PDF FILE DOWNLOAD INTO HIS INVESTIGATION
Uncategorized
Gentle Speech to All?
by John McGlone
The following letter is from a discourse I had some seven years ago with my friend Ben Narsil who helps to coordinate the SOAPA conferences. I was going through some old study notes and found his very well articulated letter. I was in a season where I was confusing some key passages about the gentleness of the elder or pastor toward brethren, and the ministry of the open air preacher to the lost heathen. In short, his well laid out arguments point to many differences in the offices of the preacher and the pastor. I find that most Christian denominations will call the Pastor a preacher, when he never does that function either in or outside the building they call ‘church’. He will teach, but very rarely do they preach the Gospel in the truest sense of the word. Please, read carefully. I find that this communication is very nicely done.
Thank you.
Regards in Christ,
John McGlone, Jesus Preacher Ministries
Dear Bro. McGlone,
I am sorry that you feel the way you do about our disagreement on the application of the GENTLENESS paradigm to the delivery of the message of the Will of God to sinners. You will be missed. The SOAPA conference is like Christmas to me…it is a time when this local area is blessed with the delivery of a solid message on the Will of God and what sinners must do in response to this revelation. Frankly, I am sorry that you are allowing our disagreement to stand between you and the fellowship of the brethren at the conference as well as the conversations you might have had with local sinners on their way to Hell. We have already lost several other brethren this year due to the fact that they cannot abide with those who hold contrary views to their Calvinist beliefs. I have even lost fellowship with my brother-in-law, Bro. XXXX XXXXXX, over these very same kind of issues and it is always a religious subject matter at the heart of the disfellowship. I was told by Pastor XXXXX XXXX (Independent Baptist) after asking him to speak at another SOAPA conference that he could not do so because he found out that I was divorced and in his opinion I should not even be open air preaching…XXXXX XXXXXX will not attend a SOAPA conference ever again because we had a disagreement over the way that I handled a situation involving an individual that attended a SOAPA conference in 2007. This individual was from the Church of Christ and in XXXXX’s opinion he was a heretic and XXXXX wanted me to denounce the guy from the pulpit in the church. I refused to do so and in a moment of “gentleness” I spoke to the individual privately and took care of the matter in this fashion. You really don’t know much about my personal background, formal Christian education or struggle with the pastors over the years. If you did then perhaps you would consider my position on the subject that you choose to speak on with a little more introspection. I don’t know how many churches you have been a member of, how long you endured at these churches, how long you have been doing this kind of ministry, how many other types of ministries you have been involved in, what other types of work you have done in the harvest field or what your formal Christian educational background is. All of these things help one to understand and contextualize the stance from which a particular man of God is delivering a message. As you know, the THEME of the conference is the LOVE of God. You decided that you wanted to deliver a piece on GENTLENESS. It was your decision to go against the flow of the overall theme and take that stance. It is a subject that has a lot to do with PASTORAL DUTIES and there is a huge gulf between the duties of a Pastor and the work of the open air preacher in Post Christian America. Obviously this is not a pastor’s conference even though, remarkably, we have some pastors that are speaking at it…again, you will be missed.
I have given your position on the application of the Gentleness paradigm to the open air preaching venue some further consideration and analysis. This is the product of that work…
I began my analysis of the Biblical meaning of “Gentle” as it was used by Paul in his Epistles to both Timothy and Titus by taking another look at 2 Tim 2:19-26
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
I asked myself the following questions:
- Is Paul addressing the subject of the public proclamation of the Gospel in this passage?
- Is Paul setting forth “Public Preaching Tips” for Timothy and for everyone else throughout history in every setting and every situation?
- In verse 24, was Paul citing another portion of Scripture found in the Old or New Testament where the same subject matter is addressed?
- Is the “Pastoral” ministry the focus of this passage or is the “Prophetic or Preaching” ministry the focus of this passage?
- Are there any other parallel passages of Scripture that one can point to that might support one’s conclusion about the meaning and application this passage?
- Are there passages of Scripture that one can cite that contradict ones conclusion about the meaning and application of this passage?
Answers:
- Paul is NOT addressing the public proclamation of the Gospel, open air preaching, street preaching, campus preaching or pulpit preaching in this passage…he is addressing the problems associated with the PASTORAL ministry and especially those that were causing some of the Christians to abandon a life of holiness and pure devotion to Christ.
- Paul was not setting forth absolute guidelines for the public declaration of the Word of God that were to be enshrined in perpetuity as the chief cornerstone, rule of thumb and plumb line that characterizes those that preach the Word.
- The answer is a qualified NO. A quick check of cross references for 2 Tim 2:24 reveals that this instruction was not originally set forth in any other non-Pauline text, in fact, the only cross references are to other Pauline Epistles. This passage is cross referenced with 1 Tim 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;… Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers…Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
- This passage is dealing with the duties of a Shepherd of the flock or a BISHOP in the Church.
- YES, there are parallel passages or similar passages, 1 Tim 3:2, Titus 1:9 and Titus 3:2
- YES, this needs to be examined and explored in greater detail.
Paul appears to be giving the same instruction to Titus in chapter 3 verse 2 as he gave to Timothy in 2 Tim 2:24. What was the situation with Titus 3:2?
Paul starts his letter to Titus with the following statement:
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching,
So, is Titus 3:2 to be understood as being directly connected with “preaching”?
The answer is NO.
Why is it NO?
Titus 3:1 holds the answer: “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”
Who is the “THEM” in verse 1? It is the congregation…the believers…this is not a text concerning the preaching of the Word in a public setting to a crowd of apostates, reprobates, homo sex perverts and lesbians…
Now we look at Titus 3:2 “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
This describes the desired characteristics of church members as they live out their daily lives at work, at home and in the church. This does not and was not intended as a description concerning the attitude and disposition of the PROPHET or PUBLIC REPROVER when he is declaring, with all authority, the Will of God to people that have come to believe that homosexuality and lesbianism are “OK” with God and that homos can be considered “saved” and on their way to heaven.
The commentary found in Family Bible Notes confirms this:
Speak evil of no man; falsely or unnecessarily. True religion makes good subjects, quiet citizens, peaceful neighbors, and renders men meek, patient, and forgiving in all the relations of life.
Matthew Henry comments in a similar way concerning the Epistle to Titus:
Of duties which concern Christians more in common, and the reasons of them, Tit 3:1-8.
This confirms my point…Paul is describing the desired characteristics or duties of common believers in their daily lives…to be peaceful neighbors and quite citizens…THIS IS NOT talking about those who are called out of the sheepfold to “lift up their voice and cry aloud, spare not, shew My people their sins”
Isa 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Jamieson-Fausett-Brown commentary qualifies the meaning of “GENTLE” in this passage
gentle–towards those who attack us.
John Wesley qualifies the meaning of the word “GENTLE” as:
To be gentle-When assaulted.
Matthew Henry comments:
To be gentle; equitable and just, or candid and fair in constructions of things, not taking words or actions in the worst sense; and for peace sometimes yielding somewhat of strict right.
The New Commentary on the Whole Bible comments:
gentle—toward those who quarrel with us.
Gentleness when attacked, not taking words or actions in the worst sense, gentle towards those who quarrel with us and gentle when assaulted…WHY would a nice, quiet, peaceful Christian in the First Century Church need to worry about being attacked and assaulted in the first place? Because they were a threat to both Jewish and Pagan national security in the sense that they stood opposed to the rampant moral depravity of the Greek lifestyle (rampant homosexuality) as well as that which was promoted by both the Pharisee and Gnostic Jewish sects.
Again, this verse is not to be taken as instructional material for the open air preaching ministry. It is specifically targeted at the common characteristics to be exemplified in the daily lives of church members. Should the open air preacher or campus preacher be GENTLE when attacked or assaulted? Yes, he should! This is the meaning of the word…it does not mean that the open air preacher should lower his voice, tone down his message, soften his delivery and approach to the subject of sin and sinners and then make every effort to avoid confrontation or offense by avoiding certain or specific words that the culture of our day and age deems as “hate speech”…
What was the OBJECTIVE set forth by Paul in his opening statement to Titus in Chapter 1?
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Clearly this letter was intended to be understood, as his letters to Timothy were, as a guide for the PASTORAL MINISTRY to which they were appointed. Paul cuts to the chase in describing the TYPE of men that Titus should ORDAIN as elders in the rest of Chapter 1 which follows:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
So, after Paul gives a list of characteristics that qualify one for the office of Bishop he then zeros in on vs.9 and gives the MAIN reason why these men should be chosen for this office. It’s not enough to be a “nice guy” in the local church, it’s not enough to be a lover of good men, to be sober, just, holy and temperate…you could be all these things and still not qualify for the office of a Bishop. A Bishop needs to be one that is firmly rooted in sound doctrine AND one that is not afraid to HOLD FAST the “faithful word” because one of the key aspects of the responsibility of the Bishop is to STOP THE MOUTHS of those who subvert the Truth…A Bishop must have the spine to REBUKE those who subvert the Truth.
