Compromise With the Radical Homosexual Agenda By Pastors

Pastors who cannot preach the simple message of the transforming power of the Gospel to free homosexuals from their sin, ought to resign from the pulpit before causing further damage.

Here is the truth:

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor. 6:9-11

“There is NO love in being kind, and gentle, and welcoming, and “affirming”, or “standing with them”, (whatever that might mean), if you DO NOT preach the Gospel plain and simple. It is the opposite of love; it is cruel and wrong and unbiblical.”

Those were my words in response to “rumfordrev”, a pastor who left comments on my blog post Eastern Nazarene College Rejects The Bible, Moves Towards Affirmation of Homosexuality.  He responded in defense of chaplain Corey McPherson, who in April 2012 preached a message to the Eastern Nazarene College students titled “Homosexuality: What Does God Think?”  Listen to the entire message if you will and judge for yourself, especially those of you who have an investment in either your children, or youth from your church who are attending, or thinking of attending a Nazarene college.  I had characterized Dr. McPherson as one who “speaks more like a confused college student, rather than a spiritual leader who is supposed to give biblical guidance to the students.”  His unapologetic boasting of having shared communion and worship service with a homosexual pastor and his congregation is one of the many disturbing things I found in his message.

In his defense of Corey McPherson, (see comments at my blog) you will not find a clear defense of biblical teaching on this subject from rumfordrev, and that illustrates one of the problems in the Church of the Nazarene today.  Certainly, there are still pastors and chaplains who, without wavering and making excuses or condemning the church for its faults, will articulate what God clearly teaches about sin, whether it is homosexuality, or any other sin.  Yet today I find more and more examples of a kind of compromise, sometimes very subtle, that is trying to make some kind of distinction in defining homosexuality, and raising this sin to a special position that it does not warrant.

Many of us are seeing a trend in the Church of the Nazarene of a movement towards “affirmation” and acceptance of homosexuality as “okay” and normal.  I think it is just a matter of time, and perhaps some might be in for a shock after General Assembly.  Some of the previous examples of this trend were Point Loma Nazarene University and the gay student chaplain situation, in which he was allowed to continue in that position for a while; and the off campus gay support group hosted by the local Nazarene church in San Diego.  Then we have had compromise by Trevecca Nazarene University, allowing a radical homosexual group to come onto its campus for “dialogue.”  At Southern Nazarene University, the leadership’s bad judgment allowed a student newspaper to promote the “new view” of homosexuality; one quote said that “Christian circles are too quick to call homosexuality a sin, without ever having talked to someone who identifies as gay.”  Eastern Nazarene College leadership recently approved a new support group for GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, and questioning student), as reported at my blog post of April 9.

Rumfordrev pointed out a quote from Dr. McPherson as indicative of a Christ-like approach, but he failed to address the serious problems with much of what was said, including the issue of having communion with a homosexual pastor, or worshipping with a gay affirming congregation, and he did not affirm agreement with my biblical answer to his question.  What does this mean?  I’m not sure, but for someone to suggest to me that I made personal attacks without being specific about it, and yet not agree clearly with me about the sinfulness of having communion with a homosexual “Christian”,  and who himself stated “I am not responding to whether one can or can not be homosexual and Christian at the same time”, that leaves me asking: why would you not respond?

Affirming The Gay Lifestyle: What Does That Mean?

As examples of what Dr. McPherson said in his message, which I am working on transcribing, here are some disturbing quotes:

“You can’t help but put on a whole new perspective when someone you love is gay.  I was gradually coming to the point where I was affirming the gay and lesbian lifestyle. By affirming I mean encouraging him and I mean believing that an active gay lifestyle in a committed monogamous relationship is acceptable by God.”

“Many of you already know the passages of Scripture that address or seem to address the issue of homosexuality.  They are used as weapons to attack and abuse others even if the passage is quoted in the right text, it is done so in a manner that is demeaning and abusive.  So I would not look to these texts, in fact I will not quote them at all.”

I would say to Dr. McPherson that first of all, if one of my children declared someday that they were gay, that the only perspective I would have is that of a grieving dad who was just told by their child that they were rejecting God and were living a life of what they wish to do, and not what God wants them to do.  That’s all.  Our perspective in any other way should never change.  God’s word is applicable to all, whether they are related to you or not.  What your responsibility would be is to lovingly tell that loved one that they are in sin, and are headed towards eternity in hell without God for rebelling against him.

