The Divinely – Defined Sin of Homosexuality

Genesis 2:18-24:
And Jehovah God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.” And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every beast of the field, and every bird of the heavens; and brought them unto the man to see what he would call them: and whatsoever the man called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but for man there was not found a help meet for him. And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof: and the rib, which Jehovah God had taken from the man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And the man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Genesis 19:1-7:
And the two angels came to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face to the earth; and he said, “Behold now, my lords, turn aside, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your way.” And they said, “Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.” And he urged them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; they called unto Lot, and said unto him, “Where are the men that came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them.” And Lot went out unto them to the door, and shut the door after him. And he said, “I pray you, my brethren, do not so wickedly.”

Genesis 18:20:
And Jehovah said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous…”

Jude 6-8:
And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, having in like manner with these given themselves over to fornication and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities.

Leviticus 18:22-30:
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. And thou shalt not lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith; neither shall any woman stand before a beast, to lie down thereto: it is confusion. Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out from before you; and the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land vomiteth out her inhabitants. Ye therefore shall keep my statutes and mine ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the home-born, nor the stranger that sojourneth among you; (for all these abominations have the men of the land done, that were before you, and the land is defiled) that the land vomit not you out also, when ye defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you. For whosoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people. Therefore shall ye keep my charge, that ye practice not any of these abominable customs, which were practiced before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am Jehovah your God.

Leviticus 20:13:
And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Romans 1:18-28:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due. And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting…

1st Corinthians 6:9-11:
Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate [Some versions translate the Greek: “male prostitutes”], nor abusers of themselves with men [Some versions translate the Greek: “homosexual offenders”], nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.

Galatians 5:19-20:
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:3-7:
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Revelation 21:7-8:
He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.

John 8:10-11:
And Jesus lifted up himself, and said unto her, “Woman, where are they? Did no man condemn thee?” And she said, “No man, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.”

That homosexuality is a “wicked”, “very grievous”, “fornicational”, “flesh-defiling”, “ungodly”, “abomination”; an “inexcusable”, “vile passion”, of a “reprobate mind”, against God’s “natural order”, and is “punishable by eternal fire” when God’s “wrath” is brought to bear, is abundantly clear in the Scriptures. Nowhere is it acceptable or excusable if continued in. Nowhere. Just as clear in fact, is the fact, that it is not hereditary or genetic, but can be – and must be – repented of if one wants to go to heaven! Although many will “be deceived” by human’s excuses, they will not be delivered by Heaven’s edicts!  (Matthew 7:15-27; Luke 6:46-49; John 8:31-47, 12:48-50, 14:15)

Both the preceding as well as the following article are both available on our website at www.clevelandcoc.com where the following introduction is given of the following article…
Are you tired of being made a mockery of by liberal lawmakers and the mainstream media when it comes to so-called “Hate Crimes” legislation? In a world where “good is considered evil and evil is considered as good” (See Isaiah 5:20-21), this eye-opening study blows away the misconceptions of who truly loves – and hates – homosexuals, and why. See for yourself why the premises of this study ought to be adopted by anyone and everyone ever charged with a “hate-crime” for speaking out against the heinous and soul-destroying sin of homosexuality:

We Love Homosexuals!

We absolutely love homosexuals! God absolutely loves homosexuals! So does Jesus Christ! He actually went so far as to die a fantastically brutal and horrifying death for each and every one of them (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8; 1st Corinthians 6:11).
And we love them too – so very, very much, that we want to see each and every one of their souls get to heaven – bar none; that‟s what Jesus wants too! We love them and their souls in the same way, and to the same extent, that we love everyone else‟s soul that Jesus died to redeem from the power of sin (and that‟s all of us folks, for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23). We love homosexuals with the same love that we love other sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, revelers, swindlers, liars, gossips, slanderers, the boastful, proud, antagonistic, arrogant, and even the atheist with! We show neither prejudice nor favoritism! We love them all the same godly way that God loves us! This is an “equal opportunity” love that all true Christians have partaken of, and must possess; “For God so loved THE WORLD…” (John 3:16a; capitalization/emboldening/italicizing mine).

As a Christian, I am to love all mankind – including homosexuals – or I am not living the life my Lord and Savior desires. Because I am to love all mankind as Christ loves me, I must stop at nothing, to see that all sinners – including homosexuals – who want to do so, make it into Heaven; in other words, carrying out the same sacrificial mission, and following in the same fervent footsteps of my beloved Lord, Master, and only Savior, Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). Anything less, simply is not love.

