They Exchange The True Gospel For A Lie

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.  Isaiah 8:20

I received this yesterday from a friend in California in response to my last post:

“The pure unadulterated sanctified Gospel of Jesus Christ in all its power has been replaced by the ‘social gospel’ of our day in our churches. They have lost sight of where to draw the line between reaching out and helping others… and that of giving them the Gospel message. So much emphasis is placed on the thousands of entities that meet the human materialist needs of the lost….yet so much so that man’s pride says, “I did a wonderful deed so that’s all that counts. I was “Jesus” to  them.”  But then ….as I said to my former pastor:  because, I like others, was hearing the lack of the Gospel but much about serving others – we are no different than goodness-based cults and religions. Many of them LOOK like Christians.  However, the often used phrase taken from St. Francis of Assisi* where the message is to BE… not to necessarily speak the Word of God… I feel has been overstated.

I have no problem giving to a poor street person – whether he is spending it on drugs or whatever, as long as I do it in the name of the Lord.. I will tell him after giving him money, that I also want him/her to know about the ‘food that feeds the soul’. If he uses the money for drugs, it is not my business if I am giving in the name of the Lord; the power of the Gospel message not only saves but is able to free him from his bondages.

 

How sad that the Gospel has been so tainted by all the ‘ingredients added to it’ by the church. When this happens it dilutes, twists, discounts, and waters down the wonderful powerful message of Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. The Gospel needs nothing else as it stands on its own because of who God is and who His Son is.”

I appreciate what has been said here because it reflects accurately our Christian denominations of today, whether Nazarene or any other group.  Instead of preaching the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, apostate “Christians” at festivals such as Wildgoose spend their time carousing and partying in “community” in their beer and wine tents. They invite anyone to come and share whatever they have, and they downplay doctrinal differences and embrace everything under the sun that is spiritual.  Leaders look the other way in fear of criticizing their fellow colleagues, or perhaps because they approve of it all.  Any kind of spirituality is good for them now, not whether beliefs and doctrine is soundly based on Scripture or not.

The emergent church emphasizes a defective and false gospel, focusing on such things as: community and relationships in place of doctrine, rejecting the fact that there are absolute truths that are found in absolutely clear doctrine as taught through God’s infallible word.  But that is the key problem and what has led to this watering down of the gospel.  These rebellious pseudo-Christians believe they are doing a good thing by embracing the “big-tent” philosophy.  They open up soup kitchens and food pantries, feed and cloth the poor in the neighborhood, and at the same time never present a clear gospel message that those people are headed to hell on a full stomach.  Oh, they may very well say to these people something like “God bless you” as they walk out the door, but that’s about it.  And of course, there are community food pantries whose policy is to not even mention Jesus Christ, or which prevents Christians from witnessing to those to whom they serve food.  Yet they do it the name of Jesus.  How sad, but I guess it makes them feel good to feed someone.

We see General Superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene and presidents of major evangelical and holiness denominations holding hands with social justice advocates, thinking they are doing a wonderfully spiritual act that will please God.  They stand up for the “rights” of illegal aliens, saying it is the Christian thing to do, while at the same time they step on the rights of those who, whether Christian or not, are waiting patiently to come into our country, or who are being deprived of jobs in favor of lawbreakers.  Instead of proclaiming the real gospel, they get tangled up in social and environmental justice pursuits that do nothing to show the sinner what they really need.

We must continue to send out warnings to those who are perverting the gospel and spreading poison in our churches and universities.  But it also needs to go out to those Christians, especially pastors and others in leadership positions, who are standing apathetically by while the church is being corrupted.  Pastors, if you think that all you need to do is protect your little church by insulating your congregation from emergent ideology and never teaching them about what is going on, what will you do then after you leave, and your replacement is a wolf in sheep’s clothing?  You’ll probably see your church end up being a social club that does a lot of community good, but does nothing to feed the people the real food: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  By then, it may be too late, but you will still have to answer to God.

