The Coming Evangelical Divide

Keep Believing ^ | 17 June 2014 | Ray Pritchard

[Gamecock]

The evangelical movement is about to divide.

Nothing could be clearer.

It’s true that we have often disagreed over things like church government, views of the Second Coming, baptism, lifestyle habits, worship style and musical preference. But those differences, though deeply felt, were intramural debates over secondary issues.

This time we are going to divide over a primary issue.

It is isn’t just about homosexuality or even about gay marriage, though that is the most obvious factor. When all the cards are out on the table, it will be clear that we have divided over biblical authority. Some of us will say, "We accept the 2000-year-old teaching shared until recently by every branch of the Christian movement that God designed marriage for one man and one woman.” We will also say that all sexual activity outside of marriage is sin. And we will continue to insist that homosexual behavior is always sinful.

Evidently not everyone will agree with us. That includes some folks who graduated from our leading Christian colleges and seminaries.

For a variety of reasons, they will insist that the church has been wrong about this for 2000 years and that we must extend Christian fellowship to openly homosexual men and women. They must be allowed to join the church, sing in the choir, teach Sunday School, and if they are otherwise qualified, they could be chosen as deacons, elders and pastors.

As Al Mohler has recently insisted, there is no middle ground on this issue. We aren’t going to be able to paper over the difference or to "agree to disagree” as if this issue is like disagreeing on the timing of the rapture or whether or not we should sing more hymns.

This is a deal-breaker. Can’t we all just get along? No, we can’t.

The people who argue for full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the church are going to go one way, and the rest of us are going to go another. This will mean splitting denominations, leaving churches, and in some cases, it will divide families.

No one can be happy about the very real pain involved. But better that we should separate than stay together and pretend at a unity that does not exist.

A few years ago I would have thought that most evangelicals would stay true to the biblical teaching about marriage. Today I will hedge my bets on that issue. We hear seductive voices calling us to "rethink” our position while other influential leaders admit to "struggling” over this issue. Clearly those voices are having an impact.

But in one sense it doesn’t matter. The people who think it’s okay for two guys or two girls to get married and then come and lead Awana on Wednesday night will never be accepted by the rest of us.

We aren’t buying what they are selling.

Because our culture has shifted on this issue, the price for fidelity to biblical teaching is rising all the time. Christians who openly stand for one man-one woman marriage will face increasing opposition in the days to come. It may be that we will be the ones leaving some churches because we are the minority.

So be it.

The divide is coming and in some senses is already upon us. We all get to decide where we will stand.

You can’t straddle the fence forever. Pastor, you’ll have to take a stand. Church leaders, you’ll have to take a stand. Christian friend, you’ll have to take a stand.

Years ago I heard Don Cole say that "it is better to divide over truth than to unite around error.” He was right, and because of that we will soon be going in different directions.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Gamecock, you told me once or twice something about your moral code which I respect very much: you said (correct me if I'm wrong) that you don't prescribe oral contraceptives in your practice.

Now I have to ask you another question: are you a member of a denomination - church - faith community that teaches that OC's are OK? Or not OK?

[Salvation]

You are still a Catholic. Your baptismal and conformational marks do not leave your soul. You can come back at any time.

[roamer_1]

FWIW, evangelicals believe in Sola Scriptura. That means NO evangelical church will accept homosexual acts as acceptable. It also excludes much of Catholic theology, as any good Catholic ought to realize. But this thread is about evangelicals and pseudo-evangelicals, and how the latter are revealing themselves in their compromising of Sola Scriptura.

That's a fact... And I see this type of division to be very healthy - Protestants/Evangelicals/Pentecostals have the option of voting with their feet - 'Come out of her, my people' would seem to require feet.

[MrB]

Homosexuals are Christ’s “winnowing fork”, and indeed, He is separating the wheat from the chaff.

[Gamecock]

That is an interesting question and I think my answer will perplex some.

My church preaches the centrality of Jesus. We put very little out there, in writing, about most “social issues.”

That being said, the clear preaching of Jesus in all of Scripture is all of the schooling we need. My denomination is staunchly prolife. The pews are FULL of children who are cared loved by all. We believe that homosexuality is a sin, but that we who are straight are wretches too.

What is fascinating is the number of little Saints in our midst who were born with birth defects. It seems that people who truly bite off on the absolute sovereignty of God know that our denomination is the place for them.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Ealgeone: "The real question is how many will come to follow Jesus as Lord and only Jesus as Lord....not a church, not mary, not icons, etc. "

Here's the thing: I follow Jesus as Lord and only Jesus as Lord, and it's the Lord who tells me, in His Word, that He was building His church. Hmm. Where'd it go?

Jesus said if you have a dispute, you should take it to the Church. Which sorta implies you could find it, and it would have the authority to solve disputes.

Paul says the Church of God is the pillar and foundation of the Truth. That makes it kinda Biblically important, doesn't it? He wrote pages and pages on the Church. Was he on the wrong track?

Scripture also says all generations would call Mary "Blessed." I do. Don't you?

So it seems you've set up a false dichotomy: Jesus OR Jesus' Church, Jesus OR Jesus' Mother, and Jesus the Image (ICON) of the invisible God, OR Jesus' Icons.

The Church is described Biblically as Christ's s Body and also as His Bride. Why would you want to, or how could you, split Christ from His Church, or choose one but not the other?

