july 2023 |
Our purpose on the planet is not to promote the greatness of our nation, it's to spread the Gospel to all nations. -David Platt
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| July 31, 2023 |
July 31, 2023:
I saw a letter in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader written by Rapid City resident Dave Freytag that I thought was interesting. Two paragraphs from it:
These days, thanks to the Evangelicals or so called "moral majority" our religions have pretty much lost standing as "apolitical," they are flat out conservative. "Old hair-do" has cemented their allegiance as well as their vote so, OK, they can hear all the propaganda (that they know to be lies) and I will listen to my conscience or "better judgment" (more chance of truth). It seems the abortion issue, like military "shock and awe" usage, is a judgment call for whoever is in charge. There is no morality in either yet some of it is acceptable depending on the reasons. If conservatism is the way of God then liberalism is the way of Christ. These views are actually separate from spirituality and from morality itself. We generally know when being lied to but are more comfortable with fearful and judgemental reasoning so our response usually is to stay with what has reassured us in the past. We will never reach a "clearer" morality while keeping our past mistakes as our guide.
I saw a letter in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader written by Rapid City resident Dave Freytag that I thought was interesting. Two paragraphs from it:
These days, thanks to the Evangelicals or so called "moral majority" our religions have pretty much lost standing as "apolitical," they are flat out conservative. "Old hair-do" has cemented their allegiance as well as their vote so, OK, they can hear all the propaganda (that they know to be lies) and I will listen to my conscience or "better judgment" (more chance of truth). It seems the abortion issue, like military "shock and awe" usage, is a judgment call for whoever is in charge. There is no morality in either yet some of it is acceptable depending on the reasons. If conservatism is the way of God then liberalism is the way of Christ. These views are actually separate from spirituality and from morality itself. We generally know when being lied to but are more comfortable with fearful and judgemental reasoning so our response usually is to stay with what has reassured us in the past. We will never reach a "clearer" morality while keeping our past mistakes as our guide.
If conservatism is the way of God then liberalism is the way of Christ.
| July 30, 2023 |
July 30, 2023:
The extent to which the number of white evangelicals have declined in the United States has been laid bare in 2021 by the Public Religion Research Institute’s 2020 Census on American Religion. The institute’s study found that only 14% of Americans identified as white evangelical in 2020. This is a drastic decline since 2006, when America’s religious landscape was composed of 23% white evangelicals, as the report notes. Along with a decline in white evangelicalism, the data indicates a stabilized increase in the number of those who no longer identify as religious at all. Scholars of religion refer to this group as “nones,” and they make up about a quarter of the American population. These statistics are even more drastic when considering age. In short, older Americans are much more religious than younger Americans, while millennials are likely to not practice or identify with religion.
The extent to which the number of white evangelicals have declined in the United States has been laid bare in 2021 by the Public Religion Research Institute’s 2020 Census on American Religion. The institute’s study found that only 14% of Americans identified as white evangelical in 2020. This is a drastic decline since 2006, when America’s religious landscape was composed of 23% white evangelicals, as the report notes. Along with a decline in white evangelicalism, the data indicates a stabilized increase in the number of those who no longer identify as religious at all. Scholars of religion refer to this group as “nones,” and they make up about a quarter of the American population. These statistics are even more drastic when considering age. In short, older Americans are much more religious than younger Americans, while millennials are likely to not practice or identify with religion.
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Even though white evangelicals tend to be politically vocal and influential, several are known to be leaving the faith.
Research shows some younger evangelicals are fatigued with white evangelicalism’s allegiance to the Republican Party and to specific stances on racism and sexuality. White evangelicals categorize these issues as a “culture war” for the soul of America – an internal struggle for who will define and decide the future of America. By framing these issues as a cultural battle, white evangelicals maintain an embattled posture targeting a list of such enemies as liberals, secularists and atheists. As sociologists Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry note in their study of Christian nationalism, white evangelicals maintain a “collective desire to protect their cultural-political turf.” |
Research shows some younger evangelicals are fatigued with white evangelicalism’s allegiance to the Republican Party and to specific stances on racism and sexuality. White evangelicals categorize these issues as a “culture war” for the soul of America – an internal struggle for who will define and decide the future of America. |
| July 28, 2023 |
July 28, 2023:
Mark Burns, a pro-Trump pastor, has claimed violence should be used to return Trump to the White House in 2024. He justified the comment with his interpretation of the Bible. The pastor quoted multiple passages from the Bible to justify his message. "You got to get to the point where you realize that when they smack you in the face, you smack them back two times harder," he said. Burns' unique interpretation of Matthew 5:38-40: "If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." Burns went on to say that the Bible says "the violent take it" and claimed it says to take things by force. He was interpreting Matthew 11:12, which reads: "And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Burns preaches the hope of a second coming of Donald Trump during ReAwaken America Conference. He also calls for war as he rewrites the Bible. This isn't just politics; this is a syncretic religious movement.
Mark Burns, a pro-Trump pastor, has claimed violence should be used to return Trump to the White House in 2024. He justified the comment with his interpretation of the Bible. The pastor quoted multiple passages from the Bible to justify his message. "You got to get to the point where you realize that when they smack you in the face, you smack them back two times harder," he said. Burns' unique interpretation of Matthew 5:38-40: "If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." Burns went on to say that the Bible says "the violent take it" and claimed it says to take things by force. He was interpreting Matthew 11:12, which reads: "And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Burns preaches the hope of a second coming of Donald Trump during ReAwaken America Conference. He also calls for war as he rewrites the Bible. This isn't just politics; this is a syncretic religious movement.
Most of these folks are lying through their teeth and an extremely large percentage of those are actually claiming they are doing Gods work. |
Whats going on In DC and across the country is insane. First scripture that comes to mind is Isaiah 5:20: (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!). Most of these folks are lying through their teeth and an extremely large percentage of those are actually claiming they are doing Gods work. The good days America had may be behind it now. On a worldwide scale. there are similar things going on in other countries but the USA is the extreme. The world is watching. The anti-Christ could very well be alive and well and already here somewhere on planet earth. On top of that, the climates are changing world wide on a scale larger than ever before and I dont think that mankind can reverse it at this point... There will be an increase in fires, tornadoes and flooding and I fear somewhat (because I am on the gulf coast) that this Hurricane season could be worse than in the past with the Gulf waters heating up with 100+ degree weather every day. Thats the way I see it today, anyway.
