July-August 1998 News Archives
Distributed via e-mail by CNV News Service.. These articles may be used in any manner to the glory of God, and as an aid in the discernment of the times [Andy Neckar, CNV News Service, PO Box J, Hico, TX 76457
********************************************************************1. DOES AMERICA NEED FOREIGN MISSIONARIES TO EVANGELIZE HER?
2. CAN A CATHOLIC WIN PEOPLE TO JESUS?
3. Factoring the Factor
4. African Bishops Contending For Faith
5. Benny Hinn
6. Believers to Reconcile with Non-believers?
7. Rich Religions
8. Franklin Graham
9. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA HAS NEW SPIRITUAL HEAD
10. PROTESTANT BODIES APPROVE FULL COMMUNION' AGREEMENT
11. Reflections on the Immaculate Conception
12. TIME HAS RUN OUT FOR MOST CHURCHES
13. UMC Losing Members
14. Statistics on UMC Losses
15. United Methodists Launch Series of Anti-Racism Publications
16. Contemporary Worship Service: As Good as a Movie?***************************************************************
DOES AMERICA NEED FOREIGN MISSIONARIES TO EVANGELIZE HER?
An overwhelming majority of the world's Anglican bishops have strongly reaffirmed traditional Christian sexual morality. They declared Aug. 5 that homosexual practice is "incompatible with Scripture" and that the Bible teaches that sexual activity is prohibited except in marriage, the lifelong union of a man and a woman.Homosexuals should not be ordained as priests, and homosexual unions should not be blessed, according to the bishops' declaration adopted by a vote of 526-70 by leaders of the 73-million-member Anglican Communion. The declaration was made during the three-week Lambeth Conference, a once-a-decade gathering of Anglican leaders at the University of Kent and Canterbury Cathedral in the village of Canterbury, England, 58 miles southeast of London.
Traditionalist bishops said the vote signaled a return to biblical authority. The resolution was a "victory for the gospel" and will have "a strengthening effect on the faithful" in the United States Bishop James Stanton of Dallas said.
Liberal clerics from Western nations, including some leaders of the 2.4 million-member Episcopal Church had lobbied for the ordination of homosexuals as priests and the blessing of homosexual couples. Some have ordained homosexuals in dioceses such as Newark, N.J., where John Spong is bishop, and some Episcopal priests have quietly blessed same-sex unions in recent years.
The resolution "sought to justify its prejudice by appeals to the authority of Holy Scripture," Spong told a group of homosexuals and their supporters after the vote. "That tactic was employed in the church's attempt to justify slavery, segregation, and apartheid. It failed then. It will surely fail on this issue." Earlier in the conference, Spong angered African bishops by saying they are "more limited in their experience" and susceptible to "superstition." Bishop Catherine Raskkom of New York said the resolution "is not acceptable to me and my colleagues."
Bishop Alexander Malik of Pakistan condemned the "perversity" of homosexuality and asked if liberal bishops would come to the next Lambeth Conference, in 10 years, demanding permission to bless relationships between Anglicans and their "pets, dogs, and cats." Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma of Nigeria approached English cleric Richard Kirker of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement outside the meeting and tried to exorcise "the demons of homosexuality" from him. Kirker held Chukwuma's hand but said later that the Nigerian's actions amounted to "spiritual bullying," The Washington Post reported.
The vote marked a shift in leadership of the Anglican Communion away from declining churches in the West toward the growing churches in Africa, Asia, and South America, traditionalists said. Bishops from those countries -- many from fast-growing churches founded by missionaries during colonial times -- have moved to the forefront of the fight for traditional morality, overshadowing liberal bishops from Europe and the United States, where church attendance and membership are falling. [Excerpted from Religion Today 8/6/98]
[Editor] Wasn't it wonderful to see the black, Asian and oriental Church of England bishops castigating the white liberal bishops at the Lambeth Conference for their advocation of sodomy? Their line was this: "You came over to our countries and persuaded us to stop our heathen practices and to believe in the Bible. Now you want us to deny the Bible and return to heathen practices. Next you'll be telling us that it's okay to have sex with our animals". [Comment borrowed from Alan Morrison, Diakrisis U.K.]I have said this many times. I believe America is leading the world in the present apostasy. I believe America’s professing Christian community is leading the world back to Rome.