Paul does not say: REBUKE THEM GENTLY or give them a gentle rebuke…REBUKE THEM SHARPLY!
Who is it that Paul wants Titus and or the Bishops to rebuke sharply? Verse 16…those that are mere professors of Christianity but in their works and in particular their HOMO SEX ABOMINATIONS deny Him!!! These FALSE professors of faith in Christ are the ones that need the SHARP REBUKE! And a sharp rebuke is not to be understood as a being given in a gentle manner.
Paul continues his exhortation to Titus in Chapter 2 with the following
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Please note that Paul does not say REBUKE WITH ALL GENTLENESS…
At this point it is incumbent upon us to consider the gravity of these admonitions in light of your opinion that the instruction given to Titus concerning gentleness should be universally applied to the attitude and disposition of those who are called to the open air preaching ministry…it is my opinion that these admonitions contradict your proposition. I would also point out what various commentaries have had to say concerning this passage in Titus:
Adam Clarke Titus 2:15
FEW portions of the New Testament excel this chapter. It may well form the creed, system of ethics, and text book of every Christian preacher. Does any man inquire what is the duty of a Gospel minister! Send him to the second chapter of the Epistle to Titus for a complete answer. There he will find what he is to believe, what he is to practise, and what he is to preach. Even his congregation is parcelled out to him. The old and the young of both sexes, and those who are in their employment, are considered to be the objects of his ministry; and a plan of teaching, in reference to those different descriptions of society, is laid down before him. He finds here the doctrine which he is to preach to them, the duties which he is required to inculcate, the motives by which his exhortations are to be strengthened, and the end which both he and his people should have invariably in view.
These are truths which must be preached, which are not preached enough, and which cannot be preached too often. Awake, pastors! and do not the work of the Lord carelessly. Awake, people! and believe to the saving of your souls. How shall he who is styled a minister of the Gospel, and who neither knows, feels, nor heartily inculcates these things, give an account in the great day, of himself, his calling, and his flock, to God? And when this Gospel is preached faithfully and zealously, how shall the people escape who neglect so great a salvation? Neglect, in such a case, is the highest contempt which man can offer to his Maker. Surely such conduct must expect judgment without mixture of mercy. Reader, lay this to heart. (In my opinion, this commentary reaffirms the point that this message is directed to PASTORS and their pastoral duties as a shepherd of the flock. It is not a commentary on transferring the Pastoral paradigm or template onto the function or job description of the open air preacher who is dealing with a raw, mixed multitude raised in a post-Christian American culture.)
Albert Barnes Comments (and I whole heartily agree with him on this…)
Verse 15. And rebuke with all authority. See Barnes for 1Ti 5:1, See Barnes for 1Ti 5:20; See Barnes for 2Ti 4:2. The word authority here means command epitagh. 1Co 7:6; 16:24; 2Co 8:8; 1Ti 1:1; Tit 1:3. The sense here is, he was to do it decidedly, without ambiguity, without compromise, and without keeping any thing back. He was to state these things not as being advice or counsel, but as the requirement of God. (Note, Barnes does not say REBUKE WITH ALL GENTLENESS OF SPIRIT…and he adds that this delivery is NOT a form of ADVICE or COUNSEL…it is not done in a fashion where there is the option of negotiation or apology)
Barnes Comments on 1 Tim 5:20 Verse 20.
Them that sin. That have been proved to have committed sin–referring probably to the elders mentioned in the previous verse, but giving the direction so general a form that it might be applicable to others. Rebuke before all. Before all the church or congregation. The word rebuke properly denotes to reprove or reprehend. It means here that there should be a public statement of the nature of the offence, and such a censure as the case demanded. It extends only to spiritual censures. (In my opinion the PUBLIC STATEMENT of the nature of the offense means that the offense will be described in detail and properly addressed from the viewpoint of the God of the Bible.)
That others also may fear. That they be kept from committing the same offence. Comp. 1Pe 2:14. The end of punishment is not the gratification of the private feelings of him who administers it, but the prevention of crime. (I agree with the point in this commentary…that articulating the end punishment for crimes against nature and natures God should cause FEAR in the hearts and minds of the sinner and that this AUTHORITATIVE and NO HOLDS BARRED approach does not include the notion of gentleness.)
Barnes Comments on 2 Tim 4:2
Rebuke. Rebuke offenders. In the New Testament the word is used to express a judgment of what is wrong, or contrary to one’s will, and hence to admonish or reprove. It implies our conviction that there is something evil, or some fault in him who is rebuked. The word in this verse rendered reprove, does not imply this, but merely that one may be in error, and needs to have arguments presented to convince him of the truth. The propriety of the rebuke rests on our authority for doing it, not on the arguments which we present. This is based on the presumption that men often know that they are doing wrong, and need no arguments to convince them of it. The idea is, that the minister is not merely to reason about sin, and convince men that it is wrong; but he may solemnly admonish them not to do it, and warn them of the consequences. (I whole heartily agree!!!! That the minister is NOT MERELY to reason about sin and convince men that it is wrong BUT that there is this NON-GENTLE approach to solemnly admonish…not to gently admonish, not to softly admonish, not to admonish them with reason by appealing to the intellect and rational thought processes but to drop the hammer on the heart with all seriousness and strength.)
Mathew Henry comments on Titus 2:15
The great and necessary truths and duties of the gospel, especially, these speak and exhort, parakalei, press with much earnestness. Ministers must not be cold and lifeless in delivering heavenly doctrine and precepts, as if they were indifferent things or of little concern; but they must urge them with earnestness suitable to their nature and importance; they must call upon persons to mind and heed, and not be hearers only, deceiving themselves; but doers of the word, that they may be blessed therein. And rebuke; convince and reprove such as contradict or gainsay, or neglect and do not receive the truth as they should, or retain it in unrighteousness–those who hear it not with such a believing and obedient mind and heart as they ought, but, instead of this (it may be) live in contrary practices, showing themselves stubborn and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate. Rebuke with all authority, as coming in the name of God, and armed with his threatenings and discipline, whoever make light of which will do it at their peril. Ministers are reprovers in the gate.
In my opinion Mathew Henry does not say: Rebuke with all gentleness of spirit, armed with gentleness lest you should offend the sinner and drive them away…He says that we should be ARMED with the threatening and discipline that accompany the WRATH of God against all workers of iniquity and finishes his commentary by stating that Ministers are REPROVERS in the gate…
Question:
Does Paul give Timothy instructions in 2 Tim 2:19-26 that have to do with:
- Timothy’s relationship with his employer or neighbor
- Timothy’s relationships with friends and family
- Timothy’s involvement in secular, non-religious activities
- Timothy’s oversight of the church
Answer: D
Additional Supporting documentation
Commentary on 2 Tim 2:19-20
Adam Clark Comments:
In this place the apostle compares the religion of Christ to a great or noble mansion. See 2Ti 2:20. And as this religion is founded on the authority and power of the Almighty, it necessarily must stand sure and be permanent.
Albert Barnes Comments:
The meaning is, that though some had been turned away by the arts of these errorists, yet the foundation of the church which God had laid remained firm. As long as this foundation remained firm, there was no reason to be troubled from the few-instances of apostasy which had occurred
The meaning is, that it is an elementary principle in the true church, that all who become members of it should lead holy lives. It was also true that they would lead holy lives, and amidst all the defections of errorists, and all their attempts to draw away others from the true faith, those might be known to be the true people of God who did avoid evil.
________________________________________________________________________________
2 Tim 2:19 sets the stage for what is to follow in verses 20-26. The context here is that which has to do with Timothy’s attitude, disposition and course in dealing with problems and the people that create these particular problems WITHIN the church. In particular, it was those people that were causing problems by drawing believers away from the Christian faith. These people are referred to as “ERRORISTS” by Albert Barnes…they were in fact, JEWISH GNOSTICS!
Now let’s take a look at 2 Tim 2:23 “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.”