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Jan 28, 2023: Christian Post: Rep. Nancy Mace jokes about premarital sex with fiancé at prayer breakfast attended by her pastor
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., a member of the South Carolina-based Seacoast Church, to which she said GOP presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott, who is a longtime member, introduced her, is coming under fire from some Christians online after admitting in front of her pastor Wednesday that she engages in premarital sex with her fiancé.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., a member of the South Carolina-based Seacoast Church, to which she said GOP presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott, who is a longtime member, introduced her, is coming under fire from some Christians online after admitting in front of her pastor Wednesday that she engages in premarital sex with her fiancé.
| July 27, 2023 |
July 27, 2023: Christian Post: Church of the Highlands founder Chris Hodges denies ‘engineering’ takeover of Celebration Church
Founder and leader of Church of the Highlands in Alabama, Chris Hodges, has dismissed claims in a lawsuit by Celebration Church founders Stovall and Kerri Weems that he, along with several other high-profile members of the Association of Related Churches, engineered a takeover of the megachurch for financial gain and damaged the couple's reputation.
Founder and leader of Church of the Highlands in Alabama, Chris Hodges, has dismissed claims in a lawsuit by Celebration Church founders Stovall and Kerri Weems that he, along with several other high-profile members of the Association of Related Churches, engineered a takeover of the megachurch for financial gain and damaged the couple's reputation.
| July 25, 2023 |
July 25, 2023: Sight: Church and politics: Some critics see Trump's behaviour as un-Christian. His conservative Christian backers see a hero
For eight years, Donald Trump has managed to secure the support of many evangelical and conservative Christians despite behaviour that often seemed at odds with teachings espoused by Christ in the Gospels.
For eight years, Donald Trump has managed to secure the support of many evangelical and conservative Christians despite behaviour that often seemed at odds with teachings espoused by Christ in the Gospels.
| July 24, 2023 |
July 24, 2023:
There has been some confusion as to what kind of faith Ron DeSantis has. Not for me, because if he is a member of any particular faith he ignores it in rallies and interviews by demonizing everyone who does not talk like him. That puts far short of Jesus and the great commission to preach to the ends of earth (ie. to preach Christ and Him crucified..not Ron DeSantis crucified). Slate has an article stating that he "is solidly Roman Catholic. A recent descendant of Italian immigrants, DeSantis counts a Catholic priest as an uncle and a nun as an aunt. He grew up going to Catholic school and attending Catholic mass every Sunday." Now there is uncertainty as to whether he is still a practicing Catholic. When the Catholic magazine America reached out to his press team to clarify his religious denomination, for example, they got no response. Given that DeSantis makes faith integral to his political identity, it became confusing enough that the Orlando Sentinel published a story with this reveal:
After months of dodging the question, DeSantis’ staff and a priest have confirmed
that DeSantis and his family regularly attend the handful of Catholic churches in the
Tallahassee area.
Now we know....or do we? His talk and speeches he gives do use some of the Christian decorum...but not a large part. He spends a lot of time attacking anyone to the left of him. Hardly any legit claim on Christianity can be made by him (or Donald Trump...which goes without saying). His stump speeches have him come off as a rebel without a cause or, at least, without a moral compass. He ran an ad (alluding to Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” speech) implying that he had been sent by God to be a fighter. But, truly, God has sent no one to demonize people.
There has been some confusion as to what kind of faith Ron DeSantis has. Not for me, because if he is a member of any particular faith he ignores it in rallies and interviews by demonizing everyone who does not talk like him. That puts far short of Jesus and the great commission to preach to the ends of earth (ie. to preach Christ and Him crucified..not Ron DeSantis crucified). Slate has an article stating that he "is solidly Roman Catholic. A recent descendant of Italian immigrants, DeSantis counts a Catholic priest as an uncle and a nun as an aunt. He grew up going to Catholic school and attending Catholic mass every Sunday." Now there is uncertainty as to whether he is still a practicing Catholic. When the Catholic magazine America reached out to his press team to clarify his religious denomination, for example, they got no response. Given that DeSantis makes faith integral to his political identity, it became confusing enough that the Orlando Sentinel published a story with this reveal:
After months of dodging the question, DeSantis’ staff and a priest have confirmed
that DeSantis and his family regularly attend the handful of Catholic churches in the
Tallahassee area.
Now we know....or do we? His talk and speeches he gives do use some of the Christian decorum...but not a large part. He spends a lot of time attacking anyone to the left of him. Hardly any legit claim on Christianity can be made by him (or Donald Trump...which goes without saying). His stump speeches have him come off as a rebel without a cause or, at least, without a moral compass. He ran an ad (alluding to Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” speech) implying that he had been sent by God to be a fighter. But, truly, God has sent no one to demonize people.
There are other ways he takes on this spiritual warfare language, as when he ran an ad (alluding to Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” speech) implying that he had been sent by God to be a fighter. It’s a religious tone that fits the candidate’s culture-war sensibilities. |
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July 24, 2023: Christian Index: Gainesville pastor Javier Chavez visits Peru’s National Congress
Javier Chavez, senior pastor of Amistad Cristiana International in Gainesville, Ga., and a missions team from Fort Worth, Texas’s Birchman Baptist Church accepted an invitation from the National Congress of Peru for a private audience with the Third Vice President Alejandro Muñante.
The meeting took place Friday morning, July 21. Discussion topics included religious liberty, protections for the unborn, and family values.
Javier Chavez, senior pastor of Amistad Cristiana International in Gainesville, Ga., and a missions team from Fort Worth, Texas’s Birchman Baptist Church accepted an invitation from the National Congress of Peru for a private audience with the Third Vice President Alejandro Muñante.
The meeting took place Friday morning, July 21. Discussion topics included religious liberty, protections for the unborn, and family values.
| July 23, 2023 |
Jul 23, 2023: Charisma: Pastor Greg Locke With Benny Hinn: God Putting Deliverance Ministry Front and Center
| July 19, 2023 |
July 19, 2023:
One of former President Donald Trump’s most staunch evangelical critics said he expects Trump to be the Republican nominee in 2024, and that the years since Trump’s election in 2016 have been an “apocalypse.”“The argument we had in 2016… was always, ‘Well, this is a binary choice. We’re choosing between Trump and Hillary Clinton, so we’re just doing our best,” Russell Moore, editor-in-chief of Christianity Today magazine, said in an interview with Yahoo News. “Well, we’re in a place right now where there’s no binary choice. There is a wide open choice, and still you have a majority in the Republican primaries behind Trump,” said Moore. “I’d be shocked if he wasn’t the Republican nominee.”
Once the field has been sifted from nearly a dozen Republican candidates to one candidate during the primary process, and a Republican is running against incumbent President Biden, “that means anything can happen.”
