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Voice of the Martyrs' Tom White's Death an Apparent Suicide Following Molestation Investigation
Christianity Today ^ | 4/20/2012 06:17PM | Jeremy Weber

Posted on 04/24/2012 9:32:38 AM PDT by robowombat

Voice of the Martyrs' Tom White's Death an Apparent Suicide Following Molestation Investigation Leader of prominent persecution ministry was being investigated by police on allegations of molesting a young girl. Jeremy Weber | posted 4/20/2012 06:17PM

This week's death of a prominent persecution ministry leader is now being described as a possible suicide in the wake of a molestation investigation by local police. Tom White, executive director of The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), was found dead Wednesday morning in a warehouse at the ministry's headquarters in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, according to Tulsa CBS affiliate News on 6. Court records indicate that Bartlesville police were investigating a molestation allegation against White, according to News on ...... Allegations were made to authorities this week that Tom had inappropriate contact with a young girl. Rather than face those allegations, and all of the resulting fallout for his family and this ministry and himself, Tom appears to have chosen to take his own life. None of those in leadership at VOM, including our board of directors, were aware of these allegations at the time of Tom's death. There is no doubt that Tom cared about his wife, his children and his grandchildren. And there's no doubt that he cared about VOM. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our hearts are broken. ......... White, 65, rose to prominence in persecution circles after releasing a 1982 memoir detailing his 17 months spent in a Cuban prison. He led VOM to solid growth over the past 20 years. "He admired persecuted believers who endured hardship and possessed an eternal perspective about their faith," Gary Lane, a former spokesperson for VOM now at CBN wrote this week. "Tom worked tirelessly to share their experiences with the world. He truly was a voice of the martyrs."

(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy; US: Oklahoma
KEYWORDS: christianpersecution; christians; suicide; tomwhite; voiceofthemartyrs
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To: johngrace
Let’s Pray and not Judge.

Worth repeating, so I did!

21 posted on 04/24/2012 10:44:30 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Ten the hard way.)
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To: GOPJ

Actually, Tom was accused of taking advantage of a young girl. Before i would pass judgment, I would like to know the age of the “young girl” and he past record of any such allegations.

We live in a country where once a woman makes the allegation, the guy is automatically judged guilty. And that’s not fair. Women today know that they can’t lose once they hurl the accusation. If they are proven wrong, everyone says “Ho, hum, well there must have been something to it.” And it they are proven right, they get to destroy their victim — even if they were willing an active participants in the liaison.

So, let’s not be too quick to judge. Today’s women and “young girls’ are not the chaste, virtuous beings of bygone days. Remember, today, more than any of us like to imagine start young and pride themselves on notching their bedposts. Most women who have children under age 30 in the US today have chosen not to marry first. The Kardashians are not ostracized; they are role models.


22 posted on 04/24/2012 10:52:05 AM PDT by hampdenkid
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To: Notwithstanding

Huh????? I don’t understand the need for a snarky comment over another’s death.


23 posted on 04/24/2012 10:56:43 AM PDT by Nifster
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To: GOPJ

“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone...”

John 8:7


24 posted on 04/24/2012 11:01:35 AM PDT by Darteaus94025
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To: GOPJ

Right. It is hard to feel sorry for a lowlife sinner.

Thank You, Lord, that I am not a lowlife like Tom White.

Luke 18:9-14


25 posted on 04/24/2012 11:08:29 AM PDT by old3030 (I lost some time once. It's always in the last place you look.)
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To: GOPJ

You might consider that this was an act of sin that does not reflect his character—the new man that was created when he first believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that he lived for many years.

If he did commit this terrible deed (it is still being investigated), it seems that he could not face the revealing of it and the consequences—to the girl, his family, his ministry; but you can be sure that he knew that God knows every single detail.

None of us can put ourselves in this man’s mind. If he was a true believer, he will suffer loss of reward in heaven, for every deed of every person—believer or unbeliever—is recorded and will be judged. That includes you and me.