Albert Barnes Comments:
Verse 23. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid. See Barnes for 1Ti 1:4; See Barnes for 1Ti 1:6; See Barnes for 1Ti 4:7. The word unlearned, here, means trifling; that which does not tend to edification; stupid. The Greeks and the Hebrews were greatly given to controversies of various kinds; and many of the questions discussed pertained to points which could not be settled, or which, if settled, were of no importance. Such has been the character of no small part of the disputes which have agitated the world. Paul correctly says that the only effect of such disputes is to engender harsh contention. Points of real importance can be discussed with no injury to the temper; but men cannot safely dispute about trifles.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Comments:
unlearned–Greek, “undisciplined”; not tending to promote the discipline of faith and morals (Pr 5:23). “Uninstructive”; in contrast with “instructing” (2Ti 2:25), and “wise unto salvation” (2Ti 3:15).
People’s New Testament Commentary:
Foolish and unlearned questions avoid. Such unprofitable questions and speculations as the false teachers raise.
Robertson’s New Testament Word Pictures Commentary:
Ignorant (apaideutous). Old verbal, here only in N.T. (a privative and paideuô). Untrained, uneducated, “speculations of a half-educated mind”
So, here again, we find that there were those (GNOSTICS) who were causing problems for Timothy in the Church. These trouble makers were causing STRIFE by bringing up FOOLISH and STUPID questions…unprofitable speculations…causing controversy…leading some to abandon the faith. The instructions given to Timothy have to do with dealing with specific problems he was encountering from so who were harassing the church as it were…
How was Timothy to deal with these problems?
2 Tim 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
The key words are: STRIVE, GENTLE, PATIENT
Is Paul giving Timothy instructions on HOW TO PREACH to sinners in a public forum or HOW TO PREACH to new believers in the Church? Is this passage meant to be understood as having to do with Timothy’s PREACHING style? Is Paul concerned that Timothy is preaching to hard, that Timothy is using words in his preaching that his hearers would find to be offensive? In other words, is the main point of this passage concerned with the feelings of the unsaved, wicked sinners that Timothy has been preaching to and their response to his message? The obvious answer is NO…Paul is not giving instruction to Timothy about his preaching style, manner, method or message. Paul is not telling Timothy that he needed to be careful so as not to offend wicked sinners with his choice of specific words when he is preaching. Paul is not telling Timothy that he should be one that does not STRIVE with sinners and that his public ministry should be characterized by the crowd as being GENTLE. Paul is not telling Timothy that he needs to be PATIENT in terms of waiting for sinners to respond to his invitation to surrender all to Jesus…
In summary then I believe that the proposition you have set forth is properly understood within the context of the passage in which it appears and that being within the Church and among the brethren. I believe that the instruction given by Paul was not intended to be applied to the work of the public proclamation of the Will of God to a mixed multitude crowd in post-Christian America and I believe that I have support for this position from a variety of commentaries on the subject and scripture verses in question.
I hope that you will reconsider your decision not to attend the SOAPA conference but if not then I hope that we can remain friends and brothers in the faith.
May God richly bless you and your family!
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Ben Narsil
The Myth of Heliocentrism by Pr. Charlie Kennon
Historians, Astronomers, Mathematicians, Philosophers, and the New Age Scientism…
Is it really a proven scientific fact that the earth rotates on its axis at 1,000 mph. as it races through space at a speed of 66,000 mph. in orbit around the sun? Or is the earth, according to Scripture and verified scientific evidence actually at the center of the universe, stationary, and orbited by the sun, planets and star field? The glorious Biblical and scientifically validated truth set forth herein is sure to challenge the mythical heliocentric status quo and possibly your worldview as well. The tragic repercussion of rejecting the totality of the Scriptures as the perfect and authoritative standard of all reality, knowledge, ethics and beauty is that man will of necessity be relegated to grope in darkness as he vainly seeks to acquire certain knowledge independent of the Creator. Moreover, the Bible declares that all those who reject the self-attesting authority of God’s word will be given over to some degree of deception. This absolute spiritual truth is manifest in our day by the fact that “folly is set in great dignity” (Eccl 10:6). Case in point: What could be more laughable than evolution? What could be more barbaric than abortion? What could be more perverted than sodomy? What could be more demonic than Islam? What could be more arbitrary than psychology? Yet these antichrist ideologies are celebrated and promoted in our land and thought to be “normal” and even scientific.
To understand this cultural and epistemological dynamic, one must first understand the primary issue of history. Ultimately there has been only one battle which has raged since the beginning of time, and that is regarding what would be man’s ultimate standard and thus final authority in all things; The word of God or his own autonomous mind.
Thus in every discussion about any topic, the apparent issue of contention is usually not the ultimate issue; unless one is discussing the ultimate issue of course. Please allow me to explain. Whenever we engage anyone in dialogue regarding anything, the real battle of our discussion is not the “issue” but rather what will be the self-attesting final authority by which we will evaluate the facts and arrive at the truth.
For example, consider the abortion debate. The issue is not really pro-choice versus pro-life, but rather who defines and thus governs life; God’s word or man. The real issue in the marriage debate is likewise not heterosexual marriage versus homosexual marriage, but rather is God’s word the perfect and final authority, or does man have the right to autonomously define marriage. The controversy regarding origins and Genesis chapter one is not ultimately a battle between Creationism and Evolutionism or Religion and Science, but rather one regarding the veracity and authority of God’s Word as the only source of truth concerning ultimate issues.
The defining issue of life has always been and still is one regarding Lordship, and there are ultimately only two choices; God or man? Furthermore, one’s God/god is revealed, not by what one professes with his lips, but by his ultimate source of law; God’s word or his autonomous mind. Thus in the final analysis there are only two religions upon earth; Christianity and Humanism. Therefore in every facet of life there is one question to ask, “By what standard” do I form all of my beliefs and live my life. And the answer to that question determines if we will win or lose in the great battle of life.
If my thesis is true then we would expect satan to concentrate his efforts in the realm of final authority, and this is indeed exactly what we see. In his initial engagement with man, he leveled his attack upon God’s word with the question, “Hath God said?” For Adam and Eve, the real issue was thus not the tree of life versus the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but rather the question of what would they look to as their ultimate standard of reality, truth, ethics and beauty; the perfect word of God or their own fallible mind. Satan knew that if he could win this battle, then he would win the war.
However, while many will rightly declare that the Bible is the ultimate authority over all of life, the real issue is whether or not one actually believes the Bible and even more significantly whether or not one allows the Bible is the ultimate authority for the Bible itself. Satan understands this essential foundational aspect and has deceived multitudes who erroneously believe they can either arbitrarily decide which portions they will believe or arrogantly stand in judgment over the Scriptures in correcting its contents. Some are ashamed of its seemingly outdated and “unscientific” teachings and thus succumb to the propaganda of “science falsely so called,” ( I Tim 6:20) which arrogantly calls the Scriptures unscientific. Such is the folly of so called higher criticism. I for one however, am unashamed to cleave to and declare the plain testimony of the perfectly preserved and thus scientifically accurate word of God with child-like simplicity and I boldly mock any and every deviation therefrom.
“But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.” Acts 24:14
For roughly 5,400 years of history man held to a geocentric view of the universe because this was and is the unmistakable testimony of the Scriptures. However, in 1542 Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) insisted that the sun, and not the earth, was worthy to be at the center of the universe and this heliocentric position would over the next one hundred years become the status quo. However, this Copernican Revolution, was not fundamentally scientific in nature but rather theological, for the real revolution was against the perfection and authority of Scripture over every facet of life.
“The reverberations of the Copernican Revolution still ring today, particularly in the realms of politics and theology; for without said revolution, there could be no higher criticism which assumes God is incapable of writing what he meant to say or meaning what he wrote. Without the Copernican Revolution there would be no Marxism in which the state replaces God. Nor could there be any evolutionism with its bigotry and racism and faith that man will eventually evolve to ultimately overpower God. After all, if God cannot be taken literally when he writes of the “rising of the sun,” then how can he be taken literally in writing of the “rising of the Son?” According to ‘science’ both are impossible.” Gerardus Bouw, Ph.D Perhaps you may be tempted to muse, “Is this controversy really that important?’ Indeed it is! For the very character, word and eternal purpose of God in His creation are at stake. Moreover, if one does not understand what God has declared about the nature and position of our world in the universe, how can he even begin to establish a sound “Worldview.” Furthermore, if something is taught in Scripture, it must be important since there are no insignificant or disposable doctrines in the Bible. It was this very posture of fundamentalism which influenced men to wrongly believe that if something was not a salvific fundamental then it was not significant and thus a surrendering of said minors would not affect the foundations. Additionally and most significantly, we must realize that it was on this very issue of geocentricity that satan through “science” challenged God’s word before the eyes of the world.