But the current crop of Christophobic, Bibliophobic, unloving politicians (whom I also still love deeply, despite their ignorance, lies, and lack of any kind of real love for homosexuals) who are presumptuously promoting and pushing for the passage of “hate crimes” legislation, and who were recently responsible for the passage of yet more “sinful union” laws, are definitely, although probably quite ignorantly as usual, fighting against the very homosexuals they claim to support!!! (Pray for them, they surely need it.) I only wish these politicians loved homosexuals as much as they claim to, and as much as true Christians obviously do, but apparently such is sadly not the case.

Every single politician who votes for any such total and reprobate legislation as the “sinful union” laws in NH, should be immediately charged with “hate crimes” against homosexuals, just as should their Hollywood allies: T.V. and movie producers who so
proudly and publicly display their hatred of homosexuals by repeatedly producing program-ming that promotes participation in the perverse practice of soul-damning homosexuality. They should all be charged with a flagrant violation of the laws they have so hypocritically sanctioned, and be immediately prosecuted to the fullest extent of those laws – and then some; because they obviously harbor such deep and abiding hatred of homosexuals whom Jesus loved so much He died to save, and whom I love so much I am willing to try to teach how to get to Heaven; the very thing these particular politicians are working so hard to prevent with their new laws. Shame on them!
You see, it is not love at all, when you see someone engaging in a behavior that will surely destroy them, and you decide to militantly advocate, encourage, and promote it, particularly with legislation that will supposedly stop them from: 1). recognizing their plight 2). realizing their sin, & 3). repenting thereof!

For example, let‟s say you are walking down the sidewalk of a very busy city street, and you see a small child wandering directly toward the wildly speeding traffic. What in the name of love do you do? Which of the following options would any reasonable, rational, respectable person clearly consider to be the most loving to take? And which would obviously be the most heinous, horrible, and hateful?
A.) To silently stand by and just let the child continue unhindered into certain disaster?
B.) To perhaps even encourage them into the street by throwing a ball or some other toy into the traffic lanes so that they will be better able to focus unhindered on the object of their affection while being further blinded to the imminently approaching danger of death and destruction?
C.) To shout a warning informing them of the danger, maybe even having to intervene and restrain them physically from certain disaster, despite their destructive desire to continue in their pre-chosen path of destruction to their deadly destination?
Certainly any parent, or concerned citizen, with any semblance of love in their heart at all, could select no other option than “C” above. This is an illustration of what Jesus did for all of us. He proclaimed the truth, thus putting Himself on the line and in harm‟s way for all of us (See John 15:18-25). And the same should be true for any of us who truly love those who practice sins such as homosexuality as well.

We cannot choose “A”; and any politician who would vote for a law to silence us from warning these little children headed for certain doom, should be immediately removed from office! We cannot simply stand silently by while anyone continues down a path of certain destruction – not if we truly love them. And similarly, God has made it abundantly clear that eternal destruction is exactly what will happen to those who personally choose to continually engage in the specific kind of sinful behavior known as homosexuality:
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the Kingdom of God.” (1st Corinthians 6:9-10).
How much simpler could it be? How much plainer could God put it? They will not go to Heaven if they continue in that direction. It‟s that simple. God said so. To truly love them is to try warn them. To truly love them is to try stop them. And not just “them”, but all those who perpetually practice and even promote all those things listed, just as in Romans 1:18-31; Galatians 5:19-21; etc. After all, we want everyone – all sinners – to go to Heaven. That‟s what God wants (2nd Peter 3:9)! Therefore we cannot afford to be prejudiced. We must preach and teach, and warn and exhort, and encourage and inform, about all the behaviors that God said will lead to destruction, and intervene with the truth of the Word to change the direction of those so headed (See 1st Corinthians 6:11) so they can be saved. Real, true, legitimate, and sincere Godly love, can simply do, nothing less. „Never has, never will: Love “…does not rejoice with wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:6)

That is why those who choose to encourage said destructive behavior – whether by throwing the enticing toy into traffic, or by seeking to promote and encourage that which will deceive and destroy, such as the perpetual practice of homosexuality (hence choosing “B” above), ought to be rightfully and immediately charged with the hate crimes they are so incredibly and clearly guilty of. They are obviously, even if ignorantly, out to see that homosexuals are destroyed by God; they don‟t want them warned; they don‟t want them stopped; they don‟t want them saved. They obviously just want them destroyed – despite their disclaimers to the contrary. And folks, THAT is both a hate crime, and a crying shame! Jesus died for us all; and yes, that includes even these homosexual-hating politicians that seek to silence God‟s word and plan to warn, seek, and save homosexuals from their sins through their subsequent obedience and repentance, and His amazing grace!