The difference is that if he was a true believer he was accepted in the Beloved because of the shed blood and sacrifice of Christ, who redeemed him from all his sins—past, present, and future.

We have known and supported VOM for many years and are heart broken over this. We pray for this young girl, her family, Tom White’s family and VOM.

Reading all the comments that have been made from unbelievers and what they think of “Christians” is heartbreaking too, and also shows Satan’s power over the world—he is the god of this world for a little while longer, but when Jesus returns, he will be bound for 1000 years and then thrown into the lake of fire. So says the Bible.


26 posted on 04/24/2012 11:11:40 AM PDT by TurkeyLurkey
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To: hampdenkid

“I would like to know the age of the “young girl” and he past record of any such allegations.”

It is reported that she is 10 years. old.


27 posted on 04/24/2012 11:14:38 AM PDT by TurkeyLurkey
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To: Tax-chick
Photobucket

Yes! I also contribute to this ministry for many years. I am not ignorant of what they do. I have Sky Angel. Christian Internet protocol TV which has many channels of Denominations or Indy church. I use to see the INFO commercials for This ministry.

Truly showing the real suffers of being a Christian. Brave christians who keep the faith to be tortured or to the death. I pray for all.

Amen!

28 posted on 04/24/2012 11:25:37 AM PDT by johngrace (I am a 1 John 4! Christian- declared at every Sunday Mass , Divine Mercy and Rosary prayers!)
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To: TurkeyLurkey
Photobucket

"The difference is that if he was a true believer he was accepted in the Beloved because of the shed blood and sacrifice of Christ, who redeemed him from all his sins—past, present, and future."

Sorry!

I just prayed about this Quote! I have to post.

FUTURE?

No Way!

If He asked for Forgiveness while dying? Yes. He truly meant it. He can be forgiven! But in No way does Christ Give a license for abuse or killing.

It is this kind of Garbage that inspires this Man.

GEORGE SODINI

(Health Club Mass murderer)

THE POSTER-CHILD FOR ETERNAL SECURITY

By Jeff Paton

On August 4th, 2009, 48 year old George Sodini shot 9 people in a Pittsburg Pennsylvania health club. At the time of the writing of this article (August 6th), four people had died to include George by his own self-inflicted gunshot wound.

George Sodini, mass murderer and professed Christian Eternal Securist wrote; “Maybe soon, I will see God and Jesus. At least that is what I was told. Eternal life does NOT depend on works. If it did, we will all be in hell. Christ paid for EVERY sin, so how can I or you be judged BY GOD for a sin when the penalty was ALREADY paid. People judge but that does not matter. I was reading the Bible and The Integrity of God beginning yesterday, because soon I will see them.”

My friends, this is the true fruit of the doctrine of Eternal Security! Few Eternal Securists would be consistent and say that George was in the loving arms of the Savior as we speak, enjoying paradisiacal bliss! The ever-present cop-out of “He was never saved in the first place,” will be the majority mantra of those who cannot accept the inevitable outcome of their own false doctrine, which was so accurately quoted by George Sodini!

If the doctrine of Eternal Security is true in the least, George would be consistent and correct in his conclusions and his actions! Perhaps we cannot any longer be critical of Islamic homicide bombers when we have here an equivalent with the endorsement of Christianity! Islam is a religion of hate and terrorism; only a brain-washed fool or utterly ignorant individual could deny it. But with George’s Eternal Security, what would make that brand of Christianity any different? Yes, we would not see Churches encourage murderous actions as Islam does, but what of the inevitable conclusion of the core doctrine that they teach? You see, George is correct in his application; if a Christian can get to heaven with a “little” sin because their penalty has already been paid, then nothing in this world or the next could possibly “unpay” the largest quantity sin, or even the worst quality of evil committed in the one who is Eternally Secure. Either Eternal Security is a free license to sin, or it is no Eternal Security at all! If the pseudo-"facts" of Jesus “paying for every sin” is true, then George Sodini will be waiting to greet us with open arms in heaven! If such actions as George’s murder spree are not gleefully covered, then Eternal Security is a myth, and proved to be a Hell-inspired doctrine. You can’t go half way with “payment” and Eternal Security. You can’t make any knowledgeable statement about George’s salvation, or say that he was not really saved, or "Eternally Secure" in his sins without destroying the whole doctrinal foundation of Eternal Security and its inevitable conclusions!