A Brief Historical Sketch
An important question we should ask is this, “Why did Copernicus come to the conclusion that the sun is the center of the universe?” The answer to this question is to be found, not in the realm of science, but rather in the realm of religion and philosophy. Copernicus was particularly interested in the pagan Greek philosophers, Pythagoras and Aristarchus. Both of these men considered that the sun, being the embodiment of everything good and noble in the universe, should be the center of all of life. Copernicus agreed with his ancient Greek counterparts, and thus devised a heliocentric cosmological model in which the sun was the center of the universe and the stars and planets, including the earth, revolved around it. Although Copernicus’ theory provided explanations for odd phenomena like retrograde motion, it really did not prove that the planets actually orbited the sun.
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), a Renaissance scientist, enthusiastically took up Copernicus’ position. In doing so he attracted the attention of the Inquisition, who demanded that he produce proof for the new system. However, he had no proof, but simply stated that “he could not persuade himself” that the sun moved around the earth, because if it did, it would have to travel at a vast speed. This, however, was not a scientific proof either, and so Galileo was ordered to stop teaching the heliocentric view as fact. Galileo however continued to teach it anyway and was eventually placed under house arrest. Galileo claimed that he had found proof for the Copernican system when he constructed a telescope through which he was able to observe the four moons of Jupiter. Just as Jupiter’s moons circled Jupiter, he said, so the earth and the other planets of the solar system circle the sun. Of course, this did not prove anything except that the moons of Jupiter do indeed go around Jupiter. However, Galileo falsely deduced that his observation necessitated the smaller earth must orbit the larger sun. (It is also of note that a year before Galileo’s death he recanted of his heliocentrism and sided with the Scriptures.)
Tycho Brahe (1546–1601), recognized as one of the greatest observational astronomers of all time, devised a different model to account for these cosmological observations. In his model, he placed the earth at the center of the universe for one reason only: the Bible indicates that that is where it is. Brahe had the sun circling the earth, and the planets circling the sun, and being dragged around with the sun in their orbits, just as Jupiter carries its moons around with it as it orbits the sun. Brahe could satisfactorily account for his observations using this model. Unfortunately, Brahe died before he could publish his findings. He asked his assistant, Johannes Kepler, to publish them for him in terms of his geocentric view. Kepler, however, only partially kept his promise. He described Brahe’s model and showed that all the observations were consistent with it, but he personally preferred Copernicus’s model and came out openly in support of it.
Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) was a giant in scientific history, however it is interesting that Newton wrote more about Bible prophecy and chronology than all his other works combined. Newton’s formulas regarding gravity and motion affirmed the present heliocentric model with the stipulation that there were no forces outside our solar system exerting its influences thereupon. For, according to Newton, if there were other forces outside of our galaxy, a geocentric model could be sustained. “In reality, Newton did not teach that the smaller must go around the larger; rather, he taught that all celestial bodies will revolve around the center of mass. As such, even Newton agreed in his Principia that the earth could occupy the center of mass if all the other bodies in the universe were strategically placed around it so that all their gravitational masses balanced out at the center. In short, this is the scientific basis for geocentrism – the earth is the center of mass for the universe, and thus the universe will revolve around the earth.” Robert Sungenis Through the findings of Ernst Mach (1838-1916) some years later, this erroneous presupposition of Galileo regarding smaller bodies necessarily orbiting larger bodies was discredited. Mach, one of the greatest scientists of the last century, was responsible for introducing the additional necessary influences of the starfield upon our galaxy and thus meeting the stipulation of Newton. In essence Mach proved that due to the gravitational effects of the stars, there was no difference scientifically between a rotating earth and a fixed sun and a fixed earth and a moving sun and starfield, for both were scientifically viable and would produce the same effects upon the earth. Mach was troubled by the fact that there was no sound reason, based on observation, to reject the idea that the earth could be stationary at the centre of the universe. “Obviously it matters little if we think of the earth as turning about on its axis, or if we view it at rest while the fixed stars revolve around it. Geometrically these are exactly the same case of a relative rotation of the earth and the fixed stars with respect to one another.” In other words, according to Mach the two views of geocentrism and heliocentrism were equally valid on the basis of scientific equations and observation.
Ideas Have Consequences
Copernicus was in essence a Humanist who for philosophical reasons posited his deviant theory of heliocentrism which was nothing short of a direct attack upon the Scriptures. This tragic paradigm shift removed the earth from its God given privileged position in the universe, and reduced it to a wandering and insignificant planet hurtling through space. Higher criticism was a direct result of this satanic undermining of the Scriptures scientific accuracy. Upon the heels of the Copernican Revolution came the French Revolution. Not long after came Charles Lyell, who taking advantage of the revolutionary spirit unleashed by Copernicus, attacked Noah’s flood and posited his theory of Uniformitarianism which became the foundation of Darwin’s evolutionary speculations. Darwin confessed that without Copernicus opening the door of higher criticism, his theory never would have seen the light of day. It was then Marx who applied Darwin’s principles to politics and economics as he too acknowledged his indebtedness to Copernicus. Later came Nietzsche, Hitler, Sanger and others riding the wave of deception unleashed via the Copernican Principle. In the 1920’s Lenin himself expressed his indebtedness to Copernicus for making the world a safe place for Marxism and Communism. And if that is not enough just consider the devastating effects upon society which Einstein’s theory of Relativity has wrought not in the scientific realm only, but in regards to morality and truth. Ideas indeed have consequences, and when the foundation of Scriptural perfection, relevance and authority are undermined, the flood gates of hell are opened upon mankind. “After the [Copernican Revolution], the Bible was no longer considered authoritative in the realms of science, philosophy, and day to day reality. Less than 200 years after surrendering the Bible’s authority in the realm of Physical science, man surrendered it’s spiritual authority at the hands of the German school of higher criticism, a way of criticizing the Bible which is supposedly is based on natural revelation, that is, upon ‘scientific’ principles.”
What saith the Scripture?
When I was first challenged regarding the Biblical truth of geocentricity I laughed at this seemingly unscientific position. However, when I realized I had absolutely no Scripture for my then present heliocentric view I was troubled. Once I saw the clear testimony of Scripture on this subject that was all I needed and I was immediately convinced of this glorious God honoring and Scripture exalting truth.
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20
The clear testimony of Scripture declares that the earth is indeed stationary, neither revolving on an axis nor orbiting the sun. Furthermore the Scriptures state throughout its testimony that the sun both rises and sets (over 60 verses in the Scriptures), and thus orbits the earth. Not once does the Bible ever refer to the earth as rotating or moving through space. Those who say that the Bible is only recording the “appearance” of the movement of the sun are having to add to the plain meaning of the understanding of the Scriptures. Furthermore such are adopting the same position as liberal critics who have tried to destroy the perfection and authority of the Bible. Many erroneously declare that the passages which seem to posit geocentricity are merely figurative or poetic language. But this hermeneutical observation is more erudite than helpful, for poetry is as clear in its meaning as prose. “The world also is established that it cannot be moved” (Psalms 96:10) can hardly be a poetic way of saying that the earth is spinning on its axis and gyrating through space in a path determined by its orbit of the sun.
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1-2
The Earth was created on day one as the focal point and center of God’s creation. If the earth moved, what did it orbit on the first three days of creation? Why would it remain stationary for three days and then begin moving? Why would the earth revolve around the sun since the sun was created for the earth? It makes perfect sense in light of God’s unique purposes in the earth that it was created to be the very center of His Creation, a fact which undeniably declares His existence and authority over all things. For if the earth is indeed the center of our universe, then Someone with a capital “S” put it there. In fact, it is the theological significance of this favored position which keeps modern cosmological humanists from adopting the equally scientifically valid position of geocentricity. Modern scientists freely admit that geocentricity is just as scientifically valid as heliocentricity. Esteemed scientists such as Lawrence Krauss and Max Tegmark admit that the scientific evidence seems to point to geocentricity, but due to the theological and thus moral implications of such a position, they choose heliocentrism, not for its scientific superiority but rather because of said philosophical reasons.
Joshua’s Long Day
“Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.” Joshua 10:12-13
Regarding Joshua’s long day, the evidence in support of a geocentric model is overwhelming. Joshua commanded the sun to stand still and the Holy Ghost narrative confirms that this is indeed what happened. Joshua did not order the earth to cease rotating, nor did he qualify his statement with the divine knowledge that the sun was merely made to appear stationary. The sun was commanded to stand still because it is the sun that moves. Moreover, it is only possible to stop something that is moving.