And so, it is up to those of us true Christians, who truly love sinners – from those who practice homosexuality, adultery, immorality, impurity, to every other sin – to lovingly, honestly, and straightforwardly, tell them how much God loves them and wants to save them; how said salvation comes only through God‟s grace as expressed in Christ Jesus, and is obtained through their choice to humbly and obediently repent, by faithfully submitting and surrendering their lives to the will and Word of Almighty God as did the FORMER homosexuals of 1 Corinthians 6:11! Only such love from God, and of God, accepted on His terms (Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11), has ever, or will ever, save such sinners.

To truly love them, is to tell them the truth. To truly love them, is to righteously warn them. To truly love them, is to help them change direction and head towards Heaven. To truly love them, is to try to help lead them to eternal security and safety – snatching them from the fire (Jude 20-23). On the other hand, to promote and encourage their destructive direction without intervention, as so many of our current crop of Christophobic politicians and Bibliophobic movie producers are want to try to do, or to remain idle and stand quietly by while their souls are on the line, is certainly far, far, less, than anything even vaguely resembling, Godly love.

To tell sinners the truth, which is the Word of God (John 17:17), is not judgmentalism; it is not “hate-speak;” it is simply Godly, Biblical, love:

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments…” (1 Jn 5:2-3).

It is what is in the Word of God that will judge us all on the last day (John 12:46-48). Christians are commanded by Christ, to righteously judge (John 7:24); this, contrary to those who say we must not judge anyone for anything. Those who want to continue down a path of personal destruction unhindered, often suggest that Matthew 7:1 is proof that no one has the right to “judge” their abhorrent and self-destructive behavior, but they fail to read the next 5 verses which explain His point: which is that we are to be careful and cautious, but are to then thus go and “take the speck out of our brother‟s eye.” We are to judge, just carefully (Jesus even then goes so far as to “judge” some people as “dogs” and “pigs” in vs. 6)

Christians are called to use the righteous Word of God, to carry out Christ‟s commands, to righteously judge, the actions and sins of men (1st Corinthians 5) in order that they might turn and be saved. It is those who refuse to love and obey that truth, who will perish, plain and simple, according to the Word of God; for instance, 2nd Thessalonians speaks of all “…the wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

It is NOT those of us who proclaim honest, Scriptural warnings, that are, or will, stand guilty of judging anyone; those who reject the Word of God we bring, JUDGE THEM-SELVES UNWORTHY OF ETERNAL LIFE (SEE: Acts 13:46). We have no choice but to lovingly try to warn them, turn them, and save them. If they choose not to listen to what God said, that is up to them, but we still must warn them if we truly love them (Ezekiel 33:1-20). And then, at that point, it is not we that warn them, but they who continue in such sin, that judge themselves as unworthy of eternal life, according to what Paul told the riotous, divisive, closed-minded and hate-filled liberal leadership of his day (See Acts 13:44-46).

Anyone who would stand idly by, or God forbid, promote the destructive behavior of a determined child, in a situation similar to the one described above regarding the “tot in traffic,” would be open to criminal prosecution for negligence at the very least. The same should certainly be true, for those who seek to stifle the warnings, and support the behavior, of those who are rushing hell-bent into eternal destruction by their continued promotion of, and/or practice of homosexuality. Theirs is a “hate crime” of the highest order. And those of us who truly love homosexuals and all such sinners enough to try to stop their self-destructive behaviors which will prevent them from going to Heaven forever, must certainly demand and expect nothing less, as we continue to sound the warnings and seek to carry on with this God-given labor of true love: seeking to save the lost, by calling sin…SIN, and showing them how to be sanctified through obedience and repentance as our God‟s Word truly teaches!

~In the Love of God and HIS Eternal Truth; Douglas E. Dingley; evangelist~

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Gossip and Slander

Gossip and Slander… Versus “Speaking the Truth in Love.”

There seems to be an inordinate amount of confusion in the church today regarding what does – and what does not – constitute the sins of gossip and slander. Make absolutely no mistake about it, gossip and slander are equivalent in God’s sight to all unrighteousness, wickedness, murder… and even hating God Him-self (Romans 1:29-32)!

Conversely though, we are commanded to expose the evil deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11); to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:16); and to judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24) even those within the church, so that we can avoid their false and soul-destroying doctrines of demons by identifying, naming, and avoiding those who perpetuate them (Romans 16:17-18) through their perverting of the gospel (II Peter 3:14-18); and also so that we can expel any wicked, sexually immoral brother or sister from amongst us if and when need be (I Corinthians 5:1-13).

