Archive for the ‘christian confusion’ Category

On The Treatment of Homosexuals

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Recently, I was in a disagreement with several youth leaders who were promoting the DVD “Jesus, Save Us From Your Followers.” The premise of the DVD was Christians owed the homosexual community an apology for centuries of bigotry and judgment. The creators of the “documentary” established confession booths at homosexual events – not for the homosexual to enter and confess their sin, but for the Christian promoters to confess their sin of bigotry and hate to the homosexual who would enter.

A quick definition of hate: standing up for the truth of God’s word is “hate.”

I argued with these pastors and leaders from the Scripture. They, in turned, argued back that I was narrow-minded and old-school and that I could never understand their ways. To them, it did not matter the multiple Scriptures condemning the practice and the participants; it did not matter to them Jesus’ example of praising the prophets for their hateful ways (modern definition) rather than condemning them as narrow-minded; nor did it matter to them these homosexuals were on the road to hell and their method would do nothing to turn them back. And, in the end, I refused to “agree to disagree.”

It is hard for the church – and especially youth pastors – to stand up for the truth because they are more interested in what the church looks like than what the message of the Gospel is. This is ironic, because these are the same people who are supposed to address the problem of peer pressure to our youth, yet they cannot handle the problem themselves.

Molotov Mitchell has a short video out that addresses this issue: What should be the Christian response to the homosexual? [scroll down to "My Gay Friends" - depending on when you read this, it might be a ways down the list.]

[movie deleted because of script conflict]

Christians and Referendum 71

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Today I want to talk to Christians about Referendum 71. Referendum 71 is the ballot measure that will allow voters to decide whether or not to give homosexual couples equivalent rights to married couples. I’m not going to talk to those that think gay marriage is the civil rights issue of today. Nor do I want to talk to those who are already committed to REJECT Referendum 71.

Instead, I want to talk to Christians who are inclined to vote to give marriage benefits to same-sex partners despite moral concerns about homosexuality. You know who you are.

You believe in grace, redemption, forgiveness and the need to love your neighbor as yourself. You believe that homosexuality is sin, but you have a hard time opposing homosexual rights measures because you feel it would be forcing people to abide by your personal moral code. You do not dislike gay people. In fact, you like your gay friends more than some Christians you know.

You are inclined to vote in favor of benefits for homosexuals simply to avoid association attitudes you have seen from fellow Christians. After all, you believe fervently in the command to love your neighbor.

However, you may fail to recognize the distinction between loving your neighbor and being liked. Many people make this mistake. In fact many believe the test of whether or not you love your neighbor is whether or not they like you. Therefore, in an effort to prove their love by being liked, they purge their lives of all controversy.

When a choice is to be made, they spend far more time pondering what other people are going to think than they do wondering whether or not it is right. Individuals will bite their tongue. Churches will avoid certain passages of scripture for decades at a time-all in the name of love.

The idea that Christians should try to be well liked is somewhat ironic when you consider the fact that Jesus was murdered. Moreover, He promised his disciples that they would be hated for obedience to him. (John 15:18; Matt 10:21-23). So where did we get the idea that being like Jesus means everybody is going to like us?

Christian charity is frequently looked upon favorably. Christian holiness, however, is not. Still, the goal for the Christian is not to be like or hated, political or apolitical, popular or unpopular. The goal is to be biblical.

Referendum 71 presents a dilemma for many Christians. They understand that God does not believe homosexual relationships are the equivalent of heterosexual marriages. They certainly don’t want their children being taught in school that they are morally the same. But is it kind if it will make someone angry?

It presents an even bigger dilemma for pastors. They have a tremendous opportunity for influence. But should they risk the potential fallout of addressing the biblical perspective on this issue?

While I have opinions, I cannot answer these questions for you. I will simply say that whatever decision is made, I hope it comes more from a desire to be faithful and less from a need to be liked.

Joseph Backholm
http://fpiw.org/mondayminute

Public Schools are Killing America

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

It is time for Christian families to get serious about pulling their kids out of Satan’s public schools.

To Create a god From Man

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

It was the medieval and ancient times that man regarded the king to be God, or a god. This was the foundation of the Greek myths. It was evidenced in the Bible in the account of Nimrod. The Bible does not go into details of the life of Nimrod, only to mention he was a mighty hunter and established at least eight major cities including Babylon and Ninevah. The secular accounts tell of his gruesome battles and victories and that he was considered to be a god. It was in this mindset that he set about to prevent the people from fulfilling their mandate from God to create urban sprawl and rounded them up to build the Tower of Babel to commemorate and celebrate the accomplishments of man.

King Herod and mere puppet for Caesar considered himself to be a god and did not silence the people when they worshiped him. The Bible tells us, in chapter twelve of Acts, when he accepted the praise of man and failed to give glory to God, he was struck down and immediately eaten by worms and died.

In America, the land of the free and home of the brave, we have become overrun by bureaucrats. Many of them believe themselves to be gods. In fact, they hold the power of God over a man’s life and business. Even many bureaucrats who profess to be Christian, have no fear of God but continue to build empires and despise their brothers’ freedoms.