Manny

*Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words. (attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, this phrase sounds nice, but is contrary to what Scripture teaches)

Should Any Nazarene Leader Be Associated With Wildgoose?

2 Corinthians 6:14-15: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?”

Amos 3:3: “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”

Well, it’s over for now.  The gathering of apostates at Wildgoose Festival in North Carolina has ended.  The thirst for more however continues, and there will be another gathering in September.  This one will be WildGoose Festival West, and will be in Benton County, Oregon.  Apparently the demand has been so great that this second gathering may lead to perhaps even more yearly gatherings at various areas of the country.  Could the rising popularity of this be an indication of the movement and work of the Holy Spirit?

Okay, I seriously do not believe it is.  However, there are many Christians who look at numbers as something that is evidence of God’s approval, or the work of the Holy Spirit in changing people’s lives.  There are Christians who for instance are sure that a preacher who otherwise preaches the gospel faithfully must not be effective or successful, if no one responds to the gospel for a long time.  Others see “success” to always be measured by the number of those who rush to the altar and profess faith in Christ verbally, or when there are massive testimonies of instant healing.  We tend to forget that a preacher or pastor is to preach faithfully the word of God, and not worry about reaching some kind of quota every month.  That is what God requires of us, and nothing else.

Back to the Wildgoose Festival.  This is perhaps my fourth time I report on this, and I will continue to report on this as needed.  I will also continue to point out something which came to my attention, via James Scullin’s post on our CN FaceBook page the other day.  He quotes from the website:

 ”We are a community creating a festival at the intersection of justice, spirituality and art. We take inspiration from many places, such as Greenbelt, Burning Man, the Iona Community, SXSW, and others. The festival is open to everyone; we don’t censor what can be said;”

He went on to summarize just part of what constititutes Wildgoose: “Green Belt into social justice, bBurning Man, self-expression, including nudity, Iona, ecumenism, SXSW, film and music.”  James, don’t forget the beer and wine tent parties as well; the speaking schedule of such notables as Brian McLaren, who led the opening prayer and words for each day; the appearance of an openly homosexual “Christian” artist (Jennifer Knapp); the pro-homosexual agenda of many of the speakers there; the doctrinally challenged Brian McLaren who somehow is one of the countries to 25 evangelicals.

But finally, a question was asked that is certainly worthy of answer, and I suggested that the General Superintendents would be more than capable of giving a definitive response:

How is organizer Mike King allowed near our youth and have a position at NTS?

It’s a fair question.  Remember also that the Rev. Gabriel Salguerro, a Nazarene pastor who is also the head of the radical National Assoc. of Latino Evangelical Coalition, has promoted this festival shamelessly in the past two years.

So we have Mike King, adjunct professor at our premiere seminary that prepares future pastors, who is heavily involved nationally in influencing Nazarene youth at conferences, seminars, and through books he writes and promotes; and we have a nationally influential Nazarene pastor who is in favor of amnesty for illegal aliens and other radical ideas, both involved with Wildgoose Festival, as I reported recently.

A few other reminders also is that two General Superintendents (Stan Toler and Jerry Porter) are on the Advisory Board for Rev. Salguerro’s organization, so they are obviously connected to him that way.  Nazarene Dr. Oliver Philips is also on that board as well.  And now, as I reported recently, all six General Superintendents have signed on with an immigration group that along with Rev Salguerro, is also pushing for favoring illegal aliens over law abiding citizens and legal residents!  In what other ways are these men connected, and are these connections having any kind of influence as to why the Generals seem to refuse to address this issue to anyone who inquires about it?

How much lower do we have to go, in the Church of the Nazarene, in order to… do what?  Get more people in the church?  Bring more money in?  To show how progressive and non-judgmental we are?  To embrace ecumenicalism as far as the universe can reach?  What is going on here?  Have we no shame anymore, that we cannot rebuke our leaders when they blatantly get involved with a world that is pretending to be Christian, but has no resemblance to true Christianity?

