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How To Shrink Your Church In One Easy Step
The Aquila Report ^
| 24Aug14
| Alexander Griswold
Posted on 08/24/2014 12:21:56 PM PDT by ReformationFan
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To: ReformationFan
since people who are promiscuous or active homosexuals rarely enter the inner space of any respectable church, I fail to see how liberalizing the rules of morality will cause them to suddenly come back to church.
21
posted on
08/24/2014 1:52:59 PM PDT
by
Gumdrop
(~)
To: Popman
Wouldn’t be Methodist, would it?
22
posted on
08/24/2014 2:04:15 PM PDT
by
matthew fuller
(Demonazi's are openly marching us (Jews, Christians, Conservatives) double time to Holocaust II.)
To: matthew fuller
23
posted on
08/24/2014 2:25:59 PM PDT
by
Popman
(Jesus Christ Alone: My Cornerstone...)
To: af_vet_1981
24
posted on
08/24/2014 2:31:00 PM PDT
by
onedoug
To: Popman
In most denominations, I believe, preaching is on scripture. In my church most every Sunday it is the Gospel reading. The sermon is supposed to be a bridge explaining how scripture written more or less 2000 years ago can be applied to life today. The Gospels which are the biographies of Jesus don’t easily go into social issues - but in living a righteous life. It speaks to me.
25
posted on
08/24/2014 2:50:03 PM PDT
by
elpadre
(AfganistaMr Obama said the goal was to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-hereQaeda" and its allies.)
To: ReformationFan
we already saw the stats that showed Chrstians accepting “gay marriage” end up acceping abortion, pornography and every other deviancy.
26
posted on
08/24/2014 3:00:10 PM PDT
by
GeronL
(Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
To: ReformationFan; x_plus_one; Patton@Bastogne; Oldeconomybuyer; RightField; aposiopetic; ...
+
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:
Add me / Remove me
Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of general interest.
27
posted on
08/24/2014 3:05:36 PM PDT
by
narses
To: KoRn
28
posted on
08/24/2014 3:14:19 PM PDT
by
GeronL
(Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
To: ReformationFan
Some Episcopalian churches have done so. Saw it with my own eyes.
To: af_vet_1981
By your logic, the
Founding Fathers believed in something akin to Sharia Law. Such a statement is imminently foolish.
Legislation against Sodomites is a Judeo-Christian value, values which our nation was founded upon (and was confirmed by the Supreme Court in one of its more reasonable decisions, the decision of Holy Trinity v. United States (1892)). It would be one thing if only a small subset of historical Christendom advocated for such legislation, but that's simply not the case. The Bible and the majority of Christendom has long advocated for capital punishment against Sodomites; the recent Christian trend against doing so is due to rejection of Christian values in favor of libertine values.
The rejection of Christian norms (i.e. rejection of classroom prayer, the establishment of the Lemon Test, the so-called "sexual revolution", etc.) is directly responsible for and directly coincides with the rise of the entitlement mentality and the empowerment of regulators in the 1960s. If we allow secularism and its values (i.e. sodomy) to flourish, society shall surely collapse.
The parable you cite does not apply to the moral law so clearly laid out in the OT (of course, the NT rendered the civil law and ceremonial law moot, and the parable Christ gives seems to reference this). Sodomy clearly falls under the same category as the 10 commandments. If we simply take the parable at face value without considering the rest of Scripture, we would be forced to do away with pedophilia laws as well.
30
posted on
08/24/2014 4:35:23 PM PDT
by
Objective Scrutator
(All liberals are criminals, and all criminals are liberals)
To: Popman
My wife and I decided last week to leave the church we have been attending for about 5 years...
Not so much because of the sexuality and homosexuality issues...
The pastor never preached against these issues...or for them...probably concerned he would offend some members...
We left because of the milquetoast preaching...I understand what you're saying.
There are only .5% - 1.5% of the population who claim to be homosexual, so that sin would be rare. The MORE ordinary sin would be fornication and adultery.
There aren't many heroin users so THAT sin is kind of rare. The more ordinary sin is over-eating, drinking too much and such.
I did hear a sermon about our bodies being the "temple of God" and thus must treat it as such.
The OTHER more common sins, mean spirits, lying, cheating, malicious gossip...are addressed. MOSTLY I get Jesus as the example in the New Testament.
It's all good stuff.
The story about the men on their way to stone an adulteress was so good. "You without sin, cast the first stone." And to the woman: "Go and sin no more."
THOSE stories mean more to me than the sad sack homosexuals who DECIMATED themselves with AIDS.
Just a thought, o milqutoast-preaching disliker. :o)
To: Objective Scrutator
What the Father of our country thought of sodomites. But I guess the Kenyan clown knows better.
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/george-washington-drummed-out-soldier-infamous-crime-attempted-sodomy
Back in 1778, at Valley Forge, however, Gen. George Washington approved the dismissal of a soldier for attempting to commit sodomy, with abhorrence and detestation of such infamous crimes, according to Washingtons papers at the Library of Congress.
Washington (1732-1799) was the leader of the Continental Army in Americas revolutionary war against Britain and served as the first president of the United States and thus as its first Commander in Chief of the armed forces and the militia, as stipulated in the Constitution. Valley Forge, in eastern Pennsylvania, was the site for the Continental Armys military camp during the winter of 1777-78.
On Mar. 10, 1778, at Valley Forge, Gen. George Washington approved the dismissal from service of Lt. Frederick Gotthold Enslin for attempting to commit sodomy with another soldier.