Hezekiah’s Sign
“Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down. “ Isaiah 38:8
Again, the Holy Ghost narrative declares that the sun returned ten degrees and thus it was clearly the sun that moved and not the earth. Please note that in both of these accounts (Joshua and Hezekiah) that we are not reading what appeared to happen from man’s perspective, but rather what indeed happened from God’s perspective as the Spirit of God declares these things. The Psalmist plainly states that the sun is “as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” Psalm 19:5-6
Moreover the Scriptures declare that not only does the sun have a cricut, but the stars have a circuit as well. “They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.” Judges 5:20 However, nowhere is the Earth described as having any kind of circuit or course in all the word of God.
The Earth is at Rest
The plain testimony regarding the earth in the word of God is that it is at rest, neither orbiting or rotating. The times which the Scriptures refer to the earth moving is an anomaly which is always in regards to judgment. “And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.” Zechariah 1:11
“Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.” 1 Chronicles 16:30 “Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.” Job 9:6
“Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Psalm 46:2 “The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.” Psalm 93:1
“Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.” Psalm 96:10 “Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.” Psalm 104:5 “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.” Psalm 119:90 “One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.” Ecclesiastes 1:4 “Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.” Isaiah 13:13 “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” 1 Corinthians 8:13
Although I realize that the prominent meaning of some of these descriptions may not be cosmological, it is an obvious inference that the testimony of the Scriptures regarding the earth is that it is neither rotating or orbiting but stationary. Coupled with the Scriptures regarding the clear movement of the sun and stars, the implications are obvious.
The Resurrection of Christ and the Rising of the Sun
But perhaps the greatest consequence of denying the literal rising of the sun is that if the sun does not rise, then according to the Scriptures neither does Christ. God sets forth the sun as a type of Christ rising from the dead and if we make such language poetical then we negate the very essence of Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus Christ who in like manner rose from the dead. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Malachi 4:2
What saith Science?
“…All this evidence that the universe looks the same whichever direction we look in might seem to suggest there is something special about our place in the universe. In particular, it might seem that if we observe all other galaxies to be moving away from us, then we must be at the center of the universe.” Stephen Hawking
No scientific experiment has ever been performed to prove the earth either rotates on an axis or orbits the sun. In fact, every “proof” for a moving earth rotating on its axis has been discredited. Moreover, multitudes of scientific experiments have shown the earth to be stationary and at rest.
In fact, Einstein’s theory of Special Relativity was primarily to counter the many experiments which showed the earth was not moving. His subsequent General Theory of Relativity was to cover weaknesses in the Special Theory. (It is also significant that Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity allowed for the possibility that the Earth was at the center of the universe and motionless.)
Scientific Experiments Proving Geocentricity
1. The Michelson-Morley Experiment
In 1887, using an interferometer this experiment failed to detect any movement of the earth around the sun. It compared the speed of light in perpendicular directions, in an attempt to detect the relative motion of matter through the stationary aether. The result was negative, in that the expected difference between the speed of light in the direction of movement through the presumed aether, and the speed at right angles, was found not to exist. This result was a threat to the heliocentric status quo and had to be overcome. Thus the rescuing device of the ad hoc Fitzgerald-Lorentz shortening of the experimental apparatus was proposed, and eventually the paradoxical Relativity Theory was invented by Einstein to overcome this problem. However, there are three other experiments that have been deliberately ignored by universities because they support geocentricity.
2. The Michelson-Gale Experiment
This experiment detected the aether passing the surface of the earth with an accuracy of 2% of the speed of the daily rotation of the earth. Thus, the Michelson-Morely experiment detected no movement of the earth around the sun, yet the Michelson-Gale experiment measured a specific movement which was either the earth’s rotation or the aether’s rotation around the earth. This result speaks volumes for geocentricity because a rotating universe around a stationary earth would produce said effect. Moreover, the heliocentric model demand both a rotating and orbiting earth and this experiment would only validate its orbit.
3. “Airey’s failure”
If the earth were indeed moving through space, a telescope would have to be tilted slightly to get the starlight to go down the axis of the tube. In 1871 Airey filled one telescope with water which would slow down the speed of the light inside that telescope, but he discovered that he did not have to change the angle of the telescope at all. This showed that the starlight was already coming in at the correct angle so that no change was needed. This demonstrated that it was the stars that were moving relative to a stationary earth and not the fast orbiting earth moving relative to the comparatively stationary stars. For if it was the telescope moving he would have had to change the angle.
4. The Sagnac Experiment
Sagnac Experiment
Sagnac rotated a table complete with light and mirrors with the light being passed in opposite directions around the table between the mirrors. He detected the movement of the table by the movement of the interference fringes on the target where they were recombined. This proved that there is an aether that the light has to pass through and this completely destroys Einstein’s theory of Relativity that says there is no aether. It is for this reason that this experiment is completely ignored by scientists.
[An interesting sidenote is that all GPS satellites have the “Sagnac Effect” included into their computer programs which is another evidence against the theory of Relativity and an accredidation to the truths set forth in this article.]
Scientific Facts
According to Newton, Mach, Hawking, and Einstein both a moving earth in a fixed universe or a fixed earth with a moving sun/planets/star field are scientifically valid. Thus there are no scientific problems with the geocentric model.
“People need to be aware that there is a range of models that could explain the observations.” […] “For instance, I can construct you a spherically symmetrical universe with Earth at its center, and you cannot disprove it based on observations.” […] “You can only exclude it on philosophical grounds. In my view there is absolutely nothing wrong in that. What I want to bring into the open is the fact that we are using philosophical criteria in choosing our models. A lot of cosmology tries to hide that.” George F.R. Ellis
“The struggle, so violent in the early days of science, between the views of Ptolemy and Copernicus would then be quite meaningless. Either CS (Coordinate System) could be used with equal justification. The two sentences, ‘the sun is at rest and the earth moves,’ or ‘the sun moves and the earth is at rest,’ would simply mean two different conventions concerning two different CS.” Albert Einstein
All celestial phenomena such as stellar parallax and stellar aberration, the retrograde motion of planets, Coriolis Effect, Euler forces, and the Foucault Pendulum can all be explained from the geometry and dynamics of geocentrism.
Furthermore geocentrism solves many of the problems of modern Cosmology for it needs no Inflation, Dark Matter or Dark Energy, and does not have a limit the speed of light. In fact the latest cosmological evidence regarding CMBR studies places the earth at or near the center of the universe.
Is Heliocentricity Really Scientific?
The famous astronomer Edwin Hubble published on 1937 a study on the cosmological model of the universe, under the title “The Observational Approach to Cosmology.” In the data published in that study it was evident that Earth appeared as having a “unique” position in the cosmos, i.e. that it was in the center or very close to it. However Hubble chose not to accept that unique position based on philosophical propositions that he presupposed.
In particular, even though the nebula distribution showed that Earth should be in a center position, he discarded that idea based on the “principle” that we are not unique. In order to accommodate that “principle” he added some corrective factors to his equations. It was as unscientific and simple as that! No hard data, no scientific analysis, but merely an arbitrary and philosophical belief was the basis of his choice of heliocentricity over geocentricity.
Even though scientific data showed that the Earth is at a privileged centric position in the universe, cosmologists in the days of Hubble chose simply not to “accept” that data based on philosophical grounds. Here is a quote from Hubble himself when he saw the redshift phenomena in his telescope indicating that the earth was at the center of the universe…
“Such a condition would imply that we occupy a unique position in the universe, analogous, in a sense, to the ancient conception of a central Earth…This hypothesis cannot be disproved, but it is unwelcome and would only be accepted as a last resort in order to save the phenomena. Therefore we disregard this possibility…. the unwelcome position of a favored location must be avoided at all costs…. such a favored position is intolerable…”
One prominent “scientist” George Wald once declared “There are only two possibilities as to how life arose. One is spontaneous generation arising to evolution; the other is a supernatural creative act of God. There is no third possibility. Spontaneous generation, that life arose from non-living matter was scientifically disproved 120 years ago by Louis Pasteur and others. That leaves us with the only possible conclusion that life arose as a supernatural creative act of God. I will not accept that philosophically because I do not want to believe in God. Therefore, I choose to believe in that which I know is scientifically impossible.” Thus, like the unscientific evolutionist, we see that modern Cosmology is neither led to its position of heliocentricity via an honest pursuit of truth, but rather it is unnaturally driven there by its refusal to accept the obvious scientific and Scriptural evidence which would necessitate a Creator and thus a Judge.