So, General Superintendents, is it possible you can address the first question, and the following questions, in any way?

1. If the Wildgoose Festival is good for Christians, then will you recommend as many Nazarenes as possible attend this festival?

2. If it is bad, why do you tolerate the participation and promotion of this festival by Mike King and Gabriel Salguerro?

3. How do you justify your association with an “evangelical” immigration group that clearly (at least to many of us) is comprised of those who have compromised the gospel message?

3. What is in store next for the Church of the Nazarene that will shock us?  Will it be a continued watering down of the biblical position on homosexual sin?

4. Is this Wildgoose Festival a reflection of what it means to be “missional?”

5. Will you ever give any clear and conclusive answers to any question that many Nazarenes are sending to you, as a result of seeing such widespread apostasy in the church?

Manny Silva

Here are just a few of those who participated in this sham of a “Christian” festival:

Major Church Leaders Compromise; Ignore Scripture; And Twist The Gospel Message

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?… 17 Therefore come out from among them, and be separate says the Lord.  Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.  2 Cor. 6:14, 17

 

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; ¹¹ for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.  2 John 1:9-11

 

There has been a continuing paradigm shift in the evangelical denominations for quite a few years now.  The New Evangelical movement continues it degrading influence on the church by marching to the drumbeat of “ecumenicalism”, rejection of the doctrine of separation in favor of “unity”, and a big tent philosophy much in line with what the emergent church crowd likes.  But this is not, nor has it ever been a biblical approach.  Yet it seems even the major leaders from most evangelical denominations and Christian universities of today just don’t get it.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was not about the business of trying to correct all the social ills in His day, or making sure that wealth was equally distributed, nor did he get involved in political causes to make sure everyone got “their fair share.”  He came to “seek and save that which was lost.”  He came to correct the “heart ills.”  That was His mission, and yet national “evangelical” leaders from many denominations have lost focus on the true Gospel, and have gotten on the bandwagon of the fake social justice gospel.  Christ did not command the disciples to “go and bring social justice to the earth”, but to go and “teach all nations, baptizing them… and teaching them all He has commanded them and to obey those commands.”

 

As the saying goes, the road to hell is often paved with good intentions.  On June 12, something happened that further shows the compromise with the world that the leaders of the Church of the Nazarene, and practically every major “evangelical” denomination, have taken.  A new group called The Evangelical Immigration Table announced a joint effort amongst most evangelical denominations and leading Christian organizations, to work in “solving” our national immigration problems (i.e. amnesty for illegal aliens).  Never mind that many Christians disagree with the political aims of this group and that their ideas are the same liberal ideas about “fairness and compassion” to illegal aliens, at the expense of citizens and legal residents.
I absolutely refuse to be categorized as an “evangelical Christian” along with any of the men and women associated with this group.

 

So when looking closely at those who are part of this group and have signed on to its goals, I cannot come away from this with anything but disgust and disappointment again at my own denomination’s general superintendents- all six of them this time, as well as other “evangelical” leaders who have become a part of this new ecumenical endeavor.  It is very disappointing to see Focus on the Family and other groups like them also getting involved in this effort.

 

From Brannon Howse’s website, Worldview Weekend:

 

“Radicals and “evangelicals” unite to push for amnesty for illegal aliens.  On June 12, 2012, a Focus on the Family representative, Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, and Neo-Marxist Jim Wallis joined others for a press conference as part of the “Evangelical Immigration Table”. Sadly, the president or General Superintendent of almost every major “evangelical” denomination has signed on to this project. Brannon believes that so many “evangelical” leaders signing on to this, and other such unbiblical projects, reveals that God is giving over America as described in Romans 1 and giving America the kind of leaders it deserves. Romans 1 describes leaders that are debased, which means they do not pass the test spiritually, and leaders that are undiscerning.”

