left the church and joined forces with the conservative Anglican Network based in Canada. Lesley Bentley, spokeswoman for St. John’s Shaughnessy, said the 15 churches that left the ACC represent the number of people in 13 of the 29 dioceses in Canada. “Our church alone has 800 attending Sunday morning services,” she said. “We’re the churches who are growing and planting other churches.”

Ingham, bishop of the diocese of New Westminster, where St. John’s Shaughnessy is located, threatened court action in February when church members voted to come under Venables’ authority. “Basically, the ACC wants the church building,” Bentley said. “The court action threatened was abandonment of ministry because the priests here aren’t under the authority of Michael Ingham anymore.”

The shadows of persecution over issues of homosexuality continue to grow longer and stronger. As liberals take control of denominations, punitive actions against those who refuse to accept the new milennium golden cow are sure to follow.

Are you still in a church where homosexual affirming theology is being pushed? If so what are you doing about it and when are you going to speak up?

 

Open Forum II

We are pretty involved this week, and posting may be light. Please feel free to share your concerns, end of the world predictions, comments, pet peeves, soapbox issues, gripes, shout-outs, pontifications and the likes. Oh, and this is a good time to introduce your new blog or blogpost, too!

You can talk about and post anything, but not anything. Read between the lines, please. Posts will still be moderated for ugly language and ugly links (dissension does not necessarily constitute ugliness, but, please, no gratuitous self promotion without at least a veiled attempt to interact with others). In addition, all first time comments will remain moderated. All general commenting policies apply.

So what are you waiting on?

Gay christian movement worshipping another christ

It is a jesus, but not The Jesus of the Bible. The false jesus comes with another spirit and another gospel other than that which the Bible clearly reveals.  Wholly committed in its devotion to this false christ, the movement’s low christological perspective keeps it beholden to a false god who conforms to their image rather than them conforming to his image.

One Bad Monkey, in his post [no longer available] “What Jesus said about homosexuality” intelligently lays out why the gay christian movement is fatally infected with a deficient christology.

“If the gay church is going to proclaim its Christian faith to any extent as a foundational component of its convictions, a better understanding by the gay church of who Jesus is and why He came would appear to be in order.  Otherwise, I’m afraid I’m not going to be convinced of anything by its claiming to know what Jesus did or didn’t say.”

Failure to understand the true nature of Christ, leads one to create a false mission for Christ. Such is the case with the usage of the gcm’s “Jesus said nothing” defense. As we have argued before.  It is pure spiritual thievery to “compartmentalize” Jesus. Jesus, in the gay christian thought, is but a singular operative, some sort of emancipated son, divorced from both God and the Word (logos). Gay christianity intentionally allows Jesus do, say and think what he wants to without regard to the rest of the Bible or the will of the Father. Of course, this tactical position serves to bolster their chief claim: silence equals consent. Scripture, in contrast to gcm claims, is clear about the unity of God, Christ and the entire logos. (1 John 5:7; John 17:21,22).

In the beginning was the Word (logos) and the Word (Christ) was with God and the Word (Christ) was God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. –John 1:1,14

Thus, from a proper approach and application of just John 1 verses 1 and 14, we can sum up the gay christian movement’s use of the “Jesus silence defense” as:

1. A faulty concept of Christ leads to a
2. Deficient knowledge of Christ which leads to an
3. Inaccurate portrayal of Christ which results in
4. Erroneous teaching and lifestyle

OBM points out  three very obvious contrasting truths that, if the gay christian movement possesed a proper perspective of Christ, they would quickly abandon its fig leaf defense:

First,the gay church assumes the idea of a subject being unimportant just because it wasn’t mentioned by Jesus is foreign to the gospel writers themselves.  At no point did Matthew, Mark, Luke or John say their books should be elevated above the Torah or, for that matter, any writings yet to come.

Second, the gay church assumes the gospels are more comprehensive than they really are. Not only do the gospels have no more authority than the rest of scripture, they’re no more comprehensive, either.  That is, they don’t provide all we need to know by way of doctrine and practical instruction.

Third, the gay church presumes to know all of what Jesus said.  Yet the gospels don’t profess to be a complete account of Jesus’ life or teachings.  Whole sections of His early years are omitted; much of what he did and said remains unknown. ”

If the gay christian movement truly desired to accurately reflect the Jesus of the Bible, they would not just co-opt his teachings on love, but demonstrate his teachings of fidelity and obedience.

 
Related posts:

• Gay religion professor tells audience to “abandon the Bible”
• Why progay theology is a hermenuetical abomination
• The legacy of John Boswell’s brilliant lie
• Twisted: progay theology mired in error

GCM Watch seeks former members of gay churches

Gay Christian Movement Watch is seeking first hand accounts and personal narratives of several categories of individuals who have had personal experience with gay churches and organizations.

First, GCM Watch is seeking testimonials of former members of gay churches namely: Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), any affiliate churches of The Fellowship (Bishop Yvette Flunder), Unity Fellowship Church Movement or any independent gay church. In addition, if you were part of an “affirming” or “inclusive” church, but left because you no longer accepted its false doctrines, please contact GCM Watch as soon as possible.

Secondly, if you have visited, but never joined a gay/affirming/inclusive church your personal narrative of that experience is also welcomed. Please tell us what you saw and heard.

Third, if you know of someone who fits the criteria above, forward this information to them and ask them to contact GCM Watch.

These personal narratives are being sought to provide a balanced and truthful counter to the lies currently being promoted by gay churches about biblical sexual morality. These organizations promise an overabundance of love, value and acceptance but what are they actually delivering to hurting and confused people?

Contact GCM Watch at gcmwatch@yahoo.com
Partial list of “affirming/inclusive” religious organizations here .