Posted on 11/22/2010 11:55:39 AM PST by Zender500
The View may not be a model of clear thinking but it probably offers a pretty good view of current cultural thinking—what might better be called “feelthink.” A few days ago, Joel Osteen was on the show to help kick off the Christmas season, but Barbara Walters immediately ambushed him with a question about homosexuality. Not for the first time, the ladies began showing off their expertise in Christian ethics. Walters: What about this pastor in Georgia who recently came out as gay? Joy Behar: It’s terrible that people use the Bible to condemn gays because it leads to bullying. And these people didn’t choose the way they are. Whoopi Goldberg: Doesn’t God say, “Nobody can judge you but me”? What business do we have judging another person’s lifestyle?
Any truck could drive through the gaping holes in their logic. To Walters: Do the actions of one pastor disprove all of Scripture and church history? To Behar: Are you saying that homosexuals should be pitied, then, because they can’t help it? Would their behavior be worse if it were a choice? To Goldberg: In the same Scripture that says, “don’t judge” you’ll find an awful lot of judgments. If you just ignore the ones you don’t like, it sounds like you might be judging God—is that a spot you want to be in? Instead of jumping into the truck cab and turning the ignition, Pastor Joel tiptoed around the issue, insisting that his church welcomes everybody: “But there’s the Scripture that we can’t necessarily change.” For him that’s a strong statement, but he’d been put in an impossible situation.
How about something like this: “You know, Barbara, I was invited on the show to talk about Christmas, and believe it or not, this ties in. The Bible clearly says that homosexuals are sinners—no, wait a minute, let me finish. It also says, just as clearly, that I am a sinner and so are you. But Jesus came in order to take our sins upon himself and let God judge them by judging Him. If we accept God’s judgment on our character and behavior, and believe that Jesus actually did what He said He would do, then we’ll be forgiven. That’s what Christmas is all about.”
No unbeliever is going to be persuaded by logical argument against any sin. What he needs is to be changed, and the gospel is the change agent. High-profile pastors who appear on talk shows should consider how the Apostle Paul could turn a riot, a philosophical forum, or a prison stay into a gospel sermon. In a post-Christian age, that would be a knack worth learning.
American Christians mistakenly assume the goodwill of other citizens. American Christian leaders must prepare themselves for the potential of ideological battle at every public forum.
That’s the big problem I have with Osteen and Warren. They are in it for the money, plain and simple. A Christian Pastor, if for any reason was found in that same position, would have been a Christian Soldier and stood up for Christ. Instead, Osteen showed himself again to be lilly-livered and will be denied when his judgement comes.
This is not me speaking but the Truth that is within me.
In a forum where testifying to your faith is called for, I think the following is more applicable:
1 Peter 3:15- But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Personally, I am painfully aware and humbled by the fact that many, to me, obviously flawed messengers have nevertheless been used by the Lord to do greater things than I'll ever do.
The scripture, 1 Peter 3:15; instructs Christians to testify to the reason of the hope that lies within themself and to do so with gentleness and respect.
Even in disputes with Satan himself, it appears that judgement and vitrol are neither the behavior nor model recommended.
Jude 1:9
But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
With regard to messengers not in agreement with me and the "Truth that is within me" I try to remember the words of the Lord:
"for whoever is not against us is for us." Mark 9:40 (NIV)
Matthew Henry Commentary
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=41&c=9
Many have been like the disciples, ready to silence men who have success in preaching to sinners repentance in Christ's name, because they follow not with them. Our Lord blamed the apostles, reminding them that he who wrought miracles in his name would not be likely to hurt his cause. If sinners are brought to repent, to believe in the Saviour, and to live sober, righteous, and godly lives, we then see that the Lord works by the preacher.
I think the two bigest surprises in eternity will be:
1- The self assured who are missing, and
2- Those who didn't believe like me who are there.
Peace be unto you.
Thanks for your comment, sincerely. I have a question though, there are certain times in our lives where we have a chance to stand up for Jesus. I’m sure you’ve had those moments, as have I. Will He not deny us if we deny Him? I see being a Christian as more than a clean way of living as many wolves promote it to be.
I welcome you insight.
Okay, that’s “must pee” TV right there.
My understanding is that as a true Christian, acts of disobedience, denial, etc. are perpetually covered by the blood of Jesus unless and until the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and we resist His leading towards repentance.
Too often Christians are concerned with debating points not totally necessary for salvation. Humans have this insatiable desire “to be right”. Christian humans, too. We argue with a very unChristian spirit against family who have just a little different take on things. Or who haven’t yet grown to a place in the Lord that we have. And by our insistence to get them to believe the “Truth” our attitude drives them away from needed fellowship or back into sin. That’s why Paul taught that eating meat that has been sacrificed to idols is OK because the idols are lifeless, meaningless objects and strong Christians are aware of that ... But when in the presence of a weaker brother abstain.
I think it is better to “Stand up for Jesus” against the sin nature within ourselves first and then against the secular humanists who are rapidly extinguishing faith, in America rather than against family members whom we judge to not be fully in harmony with the “Truth”. One of my personal challenges in this regard is the wealthy televangelist who wants the little old lady to send her Social Security check to him and that’s the message that is the predominant one of his “ministry”. But if Christ is also preached enough that the lady is saved and comforted, I’ll swallow my objections and trust the Lord to work through his ministry in spite of the messenger.
That preacher will be responsible to the Lord Himself, for the rest.
I have the feeling that most of the time my tendency towards “righteous anger” comes too easily and that gentleness and humility with too much dificulty.
For me Micha 6:8 is an important guide:
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Peace be with you.
“They couldn’t find a CAIR representative to harass about homosexuality?”
If this forum suddenly announced that we were Mooselimbs and that we should start stoning gays, those three would have nothing to say!
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