Brannon explains why he believes this is one more unbiblical spiritual enterprise that is a perfect example of the Religious Trojan horse that has infiltrated evangelicalism. Brannon also explains how the communists are embracing an amnesty plan as well in order to push through their progressive agenda. The communists must be thrilled that so many “evangelicals” have become such “useful idiots” and are aiding in their same objective of amnesty for millions that will vote for a progressive agenda. Clearly the word “evangelical” means nothing if Jim Wallis is called an evangelical. Additionally, those taking part in this initiative redefining what it means to be a Christian as at this press conference the term “Christian” was being thrown around. Brannon plays sound clips from the press conference that includes one lady speaking of how the Holy Spirit is behind this. That is 100% false. The Holy Spirit cannot be behind that which is a violation of 2 Corinthians 6:14, 2 John 9-11, and 2 Corinthians 6:14.”

 

Please listen to the audio from Brannon’s radio show as he discusses this travesty.  Some of the most egregious violators of Biblical principles are signatories to this new endeavor, so why do six General Superintendents* of the Nazarene church not understand that we should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers and with those who pervert the Gospel into something other than what the Lord gave us?  The meaning of the word evangelical has been so perverted that it has lost its originally understood meaning.

 

The list of participants is far from Biblical Christianity.  There is Jim Wallis of Sojourners, a radical who will again appear this month at the blasphemous Wildgoose Festival.  This man is no evangelical.  Then there is Rev. Gabriel Salguerro, a Nazarene pastor from New York who is leader of the radical National Latino Evangelical Coalition, and also is a participant and promoter of the WildgooseFestival that is scheduled this week, which promotes anything but Christian values.  So why are two General Superintendents (JerryPorter and Stan Toler) on the leadership of Salguerro’s organization, and why do they continue to associate with this “pastor” after I reported to them twice on his involvement with the WildGoose party that spits on the Gospel?

 

In this group’s video news conference, you will hear Jim Wallis call this a biblical movement:

 

“Hear Neo-Marxist Jim Wallis call this movement Biblical (23:30). Brannon gives you a quick history of Jim’s radical agenda. Another speaker describes how no one is left out of God’s Kingdom vision. Again this is false. This same speaker talks of Jesus in terms of being a social justice advocate. Not one speaker described the gospel but in fact one speaker said the primary calling of the church is to love the poor and stranger. The primary objective of the Church is the proclamation of the gospel that is clearly compromised through this project.”

 

This is just another group trying to advance amnesty for illegal aliens, while stepping on the rights of law abiding citizens, and law abiding legal residents of our country.  This is not a Christian worldview that drives this.  As you listen to their press conference, it is a complete twisting of what it means to be a Christian pastor or leader, as they promote compromising of the laws of the U.S. in favor of those who break the law.

 

While that alone is insulting to those who worked so hard to come here legally, or those who are still waiting to come to the United States lawfully, it is even more appalling when so-called Christian evangelical leaders compromise biblical truth and join hands with those who have perverted and watered down the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  As you watch the press conference with the parade of “important” and “wise” leaders who think they know better than us, you will see a bunch of men and women who do not know the true meaning of the Gospel.  You will hear Rev. Salguerro as he praises person after person for their outstanding credentials.  “Professing to be wise, they have become fools”, and little do they know that the devil has them right where he wants them.

 

It would truly be inspiring if the leaders of the Church of the Nazarene (and these other denominations) would fervently spend their time fighting against all the false teachings infecting our churches and universities, than to distract themselves with unholy alliances such as this.  Yet as many of you know, they have done nothing but give empty answers to questions, or remained silent. That is a horrible failure of leadership, something which they may pay a high penalty for someday.  Instead, they continue to waste their time on trying to correct the supposed ills of society, while the real ill (the sinful heart of man) becomes more and more neglected.

 

Yet, its not too late to see their error and turn away from this unholy alliance.  Will they?