Secondly, his failure to properly give the biblical teaching on homosexuality, without any ambiguity to those who were listening, was unfair to them, and wrong.  Too many pastors now are talking about sexual orientation as a separate issue from homosexual acts.  I was astounded when I heard this sermon by Rev. Rick Power of College Church in Olathe, KS, when he said the following (my emphasis in bold):

“as a community that is called to reflect the grace and forgiveness and hospitality of our Savior, we must thoughtfully and carefully respond to the questions of homosexuality, and sexual purity, and divorce.  To say that marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman …. doesn’t mean that we are slamming our doors or closing our hearts to gay and lesbian people. Not at all.   We have learned that for the vast majority of individuals sexual orientation is not a choice, and it cannot be changed.  If this is true then homosexual orientation in itself is not sinful.  It may be a sign of the brokenness and fallenness of our world, but if it does not involve personal choice, it is not in itself sinful, and we have to make this distinction between homosexual orientation and homosexual acts.”

Is this thinking coming out of the seminaries now?  Are these ideas being driven by the emergent church crowd, of which many like Rob Bell, Brian McLaren and others openly approve gay marriage, and believe now that you can be homosexual and remain Christian?  What is the fascination with a kind of coddling of those who identify with this particular sin, but not with those who are involved in other types of sin?  Where is the direct and clear, bold preaching that homosexuals can be freed from the bondage of their sin?  Instead, we see pastors stating that they “affirm” them, and “stand with them”, but to what end?  Is it to get more bodies into the church, and show everyone how “caring” you are?

I shudder to think that perhaps next month, the General Assembly might elect one, maybe even two, new General Superintendents who also believe in this unbiblical approach to dealing with homosexual sin.  If so, the spiraling downwards of the Church of the Nazarene will continue at an even faster pace than I thought would happen.  And the words of Rev. Power from his sermon makes me wonder: how many of his congregation that day were nodding their heads in approval, instead of standing up and objecting to his unbiblical view on homosexual sin?  That should be of concern as well.

Not All Are Compromising

I remind you of the pastors in Rhode Island who stood up against gay “marriage” and publicly signed a petition expressing the biblical view that condemns such things.  Not all evangelical pastors were on this list, and I wonder was it because they never saw the petition, or because they did not want to be identified as one who is against the radical political correctness of the day?  Sadly, gay “marriage” has been foisted upon Rhode Islanders, with much thanks to some legislators who caved in at the last minute.

And there is Pastor John Lindell of James River Assembly in Missouri, another example of those ministers of Christ who refuse to water down the Gospel, and who do it in a loving way, in spite of accusations by the radicals and the compromising “pastors” who objected to his biblical views.  Can you believe pastors objecting to a biblical assessment of homosexuality?  That’s exactly how he was treated, and I will report on this further.  In the meantime, his story can be read here, and the full context of his speech can be read here.

(On Wednesday, I will also post a response to the “sexual orientation” question, written by John Henderson, which addresses this fallacy being propagated by what seems to be a growing number of pastors).

 

Deceptive Confusion About Orientation

(John Henderson)

A simple dictionary definition of oriented is to be intellectually, emotionally, or functionally directed.  It is typically all three at once.  Intellectually means there is an intellectual agreement to something.  Emotionally means there is an emotional involvement with something.  Functionally, means there is an established and tooted commitment to something.  All of this without overt action.

If we speak of homosexual orientation, this is what must be meant by it.  Faux theologians make a false assumption by comparing homosexual orientation to temptation.  This is not scriptural by any definition.

It is true that fallen mankind is “bent” to sinning in any area and some in particular.  Wesleyans have traditionally called that the carnal nature and have not made excuses for the carnal nature but have preached that through entire sanctification this nature is crucified with Christ.  It is on His cross and is no longer any part of the Christian life.

The fundamental Wesleyan doctrine never declares that the carnal nature is eradicated in a sense that it ceases to exist.  In other words, “resurrection” is possible.  This is where temptation—something completely different—operates.  Those who equate temptation with orientation or any potential to sin are practicing unscriptural theology.  The faux Wesleyans who do that are trying to stretch a predetermined assumption over an unyielding concept of the Scriptures—they try to form the concept to look biblical when in fact it is error.

