The issue of global warming is a highly charged one, with possibilities of having very serious impact on several areas of life - including environmental, political, and socio-economical aspects. Now, no one doubts that global temperature, on the average, has been witnessing some steady increase in recent time. The big issue is the claim, championed by Al Gore, that global warming is caused by man’s increasing use of technologies and products that emit the so-called green house gases, (mainly carbon dioxide), and which supposedly form a sort of blanket around the planet earth, thereby trapping heat and leading to increased global temperature.
If this is correct, then if governments of the world would co-operate and change technologies, products, and lifestyles, it might be possible to reverse the trend. But, the changes being advocated as necessary to accomplish this are nothing short of a dramatic jump into a different [New] World Order. Not just technologies and material changes are required, but a serious erosion of the sovereignty of individual nation-states is involved, as they are de facto, required to hand over vital decisions into the hands of the United Nations or its many affiliated non-governmental organizations NGOs. Failing to do this, the basic hypothesis of man’s lifestyle, attitude and technology being the driving force behind the increasing global temperature would mean a worsening situation with, as claimed by Al Gore, massive floods resulting from the melting of the world’s massive store of ice (the glaziers), increasing the volume of the seas, etc , etc!
Well, the UN quickly arose to drastically scale down the obvious exaggerations in the doomsday predictions of Mr Al Gore. Yet, the basic thesis published in the much touted IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report is that Man is the culprit behind Global Warming.
On the other side of the divide is the group that holds, very strongly also, that the global warming being currently witnessed is NOT caused by man, but rather by natural processes – in particular, changes in the sun’s activity. In this view, the amount of warming caused by green house gases is totally inconsequential, and the frenzied call for complete change in world governance and world order is just an unnecessary ruse. One such believer says he is unsure which is more arrogant: the claim that Man is responsible for impacting global temperature with his activities, or the claim that Man can do anything about reversing the temperature increase! To back up this opinion, data showing cycles of global warming and global chilling over the centuries have been cited. In short, in the opinion of this second school of thought, the current global warming is just a phase in the life of the planet, to which the planet will adjust naturally; and there is actually no cause for alarm!
The UN - Al Gore group however usually blackmails this second group as irresponsible world citizens who are being motivated either due to undue inertia, or pure greed (e.g. the automobile industries who are highly dependent on fossil fuel). But indeed the scientific evidences have kept piling up against the theory that Man is the cause of global warming.
For example, over the past few years several ancient maps have been discovered that picture Antarctica ice-free at least in part. One such map drawn by well-known French map-maker Oronteus Finaeus in 1531 is shown in the article by Allen Quist at www.crossroad.to/articles2/08/ed-watch/1-14-warming-fantasy.htm. Clearly, as at that date, long before any significant use of fossil fuel by Man on earth, the earth was obviously much warmer than it is today. This clearly means that global temperature change results from something other than carbon dioxide. Another data clearly show a relatively stable global temperature over the past decade, despite a whooping 4% increase in global emission of carbon dioxide. (http://en.rian.ru/science/20080122/97519953.html). Apparently, it was to checkmate such growing bodies of scientific evidence that the Nobel Prize Committee hastily awarded last year’s Nobel peace Prize to Al Gore and the IPCC – precisely for the theory under contention!
Church Arise! has had much to write about Mr Al Gore and the Green movement in time past. We have further shown that the strategy to ushering in the so-called New World Order (code-name for the antichrist’s reign) is the creation and hyping of so-called “global problems” which presumably could only be solved by the inauguration of global governance. Such world problems include terrorism, plagues (cf HIV, bird flu, etc), and of course environmental issues such as ‘global warming’.
In recent times, yet more and more well-respected and distinguished scientists, from all over the world, are damning the protective cloak of scientific respectability conferred upon Al Gore’s theory, spitting scorn upon the theory. The US, probably stands to lose more than any other nation should forces of global governance gain ascendancy. It is therefore not surprising that the Senate of that country has released, last December, a report on the increasing number of influential and highly respected scientists who are challenging the IPCC’s claims that there is consensus among scientists as to the agreement that Global Warming is man-made. Please check out this blockbuster report at
http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.SenateReport
Whatever conclusion anyone may wish to draw, it is now crystal clear, at the least, that no honest person can continue to claim that the world’s eminent scientists have reached a consensus position about the cause of, or solution for, global warming. Moreover, it is clear that the intense pressure to overlook the core scientific evidences is coming from the UN group, with its clear motivation to ushering in a New World Order, precisely as warned in the Scriptures centuries ago!