But how do we submit to God’s instructions and commandments involving “speaking the truth in love,” without transgressing His instructions and commandments not to gossip and slander? How can we obey the command to speak about the evil someone is doing without gossiping and slandering them in the process? Is it possible to carry out both commands simultaneously while contradicting neither even peripherally? Of course! Because while seeming to be somewhat contradictory in nature at times, these two actually act in perfect har-mony, as their author is God. Our obedience to the will of God in these matters therefore, requires only a better understanding of what gossip and slander truly consist of, as well as from whence they come. It is this clearer understanding and subsequent reconciliation of these two commands which this study seeks to provide.

“The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary” lists the following under “SLANDER”:

  1. The rendering of the Heb. Diblar, “a defaming, evil report” (Numbers 14:36, KJV; Psalms 31:13; Proverbs 18:18). In I Timothy 3;11 the KJV translators render the Gk. Diabolous “slanderer” in reference to deacons’ wives.
  2. The rendering (Psalms 15:3) of Heb. Ragal, to “run about” tattling… In the NT the Gk. Katalaleo is to speak evil of, to malign (Romans 1:30, 2 Corinthians 12:20). This sin is warned against as being destructive and utterly unworthy of the believer. KJV renders “backbite.”

The “Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words” defines SLANDERER as:

Diabolos …an adjective, “slanderous, accusing falsely,” is used as a noun, translated “slanderers” in 1 Timothy 3:11, where the reference is to those who are given to finding fault with the demeanor and conduct of others, and spreading their innuendos and criticisms in the church; in 2 Timothy 3:3, RV (KJV, “false accusers”); Titus 2:3 (ditto): See ACCUSER, DEVIL.

A careful examination of the above reveals much about the true nature of slander. (Is it any wonder from whence we get the word “diabolical?”) It is an “evil report,” a “defaming report.” It is “to malign,” to “accuse falsely,” to spread “innuendos and criticisms in the church.” (It is similar to Absalom’s self-serving actions and attempts to undermine and treacherously erode David’s authority in order to take His place as the head of the kingdom: 2nd Samuel 15). God has always hated this type of behavior (See Proverbs 6:12-19), because it reveals a rotten, sinful, evil, arrogant, self-seeking, self-serving, and selfish soul-destroying heart (Matthew 15:15-20).

Slander then, is either to lie about someone, or to say things about them (even if true) with, and born of, an inward and heart-felt desire to defame or destroy their reputation and standing in the eyes of others, often times to elevate self istead.

This is why James has so much to say about controlling the tongue (James 3:3-10). However… almost immediately thereafter, James goes on to call his audience “Adulterers and adulteresses” (James 4:4), and “sinners” and “double-minded” (4:8)! How can this be? Is James contradicting the very Holy Spirit inspired instructions he’s just given? And furthermore, he then immediately reverts back to his “former” topic in verse 11 when he states, “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren…?” Did God know what he was talking about when He led James to pen every word he wrote (John 16:12-15; II Timothy 3:16-17)? Absolutely! So is there a contradiction here? NO. You see, James was not slandering his audience in any way, shape, or form by calling them these things. He was not uttering falsehoods or half-truths designed to destroy them or their reputations, but absolute facts designed to lead them to repentance and salvation! He was not saying what he did motivated by hate, but by love! Not to hurt but to help! His intention was to stop them from heading down the road to ruin by identifying their direction in terms they could understand and so turn them back towards the road to a home in heaven! But in order to accomplish that, he had to identify the danger and direction they had taken; and he had to then speak that truth in love. This is a mission which must of necessity include no compromise of the truth, the facts, or honesty in his efforts to love them back towards heaven.

Intentions are everything! INTENTIONS from within one’s heart are what separate and make the difference between whether or not words spoken to and/or about others are gossip and slander, or speaking the truth in love in the eyes of God. Did Jesus love the Sadducees and Pharisees? Yes. Absolutely. Enough to tell them the truth in love about their sin in hopes of causing them to repent and be saved (Matthew 22:29, 23:13-39). And Jesus not only told the Pharisees the awful, cold, hard truth about themselves, but also, honestly and in love – a love that was willing to warn others by holding up the Pharisees’ actions as the example of how not to get to heaven – told others as well (Matthew 5:20, 23:1-7). Was Jesus guilty of gossip and slander at that point? No.