One of former President Donald Trump’s most staunch evangelical critics said he expects Trump to be the Republican nominee in 2024, and that the years since Trump’s election in 2016 have been an “apocalypse.”“The argument we had in 2016… was always, ‘Well, this is a binary choice. We’re choosing between Trump and Hillary Clinton, so we’re just doing our best,” Russell Moore, editor-in-chief of Christianity Today magazine, said in an interview with Yahoo News. “Well, we’re in a place right now where there’s no binary choice. There is a wide open choice, and still you have a majority in the Republican primaries behind Trump,” said Moore. “I’d be shocked if he wasn’t the Republican nominee.”
Once the field has been sifted from nearly a dozen Republican candidates to one candidate during the primary process, and a Republican is running against incumbent President Biden, “that means anything can happen.”
“there is much more at stake” in the 2024 election than in 2016, as “the future of democracy” is at stake amid “the rise of authoritarian nationalist movements around the world” |
Moore, 51, also said “there is much more at stake” in the 2024 election than in 2016, as “the future of democracy” is at stake amid “the rise of authoritarian nationalist movements around the world”.
Moore was not unique when he first criticized Trump in the summer of 2015. So did most evangelical leaders. But while most others in the evangelical and Republican establishment adapted to Trump’s rise, Moore did not. He continued to reject Trump’s personal character and his contempt for the constitutional order, becoming a target of intense backlash from Trump and other figures in the evangelical world. |
| July 18, 2023 |
July 18, 2023:
When John McCain was the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, he rejected megachurch pastor John Hagee’s endorsement after a sermon surfaced that was derided as antisemitic.
Not so for current GOP candidates. Hagee and his organization, Christians United for Israel, are welcome presences within the GOP. Hagee and CUFI hosted several presidential contenders at their annual summit in suburban Washington this week, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence (without Donald Trump). They all pledged fierce loyalty to Israel and were unified in criticizing President Joe Biden as weak. Biden is hosting Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the White House this week during the state of Israel’s 75th anniversary. Herzog is scheduled to speak to a joint session of Congress.
When John McCain was the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, he rejected megachurch pastor John Hagee’s endorsement after a sermon surfaced that was derided as antisemitic.
Not so for current GOP candidates. Hagee and his organization, Christians United for Israel, are welcome presences within the GOP. Hagee and CUFI hosted several presidential contenders at their annual summit in suburban Washington this week, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence (without Donald Trump). They all pledged fierce loyalty to Israel and were unified in criticizing President Joe Biden as weak. Biden is hosting Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the White House this week during the state of Israel’s 75th anniversary. Herzog is scheduled to speak to a joint session of Congress.
Jesus said those who follow him would be persecuted, but this was said in a context much different than our own. Can we claim this verse to still be authoritative today? Do Christians in America use this as a cover to act out uncharitably? |
Brad Thibodeaux posts on a blog called The Prodigal Empire an article titled Does American Christianity Have a Persecution Complex? Worth reading in its entirety but he sums it up: As White and Conservative American Church denominations continue to become more conservative, their cry of persecution grows louder. Hard stances against LGBTQ+ communities are not shared by the boarder public and access to abortion is supported. Conservative Christianity sees these as moral issues that they’re being persecuted for. But what they consider persecution is nothing compared to the martyrs they liken themselves to.
Jesus said those who follow him would be persecuted, but this was said in a context much different than our own. Can we claim this verse to still be authoritative today? Do Christians in America use this as a cover to act out uncharitably? Persecution for Jesus is putting the marginalized needs before our own. Jesus calls his people to follow him. We can do that by working for justice in America for those who cannot fight for themselves. |
July 18, 2023: Word & Way: The Second Coming of John Hagee
As Sen. John McCain sought the presidency in 2008, he tried an unusual strategy for a Republican candidate. He decided to denounce a conservative Christian preacher. Controversy had swirled for weeks after John Hagee had endorsed McCain. Media attention highlighted Hagee’s past comments arguing Adolf Hitler had fulfilled God’s will to bring about the creation of the modern nation of Israel.
As Sen. John McCain sought the presidency in 2008, he tried an unusual strategy for a Republican candidate. He decided to denounce a conservative Christian preacher. Controversy had swirled for weeks after John Hagee had endorsed McCain. Media attention highlighted Hagee’s past comments arguing Adolf Hitler had fulfilled God’s will to bring about the creation of the modern nation of Israel.
| July 17, 2023 |
July 17, 2023: Anxious Bench: Church-Hopping in Texas
On July 1st, we determined we would go to a local, large and influential Methodist church.
On July 1st, we determined we would go to a local, large and influential Methodist church.
| July 15, 2023 |
July 15, 2023:
Overheard from Iowa Evangelicals:
“It feels like at one point he swallowed a fifth grader who is always trying to get out. These insults to people keep coming out of his mouth.” --Patti Parlee of Urbandale.
“He could sell me anything, and I would buy it. I believe him.” --Bryan Moon on Tim Scott
“There is a terrible misconception that Christians hate gays.” -David Bush.
“I’ve been under attack one way on Facebook. I commented that our city posted something about gay pride month and I was literally attacked by people who don’t even know me.” --Tammy Negret of Ankeney.
“They’ve created this narrative that if you don’t approve of my lifestyle, you hate me, and that’s just not the truth. Anyone who’s had a child knows that they can love someone without approving what they have done." -Karen L
“President Trump, I voted for you twice. I went to unanimous support in my local caucus in 2020. But you can’t win this next election, one way or the other.” -David K
“Trump looks (to) see where the wind is blowing and then drives in that direction, whether it’s the right direction or not. He’s too focused on what other people think and about being loved by. ...Has he gained any new voters since November 2020 to now? I mean, do you know any people who support Trump now who didn’t support him then? I mean, he’s just losing voters in my opinion,” -Law student Thomas Kinley
“So many people say politics over personality, but it’s, I personally didn’t vote for Trump because I couldn’t get past the personality. I have three sons and I want them to have a president that they can admire and look up to and want to be like.” -Heather Schnathorst
Overheard from Iowa Evangelicals:
“It feels like at one point he swallowed a fifth grader who is always trying to get out. These insults to people keep coming out of his mouth.” --Patti Parlee of Urbandale.
“He could sell me anything, and I would buy it. I believe him.” --Bryan Moon on Tim Scott
“There is a terrible misconception that Christians hate gays.” -David Bush.
“I’ve been under attack one way on Facebook. I commented that our city posted something about gay pride month and I was literally attacked by people who don’t even know me.” --Tammy Negret of Ankeney.
