October 1997 News Archives
Distributed via e-mail by Christian News & Views.. These articles may be used in any manner to the glory of God, and as an aid in the discernment of the times October 1997 [Andy Neckar PO Box J, Hico, TX 76457]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Churches to Plan Programs to Cater to Non-Believers?
2. Fundamentalists on the Fringes of Established Churches.
3. Whose Faith is Influencing Whom?
4. Jesus Seminar Scholars Conclude Jesus Celebrated Life In A Profane Style
5. Large Churches to Play Primary Role in Faith Foundation.
6. Paganism in Catholicism
7. Politically Correct Teachers
8. School Board Prohibits The Name "Halloween" In Schools Annual Party.
9. UMR Suggests John 10:10 Refers To Worldly Life
10. Vice President Al Gore Praises Homosexuality-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Churches to Plan Programs to Cater to Non-Believers?
Reggie McNeal is a church-growth consultant with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. When speaking for a session on numerical growth during an Oct. 10-11 "church-health summit" sponsored by the Kentucky Baptist Convention, he said: "Making churches culturally relevant in order to reach people does not require watering down the gospel."
The irony, he said, is "we have many churches that are more worldly than the culture."
[Editor] Sounds real good, but he goes on to say:
"In reality, churches that shun making themselves culturally relevant are ‘self-centered,’ he explained. "I don't know anything more greedy than Christians who are sitting in a church saying, 'Feed me! Feed me! Feed me!' when there are thousands of hungry people outside."
[Editor] I ask-isn’t that one reason Christians go to church? To be fed on the spiritual Word.
"Churches that want to reach people with the gospel will understand the modern culture and seek to relate to people in that culture", McNeal said. He cited several examples of issues churches must understand, beginning with convenience.
"Convenience is a driving force" in modern society, he said. "Churches that want to connect better pay attention to that."
McNeal recalled a member of a church which he previously served as pastor telling him, "I'm not so sure it ought to be convenient to come to church."
McNeal's response: "Where does it say in the word of God to make it difficult for people to come to God?"Where does it say in the Word of God that people come to God by going to church? These folks have it all wrong. People do not come to God by going to church. That’s why the majority of people in the majority of churches are un-believers.
McNeal goes on to say that "people who visit their churches make quick decisions about whether they will return or not... about 10 minutes after hitting the parking lot" So-what does he cite as initial indicators of making a good impression? He cites issues such as parking, directional signs and appearance of the facilities as initial indicators.
McNeal admonished churches to plan their programs and activities with unchurched people in mind. "Here we are with the stewardship of the eternal gospel, and we've got to start planning with someone besides us in mind.."
I say one more time. Church is for believers. Church is to teach believers God’s Word. It is to worship and praise the Lord and fellowship with "other Christians".
One More Time—We are to go "out into the world" to preach the gospel, and those ordained to eternal life we are to baptize and teach. We meet in the churches to baptize and teach and fellowship with those who are saved.
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fundamentalists on the Fringes of Established Churches.
Leaders of five Protestant denominations in Brazil blasted evangelical groups that are opposing the visit of Pope John Paul II in October (1997). A Lutheran leader, Mozart de Noronha Melo, condemned individuals who call the pope the anti-Christ, saying they are anti-Christian and anti-evangelical, according to news reports. He said he rejects in the strongest terms those who have such disrespect for the Pope. He described the individuals as "fundamentalists on the fringes of established churches. (Religion Today-10/2/97)
(Editor) There is much truth in that last statement, "fundamentalists on the fringes of established churches". The "established churches" are going to the dogs, demons rather. Many "fundamentalists" are on the fringes of established churches and some have gotten out entirely.
I speak this way because the established churches are established by man, not Christ. They preach a social gospel of works which has not the power of God to bring man to salvation. Their priority is saving the environment and enriching this present life for their converts.
Praise God that even the enemies of God can see the "Bible Believers" on the "fringes" of these churches. God is leading the fundamentalists "out of her".
As the established churches unite and reconcile the world to her there will only be "one common enemy", the "fundamentalists".
Some synonyms for fundamentalist are: immovability, bitter-ender, conservative, die hard and old liner.
There are still churches that fit these synonyms. If you’re not in one, find one.
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Whose Faith is Influencing Whom?