“Our willingness to accept scientific claims that are against common sense is the key to an understanding of the real struggle between science and the supernatural. We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counter-intuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door. ” Richard Lewontin
What do you believe regarding this subject my friend? And more importantly, why do you believe it? Is the word of God your epistemological foundation, or have you exalted your reason above God’s testimony and perhaps given credence to another myth of scientism inspired by the spirit of the age which is hostile to God and His word? CK.
http://www.jesuspreacher.com/the-law-of-diminishing-perspective/
http://www.jesuspreacher.com/the-flat-earth-controversy-fact-fiction-or-both/
Marshall University Hates Us Back and They Are Sorry!
by John McGlone 09/27/17
This is a letter from one of the ‘loving’ Christians on Marshall University who has seen our preaching these last two days with Br. Zachary Humphrey and myself. They loved us so much they called us niggahs, threatened us with bodily harm, stole my camera, sexually harassed us, blew multiple saxophones most of the day for both days in an attempt to shut down our freedom to speak and be heard, lied and slandered about us, and had the audacity to call us bigoted, racist, and unloving.
The charge that one of us said, “…one of the preachers telling a Freshman that she was “asking to be raped”.” is in light of that bisexual exposing her breasts and tempting the preacher with taunting asking if her deserving to be raped. Zachary called out the bisexual’s wicked fruit of her ‘Christian’ life. He replied that her immodesty was a way of provoking men on campus to rape her. I’ll let Zachary give his testimony if he would like to clarify or if I have miscommunicated.
Below, is the imbalanced view and poor communication of one of the students from Marshall U
A Letter to Marshall University.
URGENT CAMPUS PREACHERS ALERT!! SPEECH LAWS CHANGED
09/07/17 by John McGlone
Saints of God, we all need to involve ourselves in the process of getting legislation passed in our home states to ensure that freedoms of ; speech, assembly, religion, and press remain effectual on public Universities. There is a pattern of legislation on this issue that has already passed in MO, KY, TN, NC, and CO.
We need to ensure that our lawmakers ADD protections to the legislation for unaffiliated speakers to be allowed on campus in the public areas to speak. This would apply to legislation that is being worked on, or even legislation that is already in place if provision was not made for this group of citizens in the first place.
There are many individuals like myself and scores of other Christian campus preachers that will be left out of the opportunity if we don’t address this issue now to our home state legislators. PLEASE, make this an important and urgent task to contact by phone, letter, and emails to every member of your Representatives and Senators.
Antifa, BLM, GLBTQ, Communist, and other such ‘progressive’ and liberally minded organizations want to foster hatred for these freedoms calling them racist, bigoted, and many other untrue names. Not only that they are fostering racial divides, riots, destruction, even on our University campuses. Americans need to stand up and ensure we are heard that we will not allow these groups to rule over the institutions that our hard work and tax monies have built!
Here is a short instructional video I made to share how we can efficiently contact our Representatives and Senators about this important issue of including the non affiliated or non sponsored speaker on College campuses:
PENDING
Here is what happened last term at Miami University in Oxford, OH when we preached the Gospel for three days on campus. The Communists and Antifa yelled and suppressed our speech and even threatened and stalked us to our car every day yelling, “Go home, go home, go home…ad nauseum.”
U.S. News Summary of States Enacting #CampusFreeSpeech Laws Article
IN New Campus Free Speech Law
OH New Campus Free Speech Law PENDING contact your lawmakers!
Confessions of a Log in My Eye? by John McGlone
Well here is my confession for the world to see. A world that for the most part doesn’t understand the term nor apply it properly to their lives. I have been in a wrestling match in the spirit for the last three years trying to figure out where the line is drawn for believers in relation to open air preaching; speech and behaviors. The link below you can find what I think is a good defense of harsh words in the open air. An excerpt from that blog is a standard I set for myself in regards to these important truths. NOTE: If you are not preaching open air at all, you can’t even begin to judge these matters righteously. See this blog about all men of God preaching..HERE.
Setting a Standard of Holiness in Speech and Conduct
With that said, I have wrestled with a standard for which I would govern myself according to the Holy Ghost in my open air work. So, whatever motivates another brother to preach and how he preaches, I give God glory and thanks the Gospel is preached. For myself, I must come to a place where I am obeying the Holy Ghost and what He is teaching me in these matters.
Here are some standards I am laying out for myself:
1. I will use words from the KJV Bible(preferred) in context and applicability.
2. I will use words that are scientific or biblical in regards to sexual sins or otherwise.
3. I will limit the use of slang, inflammatory, or non biblical words which may unnecessarily incite hearers.
4. I will seek to use primarily biblical type parables vs. parables that play to the imaginations of sin.
5. I will not apply my standard to other people but pray they seek the Holy Ghost for a standard for themselves and walk according to His direction if they have not already done so.
6. I will seek to check my heart toward the lost, both before, during and after a preach.
7. I will seek to do the Lord’s will in all things even if men don’t understand or approve.
8. I will seek to be flexible on words or behaviors for weaker brothers or sisters I am working with. Rom 14
Do you see the red words, ” limit the”? Well, there is my confession that I changed that words, “limit the”, from the word “not”. This happened after a period of not obeying the original standard of, “NOT”. As I made my subtle change I wondered about it and told myself, “I’ve simply changed my mind.” But, why you may ask? Well, I wasn’t practicing the NOT standard I had put upon myself in the first place. The Lord have convicted me to return to my original standard. That has been violated numerous times as I reflect back on it. I have videos that have been posted using terms like; flogging the log, fudge packer, etc that I will practice not saying those types of things again.
Lastly, keep in mind that does not mean that I will not use bible words like; whore, dogs, pigs, bastards, etc. if I am quoting certain passages or concepts. This would include calling someone out for looking like a whore, acting like a dog, etc. Synonymous words are something I have liberty in as well. Well, this standard I have set for myself is a good standard to consider for yourselves add and subtract as you follow the Holy Ghost.
I am adding a point #8 which has come up a few times in working with groups of believers. I don’t want to stumble anyone, yet shouldn’t they apply the same standard to me and others that believe the way we do? I will also add if it is just too much too bear that splitting off to ease the conscience of the others is an option as well.
Why critique another man’s ministry call him a heretic, gossip about him, and then try and influence people away from standing with the truth of things God hath said? Ironically, most of these men and women do this without ever speaking to the object of their disdain, the open air preacher. Isn’t that sowing discord among believers even if you don’t consider them a brother? What if they are and your doubt is causing the problem in the first place? Doesn’t God hate that? Prov 6:16-19
Pro 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Just War Theory – Defended by James Webber
Introduction by John McGlone
I am privileged to know a wonderful soldier of the Lord, James Webber only through the internet and some important interpersonal counsel he labored with me a few years ago. I am thankful for the many decades of work he has labored for the lost and to edify the saints over many decades of his colorful life of open air ministry. I have for a few years questioned my hyper pacifism that I held to for a season of about seven years. I have labored to study this issue and though I am not in complete agreement with St. Augustine and his just war theory, James sure helps me understand some important points in his following dissertation.
I am a patriot and love my countrymen and country. Some background on me, I have a family that is steeped in past proud military traditions. On my father’s side of the family; my father was a Marine for four years earning Staff Sgt before getting out after the Bay of Pigs fiasco. My grandfather was a waist gunner in a B-24 stationed with the 8th Air Force in England during WWII. He was shot down by Anti aircraft fire on Jan 7th, 1944. Most of the crew bailed out except the tail and ball turret gunners, and my grandfather. The SS gestapo shot and killed them as they exited the downed aircraft. They were not known for taking POW’s who were injured in the fighting. My great grandfather was an infantry man in WWI in the south of France in 1917. He survived the war. My great great grandfather was a Colonel in the CSA part of the Tennessee Volunteers killed at Rocky Top, TN. My matriarchal side of my family I only know of a great uncle who has retired from the U.S. Coast Guard service as an Admiral. I served 21 years in the U.S. Navy as a Boatswains Mate, Quartermaster, and Signalman retiring in 2001 as a Chief Quartermaster. I served on five different warships, have four rows of medals, campaign ribbons, unit awards. I spent upwards of 15 years stationed aboard ship, 12 of that actually either deployed overseas or underway training to go overseas. So, needless to say, I was a patriot to the core. Sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States from enemies both foreign and domestic.
I see many forces at work to try and dismantle our system of government; Communists, Muslim Sharia, Antifa, BLM, illegal immigration, homosexual agenda, political corruption to the nth degree, etc. I believe that God has blessed us with such abundant resources and responsibility. We should use that responsibility to go with His Word into all nations. We should care for the widow, and orphans, keeping ourselves unspotted from the world. Jam 1:27 I spent 21 years in the U.S. Navy, defending our Constitution as a primary motive when I joined. It was an ideology that matured me into a man.
Here are past views I’ve held: SEMIPASSIVE HYPER PASSIVE
Just War Theory Defended
by James Webber
I think all Christians should be Peaceful people but capable of Implementing retributions and Justice as needed.