“They’ve created this narrative that if you don’t approve of my lifestyle, you hate me, and that’s just not the truth. Anyone who’s had a child knows that they can love someone without approving what they have done." -Karen L
“President Trump, I voted for you twice. I went to unanimous support in my local caucus in 2020. But you can’t win this next election, one way or the other.” -David K
“Trump looks (to) see where the wind is blowing and then drives in that direction, whether it’s the right direction or not. He’s too focused on what other people think and about being loved by. ...Has he gained any new voters since November 2020 to now? I mean, do you know any people who support Trump now who didn’t support him then? I mean, he’s just losing voters in my opinion,” -Law student Thomas Kinley
“So many people say politics over personality, but it’s, I personally didn’t vote for Trump because I couldn’t get past the personality. I have three sons and I want them to have a president that they can admire and look up to and want to be like.” -Heather Schnathorst
And on a related Note:
These days, thanks to the Evangelicals or so called "moral majority" our religions have pretty much lost standing as "apolitical," they are flat out conservative. |
A paragraph from a Letter to the Editor to the Sioux Fall Argus Leader:
These days, thanks to the Evangelicals or so called "moral majority" our religions have pretty much lost standing as "apolitical," they are flat out conservative. "Old hair-do" has cemented their allegiance as well as their vote so, OK, they can hear all the propaganda (that they know to be lies) and I will listen to my conscience or "better judgment" (more chance of truth). It seems the abortion issue, like military "shock and awe" usage, is a judgment call for whoever is in charge. |
July 15, 2023:
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed the state’s 6-week abortion ban into law at an evangelical Christian event in Des Moines on Friday. Though the law takes effect immediately upon her signature, pro-abortion advocates were in court this afternoon attempting to block the legislation. Reynolds signed the bill at the Family Leadership Summit, an evangelical Christian event where many presidential (and VP) hopefuls show up. “Our work is not done,” Reynolds told the crowd. “As we gather here today at this very moment, the abortion industry is in the court trying to prevent this law from taking effect and stop, once again, the will of the people.” (The will of the people in Iowa is to support abortion, according to a March poll)
Regardless of what I think about abortion, what I am concerned about is the marriage that politicians and evangelicals have created over the abortion issue. The marriage between the two groups became culturally relevant during the Reagan administration. This prompted the rise of Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority which was also being bolstered by the evangelical teachings of Francis Schaeffer who told Christians that abortion was the most important issue facing the church at that time. It has become a political culture war which, seems to ignore Jesus' commands to "go out into the ends of the earth." You can't reach souls via being polar opposites of each other in political parties. Jesus never joined a political party. The closest we got to Jesus on the issue of politics was that we should "render unto Ceasar what was Ceasars" and the contrast was to render ourselves unto God. Politics has divide churches and people and the "witness" optics are not Biblical by any means. Though I wish I had some kind of spiritual insight, I don't know how this is going to play out.
On what might be a significant break from former President Donald Trump, he was not invited to a gathering of evangelical and Jewish leaders, Christians United for Israel, scheduled for this weekend in Iowa.“While he has been invited in the past, former President Donald Trump was not invited to this year’s summit,” a senior adviser to CUFI told The Messenger on Friday. CUFI is a group of Christian Right activists and Jewish leaders, which is hosting a number of GOP 2024 hopefuls.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed the state’s 6-week abortion ban into law at an evangelical Christian event in Des Moines on Friday. Though the law takes effect immediately upon her signature, pro-abortion advocates were in court this afternoon attempting to block the legislation. Reynolds signed the bill at the Family Leadership Summit, an evangelical Christian event where many presidential (and VP) hopefuls show up. “Our work is not done,” Reynolds told the crowd. “As we gather here today at this very moment, the abortion industry is in the court trying to prevent this law from taking effect and stop, once again, the will of the people.” (The will of the people in Iowa is to support abortion, according to a March poll)
Regardless of what I think about abortion, what I am concerned about is the marriage that politicians and evangelicals have created over the abortion issue. The marriage between the two groups became culturally relevant during the Reagan administration. This prompted the rise of Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority which was also being bolstered by the evangelical teachings of Francis Schaeffer who told Christians that abortion was the most important issue facing the church at that time. It has become a political culture war which, seems to ignore Jesus' commands to "go out into the ends of the earth." You can't reach souls via being polar opposites of each other in political parties. Jesus never joined a political party. The closest we got to Jesus on the issue of politics was that we should "render unto Ceasar what was Ceasars" and the contrast was to render ourselves unto God. Politics has divide churches and people and the "witness" optics are not Biblical by any means. Though I wish I had some kind of spiritual insight, I don't know how this is going to play out.
On what might be a significant break from former President Donald Trump, he was not invited to a gathering of evangelical and Jewish leaders, Christians United for Israel, scheduled for this weekend in Iowa.“While he has been invited in the past, former President Donald Trump was not invited to this year’s summit,” a senior adviser to CUFI told The Messenger on Friday. CUFI is a group of Christian Right activists and Jewish leaders, which is hosting a number of GOP 2024 hopefuls.
Jesus never joined a political party. The closest we got to Jesus on the issue of politics was that we should "render unto Ceasar what was Ceasars" |
But then, there's this: Bishop E.W. Jackson, a prominent evangelical leader and champion of conservative values, announced the launch of his presidential campaign aimed at challenging the status quo and giving a voice to the millions of evangelical voters who have long been taken for granted by the Republican National Committee (RNC). With a clear message of accountability and empowerment, Bishop Jackson seeks to reshape the political landscape and ensure that the Christian vote is no longer overlooked by the establishment.
Jackson says he "is determined to break this pattern and usher in a new era of principled leadership, guided by Biblical principles and a commitment to upholding the Constitution." Truthfully, I don't see anything of any real eternal good come from it and appears to be just adding to the already building problem with Christian Nationalism already. |
| July 14, 2023 |
July 14, 2023:
Ed Stetzer posted an article at Church Leaders about how Pentecostals can turn the tide on their decline: "Pentecostalism is, by definition, a renewal movement. American Pentecostals cannot overlook the need for, as they often say, “a fresh touch of the Spirit.” Hiding the distinctives that have simultaneously made Pentecostals a “peculiar people” and propelled historic growth for the movement in favor of cultural relevance will likely have the opposite impact on growth than what those actions intend.
The emphasis on personal, experiential faith—especially a faith that touches the supernatural—also resonates deeply with the younger generational cohorts, who are much less suspicious of the supernatural than those who preceded them. Yet, these young people are also among the most racially and politically diverse generation in American history. Pentecostals would do well to consider (or even lean into) their historic identity as a movement that is deeply multi-ethnic, focused on both evangelism and social justice, and (prior to World War II) staunchly apolitical and pacifistic.