I find it interesting that there is such a focus on homosexual orientation versus homosexual behavior as though the two are distinct from one another.  No similar comparison is ever made about hatred or heterosexual lust.  But then we do have clear words from Jesus about those matters when He teaches that hating is the same as murder and lusting after a woman (the opposite sex) is the same as having actually committed adultery in one’s heart.  In other words, you have done it before you actually do it; or whether or not you follow through.  We may use other examples from the Lord, such as it is not what goes into a man that defiles him but what comes from the heart, etc.  All sin starts in the heart.  Like an unborn baby, it is a baby from conception, whether in the womb or out of the womb.

Shall we also consider James’ clear teaching about temptation?  “…But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. 1:15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15, NET).

By considering that homosexual orientation (or any other orientation) is something from the fallen nature we have two possible solutions:  that person is either hopelessly condemned to it or there is a rescue available.  Will a homosexual who comes to Christ be tempted to homosexuality?  The answer is yes but it is not a kind of yes that excuses his former life.  It is a kind of yes that says Christ is the answer.  “There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Emanuel’s veins.  And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.”

For Further Reference:

What Will Be Illegal When Homosexuality Is Legal (David Cloud, Way of Life)

​Eastern Nazarene College Rejects The Bible, Moves Towards Affirmation Of Homosexuality​

Quite the headline, isn’t it?  If you still want to continue sending your children to Eastern Nazarene College, you do so at their peril.  If you know all of what I have been reporting to you in the last few years, and still want to send them there, I question your level of discernment and interest in instilling biblical values for your children.

I’m typing this up rather quickly.  When I was notified of this story, I had mixed reactions.  One was of mental fatigue from seeing nothing but bad news about the state of the Nazarene denomination.  I’m afraid we will be going from worse to worse, and more bad stories will come to light.​

​I don’t have much interest in writing a long piece on this, I will just let the original article enlighten you as to the depths that the leaders at my old school have gone, and continue to do so apparently.  This fits other pieces of the puzzle well anyway, so I am not surprised.  In this chapel message from last year, listen as ENC chaplain Corey McPherson talks about Homosexuality: What Does God Think?“  Dr. McPherson speaks more like a confused college student, rather than a spiritual leader who is supposed to give biblical guidance to the students.  But I am certain all the leaders including President McGee are on board with this kind of thinking.  No surprise, since the Nazarene denomination embraces Rob Bell, and Brian McLaren, both who support gay marriage and homosexual “Christians.”

They all need to resign or need to be fired.​

As I write this, I am borrowing a paragraph that a friend posted earlier tonight, which expresses my exact sentiments:

“I do not need to say anything about this except to say they have gone way too far here. I will not waste time debating these compromisers of scriptural truth. It is time for a separation and they must be the ones to go, not true Nazarenes. We must have the fortitude to demand that they vacate the premises of our churches and institutions. As long as we remain timid, they will wax worse and worse because we are too fearful or too blindly loyal to a memory that has faded into the past to any longer stand for the truth. Oh, the judgment God will bring upon us if we let this go unchallenged. There is no longer a place for being neutral. Doing nothing is the same as supporting it.”

Here is the article:

Evangelical Colleges Inching Toward Affirmation of Homosexuality

​(source)
A recent article on the CNN Belief Blog highlighted the trend of Evangelical colleges inching toward culturally acceptable views of homosexuality. The article highlighted Wheaton College, which in February established an official group for “students to explore questions of gender identity and sexual orientation.” Although Wheaton College receives the most attention because of its prominence, other Evangelical schools are making similar moves.

Last week at Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) student group called ‘Love of God Bringing Triumph,’ announced the college administration approved an LGBT support group through the school’s counseling and health services center. Although the administration denied the group’s initial request for an official club because of concerns about breaches in confidentiality, the new “support group” through the counseling center will ensure the privacy of all students involved.

The new group will only be open to those who identify as “members of the LGBT community, and will walk alongside them as they wrestle through issues that are common to being LGBT.” Some students complained that facilitating the group through the school’s counseling center implies homosexuality is a problem requiring counseling, rather than a legitimate orientation to be affirmed. One student told the college newspaper “I don’t want this to be an excuse for those kids to be put into counseling, because that’s not what they need, they need our support as a community.”

Dr. Vernon Wesley, vice president for Student Development at ENC acknowledged “The questions of ‘affirming’ and ‘condoning’ as a Christian college continue to hover over us.” Athena Horton, a senior who submitted the initial proposal for an official LGBT club said “By even allowing a group to happen in this format, ENC’s administration is saying to the student body that they care about the wellbeing of all of its students—not just the straight ones.” Further, she is “grateful that we have this group, and that we are beginning a journey that is moving in a positive direction when it comes to the LGBT among us.”