{Note: Particular Scriptural verses or topics are not always balanced when they are written.}
God’s actions, in relationship to killing humans.
GOD= Father- {Son, Jesus} – Holy Spirit
Point #1 God is Not Always Passive
God drowns everything on earth, except Noahs ark. Genesis 19:7:22
God Killed people and destroyed cities. Genesis 19:12-26
God kills all the first-born of Egypt. Exodus 12:29
God drowned the entire Egyptian army. Exodus 14:27
God had 3000 religious men destroyed. Exodus 32:19-28
God consumed with fire an untold number of Israel.
Numbers 16:31-32
God killed Korah and His family. Numbers 16:35
God killed 250 of the leading men of Israel. Numbers 16:35
God killed many Amorites. Josh 10:11
God killed directly killed 50,070. Men 1 Samuel 6:19
God directly killed 70,000 Israelites. 2 Samuel 24:15
God directly killed 185,000 Assyrians. 2 Kings19:35
God directly killed Ananias and Saphira. Acts 5:1-11
God directly killed king Herod Agrippa. Acts 12:21-23
God directly kills one-third of all mankind.
Revelation 9:15-17
God throws all whose names are not written in the Book of Life into the Lake
of Fire. Revelation 20:11-15
Point #2 Gods Attitude on War and Killing Revealed Within the Scriptures.
DR. A. E. WILDER-SMITH, Professor of medicine holding three doctorate degrees, and author or co-author of over fifty publications: …we ought never dare to state that there is a different God in the Old Testament to the One revealed in the New, on the basis that the Old Testament reveals a God of judgment and the New Testament a God of love. Love and judgment are present in both Testaments. Man’s Origin, Man’s Destiny (1974), p. 179
Deuteronomy 7:2-3
and when the LORD your God shall deliver them before you, and you shall defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. 3“Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, or shall you take their daughters for your sons.
Deuteronomy 7:9-10
“Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His loving kindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments; 10 but repays those who hate Him to their faces, to destroy them; He will not delay with him who
hates Him, He will repay him to his face.
Deuteronomy 7:24-26
“And He will deliver their kings into your hand so that you shall make their name perish from under heaven; no man will be able to stand before you until you have destroyed them. 25) “The graven images of their gods you are to burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it, for it is an abomination to the LORD your God. 26) “And you shall not bring an abomination into your house, and like it come under the ban;
you shall utterly detest it and you shall utterly abhor it, for it is something banned.
Deuteronomy 20:13
“When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword.
Deuteronomy 20:17
“But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, as the LORD your God has commanded you,
Psalms 5:5
The boastful shall not stand before Thine eyes; Thou dost hate all who do iniquity.
Nahum 1:2
A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; the LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies.
Exodus 15:3
“The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name.
2 Corinthians 5:11
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
Point#3 God is NOT a Pacifist
What we have shown so far is, God is not a PACIFIST. We also see the Bible
speaking using Warfare terminology.
If Jesus was against Just Wars and was truly a Pacifist by Nature, I am sure He would not have used Warfare terms to express Biblical truths.
Luke 14:31 31
“Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and take counsel whether he is strong enough with ten thousand {men} to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
1 Corinthians 14:8
For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
Luke 11:21-23
“When a strong {man,} fully armed, guards his own homestead, his possessions are undisturbed; 22) but when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied, and distributes his plunder. 23) “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.
Romans 13:12
The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil: Breastplate, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, Sword of the Spirit
1 Corinthians 9:7
Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?
Philippians 2:25
But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
2 Timothy 2:3
Suffer hardship with {me,} as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:3-4
Suffer hardship with {me,} as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4) No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
Philemon 1:2
and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
2 Corinthians 6:7
in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
Matthew 12:20
“A battered reed He will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory.
1 Corinthians 15:54
But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.
2 Corinthians 10:3
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
Revelation 2:16
‘Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.
Revelation 12:7
And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. And the dragon and his angels waged war,
Revelation 19:10-16
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” 11) And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it {is} called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12) And His eyes {are} a flame of fire, and upon His head {are} many diadems; and He has a name written {upon Him} which no one knows except Himself. 13) And {He is} clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God. 14) And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white {and} clean, were following Him on white horses. 15) And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
16) And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Point #4 There Will Be No Peace
War will not always be with us. For now, to insure Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit
of happiness, war at times is necessary.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10
Love never fails; but if {there are gifts of} prophecy, they will be done away; if {there are} tongues, they will cease; if {there is} knowledge, it will be done away. 9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; 10) but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
Isaiah 2:4
And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.
Revelations 21:1-5
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer {any} sea. 2) And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, andvthey shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, 4) and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be {any} death; there shall no longer be {any} mourning, or
crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 5) And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” (NAS)
Point #5 War Accepted
Yet, Jesus seems to accept war as a part of the world system Matthew 24:6,
and his followers who were soldiers were not condemned Acts 10.
Soldiers were recognized as some of the heros of the faith Hebrews:11:32-34.
Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33) who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed {acts of} righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34) quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
Point #6
Some say there is no evidence of a single Christian soldier in the Roman army
from the NT times until A.D. 170. But this can easily be explained, by realizing in order to become a soldier you had to pledge allegiance to their gods. In addition, Christians were being killed for their faith, And had no Nation, of their own. By the third and forth century things changed as a result of Augustine’s, Just War theory. Since then, War has been accepted by almost all Churches, till this very day. The book,”Christian Attitudes Toward War and Peace”, by Roland H. Bainton, pp. 95-98 spells out Augustine’s theory of just war.
1. A just war must be just as to its intent, which is to restore peace. Augustine wrote the following to Boniface: “Peace should be the object of your desire. War should be waged only as a necessity and waged only that through it God may deliver men from that necessity and preserve them in peace. For peace is not to be sought in order to kindle war, but war is to be waged in order to obtain peace. Therefore even in the course of war you should cherish the spirit of a peace maker.” –Augustine said every effort should be made to avoid war.
2. A just war must seek to vindicate justice. The following injustices would be motivation for war: –an attempt to destroy the state. –refusal to grant passage through the nation –failure to make amends for wrongs
3. A just war must be motivated by love. That is, the intent must be good. War is not waged because of hatred for the other side, but because love dictates that action be taken to stop evil. A just State is obligated to examine its motives. They must be pure.
4. A just war can only be waged by the duly constituted rulers. The scriptures do not allow the individual to take action, only the duly constituted authorities.
5. A just war must be conducted properly. There should be no wanton violence, profaning of temples, looting, massacres, or conflagrations. Vengeance, atrocities, and reprisals are excluded.
6. A just war must be conducted in a mournful mood. War is a serious thing, and it is undertaken with reluctance and sorrow, not glee, as if it were fun. War should not be entered with joy and singing and thanksgiving.
Jeremiah 48:10
“Cursed be the one who does the LORD’S work negligently, and cursed be the one who restrains his sword from blood.
Point #7 But, Jesus Said..
Matthew 5:39
“But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you
The context of these verses primarily, has to do with the attitude and actions of the Saints, towards the ones that are the enemies of God, that are Persecuting the Saints for their Faith. Theses verses are not dealing with National Security Issues, Police Actions,
or National War.
Point # 8 Governmental Responsibility
Deals with the responsibility of Christians to their Government, and the
honoring of it, as a viable institution.
Matthew 22:21
They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
Romans 13:1-7
Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2) Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3) For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; 4) for it is a minister of God to you for good.
But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. 5) Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for {rulers} are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7) Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax {is due;} custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Acts 28:19
“But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar; not that I had any accusation
against my nation.
In Philippians 3:20 Paul says, “But our citizenship is in heaven.” It appears
Paul was aware that His citizenship was in heaven, yet He works within the
Worldly system.
Acts 27:23-24
“For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24) saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’
Titus 3:1
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,
1 Peter 2:13
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
Proverbs 8:13-15
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate. 14) “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. 15) “By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice.
Daniel 2:21
“And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, and knowledge to men of understanding.
John 19:11
Jesus answered “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me up to you has {the} greater sin.”
Revelation 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood,
1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties {and} prayers, petitions {and} thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2) for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
Point #9
Israel was to be an example of a Godly government.
Old Covenant VS. New Covenant Question.
NOTE: Exodus 20:13
Has been wrongly translated as “kill” kjv, rather than murder.