1)For a movement like Pentecostalism to continue to thrive, it must walk the fine line of returning to the roots of what has made it vibrant. Turning inward toward self-obsessed identity gatekeeping is the hallmark of stalling progress and eventual decline. 2) Pentecostals have to “tend to the fire,” lest the fire go out. For those within broader evangelicalism, this is a cautionary word for us as well. We need a fresh fire from the Holy Spirit to renew us, as expressed in the words of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, in his hymn Send the Fire: “Look down and see this waiting host / give us the promised Holy Ghost / we want another Pentecost / send the fire.”
I found it interesting since we are seeing a decline in church attendance and membership. The way I see it one of the main things churches need to dump is their political identities. Politics is something that can be done as a Christian but not because you are a Christian. Politics right now is mentally lethal and extremely divisive. Politics has never been in the foundation of Christianity. As Christians our identity should always be found in Christ and not the party of any political power. “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
Ed Stetzer posted an article at Church Leaders about how Pentecostals can turn the tide on their decline: "Pentecostalism is, by definition, a renewal movement. American Pentecostals cannot overlook the need for, as they often say, “a fresh touch of the Spirit.” Hiding the distinctives that have simultaneously made Pentecostals a “peculiar people” and propelled historic growth for the movement in favor of cultural relevance will likely have the opposite impact on growth than what those actions intend.
The emphasis on personal, experiential faith—especially a faith that touches the supernatural—also resonates deeply with the younger generational cohorts, who are much less suspicious of the supernatural than those who preceded them. Yet, these young people are also among the most racially and politically diverse generation in American history. Pentecostals would do well to consider (or even lean into) their historic identity as a movement that is deeply multi-ethnic, focused on both evangelism and social justice, and (prior to World War II) staunchly apolitical and pacifistic.
1)For a movement like Pentecostalism to continue to thrive, it must walk the fine line of returning to the roots of what has made it vibrant. Turning inward toward self-obsessed identity gatekeeping is the hallmark of stalling progress and eventual decline. 2) Pentecostals have to “tend to the fire,” lest the fire go out. For those within broader evangelicalism, this is a cautionary word for us as well. We need a fresh fire from the Holy Spirit to renew us, as expressed in the words of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, in his hymn Send the Fire: “Look down and see this waiting host / give us the promised Holy Ghost / we want another Pentecost / send the fire.”
I found it interesting since we are seeing a decline in church attendance and membership. The way I see it one of the main things churches need to dump is their political identities. Politics is something that can be done as a Christian but not because you are a Christian. Politics right now is mentally lethal and extremely divisive. Politics has never been in the foundation of Christianity. As Christians our identity should always be found in Christ and not the party of any political power. “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
Caesar will be like all the others. Earthly kingdoms will crumble and statues will erode. |
It seems to me that what Jesus says in his quote is that there is a place for the government. It has a rightful task and a duty it should fulfill. But even bringing God into consideration introduces a new dimension. The idea and reality of a Caesar is a grand and mighty thing, but as soon as we place God next to this earthly ruler, Caesar’s stature is immediately and radically put into perspective. Caesar will be like all the others. Earthly kingdoms will crumble and statues will erode.
Jesus had good reason to remain apart from politics. The message He preached was about government, but a government He would bring to the earth, not one that would come about through human effort. |
I end this with a quote I came across last night by the late Martyn Lloyd Jones:
“The terrible, tragic fallacy of the last hundred years has been to think that all man's troubles are due to his environment, and that to change the man you have nothing to do but change his environment. That is a tragic fallacy. It overlooks the fact that it was in Paradise that man fell.” ― David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
“The terrible, tragic fallacy of the last hundred years has been to think that all man's troubles are due to his environment, and that to change the man you have nothing to do but change his environment. That is a tragic fallacy. It overlooks the fact that it was in Paradise that man fell.” ― David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
July 14, 2023: Christian Headlines: J.D. Greear Supports National African American Fellowships' Challenge of SBC's Ban on Woman Pastors
Pastor and Former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, J.D. Greear, has expressed his support for the National African American Fellowship's challenge to a recent vote at the SBC's Annual Meeting to ban women pastors "of any kind."
Pastor and Former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, J.D. Greear, has expressed his support for the National African American Fellowship's challenge to a recent vote at the SBC's Annual Meeting to ban women pastors "of any kind."
Ed Stetzer Files
One key to the growth of a movement is for its people to believe with conviction that what it possesses is so important that it is worth sharing with others. This is a significant reason for the explosive growth of the Calvary Chapel and Vineyard Church movements in the 1970s and 1980s, respectively. They wanted people to experience what they had to offer. Looking earlier back, Baptists thought that way in the 1950s. Methodists thought that way during the Second Great Awakening.
Pentecostals believe they have something worth sharing. That’s a conviction from which we can all learn. Simply put, a lightly held faith is not a faith that is shared. Pentecostals seem to be less likely to hold their faith lightly, and that makes a difference.
-Ed Stetzer; Church Leaders; Pentecostals: Their Growth and the Implications for Evangelicalism 7.14.23
Pentecostals believe they have something worth sharing. That’s a conviction from which we can all learn. Simply put, a lightly held faith is not a faith that is shared. Pentecostals seem to be less likely to hold their faith lightly, and that makes a difference.
-Ed Stetzer; Church Leaders; Pentecostals: Their Growth and the Implications for Evangelicalism 7.14.23
July 14, 2023: NPR: Megachurches are getting even bigger as churches close across the country
Something clicked for Marlena Bhame when she first stepped into Liquid Church about four years ago. She'd been searching for something more spiritually dynamic and meaningful than the faith tradition she'd grown up in, or the various others she had tried out over the years.
When Bhame, who was raised in the evangelical Christian and Missionary Alliance tradition, arrived at the church in Parsippany, N.J., she was immediately struck by a feeling of belonging. The congregation mostly looked like her — a lot of millennials and Gen Z — and everyone seemed enthusiastic about being there.
"I was blown away by the amount of young people," she says. Liquid Church has helped Bhame, 28, and others like her find meaning even as many in her generation have turned away from organized religion. It is one of about 1,800 "megachurches" in the United States — defined as having 2,000 or more members. At a time when empty pews are forcing churches across the country to shutter, these mostly nondenominational houses of worship are largely bucking that trend — attracting younger, more vibrant and more diverse congregations.
Something clicked for Marlena Bhame when she first stepped into Liquid Church about four years ago. She'd been searching for something more spiritually dynamic and meaningful than the faith tradition she'd grown up in, or the various others she had tried out over the years.
When Bhame, who was raised in the evangelical Christian and Missionary Alliance tradition, arrived at the church in Parsippany, N.J., she was immediately struck by a feeling of belonging. The congregation mostly looked like her — a lot of millennials and Gen Z — and everyone seemed enthusiastic about being there.