In another article for the student newspaper, Horton said “Being LGBT in society today is difficult enough with the stigmas associated with it, but being a part of a Christian community whose denominational stance is that ‘Homosexuality is one means by which human sexuality is perverted … and subject to the wrath of God’ (as stated in the Church of the Nazarene Manual ’09-’13) is even more difficult.’”

Conservative Christian colleges have become a battleground for the LGBT movement’s goal to gain universal acceptance and affirmation. Traditional Christian teachings on sexuality are an affront to their goals, so groups like Soulforce have aggressively targeted Christian campuses to further their agenda. ENC’s group is not the result of Soulforce activity, but illustrates the continued trend of students, alumni, faculty and staff of Christian colleges shifting toward a progressive approach to sexuality. Despite this shift, for LGBT activists establishing a student group within a counseling center is insufficient and even offensive because it indicates homosexual practice is aberrant behavior. Consequently, activists view such groups as a mere first step toward unqualified affirmation.

Soulforce was established in 1998 “to end the religious and political oppression of LGBTQ people” and they specifically target young Christian students through their “Equality Rides” to “hostile” campuses across the country. These “Rides” have “catalyzed conversations and dialogue at these otherwise silent institutions. Soulforce has witnessed real change in practices and policies.” They complain counseling given to students who openly identify as LGBT is “harmful,” “ex-gay,” or “‘reparative’ therapy.”

Through Equality Ride’s seven year history, 14 Christian colleges they visited have relaxed policies on homosexuality. In the same time, “Twenty-five schools and counting have some form of supportive student group, and at least 20 have LGBTQ alumni organizations [not necessarily Christian schools].”

Soulforce knows they will sway young Evangelicals by starting seemingly innocuous “conversations and dialogue,” because many students are unsure what they believe about homosexuality. “Equality Rides” include sessions on scriptural interpretation, intended to dismiss biblical prohibitions of homosexuality.

Without receiving clear instruction on traditional Christian and scriptural teachings about sexuality, often these young believers are ill equipped to defend a faithful perspective on homosexual practice. They are bombarded with messages about “equality,” “tolerance,” and are called “bigots” if they don’t affirm a homosexual lifestyle. When they don’t know how to respond to reinterpretations of scripture, some ultimately conclude there is no legitimate reason to view homosexuality as sinful; that such a belief has no place among their tolerant, nonjudgmental generation.

Christian institutions will have to clearly address homosexuality as the culture increasingly affirms it and more people within the Church openly struggle with same-sex attraction. It is understandable that administrators at these schools recognize the challenges Christian students experiencing same-sex attraction face and want to help and disciple them. At the same time, historically faithful Christian academic institutions should recognize that the ultimate goal of establishing groups expressly for students who identify as LGBT is to legitimize the idea that one’s “sexual orientation” is an inherent and defining characteristic of his personhood.

Christian colleges are communities of young people who are figuring out who they are and what direction their lives will take. They are made up of broken, human people struggling with innumerable sins, all needing discipleship, mentorship, and guidance. Homosexuality is one among many issues students face, and should be addressed with genuine Christian love. Our culture is confused about what it means to be human, and uniquely a man or woman and the Church ought to be a light of clarity amid the chaos. Although a campus is not a church, these institutions play a key role in shaping their students’ lives and they are responsible to clearly teach and equip Christian students to follow God’s design for their lives, including their sexuality.

http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/2013/April08/087.html#.UWRaAhlp62x

 

Pastors Stand Against Same Sex Marriage In Rhode Island

Although there are 30 states that have constitutional bans on same sex marriage, 2012 was a big year for proponents who are pushing for “marriage equality.”  In the 2012 elections, Maryland, Washington, and Maine passed same sex marriage laws, with Maine being the first done through popular vote.  They joined seven other states that already allowed same sex marriages: Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Washington D.C.  Several other states recognize civil unions.  (Minnesota defeated a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage, so that was a victory for that lobby.   President Obama, a professing Christian, supports same sex marriage, as does his vice-president Joe Biden.  Obama also issued an executive order which has repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the military, allowing homosexual soldiers to openly serve in the armed services.