For further pros and cons reading, check http//www.christiansandclimate.org/statement as well as David Usher’s fact-laden article, Ice Age or Lie Age? atwww.newswithviews.com/metcalf/metcalf242.htm
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The Four Letter Word That Keeps People From Coming to Christ
If you could sum up in one word what it is that is stopping most of this world from coming to Christ, what would that word be? Perhaps you would say “unbelief,” or “rebellion” or “sin.” True, but I believe that it is “lust” that is at the forefront of sin. The Bible says that the corruption we see in the world has its roots in lust (see 2 Peter 1:14). It is the burning and shining light for Hollywood, Soap Operas, the Internet, magazine covers, TV programs, car advertising, the sale of clothes and popular music and contemporary culture. In 2 Peter 3:3 we are told that the reason men mock God is because they love their lust. So, what would make any sane man turn from lust’s powerful pleasure?
Two things: One is that we can never separate lust from death. If we embrace lust, we embrace death. A realization of that eternal truth should cause common sense to kick in, in the human brain. No sane man wants to embrace death and on top of that, eternal damnation. The second reason a man walks away from the pleasures of lust is the knowledge of what it cost the Savior for our forgiveness. If my father sold everything he had to raise money to pay a fine for me to get out of prison, what sort of wretch would I be to go straight back into crime, because I enjoyed it?
The Prodigal son made a sensible choice. The Bible says that he “came to himself.” When is comes down to it, that’s the point to which we are trying to bring the lost. We want them to exercise common sense (now there’s an oxymoron). All we are saying, is, “Come to your senses and call on the Name of the Lord. He will not only change your unclean desires, but He will also save you from death and Hell.” When the power of the Gospel changes a sinful and lust-loving heart, no amount of atheistic whining or evolutionary silliness comes close to making a Christian even slightly doubt the reality of God.
Distributed by www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.com
Two things: One is that we can never separate lust from death. If we embrace lust, we embrace death. A realization of that eternal truth should cause common sense to kick in, in the human brain. No sane man wants to embrace death and on top of that, eternal damnation. The second reason a man walks away from the pleasures of lust is the knowledge of what it cost the Savior for our forgiveness. If my father sold everything he had to raise money to pay a fine for me to get out of prison, what sort of wretch would I be to go straight back into crime, because I enjoyed it?
The Prodigal son made a sensible choice. The Bible says that he “came to himself.” When is comes down to it, that’s the point to which we are trying to bring the lost. We want them to exercise common sense (now there’s an oxymoron). All we are saying, is, “Come to your senses and call on the Name of the Lord. He will not only change your unclean desires, but He will also save you from death and Hell.” When the power of the Gospel changes a sinful and lust-loving heart, no amount of atheistic whining or evolutionary silliness comes close to making a Christian even slightly doubt the reality of God.
Distributed by www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.com
666 Draws Comment in House of Commons
With the Archbishop of Canterbury trying to make a case for Sharia in his country, in addition to the polarization of the Church of England over the issue of homosexuality, perhaps it is not surprising learning that the Devil is already planning the final funeral ceremony of that Church from its exalted position as the official state Church. A motion precisely seeking this result was tabled at the British House of Commons on Thursday January 10; but what many found particularly intriguing is that the motion happened to be Motion No 666, drawing comments from members of the house with respect to Rev 13:16). http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080110/ap_on_re_eu/odd_britain666
War against the Bible Unabated
The war against the Word of God is not abating at all – even in the traditional Bible-based countries. Apart from the intense assault on the Word of God via the massive adulteration with the so-called New Versions [Perhaps one or two of these – certainly not the NIV - may indeed be beneficial for Christians, most of these new versions are simply meant to promote particular doctrines of their publishers, just like the well-known New World Translation of the Jehovah Witnesses’.] In any case, it is absolutely incredible the open physical persecutions that now trail the Bible, even in America.
