By Jason Charles on 12/21/2015 (8 years 350 days ago) Theology & Religion
It is no secret the liberal media is constantly on the prowl to paint Christians as hypocritical adherents to an irrelevant, bigoted and unreasonable faith. One thing is for certain in this day and age they never miss an opportunity to seize upon a story or headline that can tarnish the good name of anyone who identifies with the God of the Bible and the Christian faith. As true as this statement is, it is the church's capitulation to the world's standards that has caused the most damage to the Christian faith and the church. It is the church itself that is culpable for the lack of influence and authority in our culture seeing they have changed and perverted time tested truths and doctrines prescribe by God through his word. Instead of changing the world to conform to the truth of scripture, the church has adjusted its teaching and doctrines to fit with worldly traditions and trends.
Here is a list of the top ten most cringe worthy headlines from within the American church in 2015 in no particular order.
TD Jakes Say's Church is "Evolving" on Gay Marriage Issue (Christian News)
"Jakes said that he thinks homosexuals should find congregations that affirm their lifestyle.
“LGBT’s of different types and sorts have to find a place of worship that reflects what your views are and what you believe like anyone else,” he outlined.
“The church should have the right to have its own convictions and values; if you don’t like those convictions and values [and] you totally disagree with it, don’t try to change my house, move into your own … and find somebody who gets what you get about faith,” Jakes added."
Some one needs to point out to T.D. Jakes that the Bible says that God, and God's word is unchanging, and that anyone who attempts to deviate from the time tested Biblical truth's will wither away like the grass of the field.
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8
Pastor Creflo Dollar asks 200,000 followers for $300 each to fund Private Jet purchase(Christian Post)
"Creflo Dollar Ministries, said in a strongly worded statement that the organization will acquire the luxury multimillion dollar Gulfstream G650 jet they tried to raise $65 million to purchase through a short-lived crowdfunding campaign that sparked public outcry in March. The ministry shut down the crowdfunding campaign asking 200,000 of its international supporters to donate $300 each in March to purchase the aircraft that reportedly had billionaires waiting in line to purchase one last year."
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"We plan to acquire a Gulfstream G650 because it is the best, and it is a reflection of the level of excellence at which this organization chooses to operate.
Did anyone bother to ask what the standard Jesus Christ set in regards to ministering the Gospel? Well I can assure you he didn't even own his own donkey much less a Gulfstream G650. The Gospel is shared heart to heart. The means in which someone comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ is not reliant on a means of travel as Creflo Dollar makes it out to be in his above statement.
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Luke 9:58
Texas faith leaders support Planned Parenthood funding (Baptist News)
"An open letter signed by 53 progressive clergy protested the exclusion of Planned Parenthood from Medicaid.
“United in our shared commitment to justice and religious freedom, we affirm the right of all women across Texas to make their own health care decisions,” said the letter organized by Just Texas, a project of the Texas Freedom Network. “Eliminating Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood denies women and families that freedom and leaves many of our state’s most vulnerable women without access to basic health care.”
Formed after the Texas Legislature adopted one of the nation’s most restrictive anti-abortion laws in 2013, Just Texas believes women, and not politicians, should be the decision-makers when it comes to their own reproductive health and that access to comprehensive and affordable reproductive health services “is a moral and social good.”
In Psalms 139 David praises God, and recognizes that it was God who is the author of all life, that it was God who created him and knew and protected him even in his mother's womb. Apparently these 53 clergy members haven't read this Psalm. They feel God shouldn't be in the womb protecting and establishing a child, and that God is violating the rights of the mother when he involves himself in the process of conception.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalms 136:13-14
Joel Osteen Publishes book evoking the Name of God as a part of his prosperity gospel (Deseret News)
“When I spoke this message a few years ago, I remember that this concept was very well-received,” Osteen told Parade magazine. “The principle is that whatever follows ‘I am’ will eventually find you. You’re handing it an invitation, opening the door and giving it permission to be in your life.”
Video Interview about the book
Two things here, A) he admits that he preaches and writes on topics that are "well-received" negating any true hard hitting message of truth. And B) God told Moses to remove his shoes in His presence when he gave his name as "I AM." That name is never to be used as some sort of New Agey, Law of Attraction, hokey, feel-goodism centering around what God can do for us. God used this name to tell Moses what Moses was going to be doing for Him. Without God we are nothing, without the Cross we are nothing, this is one message that is totally lost on this guy. These statements mirror exactly what his wife Victoria said in 2014 when she said, "I just want to encourage everyone of us to realize when we obey God, we're not doing it for God – I mean, that's one way to look at it – we're doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we're happy." (WND)
The summation of Joel Osteen's prosperity Gospel is God is a genie, now buy my book so he can say "I AM... Rich"
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Luke 6:20-24
Man proposes to his boyfriend in Texas Methodist Church, Receives standing ovation from the congregation (End Times Headlines)
"Trevor Harper, 36, and Davis Covin, 30, who live in Austin, have been dating since 2006 and have been proud and active members of the First United Methodist Church of Austin for the past two years. Mr Harper said the support they have received has been a huge blessing to their relationship, especially as a gay couple in Texas. ‘That church has been, for us, really the first time we have really been able to live out loud as a couple,’ he told BuzzFeed News."->> Watch proposal video and standing obviation by church
Gay Marriage is the opposite of what God intended for marriage, therefore it is outright rebellion towards God and how he created us. In no way shape or form should this church be applauding these two sodomites, they need to be counseling toward the reconciliation and repentance of this sin, and if they refuse to accept God's laws and stance on this matter then they need to be removed from the church.