[This report will serve as an ensample].(2 Peter 2:6)
Bishop Joseph Paul Bvumbwe of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi in his speech July 14 during the Lutheran World Federation Assembly session "Mission and dialogue: Witnessing in a multifaith and multicultural setting". had this to say:"Dialogue isn't the only way. We should consider seriously other alternatives," Bvumbwe said. "We are in the region where Christianity is minority, and we must be mindful," he said. "When you meet in dialogue, you exchange views on the issues that concern all of us as human beings, and you cannot do that without also showing how our faith influences all that you are doing,"
[Editors Note]: Whose faith is influencing whom? Read on
David L. Windibiziri, Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, said,
"Islam has an influence on Christianity. "We call God 'Allah' because it brings us closer together with Muslims, gives us something in common. Allah is the God I worship in Christ,"
[Editor] I know that the Lutheran Faith is lost because of their belief in baptismal regeneration amongst other false doctrines. However this is only an example of what happens when people of different beliefs consent to dialogue with each other to explore what things they have in common.
This will eventually happen to "all" who participate in the World Ecumenical Movement. If the Lord tarries, those who are not snared by ecumenism in this generation will succumb in the next.
Those who turn away from the Word of God, (and refusing to practice Biblical Separation is turning away), will be in danger of the judgment. (Rev. 18:4)
I believe in the Eternal Security of the Believer, but what about the lost who will succumb to the false teachings of "worldly churches". They will be led into damnation by the churches rather that led into salvation. FALSE GOSPELS have no power to save. The world will reap what it sows. A FALSE GOSPEL will produce FALSE CHRISTIANS.
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (KJV)
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jesus Seminar Scholars Conclude Jesus Celebrated Life In A Profane Style
(Ft. Worth Star Telegram, 10/8/97)
Speaking recently to about 300 people at Texas Christian University, Robert Funk, founder of "The Jesus Seminar" said that Jesus was crucified but the story surrounding the crucifixion is mostly fiction.Funk, giving an early report on recent voting of 80 Jesus Seminar scholars on what they believe Jesus actually did, concludes that out of 172 events reported in the New Testament, only 18% were authentic. He goes on to say that, "people are starving to death for an honest word about Jesus" according to a recent interview. Hence a new book, "The Acts of Jesus in Color". to be released by Harper Collins in November.
Among the "scholars" latest decisions are indications that Jesus celebrated life in a profane style in that He went to parties a lot , so much so that He gained a reputation as a glutton and a drunk. The latest voting concluded that Jesus was not born of a virgin and that He was not bodily resurrected.
"We doubt that Mary was conceived without sexual relations with some male", Funk says. "We don’t know who Jesus father was,. We think it might have been Joseph but the evidence is very thin. "
He added, "The empty tomb stories are legend. Jesus’ body more than likely decayed like all bodies do".
[Editor] What can I say? I feel anger at, and sorrow for these "scholars". According to their conclusions, THEY HAVE NO SAVIOR.
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Large Churches to Play Primary Role in Faith Foundation.
Faith formation in the future will be carried out primarily through large churches because larger churches are attracting younger people, declared the Rev. Norman Neaves, pastor of the 6,000-member Church of the Servant United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City.
He pointed out that although only 2.9 percent of baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) are active in the church, the majority of those -- 83 percent -- participate in churches of 1,000 or more members. He said the percentage of baby busters (born between 1964 and 1971) who are active in the church is even lower -- 1.9 percent. Of those who are active, some 94.6 percent are involved in churches of 2,000 members or more.
Why do large churches appeal to these age groups? Because the larger churches are able to offer options and quality, he said. "The psyche of younger people is formed by options. They are used to being consumers, and they are going to go where they can get the best quality . . . By and large, United Methodist churches are too small and do not offer enough options," he explained. (United Methodist News Service- Oct. 27, 1997)
[Editor] This newscast is typical of many denominational structures. BIGGER is BETTER. You know, Christ adds to HIS Church those who believe His Gospel. Many Protestant churches add to theirs by offering the "best quality of options to the consumer". The phrase "The psyche of younger people is formed by options". is a vague statement.. "Synonyms for Psyche are mind, spirit, soul. However the spirit of a "believe" is not formed by the quality of options. Another synonym, "ego", would come close to fitting the topic under discussion.
My CHURCH FOUNDER and my CHURCH DEVELOPER are ONE AND THE SAME, and conditional members have ONE OPTION. That is to BELIEVE or REJECT the GOSPEL OF CHRIST. (Rom 1:16) Admission to CHRIST’S CHURCH is based solely on the result of this ONE OPTION.
I do agree however that the faith formation (creation or origin) of the future will be based on "service" rather than "faith".
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Condensed from an "InfoBeat" news report-10/23/97}
MIAMI (Reuters) - The Florida Marlins might not need the support of the spirit realm to win the World Series, but Miami believers in Afro-Caribbean religion are taking no chances. ``We have asked the divinities to try to help them to win the World Series,'' Jose Montoya, one of the Miami area's leading ``santeria'' priests, told Reuters. Santeria is Cuba's form of voodoo.And just as some of the city's Roman Catholic faithful may have asked the Madonna to bless the hometown team, believers in santeria have asked their deities to do their part.