 

Manny Silva

 

 

 

For further reference:

 

Social Justice and The Bible (Mike Oppenheimer)

New Evangelicalism: Its History, Characteristics, And Fruit (David Cloud)

 

 

*Nazarenes who have signed on with this group:

Eugénio Duarte, General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene

David Graves, General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene

Jesse Middendorf, General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene

Jerry D. Porter, General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene

Stan Toler, General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene

J. K. Warrick, General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene

Corlis McGee, President, Eastern Nazarene College

 

Others who have signed on (full list at their website):

 

JoAnne Lyon, General Superintendent, The Wesleyan Church

William J. Hamel, President, Evangelical Free Church of America

George Wood, General Superintendent, General Council of the Assemblies of God

Bryant Wright, President, Southern Baptist Convention

Ken Hunn, Executive Director, The Brethren Church

Leith Anderson, President, National Association of Evangelicals

 

Bill Hybels, Founding and Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church (South Barrington, IL)

Max Lucado, Minister of Preaching, Oak Hills Church (San Antonio, TX)

David Uth, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church (Orlando, FL)

Shane Claiborne, Emergent leader, Author and Activist

Andy Crouch, Author and Editor-at-Large, Christianity Today

David Neff, Editor-in-Chief, Christianity Today

Eric Metaxas, Author

Danny Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Richard J. Mouw, President, Fuller Theological Seminary

Shirley Mullen, President, Houghton College

Mathew Staver, Dean, Liberty University School of Law

Dennis Hollinger, President, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary

Richard Stearns, President, World Vision U.S.

Ed Stetzer, President, Lifeway Research

 

Heads of the Evangelical Immigration Table

·  Leith Anderson, President, National Association of Evangelicals

·  Stephan Bauman, President and CEO, World Relief

·  David Beckmann, President, Bread for the World

·  Noel Castellanos, CEO, Christian Community Development Association

·  Luis Cortés, President, Esperanza

·  Richard Land, President, Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

·  Samuel Rodriguez, President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference

·  Gabriel Salguero, President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition

·  Jim Wallis, President and CEO, Sojourners

 

 

Here is the group’s stated goals:

As evangelical Christian leaders, we call for a bipartisan solution on immigration that:

• Respects the God-given dignity of every person
• Protects the unity of the immediate family
• Respects the rule of law
• Guarantees secure national borders
• Ensures fairness to taxpayers
• Establishes a path toward legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents

A Full Salvation Holiness Church No Longer: Apostasy of the Church of the Nazarene

by Mike Jobbins

While the inerrancy of Scripture is more than adequate to show the terrible apostasy from the faith and theology of the denomination’s original founders, I want to focus on statements made in “Pastoral Perspective on Homosexuality from your General Superintendents*(sic), which shows more clearly than ever, that:

“Nazarenes no longer hold to the doctrines of Full Salvation and Entire Sanctification!” Indisputable Proof: *(Quote, Ibid, Page 9, Col. 1, Para. 2):

“Sexual orientation is not usually a willful choice. … It is amoral, neither moral nor immoral. Scripture clearly … does not address homosexual orientation. … the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene and the official statement of the Board of General Superintendents make a clear distinction between behavior and orientation. One is sinful, the other is not.”

This is an absolutely astonishing renunciation of Wesleyan-­Armenian doctrine! – What?!

(1.)    The Church of the Nazarene no longer believes in free-­will?!

(2.)    “It is amoral, neither moral nor immoral” ?! – The Church of the Nazarene no longer believes in unregenerate, unsanctified carnality, and sinful human depravity?! (3.)    “Scripture clearly … does not address homosexual orientation?!

(4.)   “One is sinful, the other is not”?!

Holy Scripture begs to differ with the Board of General Superintendents and the official position of the Church of the Nazarene!

“20 And [Jesus] said, That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man. 21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” *Mark 7:20-­23.

*(Quote, Ibid, Page 11, Col. 1, Para. 3):

“ .. the reality is that a transformed sexual orientation is not always the case. For those who are not reoriented, they are called to live a life of abstinence that is graced by the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.”