Some recent examples. Right in the Bible belt of Annapolis, a US Federal judge has placed a permanent injunction against the 30 year old tradition where Gideons International give away free Bibles to fifth-grade students. Two years ago, the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of four sets of supposedly Christian parents, objected to the practice as being unconstitutional. Soon the School District altered its policy to allow Bibles or any other religious materials to be distributed to those who wish to receive them before or after school, or during lunch break, but not in classrooms. It is against this new practice that a permanent injunction has now been granted. (http://www.watchman.org/jw/nwt.htm).
Similarly in Bloomington, Indiana, city officials last October, booted out a display of the Ten Commandments erected by Christians who want equal treatment with Buddhism, whose statues and tenets are proudly displayed in the City Hall to welcome the visiting Dalai Lama. Officials defended their action by labeling the Ten Commandments (artistically inscribed in limestone for which the area is famous) as religious, while the statues of Buddhism were labeled “cultural”
www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58216
Some recent examples. Right in the Bible belt of Annapolis, a US Federal judge has placed a permanent injunction against the 30 year old tradition where Gideons International give away free Bibles to fifth-grade students. Two years ago, the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of four sets of supposedly Christian parents, objected to the practice as being unconstitutional. Soon the School District altered its policy to allow Bibles or any other religious materials to be distributed to those who wish to receive them before or after school, or during lunch break, but not in classrooms. It is against this new practice that a permanent injunction has now been granted. (http://www.watchman.org/jw/nwt.htm).
Similarly in Bloomington, Indiana, city officials last October, booted out a display of the Ten Commandments erected by Christians who want equal treatment with Buddhism, whose statues and tenets are proudly displayed in the City Hall to welcome the visiting Dalai Lama. Officials defended their action by labeling the Ten Commandments (artistically inscribed in limestone for which the area is famous) as religious, while the statues of Buddhism were labeled “cultural”
www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58216
Britain proposes mandatory microchip implants for Prisoners and Prison system
Just like we said earlier, progress towards the global mandatory implantation of the microchip on all is widely is ongoing, using subjects with limited fundamental human rights at the present time! It is telling, how serious and real the plan for mandatory implantation in all is, that some US States are already legislating against such moves! (www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7781).
The latest move is in Britain, where prison authorities are touting the microchip implant as the panacea out of the problem of overcrowding prison facilities and inability to implement the tracking requirements for paedophiles and similar offenders that are released on probation – especially from overcrowded facilities.
The current method for tracking such criminals comprises of electronic bracelets worn around the ankle, but some offenders have been known to tamper with those bracelets. Now, it is inevitable that the ultimate in tracking and control, microchip implantation, would be implemented. The proposal from Ken Jones, the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, is actually envisaging applications beyond tagging of prisoners out on parole only, to use even within prison facilities. Ken Jones is pointing out that considerable order can be achieved within those facilities if only the various gang members could be monitored as to their movements!
Of course, saner minds have been warning against the idea. Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary of the National Association of Probation Officers, believes the “system works well enough as it is: and that the new proposal would not make his members’ lives any easier, but would rather degrade their clients. In any case, “Knowing where offenders like paedophiles are does not mean you know what they are doing” added Mr Fletcher, who apparently is not aware that features to control the implanted folks are easy add-ons to the microchip implant technology.
In fact, a company is already offering plans for “deeper implants that could vibrate, electroshock the implantee, broadcast a message, or serve as a microphone to transmit conversations.” As regular readers of Church Arise! are aware, the real problem is actually has to do with mind control. Once the chip is implanted, the soul of the implantee is literally in the hands of the controllers of the technology. Watch a documentary on microchip implants at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYfrUCFHxsY
The latest move is in Britain, where prison authorities are touting the microchip implant as the panacea out of the problem of overcrowding prison facilities and inability to implement the tracking requirements for paedophiles and similar offenders that are released on probation – especially from overcrowded facilities.
The current method for tracking such criminals comprises of electronic bracelets worn around the ankle, but some offenders have been known to tamper with those bracelets. Now, it is inevitable that the ultimate in tracking and control, microchip implantation, would be implemented. The proposal from Ken Jones, the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, is actually envisaging applications beyond tagging of prisoners out on parole only, to use even within prison facilities. Ken Jones is pointing out that considerable order can be achieved within those facilities if only the various gang members could be monitored as to their movements!