And the apostle Paul led by direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit – as was James – even named names (I Timothy 1:18-20; II Timothy 1:15, 2:17, 4:10). Was the man who penned Romans 1:29-32, Galatians 5:13-21, and other similar passages, now gossiping and slandering about his brothers Hymenaeus, Alexander, Philetus, Phigellus, Hermogenes, and Demas? After all, he placed their sins – and their very names – in the eternal record! What about when John, the so-called “apostle of love,” spoke and wrote similarly of the sins of Diotrephes (III John 9)? Were these very apostles of God guilty of gossiping and slandering? No; absolutely not! They were simply speaking the truth in love. Their intentions were totally based on love, being divinely directed by the Holy Spirit Himself. They did not seek to demean these brethren, but simply to warn them in hopes that they might repent and be saved… but if not, then out of nothing but the purest of loving intentions for others’ souls, they also understood that many others who might otherwise be led astray by these, had to be warned to stay away from such self-destructive and truth-denying people (Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:9-10). And so, these apostles “spoke the truth in love” as they were commanded to do, and avoided at the same time, any gossip and slander: because their intentions were pure. And that is what has always, and will always, separate the two in God’s eyes.

We must never stand guilty of the sin of gossip or slander – ever. Conversely, we must also never stand guilty of failing to expose the evil amongst us (Ephesians 5:11), or of the sin of NOT speaking the truth in love either (Ephesians 4:15); that is, of failing to ascertain, assess, confront, and communicate the facts, motivated by love for their eternal souls, when a brother or sister’s soul potentially hangs in the balance due to their sin (I Corin-thians 5:1-13). Let’s make sure we study this until we understand the difference, by gaining a discerning heart, and putting that understanding into action always, making it a part of our being (Matthew 15:10-20). After all, if we aren’t willing to love someone enough to discuss the sin they are in in hopes of saving their eternal souls, then how can we say we sincerely and wholeheartedly love them as we are commanded to do (I Peter 1:22-24)? How can we claim to love them like Christ, if we fail to be concerned enough for their eternal souls’ destinations to discuss their sin with them, and/or with those who might otherwise be affected by it, simply out of a heart-felt love for all?

by Doug Dingley

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Labels

Over the years, it has been my pleasure to worship with many brothers and sisters in many different locations in the United States.  If I asked someone to visit these congregations and describe them to me in two words or less, there would no doubt be a great variety of descriptive labels.  Some of these terms would likely be:  Liberal, charismatic, institutional, non-institutional, fundamental, one-cupper, mainstream, non-cooperative, Holy Roller, legalistic, anti, instrumental, non-instrumental, conservative, contemporary, traditional, unorthodox, orthodox, normal, post-modern, and I am certain a number of other monikers I have not included.  Certainly not all of these congregations are standing in the truth.  God’s desire is that they all walk in truth for His Words will judge them in the final day (John 12:48).

Consider this in regard to labels: most people hate to be labeled by others.  One reason is the desired label of an individual is quite often not the same as the one applied by others.  Often times, the label may be considered offensive or even meant to be derogatory.  Once a label is affixed, it is possible the label may never be retracted or diminished in use whether accurate or not.  Labels can also often be confused.  For instance, one might call a congregation “liberal” and in that classification others may view it as synonymous with Holy Roller, post modern, and contemporary when nothing could be further from the truth.  The same could be said for the term “anti” being viewed as synonymous with non-institutional, non-cooperative, or one cupper.  Labels are frequently affixed with minimal knowledge of the body they supposedly represent.  The damage they do may be small or it may be great.  Brothers and sisters in Christ, though in error, may take such offence from the applied labels that they no longer would be willing to engage in dialogue with the labeler.  Those hearing the label without knowledge of what an individual or group practice, may have such an immediate reaction in their hearts that they do not attempt to gain clarification on what and why something is really believed.  When avoidance is exercised, truth cannot be taught and individuals cannot repent.  This would apply to those being labeled, the labeler, and those who act or fail to act based upon preconceived notions of a label.  Understand a brother and sister may be in error, but that does not make them a leprous, practicing sinner (Acts 18:24-26, 2 Peter 3:9).  If there is a mind to study, then the door cannot be shut by man (Matthew 7:7).

Imagine the use of the terms “liberal”, “mainstream”, or “anti”.  Do you have a specific image in your mind?  Certainly you do.  Humans tend to categorize things in their minds so we can understand them in a more simple fashion.  Categorically speaking, the term “liberal” in the realm of religion is often understood as a loosening of a standard.  Thus, a “liberal” congregation is one viewed as having loosened the standards of scripture enabling more activity than authorized.  A “mainstream” congregation is often viewed to be representative of most congregations and therefore generally adherent to authorized Biblical practices.  An “anti” congregation is often viewed as against certain activities and therefore, restricting itself to less than what the Bible is believed to authorize.  Having imagined the suggested terms, ask yourself which label you fit under.  Do you think a “liberal” considers himself “liberal”? or is it possible he sees himself “mainstream”?  Does a person considered “anti” view the “mainstream” as “liberal”?  One person’s “mainstream” may be another person’s “liberal” or “anti”.  A man’s classification or view of individuals or congregations means nothing.  Consider the next three paragraphs and the terms “liberal”, “mainstream”, and “anti”.