What blasphemous act is left for America to do? I believe this nation will soon turn her back on God’s chosen nation, Israel. Then will the anti-christ come, but JESUS CHRIST will come for the CHURCH before that.
Folks—it all boils down to this, JESUS IS COMING SOON
**************************************************************************CAN A CATHOLIC WIN PEOPLE TO JESUS?
Detroit lawyer and entrepreneur Mike Timmis is the new chair of Prison Fellowship International, the world's largest volunteer criminal-justice ministry. Timmis, a 58-year-old Roman Catholic, cofounded the Talon Corporation, a holding company. He will coordinate Prison Fellowship activities in 83 countries. He replaces founder Charles Colson, 66, who remains on the Prison Fellowship International board and will still be chair of the U.S.-based Prison Fellowship Ministries. "I have never met a man with a greater passion to win people to Jesus," Colson says of Timmis. (Christianity Today 7/13/98)[Editor] OK-see what I mean, you Chuck Colson fans? Does Colson wish to obey the God he claims to worship? That is-the God of the Bible-the Father of our Savior Jesus Christ.
If you have ANY discernment, you know that Catholicism is NOT Christianity. If you don’t know this, write me and I will explain to you FROM THE BIBLE why this is true.
Most of you know that I use the King James Version of the Bible, but it doesn’t matter WHICH BIBLE you use. They ALL will show you that Catholicism is not Christianity. The "New American Bible" (a Roman Catholic Bible) showed me. This Catholic Bible pulled me right out of the Roman Church. PRAISE GOD. (my testimony sent to those requesting it).
I said all that in order to say this: How can a Roman Catholic lead others to Jesus? They, themselves have a need to find the REAL Jesus. Why? THE JESUS OF THE ROMAN CHURCH IS NOT THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE. ("Can A Catholic Be Saved?" will be sent to those requesting it)
Would Charles Colson recruit Hitler to help relocate the Jews to the Promised Land? Makes about as much sense. THINK ABOUT IT..
P.S. Mike Timmis is also on the Promise Keepers board of directors.
*********************************************************************Factoring the Factor
MIAMI, Fla. -- Miami's Catholic-owned Mercy Hospital called off a proposed merger with Baptist Health Systems of South Florida because of disagreement over abortion policies. Mercy Hospital does not perform abortions, but one of the four Baptist hospitals does. Sister Elizabeth Anne Worley, chairwoman of Mercy's trustees, said abortion was" the only sticking point" in the merger. (IBNS 7/31/98)[Editor] Isn’t it strange that a hospital operated by a FALSE RELIGION will hold more morals than a CHRISTIAN run hospital will hold?
Isn’t it strange that DOCTRINE is not the dividing factor in this case, but MORALS are? Sometimes I have to remind myself, "what is this world coming to".
******************************************************************African Bishops Contending For Faith
Anglicans from developing nations understand the Scriptures differently than those from Western countries, they said. "When you talk about sin in certain places, it has ceased to exist," Bishop Alexis Bilindabagado of Rawanda said. "When you talk about repentance in certain places, it has ceased to exist." Flare-ups over homosexuality and euthanasia at the 1998 Lambeth Conference stemmed from fundamental differences in the understanding of the Bible, he said. The once every 10-year gathering of Anglican bishops concluded on Aug. 8. In the end, the church voted not to ordain practicing homosexuals or bless same-sex unions. The majority of bishops also voted against euthanasia, except in cases where nourishment is withheld from someone in a persistent vegetative state, Reuters said. More than 700 bishops from 22 national churches attended the conference. Most members of the Anglican Communion are from African churches and about 25 million Anglicans are in Nigeria and Uganda. The Church of England, the communion's founding body, has only 2 million members.[Editor] I realize that the Anglican Church is not a strictly New Testament church, but it sure does my heart good to hear of these African Bishops who contend for God’s Word. AMEN?