This is only one indicator of crumbling moral values in America.  What disturbs me most however is the trend in the “evangelical Christian” churches to either support same sex marriage, or become silent over the issue.  I was struck recently by the news that Louis Giglio, who was scheduled to do the benediction at President Obama’s inauguration, backed out when it was reported that several years ago he preached against same sex marriage.  Here is what he said then:

“We must lovingly but firmly respond to the aggressive agenda of not all, but of many in the homosexual community. … Underneath this issue is a very powerful and aggressive moment. That movement is not a benevolent movement, it is a movement to seize by any means necessary the feeling and the mood of the day, to the point where the homosexual lifestyle becomes accepted as a norm in our society and is given full standing as any other lifestyle, as it relates to family,”

And now, instead of taking the opportunity to re-affirm a strong biblical stance on the issue, Giglio, who is also unsound in some of his theology, instead stated that he refused to be a part of the gay debate:

“Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ.”  Read more at http://global.christianpost.com/news/louie-giglio-explains-withdrawal-from-inauguration-refuses-to-be-part-of-gay-debate-88041/#Gd0SP4fFHAIfSYZm.99

 So much for making it clear that homosexuality is still a sin and an abomination before God.

The Obama administration has selected an openly gay poet, Richard Blanco, to read a poem he has written for the inauguration.  Giglio’s replacement is yet to be named.  I believe it will either be a gay-affirming pastor, or one who will try to remain neutral and will not be clear about homosexual sin.  The Inaugural Committeee spokeswoman stated:

“As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration’s vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans,”

 Not a surprise, since Obama’s picks for such events have typically been double-minded or blatantly pro-gay or ecumenical “pastors”, such as Rick Warren.  Remember his prayer at Obama’s first inauguration, implying that the Jesus of Christianity is the same as the Issa of Islam?  You see, President Obama’s administration is clearly exhibiting a disgraceful lack of tolerance for any pastor who has ever spoken out against homosexual sin.  It is the new persecution of Christians with biblical views, by the very people who proclaim to be the most tolerant and accepting of differences in society.

Which leads me to my main point.  There are still some principled pastors in Rhode Island and surrounding areas who are willing to let it be known their position on same sex marriage.  I am sure these pastors realize the “dangers” that come with openly defying political correctness, ecumenical New-Evangelicals and the emergent church crowd, and the religionists of secular humanism.  Consequences could included but not be limited to losing some church members along with the benefits of the tithes and offerings that come with them.  They will certainly lose some invitations to various “Christian” gatherings.  And of course, they will be labeled as hateful, anti-gay, narrow-minded bigots who do not understand that God loves and accepts everyone.

So thank you to these pastors who signed the Rhode Island resolution to defend traditional marriage.  (This does not mean necessarily that any pastor not on the list supports same sex marriage, but I do know that there is a coalition of “Christian” churches that are supporting same sex marriage).  If your pastor is on this list, thank him for signing on.  I recognized several and I intend to write them a word of encouragement for their stand.  It is better to stand for the truth of God’s word, than to embrace the accolades of secular society and rebellious “pastors” and apostate churches such as the Episcopal Church and the ELCA.
Whether their stand makes a difference in halting same sex marriage is not the point at all.  It may not, as clearly this country is falling apart morally, calling the evil things good, while calling good “evil.”

It matters only their faithfulness to the word of God, does it not?  If you are in Rhode Island, and your pastor is not on this list, please encourage him to take a bold stand for the word of God.

http://apprising.org/2013/01/10/louie-giglio-is-no-hero-to-be-admired/

http://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-respond-to-giglios-withdrawal-new-era-of-religious-intolerance-in-america-88068/

http://www.riformarriage.com/

Rhode Island List of Pastors Signing The Petition Against Same Sex Marriage:

(P.S.  There will be a hearing held on January 15th at approximately 5:00 PM, in Room 313 of the Rhode Island State House, for those who can come and stand up for marriage.  http://www.riformarriage.com/)

RESOLUTION ON MARRIAGE IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

By Bible Believing Pastors and Church Leaders of Rhode Island

 

Relative to bill H-5015 before the RI General Assembly

WHEREAS, The laws of nature, human reason, and thousands of years of human tradition in all cultures have always affirmed marriage to be a heterosexual institution; and

WHEREAS, Our own society has been based from the beginning on the Judeo-Christian ethic which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman; and

WHEREAS, The Bible and Jesus Christ in particular define marriage as a heterosexual union between one man and one woman (Genesis 1:27; 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6); and