A congregation may be labeled “liberal” by some men or congregations because it uses Power Point projection to display songs for the congregation rather than use books.  Is the use of Power Point unauthorized by scripture?  Man has general authority to sing in worship (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16).  They have specific authority not to add to God’s word or take away from it (Galatians 1:8).   The use of Power Point is not an action which adds to the action of singing or takes away from it.  Many Christians have labeled others “liberal” in the past because of the use of white boards, pitch pipes, song books, PA systems, and other aids which do not add to the action of worship.  Without the backing of scripture, labels are worthless.

It has become a very common practice among congregations labeled “mainstream” to have teen classes outside of regular worship hours.  Bible study is extremely important for the growth of Christians (I Peter 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:15).  This is a standard of scripture!  Christians are to know the truth (John 17:17).  Yet, under the guise of getting to know God, a vast number of these teen classes are social gatherings disguised as bible study.  There is certainly nothing wrong with Christians gathering together socially day by day (Acts 2:46); nor is there anything wrong with encouraging the saints when they are gathered (Hebrews 10:24-25).  The problem with many (not all) of these gatherings, is they are trying to draw teens to the Church with social activity instead of scripture.  “Gather for pizza night [game night, basketball, movie night] and learn about God!”  How foolish God must seem for not drawing in potential Christians with parties, but instead relying on the power of the gospel to save (I Corinthians 1:21).  Yet, consider this: because a congregation is seen practicing something that is certainly not authorized, should it immediately receive the term “liberal”?  Most folks would hopefully disagree with such a hasty labeling, but should agree that the practice of growth through social means should be corrected.  Understand, there are a great number of congregations who practice an action in ignorance while being otherwise sound in scripture.  When such actions are observed, God’s standard needs to be examined and the practice stopped.  However, labeling a congregation based on a singular action (such as a social gathering under the guise of a Teen Bible Study) has a great possibility of being a wrong conclusion.  It is no different than attempting to condemn an elder based on one witness (I Timothy 5:19).

Now consider a congregation labeled “anti”.  They may be labeled so because they do not give funds out of the Church collection to organizations which run orphan homes.  Why do they do this?  Others may see this practice and immediately assume they know why this practice is being followed.  Their belief may be that the congregation thinks that orphans should not be cared for by the Church collection.  However, it is possible the congregation completely supports aiding homes with orphans where the eldership is under control of how the funds are spent.  Much like the supporting of missionary societies, many elderships cannot find Biblical authority in giving money to an entity which would hinder their ability to determine what is ultimately done with the funds given.  Do they object to the caring of orphans?  Absolutely not! Their concern is a misuse of the funds and thus, a lack of good stewardship.  A quick labeling of an action before clarification of why it occurs often results in a false conclusion. The first problem presented in the labeling of a congregation is assuming the reason why they are practicing something.  The second problem is assuming if they practice one action the same as other groups that they are the same as the other groups.  These are both unwise assumptions.  Some congregations have a Sunday evening service while others do not.  Should it be assumed that one is more devoted to God than the other?  Should they be labeled though no knowledge of why they are taking such an action is known?  There are a great number of congregations that have practices which may be considered “anti” or “liberal”.  Knowing God’s standard and knowing why a congregation is practicing a particular action is very important before it should labeled and considered in error.

It should be asked, how many “check marks” does a congregation receive, before they are labeled liberal, mainstream, or anti?  Is it one?  Two?  Ten?  Does a single point of error mean the congregation should be avoided like the plague?  The Bible directs any point of error should be admonished and studied for correction (Matthew 18:15-17, James 5:19-20), but when are they certified as “X” type of congregation?  Man seems to label and act without knowledge quite often.  Labeling is often inconsistent and may even be based upon spats which happened years ago or by the opinion of one man or family.  The Bible itself has a pretty good labeling approach.  A man is either in sin or he is not.  He is either following the will of God or not.  The issue is not arbitrarily assigned based on emotions or how egregious or harmless a practice is.  The Bible does not make mistakes about labeling what a man is doing.  It is either right or it is wrong.  The Bible does not make assumptions about a life; it simple directs a man how to live it.

