It’s been a while since a new post. All that has been posted is still in effect in the Church of the Nazarene. The denominational leaders continue to keep their heads in the sand as false teaching is abounding in the church. The seminaries continue to use material and resources that are written by Roman Catholics, mystics, and other false sources. A perceptible softening of views on homosexuality is evident in many churches. Yet, voices remain mostly silent. The church is learning very few lessons, and continues down the road to apostasy. But now we venture further into ill-advised decisions and pronouncements from the denomination’s General Superintendents.
These Generals have now spoken on the issue of President Trump’s directive for a temporary halt to immigration from seven countries that have been identified as dangerous, that are harboring or training terrorists that are bent on killing us. So, congratulations is in order! Their intended result seems to be to unite Christians and generate compassion, but they have succeeded in dividing and causing more rancor! They have managed to further divide a denomination which already has been divided for quite a while now.
What have they done now, you ask? They have decided, against what would be their better judgment, to turn yet again hard left on a political issue, instead of either keeping quiet about it, or at least remaining neutral. They chose NOT to remain neutral, nor to keep quiet as would have been the better option. They acted like they speak for all of us with the same view- and they DO NOT!
They have managed, in their statement, to give a hard slap in the face to many Nazarenes who are, like them, very concerned for the way this country has been going. Perhaps they assumed that we all will fall lock step with them. They are wrong, and they have made a terrible mistake in judgment-again. Why did they give this statement? What was the motivation? Was it to gain favor in the world of the left, so they all can see how “compassionate and just” the Church of the Nazarene is? Was it to make sure the liberals of the world understand that the Nazarenes are not mean spirited or heartless?
Where was their concern over the last few years when Christians were being systematically wiped out by ISIS, and there was no effort by the Obama administration to help those refugees? Where were they, and where were their voices to demand that those refugees be helped at all? I don’t recall, do you? It seems to me a bit of hypocrisy here. Perhaps your calls for compassion should have started with the Christians who have been persecuted for years, and compassion for the safety of the people of our country.
We as Christians want everyone in the world to be as safe as possible, and to live a good life. But we also have a real concern for our families and our country first. These Generals don’t seem to understand at all that we are under a tremendous threat worldwide, that we don’t want to easily allow anyone to enter this country, because that person who slips through could very well be the next terrorist to kill dozens of our own people. They don’t get it, and instead they have made a statement that will bring great damage within the church.
The only way to fix this is for them to repent, apologize for putting out this very divisive statement, and turn their attention to what they have been neglecting for so long: false teachings in the church. Maybe then they will get some respect from me.
The following comment made by a long time Nazarene on their website post speaks for me, and probably many others:
“I’ve read your post with great interest and find myself baffled by this stand you have taken. This country has been marching toward disaster and Godlessness for the past 8 years at an accelerated pace. Finally we have a leader who wants to turn things around and go toward the right and this is the best you can do? Why couldn’t you come out and praise him for his support for Israel instead?
I see a great problem with welcoming all these people into this country without knowing much of anything about them. Have you and all these folks that are praising your stance forgotten 911? We can’t just let people into this country who want to destroy it. Our own liberal Americans are doing a fine job at that without any outside help. The church that I have been a member of for 67 years and the general superintendents who I hold in highest regard have disappointed me to the very core of my heart. I’m loving and compassionate and am all for “legal immigrants” coming into this country if they are truly seeking to be Americans and adapt American ways. I will say in conclusion, America, love it or leave it and America, love it or don’t come here in the first place and God bless America.”
Link to the Board of General Superintendent’s statement and comments:
FULL STATEMENT HERE:
In light of recent executive orders issued in the United States and decisions by other world governments regarding the status of refugees, the Board of General Superintendents for the Church of the Nazarene urges governments everywhere to quickly put into place systems whereby eligible and legitimate refugees can find refuge and safety in our countries. Further, we urge the President of the United States, Congress, and other state departments to make this temporary order a matter of urgency so that the United States may continue to be known as a nation of compassion and hospitality to those who are oppressed, vulnerable, and marginalized.
We echo our statement from November 2015, when significant global immigration in many nations compelled us to speak clearly and biblically to this challenging topic, inviting all Nazarenes to express Christian love to immigrants who live among us:
The Hebrew word, gēr, and the Greek word, xenos, can be defined as “immigrant.”
“If an immigrant dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The immigrant who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:33–34, NKJV). Our Lord quoted, “Love him as yourself,” as part of the Greatest Commandment!
Jesus said: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was an immigrant and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35, NIV).
“Do not forget to show hospitality to immigrants, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels” (Hebrews 13:2, NIV).
While we recognize the complexity of immigration laws in various nations, the Board of General Superintendents calls on Nazarenes around the world:
- To treat immigrants with love, respect, and mercy.
- To participate sacrificially in local, national, and global compassionate ministry responses to assist refugees and immigrants.
- To encourage their respective governments to approve equitable laws that will allow for family reunification, legal work permits for productive immigrants in the workforce, and pathways for undocumented immigrants to be able to obtain authorized immigrant status.
- To follow the clear biblical mandate to love, welcome, assist, evangelize, and disciple the immigrants near us.
–Board of General Superintendents
Former Nazarene 