WHEREAS, Monogamous heterosexual marriage, involving the intimate, permanent union between the two complementary sexes, male and female, is uniquely and naturally suited to fulfill our deepest needs for human companionship; and

WHEREAS, Under normal circumstances, children are best nurtured in the context of a two parent family, where appropriate male behavior is modeled by a loving father and appropriate female behavior is modeled by a loving mother; and

WHEREAS, Heterosexual marriage provides the strong moral, social, and economic foundation for both family and community life; and

WHEREAS, The Bible in both the Old Testament and the New Testament clearly and specifically forbids homosexual conduct – as well as all other forms of sexual misconduct outside the bounds of heterosexual marriage (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:8-11); and

WHEREAS, The Bible plainly declares that God loves all people, regardless of their lifestyle, and that he accepts, forgives, heals, and transforms all who come to him in genuine repentance and faith; and

WHEREAS, It is the function of government to provide for the common good of society, to protect marriage and family life, and to promote social righteousness; and

WHEREAS, Civil laws play a decisive role in influencing patterns of thought and behavior in society; and

WHEREAS, Our concern as clergy is not merely to preserve the institution of heterosexual marriage as a religious rite within our own denominations but to preserve the well-being of marriage and family life throughout our state and society; and

WHEREAS, The passage of laws legalizing the marriage of two persons of the same gender will force the teaching of the validity of this lifestyle in the public schools of our state; and

WHEREAS, The passage of laws legalizing the marriage of two persons of the same gender will place persons of conscience who oppose such unions for moral reasons in jeopardy before the law in their business and legal relationships;

Now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, That we urge our General Assembly to defeat H-5015, which broadens the definition of persons eligible to marry to include persons of the same gender; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we commit ourselves to upholding the sanctity of monogamous heterosexual marriage in our churches and local communities both by our preaching and teaching and by our marriage practices; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we commit ourselves to strongly deplore any hateful speech or violent behavior toward persons of a homosexual lifestyle, such speech and behavior being incompatible with Christian love; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we commit ourselves to proclaim the love of God toward all persons, whatever their lifestyle, and to offer the hope of forgiveness, acceptance, wholeness, and transformation to all who come to him in genuine repentance and faith; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That we welcome people of all lifestyles to attend the public services of our churches so that they might discover and experience the forgiving grace of God in their lives as we have in our own lives.