Of course, saner minds have been warning against the idea. Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary of the National Association of Probation Officers, believes the “system works well enough as it is: and that the new proposal would not make his members’ lives any easier, but would rather degrade their clients. In any case, “Knowing where offenders like paedophiles are does not mean you know what they are doing” added Mr Fletcher, who apparently is not aware that features to control the implanted folks are easy add-ons to the microchip implant technology.
In fact, a company is already offering plans for “deeper implants that could vibrate, electroshock the implantee, broadcast a message, or serve as a microphone to transmit conversations.” As regular readers of Church Arise! are aware, the real problem is actually has to do with mind control. Once the chip is implanted, the soul of the implantee is literally in the hands of the controllers of the technology. Watch a documentary on microchip implants at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYfrUCFHxsY
Islamic influence grows in Europe
While Islam rules with absolute iron hand in countries where it has majority followership (e.g it is a crime to as much as bring in more than one Bible into Saudi Arabia, and no conversion from Islam is allowed), it plays the hawk in countries where it has significant but minority following (see headline story of this edition for a good example from Nigeria). However in those countries where it is in the minority, Islam has perfected the act of feigning the oppressed underdog, thereby attracting sympathy even as it quietly and virulently spreads its influence.
. A few recent examples will illustrate the power of this subtle influence in Europe. Last October in a High Security Prison in Leeds, England, even though no ham (from pork) was served to Moslems, a mistake in the special menu printed during the Ramadan holiday announced ham sandwiches as to be served. Right now, 200 muslim inmates at that prison facility are suing for millions of dollars for their violated human rights! One prisoner claims he actually ate boiled ham which was mistakenly served with his bread roll instead of the cheese he had ordered for. Rather than return it, he claimed he was so hungry that he ate it anyway. Now he is suing for up to $20 million compensation – for the temptation perhaps? (see
www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58365).
Such a claim from any other persons anywhere in the world would have been treated as a very funny joke. But here Islam, the “persecuted religion”, is involved and care must be exercised! Indeed, such is the subtle pressure and increasing influence of Islam in England that the Archbishop of the official Church of the country has advocated that Sharia Law be allowed (even inevitable) in Britain!
(www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/feb/08/uk.religion).
Similarly, last December, a think-thank of the ruling Labour Party had suggested that Christmas should be “downgraded” to make it less offensive to Moslems ( www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=490925&in_page_id=1770&ct=5).
The situation in Sweden is so dicey that the government is currently looking into the possibility of using state funds to provide training for imams. The reasoning is that perhaps this will at least break the monopoly of Al Qaeda and Saudi Arabia being the only ones training and controlling the Islamic religion in the land. http://www.thelocal.se/9880/20080205/. (See also: www.christianpost.com/article/20080207/31110_Expert%3A_Liberal_Christianity_Intensifies_Radical_Islam_Threat.htm
. A few recent examples will illustrate the power of this subtle influence in Europe. Last October in a High Security Prison in Leeds, England, even though no ham (from pork) was served to Moslems, a mistake in the special menu printed during the Ramadan holiday announced ham sandwiches as to be served. Right now, 200 muslim inmates at that prison facility are suing for millions of dollars for their violated human rights! One prisoner claims he actually ate boiled ham which was mistakenly served with his bread roll instead of the cheese he had ordered for. Rather than return it, he claimed he was so hungry that he ate it anyway. Now he is suing for up to $20 million compensation – for the temptation perhaps? (see
www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58365).
Such a claim from any other persons anywhere in the world would have been treated as a very funny joke. But here Islam, the “persecuted religion”, is involved and care must be exercised! Indeed, such is the subtle pressure and increasing influence of Islam in England that the Archbishop of the official Church of the country has advocated that Sharia Law be allowed (even inevitable) in Britain!
(www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/feb/08/uk.religion).
Similarly, last December, a think-thank of the ruling Labour Party had suggested that Christmas should be “downgraded” to make it less offensive to Moslems ( www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=490925&in_page_id=1770&ct=5).