What a peculiar (as in queer) statement that is! – Allow me to Christianize your terminology!
Replace the word ‘reoriented’ with the words ‘regenerate, born-­again’! – If a person is truly born-­again *(Saved), and truly Sanctified by the Holy Spirit, they are no longer a homosexual, transvestite, rapist, adulterer, or anything else you can name!

Replace the word “abstinence” with the words “suppression”, “non-­practicing”.
“Graced by the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.” – What is this?! – The maximum Wesleyan-­Armenian twist to this sentence can only mean “prevenient grace”, that is to say “pre-­conversion” grace, but the Board of General Superintendents do not say that!

*(Quote, Ibid, page 10, col. 1, last paragraph.):

“The call to the Christian homosexual …”

This is a direct and heretical contradiction of Scripture. What is a “ ‘Christian’ homosexual”? The term is an oxymoron! It is an illogical, incongruous, and contradictory combination of terms.

Are we now supposed to believe that there is such a thing as a: “ ‘Christian’ rapist and child molester”, a “ ‘Christian’ Mafioso, hit man and gang leader”, a “ ‘Christian’ addict and drug dealer”, a “ ‘Christian’ thief, forger and blackmailer”, a “ ‘Christian’ murderer and bank robber”, a “ ‘Christian’ drunkard and bootlegger”, a “ ‘Christian’ adulterer, fornicator and pornographer”?!

What a terribly messed up perversion of the “Good News” of full Salvation and entire Sanctification this is!

“17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;; behold, all things are become new.” *2nd Cor. 5:17.

“9Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” *1st Cor. 6:9-­11.

If you profess to be Nazarene, even with the artificial limitation set forth by the Board of General Superintendents regarding the non-inspiration of most of Holy Scripture, this specifically deals with “things pertaining to Salvation” – so you are not getting around this verse of Scripture. If the only part of the Bible that is important is “that part which pertains to Salvation”, then this is a divinely inspired, important, and inescapable passage in the Holy Bible.

Until Nazarenes renounce all of Scripture, they are not getting around it. – But then they would not have a job, would they? – As Dr. L. T. C.* informed me in a class on systematic theology: ”This is a theology class, not a Bible class, and I don’t want you quoting Bible in my theology class!” – So I don’t really expect them to care in the least about anything the Bible says in regards to “that part which pertains to Salvation” either! -­ If by some strange happenstance, they really do care about “that part which pertains to Salvation”, then how do they get around the following verses of Holy Scripture?

“18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness … 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie .. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another;; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was [appropriate, deserving]. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” *Rom. 1:18, 24-­28.

“7For God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8He therefore that despises, despises not man, but God, who has also given unto us his Holy Spirit.” *1st Thess. 4:7-­8.

“23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul *[mind] and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24Faithful is He that calls you, who also will do it.” *1st Thess. 5:23-­24.

– No wonder my theology professor did not wanting me quoting the Bible, or proof-­texting from Holy Scripture, [and using anything besides the preferred “Not Inspired Version”!

Look at “the official position” of the Church of the Nazarene on the subject of homosexual orientation. It is very apparent the official position of the Church of the Nazarene, unstated though it is, is that “GOD is not able to Completely Save and Completely Sanctify.”

Nazarene parishioner: you know this is more than an issue of homosexuality. – The official position applies just as easily to child molesters, rapists, fornicators, adulterers, philanderers, alcoholics, addicts, drug dealers, and every other type of sin.

(Quote, ibid, page 13, col. 1, last para.): “The reoriented or celibate single homosexual will be invited to full participation in the life and ministry of the church, leading ministries, serving on boards, and singing in choirs.”

If they are merely ‘non-­practicing’ – If they are not born-­again, If they are not completely regenerate, If they are not wholly sanctified – by what stretch of the imagination can you possibly say they will not cease trying to be ‘non-­practicing’ perverts, and return to that which they have been suppressing within themselves? – Recidivism – A return to their previous life style is not only possible, it is virtually inevitable – short of being thoroughly Saved and entirely Sanctified!