SIGNED AND AGREED to 9 January 2013

Alejandro Gaete- Church of the Master, Providence

Alexander Kollie- Solid Rock Assembly of God Church 1753 Phenix Avenue, Cranston

Alexander Martinez- Anchor Baptist Church, Cranston

Archie Emerson- Ocean State Baptist Church, Smithfield

Bernie Norman- Faith Bible Chapel, Westerly

Bill Balson- Stillwater Fellowship, Hope

Bill Reynolds- Beacon Free Will Baptist Church, Exeter

Bryan Speroni-Community Baptist Church, Pascoag

Clinton Smith Sr. – Narragansett Bay Baptist Church, East Greenwich

Chris Baker- Knotty Oak Baptist Church, Coventry

Dave Aucoin- Abundant Life Assembly of God, Swansea

Dan Carrillo, New Hope Chapel, Hope Valley, Rhode Island

Dan Crichton – Grace Bible Church, Cranston

Dave Gadoury- Cranston Christian Fellowship, Cranston

Dave Medeiros- Harvest Community Church, Woonsocket

David Lachance- Christian Hill Community Church, West Warwick

David Smith- Faith Baptist Church, Warwick

D. Paul Lawrence- American Baptists Churches of RI

Don Stiles- Calvary Baptist Church, Narragansett

Doug Brandenburg- Narragansett Bay Baptist Church, East Greenwich

Douglas W. Tourgee- Riverpoint Advent Christian Church, West Warwick

Drew Boyd-First Baptist Church of Warwick, Warwick

Emmanuel D.T. Bautista- Frenchtown Baptist Church, East Greenwich

Ernie Robillard- First Baptist Church in East Providence, Rumford

Gary Muniz- North Kingstown Assembly of God, North Kingstown

Gene Giguere- Harvest Community Church, Woonsocket

George Barclay, Norwood Baptist Church, Warwick

George Warren- New Hope Baptist Church, Pascoag

Hugh Fisher- Narragansett Bay Baptist Church, East Greenwich

Jeffrey R. Francoeur- Colonial Baptist Church, Rumford

Jim Menzies- Perryville Bible Church, Wakefield

Jim Ricci- Cranston Christian Fellowship, Cranston

Jim Sole- Quidnessett Baptist Church, North Kingstown

Joe Campbell- Quidneck Baptist Church, Coventry

Joel Fraser- Narragansett Bay Baptist Church, East Greenwich

John Gibson- Heritage Christian Fellowship, Warwick

John Goasdone- First Baptist Church of Narragansett

John Lawson- Cranston Bible Chapel, Cranston

John Wheeler- Stony Lane Baptist Church, North Kingstown

Jonathan Angell- North Kingstown Assembly of God, North Kingstown

Keith Mlyniec- West Kingston Baptist Church, West Kingston

Lester Sedam III- Pilgrims Baptist Church, Ashaway

Lyle Mook- Christ Church, East Greenwich

Mark Cote- Jamestown Chapel, Jamestown

Mark Galloway- the Church of The Apostles, Coventry

Michael Hamilton- North Tiverton Baptist Church, North Tiverton

Michael J. Ives- Presbyterian Reformed Church of R.I, East Greenwich

Michael Link- Quidnessett Baptist Church, North Kingstown

Mike Sokoll- Providence Baptist Church, Providence

Nash Desent-Historic Baptist Church, North Kingstown

Norman Seiders, Warwick Church of Christ, Warwick

Olivier Bala- Mount Hope Community Baptist Church, Providence

Paul Chapman- Curtis Corner Baptist Church- Wakefield

Paul Martins- Barrington Baptist Church, Barrington

Peter Atkin- Living Hope Christian Church, North Kingstown

Phil Curtis- Exeter Chapel, Exeter

Randy Lewis- Blackstone Valley Baptist Church, Cumberland

Ray Tierney- Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Providence

Rich Chapman- Calvary Chapel Greenmeadow, North Kingstown

Richard K. Leahey- Solid Rock Church, Cranston

Rick Ferris President – C12 Group So. New England

Robert Akinrimisi Lighthouse Gospel Ministries, Providence

Robert Burnock – Darlington Congregational Church, Pawtucket

Robert Mathis- Friendship Baptist Church, Warwick

Robert Santaniello- Exeter Chapel, Exeter

Roger L. Stafford- Chepachet Union Church, Chepachet

Scott Aiken- North Scituate Advent Christian Church, North Scituate

Scott Finkbeiner- Shannock Baptist Church, Shannock

Scott Tucker- Calvary Baptist Church, Middletown

Steve Bacon- Harvest Community Church, Woonsocket

Steve Boyce- New Life Worship Center, Smithfield

Steve Martel- Harvest Community Church, Woonsocket

Stephen DeSantis – Warwick Assembly of God, Warwick

Timothy Kuhn- Bible Baptist Church, Central Falls

Todd Stricklin- Narragansett Bay Baptist Church, East Greenwich

Tony Phelps- Christ Our Hope Presbyterian Church, Peace Dale

Orientation

By John Henderson

One of my greatest peeves is the way people who want to promote error play with words.  They distort meanings and place words in a context where they have no business being.  But that is what the devil does in his grand program of delusions.  Orientation is one of those words.  Not only does the world use it wrongly, but so-called evangelistic ministers and church leaders misuse it in a context of homosexuality with the purpose of befriending the world at the expense of alienation from God.

Keep in mind that the attitude of the society at large is in direct parallel with the compromises in the church.  They run alongside one another with very little shift in vernacular.

It is more common these days, for example, for “evangelicals” to boldly stand up before spiritually-dwarfed teens and young adults and openly declare that somehow being oriented to homosexuality is okay and that God doesn’t mind.  The problem all along, they say, has been the narrow-mindedness of intolerant Christians over the centuries who dare to say that not only is something like homosexuality a sin but even being oriented that way is a sin.  How dare they be so mean and insensitive as to make gay people feel guilty and unsaved because they are even oriented to being homosexual!

We may be using homosexuality as an example here but it is far more reaching than just that.  It is being used as a springboard to making all sorts of deviancies appear to be normal.

It reminds me of the time when I served at an evacuation hospital in Vietnam and they brought in a load of casualties one evening, an occurrence throughout every day.  We were all busy—very busy—but I noticed a young Army lieutenant lying over against a wall, just off of a medical helicopter, as doctors and nurses worked feverishly to save his life.  He was somewhat lucid and spewing out profanities in his pain.  I didn’t see any lacerations or blood but knew they were working with his legs.  They were trying to prep him as quickly as possible for emergency surgery and were trying to stabilize him in some way.