In the first presidents papers at the Library of Congress is a series of orders with the title, Head Quarters, V. Forge, Saturday, March 14, 1778. It includes the following entry,
At a General Court Martial whereof Colo. Tupper was President (10th March 1778) Lieutt. [Frederick Gotthold] Enslin of Colo. Malcom’s Regiment tried for attempting to commit sodomy, with John Monhort a soldier; Secondly, For Perjury in swearing to false Accounts, found guilty of the charges exhibited against him, being breaches of 5th. Article 18th. Section of the Articles of War and do sentence him to be dismiss’d the service with Infamy.
His Excellency the Commander in Chief [George Washington] approves the sentence and with Abhorrence and Detestation of such Infamous Crimes orders Lieutt. Enslin to be drummed out of Camp tomorrow morning by all the Drummers and Fifers in the Army never to return; The Drummers and Fifers to attend on the Grand Parade at Guard mounting for that Purpose.
Enslins dismissal came less than two weeks after another soldier, Ensign Anthony Maxwell, was acquitted of the charge of propagating a scandalous report prejudicial to the character of Lieutt. Enslin on Feb. 27, 1778, according to the transcription of the court martial dated Mar. 3, 1778.
The document reads: At a Brigade Court Martial whereof Colo. Burr was President (Feby. 27th. 1778,) Ensign Maxwell20 of Colo. Malcom’s Regiment tried for propagating a scandalous report prejudicial to the character of Lieutt. Enslin.21 The Court after maturely deliberating upon the Evidence produced could not find that Ensign Maxwell had published any report prejudicial to the Character of Lieutt. Enslin further than the strict line of his duty required and do therefore acquit him of the Charge.
His Excellency the Commander in Chief approves the aforegoing sentences and orders Ensign Maxwell to be discharged from his Arrest
the transcription states.
The two following notes are also provide in the document at the Library of Congress.
32
posted on
08/24/2014 4:56:56 PM PDT
by
NKP_Vet
To: ReformationFan
Ask J.C. Penney’s just how successful you can be catering to the 1.5% and ignoring the 98.5%.
33
posted on
08/24/2014 6:06:42 PM PDT
by
Some Fat Guy in L.A.
(Still bitterly clinging to rational thought despite it's unfashionability)
To: elpadre
So the woman taken in adultery was not a social issue and the woman at the well also? That was all Yeshua spoke about was how sin broke the person and also the nation. Everything in Torah and spoken by the Master was about today and everyday for two thousand years. If you want to shrink the church step away from there 501c tax break. You can not serve two masters as you will love one and hate the other. Give onto Rome that which is Rome’s and onto G_D that which is G_Ds. Sounds social to me.
34
posted on
08/24/2014 6:45:03 PM PDT
by
lostboy61
(Lock and Load and stand your ground!.)
To: KoRn
“Does a significant number of the population even still go to a church? I stopped going years ago for personal reasons, and it was also rather monotonous/boring anyway. It would be great if one could go and just listen to a message for an hour, but theres all of the socializing, handshaking, and singing that I dont care for.”
At least you are honest about wanting to just be entertained at church and not wanting to fellowship with other believers. Just watch Joel Olsteen and everything will be fine.
Imagine the success of the first century had they done their disciple building by not interacting with each other. Or are you possibly not into making new disciples?
To: Blue Collar Christian
“...but theres all of the socializing, handshaking, and singing that I dont care for.
Yea, who would want to socialize with other who believe as them. That’s just crazy!
A cardboard box in Montana awaits you.
To: Objective Scrutator
By your logic, the Founding Fathers went against Scripture in rebelling against the British government, primarily because they objected to the taxation policies of said authority.
Are you willing to advocate capital punishment for everyone who commits any sexual sin, such as looking at pornography ?
37
posted on
08/24/2014 8:03:47 PM PDT
by
af_vet_1981
(The bus came by and I got on, That's when it all began)
To: af_vet_1981
Jesus was a
capitalist, and would have endorsed the Founder's revolt against the British. "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's" is if anything a capitalist statement, precisely because the profits one makes off of one's labor and land do not belong to Caesar. If you plan on citing Romans 13:1-2, please continue to read verse 3, which clarifies that the only valid governments are those which are "terrors to evil" (clearly, liberal/socialist governments would not be recognized as legitimate by Scripture).
It's difficult to prosecute people who look at pornography in their homes without unduly invading their privacy. That being said, people have the right to live in a society without smut being shoved down their throats, and I would heartily endorse prosecution of anyone who publicly produces, distributes, consumes, or promotes such filth. One example of a good position is this one.
38
posted on
08/24/2014 8:30:02 PM PDT
by
Objective Scrutator
(All liberals are criminals, and all criminals are liberals)
To: Objective Scrutator
Jesus was a capitalist, and would have endorsed the Founder's revolt against the British. "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's" is if anything a capitalist statement, precisely because the profits one makes off of one's labor and land do not belong to Caesar. If you plan on citing Romans 13:1-2, please continue to read verse 3, which clarifies that the only valid governments are those which are "terrors to evil" (clearly, liberal/socialist governments would not be recognized as legitimate by Scripture).A capitalist in order to give to others; the currency belonged to Caesar, the soul belonged to God. It is folly to presume the LORD blessed rebels who killed so many of their countrymen over money, just as it would be folly to presume approval to rebel against the government now.
- And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
- Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
- Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
- Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
- And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
- After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
- For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
- But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
It's difficult to prosecute people who look at pornography in their homes without unduly invading their privacy. That being said, people have the right to live in a society without smut being shoved down their throats, and I would heartily endorse prosecution of anyone who publicly produces, distributes, consumes, or promotes such filth. One example of a good position is this one.
To be scriptural you must prosecute all the offenders, including the consumers. Death by stoning I presumably, like they do in Iran.
39
posted on
08/24/2014 9:26:47 PM PDT
by
af_vet_1981
(The bus came by and I got on, That's when it all began)
To: Henry Hnyellar
Did you read my whole post or just the quote I took from another FReeper to comment upon?
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