Posted on 06/15/2019 6:05:56 PM PDT by Jan_Sobieski
"Luke 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."
Growing up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (farm country) during the 70s and 80s, church sermons often rightly proclaimed the goodness and grace of God for allowing us to be born at this time and in this place. Most could easily resonate with this message, seeing the starving masses of Africa, or war ravaged Asia, or post Christian neo-pagan Europe. Regardless of troubles, folks accepted that we were still better off than most of the world. The supporting Bible verses always included Jesus' pronouncement, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required" (Luke 12:48)
Faithful preachers of the 70s and 80s would remind their congregations of God's righteous destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah, and the world of Noah. New York Times best selling books were often eschatology books like, "The Late Great Planet Earth" by Hal Lindsey. Americans were aware and continually warned of God's righteous judgments to come. Men were convicted and provoked to repentance when they heard that Sodom did not have churches on every corner, nor Billy Graham preaching in their streets and on television. This, of course, implied that a much greater judgment would be waiting for us if we rejected so great a salvation. To whom much is given, much will be required! How I miss those days.
I still believe this message and repeat it to whoever will listen. I'm grateful that my church still faithfully conveys this message. However I tremble when I think of how the United States has fallen since the 70s, and wonder what form of judgment is headed our way for this country's rejection of God's immutable, everlasting truths. There is only one thing I disagree concerning the old message; I now believe that Sodom and Gomorrah had churches. The sudden and comprehensive adoption of the LGBTQI cause by today's mainstream Christian Denominations had given me and epiphany. Rather than warning and admonishing people about the danger and destruction these sins, most religious organizations today encouraged, aided, support, and enabled these unbridled and perverted passions. Even the most godless places of Africa and Asia eschew and reject homosexuality. Yet Sodom, Gomorrah, and the United States celebrate and promote the behavior!?
Major Christian Denominations like the United Methodist, Presbyterian Church USA, Episcopalian Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA), American Baptist, Community of Christ, United Church of Christ, Reformed Church in America, and even many non-denominational evangelical churches now affirm and support LGBTQI clergy. Despite studies showing a preponderance of homosexual and bisexuals being abused by sexual predators as children [1], many of these Churches have begun hosting Drag Queen story hour. At Drag Queen story hour children are introduced to, become familiar with, and learn from gender dysphoric transvestites and cross dressers. Remember that the homosexuals of Sodom and Gomorrah surrounding Lot's residence were unhindered in their predatory mission from any authority, judicial or religious.
Inter-denominational organizations like “Believe Out Loud” (www.believeroutloud.com), with over 5000 affiliated churches, assist these churches in the promotion of an LGBTQI friendly theological message, to "welcome and affirm persons of all sexual orientations and identities." Defense of their homosexual theology rests on the notion that Jesus never spoke against homosexuality, but rather taught us to welcome all. Our churches and society must work for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality because God calls us to do justice. Perhaps this was the reason that no one in authority stood up or prevented the crowds from descending upon Lot's home.
Rightly so, many Christians are fleeing protestant and evangelical churches that embrace this sexual perversion. Unfortunately many naive Christians are going to the Roman Catholic Church for refuge. This is the proverbial leap "out of the frying pan, into the fire" as the Roman Church's rampant godless celibacy inspired pedophilia and homosexuality is unmasked every day. All the while, conservative Christian business owners are being bullied, sued, protested against, and terrorized with religious fervor by LGBTQI supporters for not commissioning such behavior and belief. Liberal churches stand in solidarity with the LGBTQI supporters.
The one group who could and should stand up to this madness is conservative Evangelical Churches (non-denominational and others like Calvary Chapel); the last bulwark against our generation's complete moral collapse. Instead many of these churches have lost their gravitas and moral courage. Why? They wants to be "hip", "inclusive", "cool", "relatable", "the next big thing", etc. Church growth is their only true gauge of success. While not expounding the engrafted Word of God which is able to save souls (James 1:21), or the coming "terror of the Lord" (2 Cor 5:11), they incessantly promote a lukewarm, tepid, Biblically bereft message of slogans like "unconditional love" (there are conditions to receiving God's love), "once saved always saved" (what about falling away?), and "God loves you the way are" (he loves you too much to leave you this way). When they should be standing in the gap and restraining this perversion, they bring a hip-hop beat and jovial, lighthearted view of sin. A mega-church I visited with my relatives in Longmont, Colorado had a homosexual hip-hop singer leading worship to prepare God's people for a deep (dish) sermon on how God is like Ice Cream. A hometown church recently started its service with 90s hip-hop fornication theme song, "Let's talk about sex", to prepare people for a sermon of the same title. Perhaps this is why Lot's sons-in-law thought he was joking when warning them to flee Sodom.?.?
[1] https://americansfortruth.com/2009/08/21/researcher-74-percent-of-bisexuals-experienced-child-sex-abuse/
I have enjoyed portions of Bill Randles’ sermons on Youtube, as well as reading some of his articles here.
Thank you for the kind referral; unfortunately, it is too far for me. I have found and attend a church that follows the Bible; wherewith I am content.
Worry not about others and their fate
Worry merely about your own actions and your own words
In the end it’s all you really have on this planet earth
I generally concur, with the following corrections:
There is no such thing as homosexuality; it is a delusion. Two persons of the same sex cannot sexually reproduce. It is homoeroticism.
The term of Evangelical is too often abused: Any authentic Christian is by definition evangelical: a witness to the Evangelium, the Good News, the Gospel.
Yes it is
Since homosexuality had been rampant throughout the non-Christian world throughout history, there had to have been something else going on. The book of Jude mentions Sodom and Gomorrah in the context of “going after strange flesh,” like the angels did. Some kind of inter-species breeding.
Sodom and Gomorrah (and surrounding enclaves) were destroyed for their utter corruption, the prison rape aspect was only one of the many fruits of this evil tree.
Part #2 ?
Jesus was celibate.
Jesus is God. God commanded us men to be fruitful and multiply.
St. Peter, the first pope, was married. Why did Pope Gregory contradict St Peter?
Coming soon!
Part 1 struck me that
The “Church” would be
Complicate just as the State.
I think you wrote as much.
Thanks.
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