It will be astonishing, but predictable to watch the consistent "inconsistency" of Eternal Security believers as they insist that salvation is “unconditional,” while they create all kinds of “conditional” excuses to condemn this man to save their false doctrine! They must disconnect his actions and perfect application of their doctrine at all costs in order to try to save its reputation. What they don't seem to realize is, that by dismissing George as an unbeliever, they utterly deny the efficacy of Eternal Security, and establish a Biblical Conditional Security! Either a believer, such as George, can become unstable, and ultimately commit the most horrible crimes and be a truly "Eternally Secure" individual, or those that would condemn him must also in their consistency... damn every Alzheimer patient who "falls out of Christian character" as they suffer the ravages of that disease. Tell me my friend, does God give "Eternal Security" to the mentally ill and those who suffer mental breakdown? Even though they follow through with what your doctrine must completely justify, if it has any hope of being true?

The only possible good that can come from this man’s horrible sin is that people will actually wake up and evaluate the doctrinal nonsense that encouraged him to feel free to commit such a tragic atrocity in the first place! You can either take George’s side, or God’s side on this issue. Any doctrine that could create such a loophole for mass murder cannot possibly be the doctrine of a just God who does not offer any loopholes for salvation for anyone else! It makes no sense to proclaim that only those who believe in Eternal Security are given a pass for sin, and all others are relegated to be judged with the most precise and unbending vengeance of a Holy God!

George believed a LIE! George believed in Eternal Security! You can believe a human invention of “sins paid for” like George did, but the Bible never teaches this! You can believe the distortion that “Eternal Life does not depend on works” to mean, “Eternal Life has nothing to do with a person’s relationship to sin and sinning.” You can chose to believe all kinds of unbiblical nonsense at your own peril! George did you a favor by spelling it out for you! You can believe Eternal Security, or you can believe God. George loved his “doctrine” more than he loved God. Will you do the same?

http://eternalsecurity.us/

JUST LIVE THE LIFE PERIOD!

29 posted on 04/24/2012 11:51:53 AM PDT by johngrace (I am a 1 John 4! Christian- declared at every Sunday Mass , Divine Mercy and Rosary prayers!)
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To: johngrace

http://eternalsecurity.us/


30 posted on 04/24/2012 11:52:30 AM PDT by johngrace (I am a 1 John 4! Christian- declared at every Sunday Mass , Divine Mercy and Rosary prayers!)
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To: GOPJ

Do we know about others this guy may have “touched”?

In any event, he’s a coward for taking his own life in lieu of publicly coming to terms with his behavior.

It sounds like he did more good than harm, but we have to leave that for the biographers.


31 posted on 04/24/2012 11:53:15 AM PDT by cicero2k
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To: cicero2k
Do we know about others this guy may have “touched”?


32 posted on 04/24/2012 11:54:36 AM PDT by dfwgator (Don't wake up in a roadside ditch. Get rid of Romney.)
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To: TurkeyLurkey; johngrace

If Tom White molested a 10-year-old girl, or more than one child, then he committed a terrible sin. God knows the state of his soul; we don’t.

Thinking of the years I’ve been reading his pages in the VOM newsletter, I would say the main theme has been that he was inspired and challenged by the witness of persecuted Christians, to trust in God more completely and to serve more generously. I think anyone who is aware of the persecuted church would have to take away the same message ... and any personal sin of Tom White or anyone else doesn’t affect that in any way.

Everyone involved will be in my prayers.


33 posted on 04/24/2012 12:07:08 PM PDT by Tax-chick (Ten the hard way.)
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To: Nifster

It is not snarky unless it also snarky when it is posted on threads about Catholic clergy.

So, what do you think?