"I was blown away by the amount of young people," she says. Liquid Church has helped Bhame, 28, and others like her find meaning even as many in her generation have turned away from organized religion. It is one of about 1,800 "megachurches" in the United States — defined as having 2,000 or more members. At a time when empty pews are forcing churches across the country to shutter, these mostly nondenominational houses of worship are largely bucking that trend — attracting younger, more vibrant and more diverse congregations.
July 14, 2023: Standard Newswire: Missionary Church USA Elects New, Youngest President
The Missionary Church USA elected its seventh president this week, marking a new era for the evangelical denomination based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Rev. Rodney Arnold of Knoxville, Tennessee was elected by delegates representing churches from across the country at the biannual SHIFT National Conference held in Orlando, Florida. At 40 years old, Rev. Arnold becomes the youngest president ever chosen by the denomination and the first from a southern state.
The Missionary Church USA elected its seventh president this week, marking a new era for the evangelical denomination based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Rev. Rodney Arnold of Knoxville, Tennessee was elected by delegates representing churches from across the country at the biannual SHIFT National Conference held in Orlando, Florida. At 40 years old, Rev. Arnold becomes the youngest president ever chosen by the denomination and the first from a southern state.
| July 13, 2023 |
July 13, 2023: NPR: Republican presidential candidates vie for the influential evangelical Christian vote
Evangelical Christians make up an oversized share of the Republican vote in Iowa. One prominent leader wants the state to move on in 2024, but can anyone pry evangelical votes away from Trump?
Evangelical Christians make up an oversized share of the Republican vote in Iowa. One prominent leader wants the state to move on in 2024, but can anyone pry evangelical votes away from Trump?
July 13, 2023: Politics North Carolina: EVANGELICAL IMPERIALISM
GOP legislators have introduced a bill that would transfer full control of public education to the evangelical community. This is not the banner under which they’ve brandished the legislation; their marketing consists, as usual, of pablum referring to “parents’ rights.” But the parents to whom they are referring are perfectly unambiguous: white people who identify as born-again Protestants. These are the people seeking a kind of cultural irredentism in our country.
GOP legislators have introduced a bill that would transfer full control of public education to the evangelical community. This is not the banner under which they’ve brandished the legislation; their marketing consists, as usual, of pablum referring to “parents’ rights.” But the parents to whom they are referring are perfectly unambiguous: white people who identify as born-again Protestants. These are the people seeking a kind of cultural irredentism in our country.
July 13, 2023: Politico: DeSantis is hoping Iowa evangelicals can make his campaign born again
As Ron DeSantis loses believers in the Beltway, he finds faith among some Iowa evangelical leaders.
As Ron DeSantis loses believers in the Beltway, he finds faith among some Iowa evangelical leaders.
| July 11, 2023 |
July 11, 2023:
One hundred and thirty years after his death, one of Britain’s most famous preachers has been recognized with an academic degree. Charles Haddon Spurgeon never received a theological qualification, but now the Bible college named after him has remedied that.
Last weekend, his great, great-granddaughter, received an honorary degree on his behalf from Spurgeon’s College.
C.H Spurgeon established the Metropolitan Tabernacle at the Elephant and Castle in London as a large, independent Reformed Baptist church. In 1861 it was the best attended non-conformist church of its day.
One hundred and thirty years after his death, one of Britain’s most famous preachers has been recognized with an academic degree. Charles Haddon Spurgeon never received a theological qualification, but now the Bible college named after him has remedied that.
Last weekend, his great, great-granddaughter, received an honorary degree on his behalf from Spurgeon’s College.
C.H Spurgeon established the Metropolitan Tabernacle at the Elephant and Castle in London as a large, independent Reformed Baptist church. In 1861 it was the best attended non-conformist church of its day.
July 11, 2023: Washington Post: The Rev. Stephen Pieters, who helped shift views on AIDS, dies at 70
His 1985 interview, conducted by televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, was considered a groundbreaking moment in changing public perceptions on AIDS
His 1985 interview, conducted by televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, was considered a groundbreaking moment in changing public perceptions on AIDS
| July 10, 2023 |
July 10, 2023:
Martin Luther King once said “The church must be reminded once again that (it) is not to be the master or the servant of the state, but the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state — never its tool. As long as the church is a tool of the state it will be unable to provide even a modicum of bread for men at midnight. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal and cease to be an echo of the status-quo, it will be relegated to an irrelevant social club with no moral or spiritual authority.”
Bill Leonard, a founding dean and professor of Baptist studies and church history emeritus at Wake Forest University School of Divinity, and spoke at a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly in Atlanta in late June. He stated that “Baptist churches must find ways to teach Baptist history. These days they either don’t know it, or they know the wrong kind.” The "wrong kind" is moving toward an Americanized Christian Nationalist version.
My personal observation on this goes way back to the 80s when parents started to view public education as evil and believed they were indoctrinating kids for "the state"(A common descriptive used by the late RJ Rushdoony as his reconstructionist organization, Chalcedon, moved toward home schooling as being necessary.)
Now I am not against home schooling as there are certainly some good reasons for it. But the problem with home schooling was that they began to teach their own kind of history...particular the erroneous idea that America was birthed as a Christian nation. It was not, but now almost 50 years later we are seeing the fruit of that. A lot of adults now believe America was founded as a Christian nation, even though Jesus was not mentioned, and not all of the founders were Christian. And truthfully, we really don't know what kind of other alternative realities were taught in many homeschool situations. Now there are also any Christian themed private schools that very likely teach alternative realities to many things.
Back to the bottom line again: Christian Nationalism is not Christian. It's politics with Christian decor. It is also the reason we are where we are at in America. The far right wing has opened itself to false realities and the delusions are coming full circle. Evangelicals supporting a criminal, a crooked businessman, a liar, a conman, a man with a record of abusing women, and a host of other things. He found an audience with the "uneducated". This "uneducated" demographic very likely git some education...but some of the stuff they were taught is wrong....it still means they are uneducated. Jesus is Lord. No politician will ever be.
Martin Luther King once said “The church must be reminded once again that (it) is not to be the master or the servant of the state, but the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state — never its tool. As long as the church is a tool of the state it will be unable to provide even a modicum of bread for men at midnight. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal and cease to be an echo of the status-quo, it will be relegated to an irrelevant social club with no moral or spiritual authority.”
Bill Leonard, a founding dean and professor of Baptist studies and church history emeritus at Wake Forest University School of Divinity, and spoke at a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly in Atlanta in late June. He stated that “Baptist churches must find ways to teach Baptist history. These days they either don’t know it, or they know the wrong kind.” The "wrong kind" is moving toward an Americanized Christian Nationalist version.