Best known for its ritual of sacrificing animals, santeria, or worship of the saints, is the religion of the Yoruba people who were brought to Cuba as slaves from West Africa.
Since their Spanish masters banned their religion, the slaves pretended to worship Catholic saints to disguise their African deities, called ``orishas.''
Cuban immigrants brought the religion to the United States, where it has spread in urban centers with large populations of Caribbean origin, such as New York and Miami. In immigrant-rich Miami, santeria, voodoo and other Afro-Caribbean religions are as much a part of life as Judaism, Catholicism and other mainstream religions.
[Editor] Well-so much for Roman Catholic converts coming to America. Where we have freedom of religion the paganism in Catholicism is made manifest.
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Catholic religious education officials in Ireland have sent a standard to catechists that they should no longer refer to Mummy and Daddy in classrooms because of the growing number of one-parent families, the Irish Independent newspaper reported recently.
The suggestion was part of a new Irish religious education program for four- to five-year-olds instituted recently. "Whereas in the past a family had a Mummy and a Daddy, now we don't say those kind of things", the paper quoted one of the organizers of the program as saying
Religion teachers were urged to use such phrases such as "the adults who live in your house or the people who look after you". (Condensed and adapted from a Catholic World News article of 10/17/97)
[Editor} What next? Live in partner and roommate to replace reference to wife and husband? Is marriage of a man and woman to be replaced by a couple making a commitment to each other?. Stupid question, that last one. That has been going on for some time now, but soon it will be the norm.
Are you tired of hearing about this politically correct society and these politically correct churches? I know I’m getting tired of reporting it. Maybe Jesus will come soon.
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------School Board Prohibits The Name "Halloween" In Schools Annual Party
A New Jersey school board has prohibited the use of the name Halloween in the Hillsborough public school district. The school board voted to uphold a ban on the names Halloween and St. Valentine’s day because of religious overtones which celebration is forbidden under school policy. The name "Halloween," is taken from "All Hallow's Eve", marking the day before the Catholic "Feast of All Saints Day" traditionally celebrated by the Roman Church on November 1st.
The school board will allow an annual costume party to be held Friday but it will now be called "Fall Festival Celebration". Also, St. Valentine’s Day will be called "Special Persons Day".
[Editor] Early on, the Roman Catholic Church opened it’s doors to paganism through forced conversions of pagans, and Christianized their holidays by calling the day by a "Christian" name. The practice of celebrating the day on the same date and for the basic like reason has been traditionalized into modern society.
Now the World is doing just the opposite. The holidays are being De-Christianized, or De-Catholicised and Secularized. But changing the name will not change the leopards spots. Regardless of what the Roman Church or the Secular Government calls it, Halloween has pagan roots.
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------UMR Suggests John 10:10 Refers To Worldly Life
An Editorial by the United Methodist Reporter on 9/25/97 titled "Anti-personnel land mines subvert Jesus' promise of life_ shows the spiritual blindness of many professing Christians.
The UMR editorial speaking on land mines says: "Land mines have one purpose -- to kill or maim. Their use is immoral. That's why the United States' recent refusal to join some 100 other countries in signing a treaty to ban land mines disappoints us."
Continuing further it says: "Any device designed to maim civilians and traumatize their society slaps the face of Christians who believe in the sacred worth of all human beings, enemy or not. These ‘anti-personnel devices’ are miniature bombs designed to blow off arms and legs. Their purpose is diametrically opposed to the words of Jesus, ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10)."
I have been saying that these "organized churches," with their environmental and social gospel seek after an abundant "worldly life" I believe the stated reference to John 10:10 in respect to land mines proves my point.
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Vice President Al Gore Praises Homosexuality
Vice President Al Gore, speaking to the Hollywood Radio and Television Society praised the television show Ellen, saying, "When the character Ellen came out, millions of Americans were forced to look at sexual orientation in a more open light".
Joan Garry of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said, "Al Gore is a real friend to the gay and lesbian community -- and he's absolutely right".
Homosexual Howard Bragman, a Hollywood publicist, said Gore’s comments are a step toward a presidential run in the year 2000. He said, "It's a strategic message to the entertainment and gay community, setting the stage for the same successful gay fund-raising that Bill Clinton did"
In his speech Gore also asked Hollywood not to glamorize drugs, tobacco, and violence. He said "All I ask is show our young people a full and accurate picture of what these killers do to people's lives". (Condensed and excerpted from Catholic World News-10/17/97)
[Editor] Gore condones, ever praises homosexuality as if that abominable lifestyle wasn’t a killer in itself. A homosexual lifestyle kills a person twice. It kills the physical body, and then the spiritual body must suffer the second death.(Rev 21:8)