**************************************************************Benny Hinn
With simply the promise of miracle healings, televangelist Benny Hinn continues to pack stadiums around the world. Hinn's international ministry could bring in nearly $100 million this year. But detractors say his "miracles" are pure theater and lack proof. "I had dinner with Hinn one time and asked him to send his best documentation for healing," says Hank Hanegraaff, author of Christianity in Crisis. "He sent three, and we had them checked by our research and they were all bogus." Hanegraaff said Hinn sent x-rays of a cancerous tumor that was gone. "But upon further investigation we found it had been surgically removed, rather than miraculously healed" (Christian News, 7/6/98). (What in the World-Volume 23-Number 3)[Editor] Makes one wonder just how many REAL Christians are there. God’s Word says the elect would not be deceived. (Matt 24:24)
**************************************************************Believers to Reconcile With Non-believers?
Charismatic speaker Bob Mumford wrote an article on "Breaking Free from the Denominational Trap," published in Charisma (7/98). A picture with the article shows people coming out of a multitude of buildings, including a Jewish synagogue, a Roman Catholic cathedral, an Orthodox cathedral, and numerous other buildings. Mumford says the Father "wants us to be reconciled . . . as Jews and Gentiles, as Roman Catholics and Protestants." (What in the World-Volume 23-Number 3)[Editor] God’s Word does NOT say to be reconciled with un-believers. God’s Word says just the opposite. (2 Cor 6:14-17)
************************************************************************Rich Religions
Mormonism has 55,000 missionaries serving in 160 countries. Each Mormon missionary, on average, leads about six people each year to Mormonism (On Mission, 1998). The Mormon Church has doubled membership since 1981, with over 10 million members. The church produces an estimated $5.9 billion a year and has over $30 billion in assets, including 16 radio stations, a television station, a daily Salt Lake City newspaper, a book company, and Utah's largest department store chain. All these make Mormonism the largest financial religious enterprise in the U.S. outside of the Catholic Church (Calvary Contender, 7/1/98). (What in the World-Volume 23-Number 3)[Editor] I guess the third would be the Southern Baptist Convention, what with all their stock investments and their Annuity Board assets of near $7 billion. (Baptist Press 8/5/98) That’s 7 Billion with a capital B folks. Now that’s a lot of money.
***************************************************************Franklin Graham
Franklin Graham, Billy Graham's son and designated heir, held his first joint U.S. crusade with his father in Albuquerque, New Mexico, last May. The Associated Press describes Franklin's new style: "This isn't Billy Graham. The preacher is more likely to be dressed in jeans and cowboy boots and the choir sounds more like ZZ Top, the hard-rocking trio from Texas. . . . It's a message delivered with a little more glitter and a little less of the fire-and-brimstone that has made his father famous around the world. High-energy music and short sermons are more Franklin's style."Franklin Graham said about the crusade, "We're not having a church meeting here. I want to put on a show that people will enjoy" (Fundamentalist Digest, 5-6/98). (What in the World-Volume 23-Number 3)
[Editor] Do you think that people will enjoy hearing the REAL gospel of Christ? HUH? Do you? You think people will enjoy hearing that they are lost sinners doomed to an everlasting hell, and there is NOTHING they can PERSONALLY do about it, except to believe the gospel in faith?
If Franklin Graham puts on a show that people will ENJOY, exactly what does he preach? Something is missing folks. Sure—probable some of you have heard him. You say, no, nothing is missing. I say, there HAS to be. He’s missing something and possible so are you.
*****************************************************************
Church & World: The Same?
"It is no longer socially unacceptable for churches to be sued," warned a lawyer at a panel discussion on church-state issues at Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Lawsuits involving sexual misconduct, personal injury, employment discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination have accelerated in recent decades (Baptists Today, 4/23/98). (What in the World-Volume 23-Number 3)[Editor] This should be of no great news. THE CHURCH IS SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE WORLD.