My personal observation on this goes way back to the 80s when parents started to view public education as evil and believed they were indoctrinating kids for "the state"(A common descriptive used by the late RJ Rushdoony as his reconstructionist organization, Chalcedon, moved toward home schooling as being necessary.)
Now I am not against home schooling as there are certainly some good reasons for it. But the problem with home schooling was that they began to teach their own kind of history...particular the erroneous idea that America was birthed as a Christian nation. It was not, but now almost 50 years later we are seeing the fruit of that. A lot of adults now believe America was founded as a Christian nation, even though Jesus was not mentioned, and not all of the founders were Christian. And truthfully, we really don't know what kind of other alternative realities were taught in many homeschool situations. Now there are also any Christian themed private schools that very likely teach alternative realities to many things.
Back to the bottom line again: Christian Nationalism is not Christian. It's politics with Christian decor. It is also the reason we are where we are at in America. The far right wing has opened itself to false realities and the delusions are coming full circle. Evangelicals supporting a criminal, a crooked businessman, a liar, a conman, a man with a record of abusing women, and a host of other things. He found an audience with the "uneducated". This "uneducated" demographic very likely git some education...but some of the stuff they were taught is wrong....it still means they are uneducated. Jesus is Lord. No politician will ever be.
| July 7, 2023 |
July 7, 2023: Aljazeera: An ex-anti-abortion evangelist on life as a pro-choice ‘traitor’
American Reverend Rob Schenck made a name for himself denouncing ‘baby killers’. Then he changed his mind.
American Reverend Rob Schenck made a name for himself denouncing ‘baby killers’. Then he changed his mind.
July 7, 2023: Washington Post: Born-again Christians are less Southern Baptist than they used to be
The religious right is still the backbone of the GOP, but it is changing denominationally
The religious right is still the backbone of the GOP, but it is changing denominationally
July 7, 2023: Christian Post: Pastor Greg Locke repents, scrubs thousands of videos from Facebook to 'minimize collateral damage'
Nearly four months after revealing that he got too involved with politics to the point where it was overshadowing his ministry, Pastor Greg Locke, the internet famous leader of Global Vision Bible Church in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, announced that he scrubbed thousands of videos with billions of views from his Facebook page to minimize some of the “collateral damage” they caused.
Nearly four months after revealing that he got too involved with politics to the point where it was overshadowing his ministry, Pastor Greg Locke, the internet famous leader of Global Vision Bible Church in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, announced that he scrubbed thousands of videos with billions of views from his Facebook page to minimize some of the “collateral damage” they caused.
July 7, 2023: Church Leaders: Josh Hawley Tweets Fake Quote About US Founding, Sparking Allegations of Christian Nationalism
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley is fielding allegations of Christian nationalism this week after he tweeted out a quote falsely attributed to a Founding Father claiming the U.S. was founded “on the Gospel of Jesus Christ” and later tweeted out a thread of other quotes along similar lines.
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley is fielding allegations of Christian nationalism this week after he tweeted out a quote falsely attributed to a Founding Father claiming the U.S. was founded “on the Gospel of Jesus Christ” and later tweeted out a thread of other quotes along similar lines.
July 7, 2023: Christian Post: Evangelical Covenant Church drops congregation over LGBT 'policies and practices'
For the second time in its history, the Evangelical Covenant Church has formally removed a congregation from its membership over policies that affirm same-sex marriage and invite LGBT individuals to hold leadership positions in the church.
For the second time in its history, the Evangelical Covenant Church has formally removed a congregation from its membership over policies that affirm same-sex marriage and invite LGBT individuals to hold leadership positions in the church.
| July 6, 2023 |
July 6, 2023: Gospel Coalition: Let Jonathan Edwards Be Your Spiritual Guide
here’s no end to the writing of books about Jonathan Edwards. Over the past two generations, scholars have rediscovered Edwards, culminating in the 26-volume Works of Jonathan Edwards published by Yale University Press (plus another 52 volumes available exclusively online). During the same period, Edwards reemerged as something of a patron saint among many evangelicals, especially those appreciative of the Reformed tradition or concerned with spiritual awakening.
here’s no end to the writing of books about Jonathan Edwards. Over the past two generations, scholars have rediscovered Edwards, culminating in the 26-volume Works of Jonathan Edwards published by Yale University Press (plus another 52 volumes available exclusively online). During the same period, Edwards reemerged as something of a patron saint among many evangelicals, especially those appreciative of the Reformed tradition or concerned with spiritual awakening.
| July 3, 2023 |
July 3, 2023: Christian Post: David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity
Over the last five years, David Platt, pastor of McLean Bible Church near Washington, D.C., began noticing a disturbing trend in the Church: Instead of being eager to unite around Jesus, the Body of Christ was becoming increasingly quick to divide over what he refers to as the “idolatry of personal and political convictions.”
Over the last five years, David Platt, pastor of McLean Bible Church near Washington, D.C., began noticing a disturbing trend in the Church: Instead of being eager to unite around Jesus, the Body of Christ was becoming increasingly quick to divide over what he refers to as the “idolatry of personal and political convictions.”
July 7. 2023: David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity
David Platt Files
“If we’re not careful, we can conflate the Gospel with American ideals and values and power and politics, and in the process, lose the way of Jesus. What He's called us to is so much bigger than what we are tempted to get caught up with in this world, and particularly my country, with the pursuit of comfort and power and politics and prosperity here....We need to make sure we know which beliefs go in which bucket,” adding that particularly during the last election, many people “put how you voted in the same bucket that we put the atonement of Jesus and the Trinity......No, these are not the same. And so we need to be careful not to mix those buckets and then careful to remember how to love people who have convictions in different buckets.” --David Platt; Christian Post; David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity 7.3.23
David Platt Files
“I'm not saying politics aren't important, and I’m not saying all comfort is all bad. But I'm saying we've been called to follow One who beckons us to die to ourselves in this world and to live for another world altogether, not to live for a country that one day, like all other countries, is going to fall and to live for a Kingdom that's going to last forever. And that changes the way we live here....How can we experience the multi-ethnic beauty of the Church? How can we make sure we're seeking God not as a means to an end, but as the end? How can we be intentional about showing counter-cultural compassion in the world and doing justice in a world of injustice?”