34 posted on 04/24/2012 12:09:01 PM PDT by Notwithstanding (Christ Jesus Victor, Ruler, Lord and Redeemer!)
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To: GOPJ
Pity the idiots who fell for his phony piety all those years. They have some soul searching to do...

YOu underestimate the deceitfulness of sin. Every time I read of an exposure of a person's sin like this, I try to pray, There but for the grace of God am I.

35 posted on 04/24/2012 12:13:56 PM PDT by don-o (He will not share His glory and He will NOT be mocked! Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.)
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To: old3030

Well played.

No, masterfully played!


36 posted on 04/24/2012 12:16:26 PM PDT by don-o (He will not share His glory and He will NOT be mocked! Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.)
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To: don-o

The devil disguises sinful choices to be attractive - to seem like the good things to which we are rightfully attracted.

“There but for the grace of God...” indeed.


37 posted on 04/24/2012 12:20:11 PM PDT by Notwithstanding (Christ Jesus Victor, Ruler, Lord and Redeemer!)
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To: johngrace

“But in No way does Christ Give a license for abuse or killing.”

You are reading quite a bit into what I said. Never would I, or any other true Christian, say such a thing.

Secondly, there are plenty of Bible verses that say ALL
believers’ sins are forgiven—which means ALL—past, present, and future because of being in Christ and being redeemed from sin and death.

One of the best know is in 1 John:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from ALL unrighteousness.

Colossians 1:13-14, For He DELIVERED us from the doman of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

~Neither our redemption nor the forgiveness of sins is forfeited when we sin, because IT IS ETERNAL.— we are to live a life of repentance when we sin; in other words, we are to confess our sins [1 John 1:9] and repent (turn from) them as a way of life.~

More verses:

Colossians 2:13, And WHEN You WERE DEAD in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having FORGIVEN us ALL OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, 14 having CANCELLED OUT the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us, and He has TAKEN IT OUT OF THE WAY, having nailed it to the cross.

~Jesus is my certificate of debt—eternally.~

Ephesians 1:7, In Him we HAVE redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, 8 which He lavished upon us.

Taking an Old Testament example, David, the king of Israel, knew the One true living God since he was a youth. As an adult one night he snuck around and took another man’s wife and then murdered the woman’s husband, who was a loyal warrior under him. His confession of sin when Nathan the prophet condemned him is recorded in Psalm 51.

God forgave him of his transgressions, his sins, his iniquities, yet there are other Psalms written by him that are about forgiveness of transgressions and the joy of redemption and ongoing deliverance.

I can only hope that Tom Whte asked forgiveness for his sin before he died, if he did this thing; no one knows what was in his mind.

But I know that the Bible is full of statements that all our sins are forgiven because our redemption was secured forever at a moment in history, at the cross.

And I know that whatever sins I commit in my life are to be confessed and turned from so that I can enjoy fellowship with my Lord—because when I believed in Him, he gave me a new heart and a new spirit, and made me a new creation, a new man, in Christ, and all that He secured for me can never be forfeited.

And this is true of all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.


38 posted on 04/24/2012 12:43:35 PM PDT by TurkeyLurkey
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To: Tax-chick

“and any personal sin of Tom White or anyone else doesn’t affect that in any way.”

Yes, I totally agree, and that is why, in addition to the pain of the sin itself and the young girl, and his family, there is the pain in knowing that even though there shouldn’t be, there will be repercussions for VOM, which has ministered to persecuted Christians and others all over the world for over 30 years. His introductory articles in the magazine were always a voice of compassion and care and encouragement to participate in prayer and ministry to persecuted belivers.

It is heart breaking that if this is true, he allowed himself to be ensnared by the devil and then could not seem to face the awfulness of what he did, and death seemed the only way out.


39 posted on 04/24/2012 12:56:11 PM PDT by TurkeyLurkey
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To: TurkeyLurkey

Thanks. Missed that. If the charges are true, that is clearly beyond the pale, even in our promiscuous society.


40 posted on 04/24/2012 1:25:19 PM PDT by hampdenkid
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