************************************************************************PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA HAS NEW SPIRITUAL HEAD
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Rev. Douglas Oldenburg, the 63-year-old president of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, is the new moderator of the 2.7million-member Presbyterian Church USA. Oldenburg was chosen June 13 to succeed Patricia G. Brown as spiritual head of the Protestant denomination. Delegates to the conventional so made it clear that they want a moratorium on human sexuality debates at denominational gatherings. "We need some breathing space, to pause for a while," noted Oldenburg. In March, the church turned away a proposal which would have eliminated the church law which bans ordination of practicing homosexuals. (IBNS 6/19/98)[Editor] What is the purpose of this article you say? Read it again. You may not think it says much, but it offers "proof positive" that this particular denomination is a FALSE church. This Douglas Oldenburg is the SPIRITUAL HEAD OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (KJV)
Yeah folks, the spiritual Head of "The Church" has been rejected by this particular denomination. NUFF SAID!
Mark 12:10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:(KJV)
************************************************************************PROTESTANT BODIES APPROVE FULL COMMUNION' AGREEMENT
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--"Full communion" between the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America, United Church of Christ and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) became official June 17 when the PCUSA approved the accord. PCUSA Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick called the full communion agreement "a major breakthrough" and said the historic agreement "culminates a 30-year search to together find a way to the glory of God to express the unity of Christ's church."At a news conference preceding the announcement, ELCA bishop Guy Edmiston of Harrisburg, Pa., said, "Out of our shared commitment to the gospel, we've come together after 450years to say, 'There is nothing that should divide us. We can be in full communion. This is a united witness we market to the world.' " Edmiston co-chaired the ecumenical committee that produced the full communion agreement.
The agreement opens the communion celebrations of each denomination to members of the others, commits the churches to closer cooperation in worship and mission and provides for the exchange of ministers between the churches in accordance with their own polity and requirements. The clergy exchange provision is the key to the agreement, Edmiston said. "The agreement will be most felt at the local level when there's interchange of clergy," he explained." That will happen in urban as well as rural areas. Small churches struggle to hire pastors -- joint parishes sharing pastors will make a major impact on all four churches." (Excerpts from IBNS) 6/26/98)
[Editor] Rather than express the "unity" of Christ’s church, this agreement between the four churches mark the rapid progress of the unity of the "world’s churches" which is necessary before the Anti-Christ can make his appearance.
Yeah, it may make it easier to find "hirelings" for these churches, but it’s been some time since these churches had any "biblical pastors", I suppose.
***********************************************************************Reflections on the Immaculate Conception (Mary born without sin)
Excerpts from: The Fatima Crusader Magazine-Spring-Summer 1998 Edition)
Man, created innocent, fell by disobeying Him; the mark of Original Sin remained engraved on his forehead and that of his progeny who will bear its consequences until the end of time.A woman brought ruin, a woman was to bring salvation. The one, being tempted by a serpent, stamped the mark of sin on the human race; the other was to rise through grace, pure and immaculate. She would crush the head of the serpent who was helpless before Her and who struggled in vain under Her heel; for She was conceived without sin, and through Her came grace to mankind.
After Almighty God, She is the most perfect of creatures; more pure than the angels; God is indeed well pleased in Her, since She most resembles Him and is the only worthy repository of His secrets.
The Immaculate Conception is the first step in our salvation. Through this singular and unique gift Mary received a profusion of Divine Grace, and through Her cooperation She became worthy of absorbing infinitely more
He (God) clothed Her from Her conception in the radiant snowy garment of grace and of most perfect sanctity; She participates in His perfection.
[Editor] The Holy See sanctions this magazine and it preaches the doctrine of Pope John Paul II. Many of my subscribers write and tell me that I am too critical in my opposition to movements like Promise Keepers, and ministries like James Dobson’s "Focus on the Family", .who appease Catholicism. They say, "lighten up". If I haven’t been there, done that, don’t knock it. This letter is mainly intended for them. Those of you who "stand fast" with me, will garner ammunition for the coming battle from this news item.