If they are merely ‘non-­practicing’, as the Board of General Superintendents, and the NIV perversion say, you are putting your wives and children in terrible danger! – Where do you think these perverts are going to scout out, and recruit their next generation of victims from?

This means that all of the above are officially recognized as fully fit and qualified for ordination in your denomination, to serve as your pastor, your evangelist, your choir director, even teach your children, and give “marriage counseling” *(?!) to your spouse.

This is what the Church of the Nazarene has fallen to! The Church of the Nazarene no longer teaches and preaches Complete Salvation and Entire Sanctification of spirit, mind and body; and tangible holiness in thought, word and deed.

I say again: the Church of the Nazarene is no longer a Full Salvation, Holiness Church! Apostasy holds the reins and sits in the seat of authority.

On page 6 of Jason Bjerke’s dissertation, “Limited Inerrancy and It’s Issues”, he quotes the Board of General Superintendents lamenting the fact that  “The Christian Church has faced withering attacks from professed atheists without and the horrific challenges of scandal within.” – And the Board of General Superintendents wonders why? They have set the church up for future scandals that will be far worse than anything in their church’s history – unprecedented scandals, like have never been seen before.

The official policy instituted by the Board of General Superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene sets the denomination up for new and unparalleled scandals in the nation’s papers, tabloids, and evening news. The likes of Elmer Gantry, Amie Simple McPherson, A. A. Allen, Max Vollendorf, Jimmy Swaggart, the B.T.K. killer *(Sunday School Supt.), and “Reverend” Ted Haggard will shrivel and be downright insignificant in comparison!

– mlj.

www.nazarene.org/files/docs/Perspectives_Homosexuality.pdf

www.gcmin.org/veritas/v001:inerrancy.pdf

Additional References:

Irresponsible Christian College Leaders Allowing Normalization of Homosexuality

Homosexuality At Point Loma Nazarene University

Trevecca Nazarene President’s Response To The SoulForce Visit

Diverse? Yes. United And Strong? No

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:6

“We are united. We are diverse. We are strong.”

Those are some of the words of Dr. Stan Toler, General Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, which he wrote recently in a message titled “Unity Not Uniformity”.  What does that mean in the context of this article (see all of it at the end).   After reading it, I have come to the conclusion that it sounds nice, but the facts speak to a different reality.  Dr. Toler I’m sure is sincere in these statements, but the Church of the Nazarene is far from being united and strong.  Oh, it may be diverse, as we see all sorts of diversity around us today.  But united and strong?

Here are a few quotes pulled from the article, and my comments follow:

“Success in our mission to make Christlike disciples in the nations will require strong unity as a body of believers; yet unity does not mean uniformity.”

We reject the notion that we must be uniform in our expressions of worship or music or liturgy.Yet we have varying convictions. We refuse to rebuke one another for that which God has not condemned. And we respect the convictions of those with whom we disagree“

How can we be united when:

1. Emergent church ideology is breaking up local churches, and pastors who speak out against it are forced out, in a denomination that is claiming to be diverse.
2. Leaders at our seminary and other colleges are willingly joining hands with pagan interfaith groups and Roman Catholicism.
3. College professors are freely indoctrinating students with the heresy that God cannot know the future, and that He learns from His mistakes.
4. Pagan prayer labyrinths are now being used in Nazarene churches and at least one Nazarene university.
5. Professors who teach occultic Celtic spirituality are okay, but allowing ordination of pastors who believe in biblical inerrancy is not okay.
6. A prominent, radical, leftist “social justice” pastor who speaks at a homosexuality-promoting “Christian” festival continues to be rewarded, instead of being disciplined.  The same festival also was organized by Mike King, adjunct professor at Nazarene Theological Seminary.
7. Ashes to the forehead is promoted in a Nazarene devotional from Nazarene Publishing House; youth devotionals promote how to design your own prayer labyrinth, prayer beads, pilgrimages to interspiritual centers, and contemplative prayer ; Roman Catholic terminology and Lenten practices are making us look more like the Roman Catholics.
8. “Bible” study groups are more and more using books written by false teachers like Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen, Rick Warren and William P. Young, and less and less using… the Bible.
9. Centering prayer, practicing the silence, lectio divina, and other Eastern based prayer methods seeking to “experience God”, are taking the place of true biblical prayer.
10. Emergent Nazarene pastors praise Marcus Borg, who denies the atonement of Christ on the Cross; and they recommend the heretical novel The Shack as a great missional book for pastors; yet they disparage and insult those who believe in biblical inerrancy and the fundamentals of the faith.

I could give dozens of more examples, but I think I’ve made my point.

Dr. Toler said that we ought to refuse to rebuke fellow Christians for that which God has not condemned.  That’s not the problem.  The problem is, we are NOT rebuking those who are practicing and teaching that which God has condemned.

Yes, we are certainly diverse in the Nazarene church now, the evidence for that is solid.

But united and strong?  Tell me, how is that possible?  It is NOT possible to have unity with anyone who claims the name of Jesus, yet who does not live in obedience to His word.  This denomination is far from unified.

Manny Silva

nazarene.org | way of holiness | facebook | twitter | newsletter sign-up We are united. We are diverse. We are strong. We are making Christlike disciples in the nations. — Stan A. Toler Unity Not Uniformity By Stan A. Toler In one edition of Charles Schultz’s beloved Peanuts cartoon, the irascible Lucy demands that her little brother, Linus, change the television channel, threatening him with her fist to get him to comply. “What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?” asks Linus. “These five fingers,” says Lucy. “Individually they’re nothing, but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold.” “Which channel do you want?” asks Linus. Then he looks at his own fingers and asks, “Why can’t you guys get organized like that?” Success in our mission to make Christlike disciples in the nations will require strong unity as a body of believers; yet unity does not mean uniformity. One Faith, Many Expressions We are a Christian church. Our faith is placed in a single source for salvation—the Lord Jesus Christ. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NIV). Yet we may honor our Lord in a variety of ways. We reject the notion that we must be uniform in our expressions of worship or music or liturgy. There is room in the Body of Christ for every people, every language, and every culture. One Passion, Many Convictions We are a holiness church. We are united in our hunger to experience the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to live new, victorious lives. Yet we have varying convictions. We refuse to rebuke one another for that which God has not condemned. And we respect the convictions of those with whom we disagree, making “every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19, NIV). One Mission, Many Contexts We are a missional church. We are united in our purpose to make Christlike disciples in the nations, and we pool our resources in this pursuit. Yet we live and minister in diverse settings. We understand that a variety of methodologies and strategies will be needed in order to make Jesus known to every culture, nation, and people. With the Apostle Paul, we have “become all things to all people so that by all possible means I [we] might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22, NIV). We are united. We are diverse. We are strong. We are making Christlike disciples in the nations. Colossians 3:11 reminds us that Christ is all! And it is this Christ who brings us together in message and mission. He alone is our inspiration. Fourth-century African bishop Augustine summed it up this way: The one who has Christ has everything. The one who has everything except for Christ really has nothing. And the one who has Christ plus everything else does not have any more than the one who has Christ alone. Our faith, our passion, and our mission are found in Him alone! We have a Board of General Superintendents’ radio program called The Way of Holiness. It is heard nationwide on OASIS network and Sky Angel (http://www.oasisnetwork.org/) every Monday through Friday. The program is one minute in length and features a different general superintendent each month. The podcast and previous programs can also be heard by visiting www.isaiah358.com. Please pass the good news to others. Permission is granted to use this BGS Leadership Newsletter in other church publications. These newsletters are not for resale.