Sexual immorality is addressed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 5, I suggest this church read it carefully knowing full well God will not tolerate rebellion whether it be in the angelic or on the human plane.
Megachurch's 'Star Wars' Event Has 'Darth Santa,' Han Solo Pastor Delivering Sermon (Christian Post)
"Liquid Church lead pastor Tim Lucas told The Christian Post earlier this week, "We're telling the story of Christmas from Revelation 12, which is very different than Matthew or Luke. Revelation 12 kind of gives you a glimpse of the cosmic combat behind the stars, and so we're kind of using 'Star Wars' as a tie-in to represent that."Lucas told CP that he expects 9,000 people to attend Cosmic Christmas Eve. The church has hosted 12 Days of Star Wars Christmas, which began Dec. 6, to lead up to the release of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." This Sunday, the pastor is expected to dress as Han Solo during his weekly message."
Marketing 101 says to take your boring run of the mill product and tie it to something mainstream and popular to build brand appeal, such as a bikini model, a band, or in this case a movie. Apparently the Gospel story is not exciting enough so movie tie-ins are the latest craze among megachurch's this season. I love how James equates friendship with the world to spiritual adultery, because that is exactly what it is in the eyes of God. Someone better get this verse in the hands of Pastor Tim Lucas.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4
After same-sex wedding, Baptists convention leaders sever ties with Greenville church (Greenville Online)
“South Carolina Baptist Convention leaders have expressed heartbreak over the decision, will continue praying for Augusta Heights Baptist Church and have left the door open for church leadership to repent and embrace Biblical teaching on marriage and sexuality, which is expressed in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.”
This is the first time the Greenville Baptist Association has had to disaffiliate over the issue of gay marriage, Phillips said.
As of now, the Pastor who performed the gay-marriage ceremony has not expressed repentance. Not sure where his convictions towards gay marriage comes from because it certainly doesn't come from the Bible no matter how he tries to spin it in the original article.
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20:13
Church offers tattoos during Sunday services (KMBC 9 News)
Pastor justifies having a tattoo artist tattoo a congregant live on stage while he preached, saying, "many people want to get a faith that they can just wipe off and only use on Sunday and not use Monday through Saturday. Whereas when you get inked by God, it is permanent it ain't coming off."
Video Link
If there was a shock jock of the Christian world this guy is it. How is this even remotely appropriate in a church setting? He is what the Bible calls a fool. I am sure somebody said to him this is unwise but he didn't listen to sound advice and instead is infamously branded as a fool for all time as a result of mainstream news coverage of this event, news coverage he probably invited himself.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Proverbs 12:15
Apostate Church Now Hosting Drag Queen Gospel Festival Insisting God Is a Woman (Chrisma News)
"It is our way of demonstrating the radical welcome that we believe Jesus offered to all kinds of people—especially people exiled to the margins just for being the people God made them to be: queer or straight or a little bit of each, male or female or a little bit of each," Adams writes, emerging from his "Serenity" persona.
The Drag Gospel kicks off with a benefit concert and drag show to raise funds for the LGBT Asylum Task Force. Jones himself will perform at Club Cafe, along with other area drag queens and kings.
The main event, though, takes place during Sunday morning worship. Yes, we've moved from the club to the church with this perversion, which features Jones in full drag attire as the liturgist for the day."
God does not accept people as they are, this is a false doctrine. Without Christ, all men and women are dead in their sins. Meaning all men and women are going to hell, there is no accepting, just admonishment of the truth, something seriously lacking in this non-judgemental message by this Pastor.
"Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart." Ephesians 4:18
John Hagee's Ministry Responds to ‘Four Blood Moons’ Allegations (Charisma News)
Megachurch pastor John Hagee is not the "discoverer" of the pattern of blood moons, according to news reports from WND.
The Christian publication points to pastor Mark Blitz as the one who received the revelation and has sent a demand letter to Hagee. The letter asks for a public apology and re-edits for the film Four Blood Moons.
"We asked for two reasonable actions in a legal demand letter: a re-editing of the "Four Blood Moons" movie to remove the offending quotation from Hagee in which he suggested he had discovered the phenomenon; a clear unequivocal public statement that Biltz had, indeed, discovered the blood moons anomaly," said Joseph Farah, the publisher of Biltz's book and the producer of the movie version, wrote in a Sunday column. "But, so far, Hagee's representatives have declined even to discuss those demands. Instead, they have acted like the offended party, claiming WND and Biltz have mischaracterized the facts."
Can you imagine if Elijah and Elisha fought over who prophesied what, and threatened legal action against one another? It is bad enough that this Blood Moon prophecy crude didn't come to pass in September as was stated by these clowns. These two turned out to be the biggest, mega fear-mongering false prophets over this blood moon hysteria this last year, but this? The taking credit, stealing of ideas and suing over intellectually property boils down to nothing more than money. That is what John Hagee wanted when penning that book and that is what Mark Blitz wanted out of the legal demands. These two are as wicked as Jezebels false prophets, and as about as accurate!
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. Micah 3:11
Quite a year my Christian friends and readers, let us hope and pray that we with God's aid, and in the spirit of repentance and truth we begin to turn this trend of apostasy around. I know it grieves God through and through, how do we know that, he tells us in his word on multiple occasions in the Old Testament and New Testament how false religion is to be despised and opposed. God literally hates this kind of stuff, it is a blight on the Church.
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