Posted on 11/06/2001 3:04:47 PM PST by Church Lady
Apologizing for Bible Truth?
A few weeks ago Jerry Falwell apologized for the comments he made while he was being interviewed by Pat Robertson. What did Jerry Falwell say that was so awful?
Based on the response he's received you would have thought that he blasphemed God, or denied the virgin birth, or burned the American flag publicly. After all, Pat Robertson, Cal Thomas, Rush Limbaugh, even President Bush vehemently condemned what he said. Whatever he said must have really been awful because he came out quickly and apologized. What did he say? He said that the sins and wickedness of people in our nation are causing God to remove His hand of protection from our nation. He specifically mentioned homosexuals, lesbians, feminists, abortion and a few other sins. This "horrible" statement brought the wrath of so-called "Christian" leaders, not to mention the White House, down upon him. That's it folks.
Since he has retracted his statement and apologized for it, I want to go on record today as saying, "The sins and wickedness of people in America are causing God to remove His hand of protection from our nation. Specifically, I believe several national sins such as the homosexual and lesbian lifestyle, the home wrecking, God-denying, feminist movement, the millions of abortions performed annually, as well as the compromising, worldly churches are causing God to remove His hand of protection from our nation."
I was taught to believe that righteousness exalts a nation and sin brings reproach to any nation. Therefore I do not expect to make any apologies for the statements I have just made.
If George Washington were alive today I don't think he would be apologizing for Jerry's statements. He once said, "Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens."
I don't think Thomas Jefferson would be apologizing. He once said, "Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble For my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."
I wrote last month that our nation's political leaders are just a reflection of our nation's pulpits' leaders. Mr. Falwell's apology just proves my point. Politicians as a rule don't seem to have a backbone, but neither do most preachers.
Remember the words of Isaiah 5:20, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" We won't apologize for God's Truth and then expect God to bless America. Mr. Falwell, you had it right-you had no business apologizing.
Pastor Steven E. Mays - Trumpet Editor
Uh, still haven't answered my question above...WHY must people believe in Christ? What kind of GOD requires such idolism? I guess all those that came before Jesus & John were fools but didn't realize it? Were they supposed to be psychic and be able to look into the future for the Bible? What about current day aborigines in isolated lands that have never heard the word of a missionary? Are they fools too? How can that be just?
That's because he started out with a weaseley "I'm sorry if anyone was offended..." pseudo-apology worthy of Clinton. By the time he uttered a real apology, it was clear that he was only sorry that he'd gotten caught (again, like Clinton).
Amen! A couple of pompous windbags - at least Falwell had the grace to apologize.
I wonder how Falwell and Robertson's defenders would have reacted if they'd named misers, polluters, and keepers-up-with-the-Joneses. I'm guessing that they'd have gotten an avalanche of howls branding them as Commies.
A woman miscarries. God decreed to allow it. Is that a judgment on her? A man loses his hair. Decreed? Yes. A judgment? And on and on.
Best to stick with what God says. Was the Babylonian Captivity God's judgment on Israel? Yes. Was Babylon's fall at the hands of Medo-Persia a judgment? Yes. How do we know? Scripture says.
Was this a direct judgment of God on us because of the sins Falwell listed? Don't know. Why not? The Bible doesn't say, and opens other possibilities.
Best not to speak where God is silent. Words to live by. (c8
Dan
*grin*
God made it clear to them that they were sinners and guilty in his eyes..
ping:>)
Stu..we have damned ourselves..God is simply letting us..ya know?
Let me take the second question first..the "kind of God"that requires us to love Him and adore Him is a holy holy God the one that hung the stars in the heavens ,the God that keeps the earth in place,the God that made you and knew you before you were born,the God that allows every breath that you take..THAT GOD is wholly Holy and wholly Sovereign,and worthy of all praise!
No man is without knowlege of God..everyman ever born has encountered God
Romans 1 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
You do not Have to believe in Christ...but those that refuse now will be held accountable for that refusal,and will someday bow before the Lord of Heaven and Earth...but it will be too late...
Philippians 2 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
What about current day aborigines in isolated lands that have never heard the word of a missionary?
Romans 1:20 says,
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
Colossians 1:13-17 says:
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
For the aborigines who have never heard a missionary, the HAVE seen God as described in Romans 1:20. I believe that IF they acknowledge the Creator, they are acknowledging Jesus, though they may not know His name.
Not hardly.
and deserving of salvation because of their own works?
Depends on how many good works vs. how many sins
.....seems that is what the temple sacrifices were all about!
Foregiveness is available without blood sacrtifice; see, e.g.,Hosea 6:5-6.
God bless.
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