While labeling is a common practice in nearly all aspects of men’s lives, if undertaken, it should be done with great care according to God’s standard.  God has organized congregations to be independent of one another, yet, in the unity of the faith. They have local elderships which are called upon to lead their congregations according to the word of God and keep them from evil (Acts 20:28).  This is done in a variety of ways and though the decisions may be different at times, they are not necessarily in error. In regard to labeling, if it is done without scriptural backing, it is worthless.  If an entire congregation is labeled in regard to a singular action, the label has a great chance of being incorrect.  A label based on assumption is a poorly conceived one.  Brothers and sisters in Christ are to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24).  If they are found to be in error, Christians are to rebuke one another in love as God rebukes man through His Word (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15, Revelation 3:19).  Labeling rather than coming to the aid of an erring brother or sister is not according to the standard of God’s Word.  With patience, caution, and consideration, let us always approach our brothers and sisters, seeking to grow and to unite in Christ.

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Top Science or Political Agenda?

The question often arises about whether mainstream media outlets are actively promoting an anti-God agenda. There can be little doubt that certain news stories “sell” better, but what about news outlets that demonstrate a clear anti-god agenda? What should be a Christian’s response be to authors and news media that clearly reveal a bias that supports error, immorality, and unrighteousness?

In the August 20 issue of USA Today, the editors used the entire back page of the “Money” section to announce what they feel are the “Top 25” discoveries from the field of science from the past twenty-five years. The feature page noted, “With help from long-time science observers, USA Today’s Dan Vergano counts down the 25 top milestones.” However, rather than an unbiased evaluation of scientific advances, Vergano did a phenomenal job of highlighting the usual atheistic tenets and evolutionary dogma—items that consistently get headlines and sell papers. One wonders if there was an agenda to leaving out medical cures, surgical advances, and health discoveries in favor of topics that were blatantly anti-God, and, in some cases, were poor scientific studies or not even science discoveries at all. The “Top 25” list included:

Big Bang Fingerprinted

Water on Mars

Oldest Hominid

Evo Devo

Hobbit Discovered

Embryonic Stem Cells

Hello Dolly

Feathered Dinosaur Found

Intelligent Design Suit

Climate Accord

Abrupt Climate Change

Accelerating Universe

One wonders if the editors of USA Today are aware that the Big Bang Theory is still a theory—a weak theory that cannot account for the initial existence of matter. One wonders if the editors were aware that no water has been found on Mars and that the alleged “evidence” for water has been hotly contested by many scholars in the field of astronomy.

One wonders if the editors of USA Today are aware that the creature they identify as “Oldest Hominid” came from bone fragments that consisted of a tooth, a piece of a tooth, a piece of bone, a mandible, and a partial postcranial skeleton? One wonders if the editors were awarethe authors described the cranial fossils as “strikingly chimpanzee-like in morphology” (Nature, 1994: 371:310, emp. added). One wonders if the editors knew this fossil find had to be renamed after further examination, and that Donald Johanson (the discoverer of “Lucy”) admitted in the March 1996 issue of National Geographic that A. ramidus possessed “many chimp-like features” and that “its position on the human family tree is in question” (189[3]:117).

One wonders if the editors of USA Today are aware that many scientists have attributed the small stature of the alleged “Hobbit” creature to encephala. Many experts recognize this creature not as some evolutionary ancestor but rather a sick human whose growth was shunted by disease—not evolution.

One wonders if the editors of USA Today are aware that adult stem cells are crushing embryonic stem cells when it comes to actual results published in peer-reviewed journals. The reality is most scientists recognize that the push for those embryonic stem cells is totally unnecessary. The current “score” is 72 to 0—meaning there are currently seventy-two conditions successfully being treated using adult stem cells (see http://www.stemcellresearch.org/facts/treatments.htm), whereas embryonic stem cells have still yet to show any benefit in treating human conditions.

One wonders if the editors of USA Today are aware of how many failed attempts it took Dr. Ian Wilmut just to create one sheep? (Answer: 277) One also wonders if they are aware of the fact that the cell used to create Dolly was taken from a six-year old sheep and that Dolly died prematurely from “old age related disorders,” with her telomeres (telomeres keep the ends of the various chromosomes in the cell from becoming attached to each other) already showing signs of deterioration.

One wonders if the editors of USA Today are aware that many paleontologists do not buy into the dinosaur-to-bird theory. One wonders if they are aware that many scientist believe that rather than feathers, the frayed fibers that have been found are collagen fibers that have nothing whatsoever to do with either feathers or birds.In discussing one of these finds in the journal Science, Ann Gibbons referred to “roughly a half-dozen Western paleontologists who have seen the specimens” admitted that “the structures are not modern feathers” (1997, 278:1229).