Hey Folks—this ministry "exposes deception" in politically correct churches. This ministry earnestly contends for the faith, "once" delivered unto the saints. (Jude 1:3). This ministry "does not" contend for the faith delivered to the saints NOW. I am against ecumenism. I "came out" of the Roman church, and I meet many going back in.
The Roman Catholic Church is making a deity and savior out of Mary. If you want to "go home to Rome" and trust in her for your salvation—well go ahead and see where it gets you. I preach the Bible-Holy Scripture-God’s Word, and in it the Savior is JESUS CHRIST. NONE OTHER. (Acts 4:12)
************************************************************************TIME HAS RUN OUT FOR MOST CHURCHES
The majority of our citizens say they don't care if the President of our country has sexual relations with an intern in the White House. Raunchiness is at the core of much of today's music. Pornography is a multi-billion dollar business in our country and growing. The Internet is filled with it.The decaying of our foundation is a problem which the church should be addressing. Instead, many in the church simply are joining secular society in aiding and abetting the destruction of our foundation. Denominations rage with a battle over special rights for homosexuals. Many top leaders fight for the right of homosexuals to be married by clergy. The problem of pornography is ignored. Pastors are afraid of addressing the killing of the unborn from the pulpit. It is too controversial. We might lose members because they don't agree with us.
Time is running out for the church to be effective in addressing the decaying foundation. (Excerpted from an article by the American Family Association, "How Long Will Our Churches Be Silent While The Nation Crumbles". 6/24/98)
(Excerpts from the Dec. 1996 CNV Newsletter "God Bless America; for how long?")
God has ordained human government to control sin in this present world. (Romans 13:1-7) Government is to restrain sin and promote an orderly society by rewarding righteousness and punishing evil. But Caesar is hastening iniquity and the people follow after Balaam. Why then, is American so blessed by God?
This nation (America) was founded upon God given principles. Anyone exerting a minute amount of effort can easily discover that America was settled early on, in the most part, by Christians. The Governmental branch of this new country was founded by God fearing men. Our Constitution was written by God fearing men. Because of this, God has blessed America.
The Lord has exceedingly blessed this nation in freedom, wealth, industrial and military might, and the most abundantly comfortable lifestyle the world has ever seen or even imagined. The Lord has multiplied America much more than the nations round about. But now God's judgment is not long in coming. As He judged Israel in her apostasy so will He soon judge America. These verses addressed to Israel, can now be addressed to this nation.
Ezek 5:7 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the nations that are round about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you; (KJV)
Ezek 5:8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations. (KJV)
Note…neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you; This tells us that we have not led the nations round about us in righteousness. We have not, as a nation, judicially pronounced a verdict or formal decree of divine law on the nations round about. We have not set an example to the rest of the world as to how our "One Nation Under God", walks in obedience to God. When we, as a nation, turn away from the God we profess to be under, and when our nation's churches turn away from the God they profess to worship, and when this nation's people show no gratitude for the blessing God had bestowed on this nation, we are then ripe for the judgment of God. (End of excerpt)[Editor] I believe time already has run out for most churches. I believe there is no longer a "turning back" period of grace left for most churches. I believe there was a period of time while America was sinking into "deep" sin by turning her back on God who has blessed this nation abundantly, that the "churches" were given the chance to turn the nation back to God. I believe the "churches" were given the grace to do this.
The "churches" though, rejected this grace and joined the Nation in her rebellion against God. This nation, along with the world, is walking "hand in hand" with the apostate churches of today. THERE IS NO GRACE OF GOD IN THE APOSTATE END-TIMES CHURCH OF TODAY. (The majority of churches are apostate. If not "APOSTATE," in the least, "CARNAL")
Folks--only a remnant of God’s people are left, and He calls them out of these apostate churches. The ones who are therein are starving to death and don’t even know it. How much discernment do YOU have? Are YOU hungry? Chances are good that you will not get fed in YOUR church. If this be so, GET OUT. Go home and eat. STUDY GOD’S WORD AND EAT YOUR FILL. That will take a lifetime you know.
Stay tuned to this Newsletter and Web Site. THE TRUTH IS COMING.