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Rep Mike Pence – We Are A Nation of Prayer

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

Rebuttal to Obama: We Are Still A Christian Nation

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

If The LORD Delights In Us

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Another great commentary and admonition from David Crowe. http://restoreamerica.org/

On Sunday, November 2nd, 2008, just two days before the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States, I wrote,

“Tuesday, November 4th, will be a day of deliverance, either into captivity and lamentation, or into the recognition that our ordered liberties come from God; into the twilight before nightfall, or into the glorious light of day after the threat has passed; into an awakening and revival, or the awareness of great loss and evil to come.”

Can God’s people be counted on to stand up for truth?

A few nights ago Miss California chose to honor God, and take a stand for traditional marriage before a TV audience of millions. The truth – and her relationship with Christ – was more important to her than a temporal, earthly crown. It may have cost her a beauty contest, but in the minds and hearts of millions of Americans, she is ‘Miss USA’, no matter how the judges ruled.

A few days before, another woman – not as young or attractive – ignored the snickers, sneers and jeers of Britain’s pop culture, and courageously demonstrated it was worth pursuing her dream no matter what anyone else thought of her!

If America is to recover from the elevation of Godless secularism over the last 70 years, and the debilitating agenda of the current administration and out of control congress, Christians must do as Carrie Prejean and Susan Boyle did. If we do not, we will find ourselves consigned to an economic, moral, spiritual and political wilderness that one would never wish upon anyone, let alone their children.

That is the challenge to America’s Christians. Will we stand, or will we fold? Will we open our mouths, and speak truth, or will we continue to be intimidated by misguided policy makers, the self aggrandizing, the deceived, the intolerant, and the morally challenged? None of these are insurmountable giants to be left to guide public policy for their own pleasures and agendas, especially when America’s Christians stand shoulder to shoulder in the voting booth and town councils!

The eyes of faith. . . or the lens of fear

Bob Gass, in the April 21st “The Word for You Today” writes, “When you get right down to it, there’s very little difference in people, but the little difference amounts to a big difference, and the little difference is attitude; it determines whether you see life through the eyes of faith or the lens of fear.” When those around Joshua and Caleb “saw only giants and wanted to turn back”, Caleb said,

“If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us.” – Numbers 14:8

When God’s people seek His Face, turn from their wicked ways, and live courageously, confidently, and boldly to honor and glorify Him, He honors and blesses them. . . and heals their land! Cf. II Chronicles 7:14
Does our God ‘Delight in us’?

When we

* Shrink back from honoring Him openly, publicly, and courageously?
* VOTE for candidates for public office who openly defy God’s laws?
* Ignore our citizenship reponsibility to VOTE?
* Look the other way when we see evil being condoned?
* Choose to wait for the rapture instead of occupying until He comes?
* Refuse to speak truth in public meetings, forums, and legislatures?
* Remain silent when we should speak up and take action?
* Refuse to support and work for candidates who hold our values?
* Remove pastors from their pulpits who wish to speak openly and clearly into the culture?

Does He “Delight in us” when we do these things?
“There comes a time in the affairs of men when they must prepare to defend, not their homes alone, but the tenets of faith and humanity on which their churches, their governments, and their very civilization are founded.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt [ed - ironic, isn't it?]

That time has come, and it is imperative that we prepare NOW for the 2010 elections.

Thanksgiving Day and the Redistribution of Wealth

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

A few days ago, I received an email that was forwarded with a message from a pastor. I do not remember his name, so we will call him Pastor Salvation Only. His message was he never gets involved in political issues because his mission is the gospel of Jesus Christ. According to him, the people sent a message loud and clear in this 2008 election, they are looking for Jesus Christ. He gave two examples, one was we have abused credit and now the people voted for Obama in repentance for their financial excesses. The other example I do not remember. He then went on to rebuff pastors that get off the track of preaching salvation through Jesus Christ and that now, because the people are truly looking for Jesus Christ, that is our only mission.

Pastor Salvation Only is very wrong. In fact, he is part of the problem. The Bible tells us clearly that man is not looking for God, as Pastor Salvation Only claims (Isa 64:7, Rom 3:11). While there are several admonitions to seek after God, the Bible tells us man may tip his hat to God while seeking his own way (Isa 58, Jer 7). Pastor Salvation Only is wrong, in that this election was not a declaration that man is looking for Jesus Christ, or looking for repentance. This election was a declaration that man is looking for a messiah, a rock star, a leader who will make them feel good about themselves, a leader who will bring change, without requiring them to change their lifestyles – or repentance.
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Salvation: By State or By God?

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Reprinted from an article by Dean Isaacson 10 Feb 2008.

“So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: “O King Darius, live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered — in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” So King Darius put the decree in writing.

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” [Dan 6:6-10 NIV]
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Messiah Without Miracles

Sunday, November 16th, 2008

The 12 November issue of Adam Wilson’s blog at The Olympian begins with, “If you want a pick-me-up do not read the latest state revenue report. It’s a smorgasbord of negative numbers.” Then he continues with a list of lowered collections for Washington State tax revenues. I am sure he speaks for the majority when he expresses his concern over State monies. Not long ago, I would have thought the majority of people were more concerned with their own financial condition than they were with the State, but now I am having second thoughts.

You can see almost anything you want on YouTube. Most of us have seen the video of the Obama supporter who was elated with the election results because now she does not have to worry about how she is going to pay for her gas and her mortgage.
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