One wonders why the editors of USA Today consider the Intelligent Design lawsuit a “Top 25 Scientific Milestone.”

One wonders if the editors of USA Today are aware that scientists in many countries are ridiculing the United States for the widespread media attention given to Global Warming, a theory that is driven by politics more than by scientific fact.

One wonders if the editors of USA Today are awareof the logical conclusion that must be drawn regarding an “Accelerating Universe.” Vergano noted, “Exploding stars, receding at an ever-faster pace, stunned scientists by showing that an anti-gravity effect is relentlessly expanding the universe. This expansion still defies explanation.” What Vergano and the editors of USA Today forgot to mention is that an expanding Universe rules out the possibility for an eternal existence to the Universe. The only two remaining possibilities for explaining its very existence is: (1) it sprang into existence from nothing; or (2) it was created by something or someone superior to it. We know that something doesn’t come from nothing, so the very discovery of an accelerating universe helps prove the existence of an Almighty Creator.

One wonders if the editors of USA Today were honest in their evaluations of scientific achievements or if they had an agenda to promote to the American public. Then again, maybe one doesn’t have to wonder.

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You Can’t Handle the Truth

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteouness” (Romans 1:18, emp. added).

The first introduction Jim and I had to the new Creation Museum was one we will not soon forget. There was a feeling of excitement in the air, and the entire staff appeared extremely happy to be working towards a common goal. Opening day was just a few short weeks away, and the reality was finally coming true. They had constructed an amazing facility that clearly taught a biblical worldview of man. During our visit, Mark Looy, the chief communications officer and co-founder of Answers in Genesis, received several calls from media sources who wanted a walk-through or interview. Mark let us know that every day they received a massive amount of calls from the press—some from “friendly cameras” and some “non-friendly.” But he also made it clear that the doors were open wide to all mainstream media who wanted to report on the museum. Everyone was welcome.

Contrast that with the reception from a natural history museum in Virginia. A few weeks after our visit to the Creation Museum, I conducted a Christian evidence seminar for a congregation in Virginia. While I was there, the preacher had arranged a group tour of the local museum of natural history. A large group from the Church shifted their work schedules so that they could enjoy a tour and listen to the museum educator describe all of the exhibits—with one minor caveat. I would be touring with the group, and the preacher asked if I would point out errors along the way. The day before we were to tour the museum, the preacher called all of the local media outlets within a 50-mile radius and invited them to bring their cameras and record the scene of a “qualified scientist pointing out errors in the museum.” Several media outlets called the museum and asked them what time the tour was to begin…and that’s when museum realized they had a serious public relations nightmare on their hands.

Originally, the group was scheduled to meet with our guide at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Not wanting to walk into the museum “cold,” I asked the preacher if I could have a few minutes in the museum without the cameras present. So he and I went through around 11:00 a.m. that morning—walking through like any other visitor. I quickly noticed that just like the Creation Museum, their great hall also featured a dinosaur. However, this replica skeleton of a T-Rex was “dated” during the late Cretaceous Period (89-65 million years ago). We also noticed that museum employees were closing down certain areas/exhibits within the museum, and as such there would not be a whole lot to see when the cameras were there.

Our reception at 2:00 p.m. that afternoon was cold. Where just three hours earlier the museum had been inviting and open, it was now covered with security guards. They made it immediately clear that the television cameras were not allowed in the museum. They were shut out. The museum’s media policy would only allow “positive” promotion. Our museum guide was a no-show. And so, with cameras rolling from the steps outside the museum, the media captured the moment that would later be retold on the evening news. It appeared the museum could not handle the truth—or at the least had something to hide. Proverbs 18:17 records, “The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.”

One would think that all museums (whether supporting creation or evolution) would welcome media with open arms. As they often say in Hollywood, any publicity is better than no publicity. But this museum of natural history was unwilling to allow the cameras in to film the “errors.” After all, if the public caught wind of the errors, they might hold the museum accountable, or stop coming altogether.

Many might ask, “Why does it matter what we believe about dinosaurs? Why is this topic such an important one?” The reason centers on the worldview that our children and grandchildren are forming. Evolutionists are well aware that if they can implant “millions and millions” of years into the mind of a child, the end result will be the child grows up with a secular worldview that does not fit the accounts in the Bible. And they recognize dinosaurs are just the bait to hook our children. What about you? Have you taken the bait? When it comes to the worldview you have embraced and will pass along to your posterity, can it handle the Truth?

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