It's not an either/or thing. It's Christ being All in All.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Gamecock, it is wonderful that you do not prescribe birth control pills in your practice; wonderful to hear of your pro-life commitment; and touching to think of the love and care shown to every little one born in your congregation, not just the planned, the perfect and the privileged.

God bless you all!

[dbehsman]

I hope the author demands this same fealty to the Scriptures in all matters.

And I hope the folks who support same sex marriage give the same respect to religious freedom.

But we all know how that's going to work, don't we?

(There are many church-going folks who think some questions must be answered by the Scriptures God gave us while others can be settled merely by a vote of men.)

(There are many secularists who can never tell me where the depravity is going to end, and how they're going to stop the downward spiral of depravity with only secularism)

[ealgeone]

Scripture also says all generations would call Mary "Blessed." I do. Don't you?

I agree....Scripture does call her blessed....but nothing beyond that.

[ealgeone]

“I would add that we need to address ALL forms of sin. It seems in our churches that we have our “favorite” sins to call out. These are the easy ones like homosexuality.” I don’t think that is the case at all. What I see is that calling adultery, lying, greed, etc sins is just not controversial. Everyone agrees that those are sinful, so churches are not dividing over the issue. Some churches have taken it upon themselves to declare that homosexuality is NOT sinful, so of course they have created a controversy over it.

good points.

[ealgeone]

and that rock was peter’s confession of Christ as Lord. Jesus is the cornerstone upon which the church is built...not a very, very fallible man. Which denomination or sect taught you that doctrine ? Paul confirms the holy catholic apostolic church is founded on the apostles and prophets of Israel, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. It is not founded on Peter's profession of faith, albeit the LORD chose Peter as his delegated shepherd. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

And that foundation would be what? Nothing but the Gospel. That's what Peter declared when he said Christ was the Son of the Living God. That's what the apostles were teaching. I agree they laid the foundation. A house under construction has to start somewhere. Christ is the cornerstone as you noted. The apostles, prophets and other built upon it. And today, you and I can continue to build upon that foundation by sharing the Gospel with those who are lost.

The Gospel isn't intended to be complicated as some make it.

[ealgeone]

What false teachings?

Praying to Mary as noted in the catechism...having icons of Mary and other "saints", the perpetual virginity of Mary, the assumption of Mary, Mary as the Queen of Heaven, mary as our advocate, helper, co-redemtrix, indulgences, purgatory, faith+ works, the papacy itself, papal infallability ....i could go on, but you get the idea.

[metmom]

Back to a church with known child rapists acting as priests with the blessing of the hierarchy?

No thanks.....

[metmom]

You are still a Catholic. Your baptismal and conformational marks do not leave your soul. You can come back at any time.

Catholic baptism and confirmation never mark the soul to begin with. That's simply a claim and power grab by a power hungry, control freak, organization which refuses to let go of those who, without any choice of their own, had Catholic baptism inflicted on them.

I am not a Catholic. My old self died. It was crucified in Christ and the live I now live in the body I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. Old things are passed away. All things are become new.

Catholics can rail all they want about how *once a Catholic always a Catholic* but that it from the pit. I'm free from bondage now and the RCC has no claim on me at all.

They do not own me. Jesus does.

[Mrs. Don-o]

The Old Testament tells us even more about Mary than the New Testament. And she's all over Revelation. But lots of people don't notice, because they don't know where to look.

This is worth your time.

YouTube Video on Mary in the Bible (LINK)

[LearsFool]

My hope is for the saving of souls, not denominations nor even nations nor cultures.

This nation claims to be a “Christian nation” (not even a Biblical concept) yet we see wickedness and disobedience against Christ at every turn. Many churches will stand with Christ only when doing so agrees with their aims, and ignore His commands otherwise.

Take the much-despised “Noah” movie, for instance. There was a great outcry demanding Hollywood adhere to the Scriptures. But where is the outcry that our PULPITS adhere to the Scriptures? Will we demand accuracy to the Bible from Hollywood atheists but not from ourselves?

The sexually depraved might win their battle for legal - and even social - approval of their perverted lusts. But when their wickedness-gone-wild drives souls to Jesus for refuge, I fall to my knees and thank God for the curses which bring people back to Him. THAT is the real victory!

[ealgeone]

Please tell me you’re not going with Mary as the new Eve in the Old Testament?

[kaehurowing]

The PCUSA is about to approve same-sex “marriage.”

Despite that, they claim they can achieve “reconciliation” between the two sides. http://www.layman.org/committee-recommends-ga-approval-measures-will-allow-sex-marriage-pcusa/

Of course that is impossible. A substantial number of churches are on their way out already, and many more will follow. The homosexuals and their supporters will be left with another smoking ruin of a denomination.

All because homosexuals demand that everyone must agree with their lifestyle, even though Scripture is clear it is a deadly sin and totally incompatible with being a Christian.

[Gamecock]

Not just congregation, but denominations.

We move every couple of years and look for conservative Reformed churches wherever we land.

I see this as typical in these denominations.

And thanks for reading. ;-)

[HarleyD]

You took the words right out of my mouth post.

In my mind I think there is no greater evidence that we're heading into the final chapter than the rise of this issue. This shouldn't even be an issue. I'm reminded of Aaron:

Exo 32:3 So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron.

Exo 32:4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!"

Exo 32:5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, "Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD."

We make God in our image and then we celebrate the Lord thinking this is pleasing to God.

Appeasement is the tool of the devil. We can't have God on our terms.