**********************************************************UMC Losing Members
About 200 members of the Kingsburg (Calif.) United Methodist Church declared July 28 that "in Christian conscience "they could no longer remain members of the denomination. Acting on a recommendation made earlier in the month by their administrative council, members voted together and then separately signed a statement withdrawing from the United Methodist Church.Other conservatives have threatened to leave over recent events in the denomination, and some have done so. However, the number of people leaving the Kingsburg church represents the highest percentage of loss ever for a United Methodist congregation.
This is not the first time United Methodists in the conference have broken with the denomination. Nearly the entire membership of Placer Hills Community United Methodist Church in Meadow Vista walked out in1981
The resolution specifically alleged that the annual conference leadership "has broken trust with Scripture, the Book of Discipline and our heritage in John Wesley by supporting clergy who perform same-sex ceremonies, promoting sexual permissiveness and excluding biblical United Methodists from leadership. (UMC News Service 7/7/98)
*****************************************************************Statistics on UMC Losses
A 30-year decline in membership continues in the United Methodist Church but at a significantly slower rate, according to statistics compiled in recent weeks from 66 annual (regional) conferences in the United States.In 1997, the most recent year for which statistics are available, the church unofficially reported a loss of 42,000 members. That doesn't include figures for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, which lost 444 members the previous year, and the Missouri West Conference, which lost 574 members in 1996.
The denomination has lost members steadily since it was created in 1968with a merger of the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren churches. Membership was 11 million in 1968, compared to 8.5 million in 1997. In contrast to the U.S. membership decline, the church is growing rapidly in other areas of the world, particularly in the Philippines and parts of Africa. The 1997 statistics were compiled by UMNS and Newscope from reports provided by the U.S. conferences during their annual sessions in May and June. UMNS is the denomination's official news agency with offices in Nashville, New York and Washington. Newscope is a weekly newsletter published by the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville.
Statistics show a total loss of about 482,000 members during the past decade: * 1997: 42,000* 1996: 49,000* 1995: 49,000* 1994: 56,000* 1993: 62,000* 1992: 64,000* 1991: 62,000* 1990: 64,000* 1989: 55,000* 1988: 71,000. (Worldwide Faith News 7/7/98)
***************************************************************United Methodists Launch Series of Anti-Racism Publications
Using current events as illustrations, a new booklet published by the United Methodist Church explores cultural, individual and institutional racism.Other authors in the series of anti-racism guides include former U.S. Surgeon General A. Joycelyn Elders and the Rev. J. Philip Wogaman, pastor of Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington.
[Editor] The "world" in general considers Joycelyn Elders an immoral woman, but not the UMC church in general. How ‘bout that? The U.S. Congress demanded her resignation and the UMC welcomes her. Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington is the church Bill Clinton attends. He feels right at home there. This church welcomes his sodomite friends.
Handgun ownership denounced by UMC. Racism denounced by UMC. World hunger denounced by UMC. Even Christ denounced by many UM churches. These apostate churches will all go to hell in a breadbasket. (full bellies) White and black, red and yellow will all go to hell holding hands unless they come out of her and come to Jesus Christ. The Savior is getting hard to find in the UMC.
The GOOD NEWS of the decline in UMC membership is a good testimony to God’s Word.
*****************************************************************Contemporary Worship Service: As Good as a Movie?
When was the last time you heard someone in your church say of their worship experience: "Wow, that was almost as good as a movie!"Such reactions are coming from students at United Methodist-related Emory University’s Candler School of Theology as they study TV ads, music videos and current films to learn more about the ways in which electronic media are providing -- or not providing -- images of religious and moral life.
"One of my students went to a contemporary worship service recently and overhead someone say: 'Wow, that was almost as good as a movie!' Those perceptions are not going to go away; they are a central part of our culture," said the Rev. Donald Saliers.
[Editor] GREAT NEWS! The gospel of Christ does not depend on either "negative" or "positive" electronic images.
One more comment. Why does one go to a movie? Are we to class entertainment with worship of God? Contemporary worship service, for who then?