He died before they could do enough.  I walked over and asked one of the doctors what had happened.  He told me that the lieutenant had bled to death.  He saw my puzzled expression and explained that the soldier had suffered what is called internal amputation to both legs from a blast and the injuries were so massive that he was hemorrhaging profusely inside his legs and they had been trying to get into his legs as quickly as possible to stop the bleeding.

The lieutenant appeared normal on the outside but he died on the inside without ever spilling a drop of blood or having so much as a scratch.  His hope of living was drastically reduced because they could not see where the severed arteries and blood vessels were without surgery.

The Bible says that the heart is desperately wicked and that we cannot know it.  Our own hearts deceive us unless we are living close to the Lord, and even then we have to keep alert.  It becomes an even greater calamity when a deceived heart becomes a deceiving heart.  It is no longer safe to assume that because someone is “one of us” that the person is even born again just on that alone.  It is impossible to cling to error in the face of truth and be born again.  That statement still holds true regardless of one’s position of Christian security.  God is the final judge but when the fruit stinks the root is rotten.

Those false teachers who appeal to those still in their sins by excusing their orientations to sinfulness are either ignorant of the Scriptures or else do not believe the Scriptures.  The basic truth of the Bible is that all sin comes from wicked orientation:  the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 

There is no committing sin without some sort of orientation to it in the first place.  I have no trouble with tobacco, alcohol, gambling, and many worldly practices because I have never been oriented to them in the first place.  There are some areas where I can be (and am) severely tempted because of past experiences.  In one case with me it was violent anger.  Only His grace and presence keeps me steady even now.  It is just as James says:  “But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15, NET).

Sin does not jump out at us and overpower us.  It lures through depraved desires where carelessness has emerged.  Those desires (“conceived” orientations) are the catalysts for sin.  It is no sin to be tempted but it is a sin to pay attention to the temptation because that is the very first step of the act itself.  The words of that Methodist evangelist of my youth are still true:  “It isn’t the first look that is sin.  It is the second look.”

Someone once said that when we are saved, all of our sins are forgiven and washed away.  However, we still retain the fallen condition of humanity and sin leaves scars.  Those scars are tender and it is there where the devil tries to get to us.  The former homosexual, for instance, who is gloriously saved and sanctified, may often be tempted more so than others concerning homosexuality but that is not sin until he (or she) begins to dwell on it, excuse it, and nurture it.  When he does that, he has already entered into the sin.  An act is only the predictable culmination of the “orientation”.  That, of course, leads to death.

We who are Christians and ministers of the gospel of Jesus must realize that we shall be held accountable—horribly accountable—for the souls we lead astray in these matters.  We must be clear and uncompromising if the lost are to hear God’s clarion call to salvation and holiness.  When Paul wrote about the warring in his members in Romans 7, he wasn’t trying to find a way to deal with it in fellowship with Christ and believers so that it was embraced as an orientation.  He was moving towards the important question of deliverance from it:

“For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want! Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me.  So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God in my inner being. But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin” (Romans 7:19-25, NET)

After stating the hopelessness of such a condition, he opens in chapter 8 with the solution to this awful dilemma by saying in essence why he thanks God through Jesus Christ our Lord:

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace, because the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:1-8, NET).

Being “oriented” to sin is not the last word.  Being delivered out of sin and away from its control over us is the last word.  Holiness preachers (those who actually preached scriptural holiness) knew and clearly proclaimed the truth of this.  They talked of the carnal nature or the “old man” being crucified and the fullness of—the infilling of—the Holy Spirit taking over and cleansing us from ALL sin—not partial cleansing from some sin.  They preached about walking in newness of grace and changed, that is, transformed, lives where sin no longer holds dominion over us.

Anyone who tries to say that any orientation to things of sin is natural and amoral is not preaching scriptural truth.  They are not even telling realistic truth that is based in any biological facts.  They are clearly preaching a lie and lies originate only in the devil.  If some are unwilling to take God at His word, perhaps they should just create a religion of their own and leave the Christian one alone.  Maybe their final judgment will not be as severe that way, if it really matters all that much.

Galatians 6:7-8, NET – “Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.”

 

Dr. Gran’pa
(John Henderson)
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