--David Platt; Christian Post; David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity 7.3.23
--David Platt; Christian Post; David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity 7.3.23
David Platt Files
“The key for me as a pastor is to make sure where the Bible speaks clearly and directly that I'm speaking clearly and directly. For years, I was silent about abortion. And I just kind of saw that as a political issue. And then I was reading Psalm 139 one day, and I'd read it before, but God just opened my eyes in a fresh way: This is a biblical issue far before it's a political issue. I think many times we as pastors, if we're not careful, can be selective about the issues we will address or won't address from the Word based on the political party that most people in our church may align with. And that's where we've got to be really, really careful that the world's not setting the agenda for what we're preaching and teaching, but it really is God's Word that’s setting that agenda.” --David Platt; Christian Post; David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity 7.3.23
David Platt Files
“Our purpose on the planet is not to promote the greatness of our nation, it's to spread the Gospel to all nations. We have more opportunities than ever before in history, to spread the Gospel to the ends of the Earth today than any other people have ever had...In all this, I think one of my biggest concerns is to call the Church to see that Jesus is not a means to an end; He is the end. He is the One. God Himself is the goal of the Gospel. If we're not careful, we can subtly look to him as a means to a variety of other ends that will fall far short of what our hearts were created to find satisfaction in,”
--David Platt; Christian Post; David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity 7.3.23
--David Platt; Christian Post; David Platt laments 'idolatry of personal and political convictions' in the Church, issues call to unity 7.3.23
| July 2, 2023 |
July 2, 2023: The Stream: Making Jesus in Their Own Image’: Left-Wing Groups are Using AI to Re-Write the Bible and Talk to ‘God’
David Clossum Files
“I do have concerns with what I understand PETA has done, which is using artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, to rewrite the creation story. There’s obviously different translations of the Old and the New Testament with ChatGPT … [but] this isn’t just a difference in translation. This is a different interpretation of the actual text and I think that there are theological issues with what PETA is putting out in this version of the Bible....I think that there’s still enough of a consensus in America that it’s a good thing to have God on your side. It’s a good thing to have the Bible on your side. Christian ministers are going to have their work cut out for them to help people understand what the real Jesus actually taught on a host of issues.”
-- David Closson, director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at the Family Research Center 7.2.23
-- David Closson, director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at the Family Research Center 7.2.23
Darrel Bock Files
“It’s … a misrepresentation of what the Bible presents about creation and in that, it distorts the divine order that is a part of that creation story by really reframing the way the story is presented. And so it’s revisionism as opposed to really substantively reflecting what the Bible is saying. It fits PETA’s mission, but it doesn’t reflect what the Bible says about the creation.”
-- Darrell Bock, executive director of Cultural Engagement and Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies at the Dallas Theological Seminary 7.2.23
Ingrid Newkirk Files
“The Bible has long been used to justify all forms of oppression, so we’ve used ChatGPT to make it clear that a loving God would never endorse exploitation of or cruelty to animals,” Newkirk said in the press release. “It took God only six days to create the entire world, but we realized it would take us years to rewrite the whole Bible, which is why we’ve started with just the first book.” -- PETA President Ingrid Newkirk 7.2.23
Dallas Mass Revival; Greenville, Texas
Bible Davids Files
“This is not just a conference, this is a move of God. This is the wave of the Holy Spirit....The Lord told me, he said, ‘Tell the people to shout fire seven times. He said, When they shout seven times, the whole place is going to erupt like a volcanic eruption with My glory.’”
--Bible Davids; Dallas Mass Revival; Greeneville, Texas; 7.1.23
Rebecca Bible Davids Files
“In case you don't know, this is not a show, this is not a regular conference. This is revival here. This is revival...You know when John the Baptist says, ‘I'm not honored to even unlatch your shoes,’ so I'm not going to go there,.”
--Rebecca Bible Davids; introducing Greg Locke at Dallas Mass Revival; Greeneville, Texas; 7.1.23
Greg Locke Files
"(I am) fully aware he is the “least likely man on the planet to not just be involved in deliverance ministry, but to somewhat be tip of the spear in helping to bring back a movement that should have never gone anywhere. We're talking about the number one ministry of Jesus, and yet here's what the Church by and large says. They say, ‘We'll get you a bracelet, a hat and a shirt that says ‘what would Jesus do? I know what Jesus did because I read a Bible. Jesus cast out evil spirits. You have to understand that I am a man that was against all of this. I was against deliverance; I was against miracles, tongues, signs, wonders, baptism of the Holy Spirit, supernatural healings. I preached the Gospel, the death, the burial, the resurrection. But you need to know something about Greg Locke: for 30 years, I preached cute sermons with really no power and deliverance changed everything about my life. Deliverance changed our church. Deliverance is not just a one-and-done. Deliverance is a disciplined Christian walk by the power of the Holy Spirit......I know all the arguments against why we're supposed to be here today. I know all the arguments against healing and laying hands on the sick and casting out demons and the foolish argument, ‘Can Christians be afflicted by demons?..........Of course they can be afflicted by demons. The Church has been demonized and can be set free by the power of the name of Jesus, but the problem is the pastors themselves have never submitted their life to personal deliverance, and if you have a leader that's never been delivered, you'll have a church full of people that are bound in their religion......I was that way for many, many years. I knew the truth, I saw the supernatural, but I was afraid of it......Moms and dads coming to church, pretending to love Jesus, then going home fussing, fighting, cussing, arguing, witchcraft on the television, burning sage in their house, Mama with her yoga membership getting a Kundalini Spirit down at the local Southern Baptist Church. Our kids look at all that, and they're like, ‘Well, my goodness, if that's Christianity, I don't want anything to do with it............It’s happening before your very eyes. Don’t miss your miracle......How many Christians here want to have this same anointing and this same encounter next month again?" he asked. “We need urgently to cover the expense for the event that runs into hundreds of thousands and the ministry that's just six months old. Step out by faith, be moved by God. If the Lord said to you, ‘I want you to step in and partner with this movement with ten thousand dollars,’ run to the altar. Run, run, run.”
--Pastor Greg Locke talks 'deliverance' from Evangelicalism at Dallas Mass Revival; 7.1.23
--Pastor Greg Locke talks 'deliverance' from Evangelicalism at Dallas Mass Revival; 7.1.23
| July 1, 2023 |
July 1, 2023:
Hymns for the Lukewarm Church:
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn't Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I'm Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. Take My Life and Let Me Be
7. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
8. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
9. He's Quite a Bit To Me
10. Oh, How I Like Jesus
11. Fill My Spoon, Lord
12. It Is My Secret What God Can Do
Hymns for the Lukewarm Church:
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn't Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I'm Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. Take My Life and Let Me Be
7. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
8. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
9. He's Quite a Bit To Me
10. Oh, How I Like Jesus
11. Fill My Spoon, Lord
12. It Is My Secret What God Can Do