The text correctly reads “YOU SHALL NOT MURDER.” Murder is a different word and meaning than to kill. Thou shalt not kill. ‘Killing’ is not what is prohibited, otherwise the judicial infliction of capital punishment, as well as the slaughter of an enemy in defensive war, would be unlawful-in which light these were certainly not regarded by the Israelites in the time of Moses (Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 19:11; 31:9). [Lo’ tirtsaach, Thou shalt not commit murder. The verb signifies to slay with premeditation and malice, and is properly rendered by the Septuagint: ou foneuseis.]
from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary,
NOTE: Exodus 22:2
“If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;” Moreover, (3) God gave mankind permission as a lawful society, to “kill,” or destroy those guilty of capital offenses. We call this today “capital punishment.” We read in,
Genesis 9:6
“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.”
The divinely sanction war is important to understand. For later on, God organized and engaged the entire nation of Israel into His army to kill all God’s enemies that He had labeled for destruction. Make no mistake God sanctioned the killing of human life by warfare. Again we read:
Josh 10:40
“So Joshua subdued the whole region, including the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills and the mountain slopes, together with all their kings. He left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded.” (NIV)
Point #10
Some say: We are all children of God, therefore Killing a fellow child of God has to be wrong. Wrong, We are not all children of God, you are either a child of God or a child of the devil.
I John 3:10
By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
Romans 9:20-23
On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21) Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for common use? 22) What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? 23) And {He did so} in order that He might make
known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,
Acts 13:10
and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?
John 8:44
“You are of {your} father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own {nature;} for he is a liar, and the father of lies.
Matthew 13:38
and the field is the world; and {as for} the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil {one;}
Galatians 6:3
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Point #11
Some say: “Jesus would never Go to War!”
Wrong!
John 2:15
So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
Matthew: 10:34
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. If war is inherently evil, why are soldiers not told so in the New Testament?
• John the Baptist, went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 3:14 Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”
• In Matthew 8 why did Christ commend the faith of a Centurion but did not call on him to abandon his profession? He told the woman caught in adultery to go and sin no more.
• Why did Paul avail himself of military protection if it is always wrong to kill? Wasn’t the protection predicated upon the fact that the soldiers would kill those who might try to kill Paul?
• Why is nothing said about Cornelius leaving his profession as Centurion in Acts 10?
Point 12 Patriotism
In discussing Patriotism it is difficult because there are a multitude of possible application, so I will not deal with the obvious mis applications. Any time we place something above God it is wrong whether Patriotism, Golf, TV, Money and so on.
Romans 14:1-2
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, {but} not for {the purpose of} passing judgment on his opinions. 2) One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables {only.}
• If you eat Vegetable only you are the weaker Brother.
• If you eat Vegetable and Meat you are the Stronger Brother.
• If you worship God on one day a week you are the weaker Brother.
• If you worship God everyday you are the Stronger Brother.
You see the ones that are limited in their Freedom are consider the weaker
Brothers, and the ones that are able to live in Freedom are the Stronger
Brothers. The person that can’t be Patriotic is the weaker Brother where as the one that is able to be a good Christian and be Patriotic is the Stronger Brother.
If in fact you see God first and Country second Romans 13, and you attempt to Honor Romans 13
as directed, and Serve your Country, that position is completely in line with our Freedom and the Scriptural examples. Some say, look at the evils in your Country, how can you Serve a country like that, and be Patriotic to it? God looks at His Church and see Evil, and still Loves and Serves it, and is faithful to it. A married Man may see evils within His wife, yet He is still commanded to Love Her. Most Parents Love their
Children even when they do Evil. When People pledge allegiance to the flag, that does not mean they do not have built in restrictions within that allegiance.
Even in a Church, when one pledges allegiance to it, by way of membership, that does not mean, the commitment does not have limits.
IN CONCLUSION:
In Point #1, Jesus is No Pacifist, to the point He will not kill humans or direct other humans to kill humans, In War and otherwise.
In Point #2, We see that The Lord Jesus has always been a warrior throughout history.
In Point #3, We see God uses the opposite of Pacifistic terminology within the Scriptures.
In Point #4, We see Peace will come, just not yet.
In Point #5, Jesus seems to accept war as a part of the world system.
In Point #6, We see most Christians from all faiths have almost always seen War as a tragic necessity at times.
In Point #7, We see, as Christians in rightly dividing the Word of God, We need to make a distinction between individual responsibility’s before God and National responsibility’s before God.
In Point #8, Christian are responsible to their Government.
In Point #9, Israel a Godly example of a Government.
In Point #10, We are not all Children of God.
In Point #11, Jesus came with a sword.
In Point #12, Christian Patriotism can be an indication of one that is stronger in the faith.
True Pacifism, is Anti Self-protection, Anti Self-defense, and Anti John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Nashville New Years Week of Festivals
UPDATE FOR NASHVILLE NYE WEEK PREACH, PLEASE READ:
If you’d like to join us give us a pm or call to confirm the meet, thanks.
1. EXPECT COLD TEMPS AND WINDS, BRING LAYERS OF CLOTHING, GLOVES, AND HATS SUITABLE. SAFETY GLASSES FOR DAY AND NIGHT, HAND/FOOT WARMERS, HEARING PROTECTION, WATERS, GRANOLA BARS.
2. WE EXPECT TO EAT TWO MEALS PER DAY, BREAKFAST AND A MEAL AFTER THE OUTREACH. PLEASE BRING CASH TO CARE FOR YOU NEEDS.
3. WE WILL NOT BE STOPPING TO BUY GEAR ON THE WAY INTO OR BACK FROM OUTREACHES.
4.WE ENCOURAGE DOCTRINAL SHARPENING WHILE WE ARE IN FELLOWSHIP. HOWEVER, WE EXPECT EVERYONE TO BE HOLY AND SELF CONTROLLED IN YOUR DISCUSSIONS. NO DOCTRINAL DISPUTES ALLOWED IN THE STREETS.
5. WE NEED A VOLUNTEER WHO CAN BRING AND CARRY A FIRST AID KIT ALL WEEK. IF YOU HAVE EMT EXPERIENCE A PLUS!
PLEASE CHECK YOUR SCHEDULES AND ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE TIMES INTO TOWN WITH OUR PLANNED PREACHING SCHEDULE. WE NEED YOU TO COORDINATE YOURSELVES TO THAT SCHEDULE. PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY CHANGES/ISSUES. THANKS,GOD BLESS, WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH YOU.
Attending Preachers
Josh G.
John McGlone
Daniel McGlone
Jason Crowley
Marvin Heimann
Josh Heiman
Jeff Mullen
Adam Bishop+ son
Daniel Maguire
David Sain
Timothy Brown + son?
Bill Preacher [possible]
Kenneth Winslow [possible]
SCHEDULE [EXPECT TO LV MARVIN’S 1 HOUR PRIOR TO OUTREACH START TIME DAILY, DON’T BE LATE. SOLDIERS ARE TIMELY FOR BATTLES]
Dec.26th Broadway Preach 3-9PM
Dec.27th Predators Hockey Brimstone Downtown 3-9PM
Dec.28 Return to KY for a time of rest and fellowship, visitation with families coming into KY
Thurs, Dec.29th Battle of the Bands Downtown 3-9pm
Friday, Dec.30th 11:00 am – ACC – SEC Pep Rally
1130 – 2:00 pm Stadium Tailgate Party–
Sat, Dec.31st New Years Eve Bash 4pm – 11 pm Centennial Park
Sun, Jan 1st, 2017 10am – 2pm Titans vs Texans football
contact Timothy Brown
1. A group of 6 will stay at Marvin’s house 6. Please contact him directly for his phone number and address.
2. We need a volunteer to stay at a hotel in White House who is willing to split the cost, total for them will be $38 for two nights, checking in on Thursday, free wifi, and continental breakfast.
We have arranged for 4 preachers on two king beds in one room for the two nights. It’s about 20 min from Marvin’s. Josh G., Daniel McGlone, myself, and the volunteer. We will stay there and meet at Marvin’s daily to travel into Nashville for the outreaches.
All of us heading back up to our home in KY on Saturday night about 11:30 pm. Many have family members wives/children that will be staying during the outreach with my wife/children/company until our return. Our home will be packed but we will manage nicely as the Lord enables.
We will have a big breakfast Sun morning, fellowship starts at 11am, hymns, prayer, readings, testimonies, and we will be doing a mock Matt 18 skit that we have been practicing for the edification of the saints.
Also, there will be a Titan’s game on Sunday outreach should start at 10:30 am latest near the ticket gates on the bridge side. There are those that may want to attend this instead of returning to KY with us for fellowship. Contact Timothy Brown if you would like to work that event with him.
Thank you and may God bless you.
Sincerely,
John McGlone
Founder, Jesus Preacher Ministries
www.JesusPreacher.com