The situation in Sweden is so dicey that the government is currently looking into the possibility of using state funds to provide training for imams. The reasoning is that perhaps this will at least break the monopoly of Al Qaeda and Saudi Arabia being the only ones training and controlling the Islamic religion in the land. http://www.thelocal.se/9880/20080205/. (See also: www.christianpost.com/article/20080207/31110_Expert%3A_Liberal_Christianity_Intensifies_Radical_Islam_Threat.htm
Learning from current Natural Disasters
In addition to continually aggravating man-made disasters in the realm of morality as have been discussed elsewhere in this edition of CA!, the violent man-made disasters such as shootings at public places such as stores and schools are not abating either. Adding its own dimension to the end-time onslaught, is the fury of nature, releasing death and hardship on thousands. Recent examples include Bangladesh where a death toll of about 10,000 was feared in the cyclone incident last November
(www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=paCyclone_mon6_Bangladesh_cyclone_ud_Nightlead&show_article=1) while as many as a million people had to abandon their homes as floods swept through Mexico also last November.
Invariably, not only the “bad” and the “ugly”, but also the “good” and “innocent” ones are all alike affected by such incidents as these!
As we have pointed out before, we can at least learn a lesson from these terrible events: that the only way to avoid being a casualty is to remain alert, and escape while one may. The only Way of escape from the coming even more forceful upheavals on the world (cf the plagues in the book of Revelation), is the Lord Jesus Christ. No one may blame God, who fails to heed His warning and kind provision! (Heb 2:3, Luke 17:32)
(www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=paCyclone_mon6_Bangladesh_cyclone_ud_Nightlead&show_article=1) while as many as a million people had to abandon their homes as floods swept through Mexico also last November.
Invariably, not only the “bad” and the “ugly”, but also the “good” and “innocent” ones are all alike affected by such incidents as these!
As we have pointed out before, we can at least learn a lesson from these terrible events: that the only way to avoid being a casualty is to remain alert, and escape while one may. The only Way of escape from the coming even more forceful upheavals on the world (cf the plagues in the book of Revelation), is the Lord Jesus Christ. No one may blame God, who fails to heed His warning and kind provision! (Heb 2:3, Luke 17:32)
8-year-old boy returning to class as girl
Advocates of the new sexuality are undaunted in trudging on with their agenda. Particularly, the “catch-them-young” strategy not only guarantees a steady replacement for the number who are continually being liberated from their bondage to homosexuality, it also serves to help thoroughly confuse the issue to the unwary public.
The latest in such moves concerns an 8-year-old boy who is preparing to return to his home school district in Colorado as a girl. To facilitate this event, school officials are designating two school restrooms as unisex facilities, and preparing to counsel other students on the issue of transgenderism. Furthermore, teachers have been instructed to address the student by name, instead of using a "he" or "she" pronoun. For the rest of this story see
www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=55892
The latest in such moves concerns an 8-year-old boy who is preparing to return to his home school district in Colorado as a girl. To facilitate this event, school officials are designating two school restrooms as unisex facilities, and preparing to counsel other students on the issue of transgenderism. Furthermore, teachers have been instructed to address the student by name, instead of using a "he" or "she" pronoun. For the rest of this story see
www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=55892
Homosexual groups take campaign into US mega-churches
A coalition of pro-homosexual groups led by Soulforce, is targeting six U.S. mega-churches in an effort to foster dialogue about Christian views on homosexuality. The Churches chosen for the campaign are: Lakewood Church (pastored by Joel Osteen), The Potter's House (T.D. Jakes), Hope Christian Church (Harry Jackson), New Birth Missionary Baptist Church (Eddie Long)Willow Creek Community Church (Bill Hybels), and Saddleback Church (Rick Warren).
According to the Soulforce website, "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people" and their families will attempt to visit with members, pastors, and leaders of the churches to talk about religious views on homosexuality; hoping "to begin a process of changing hearts and minds" in those churches.
While there certainly is nothing wrong with Christians having dialogues with homosexuals or any other group for that matter (what better opportunity to preach the Gospel!), it certainly is something else allowing specially prepared agents of anti-christian values to bring their doctrine into the Church and be given free unfettered access to church members – including children and young converts! Except of course, if the leaders of those Churches don’t really believe homosexuality is a sin that can lead those caught in its throes to hell! (see Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Eph 5:5-6 however!)
According to the Soulforce website, "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people" and their families will attempt to visit with members, pastors, and leaders of the churches to talk about religious views on homosexuality; hoping "to begin a process of changing hearts and minds" in those churches.
While there certainly is nothing wrong with Christians having dialogues with homosexuals or any other group for that matter (what better opportunity to preach the Gospel!), it certainly is something else allowing specially prepared agents of anti-christian values to bring their doctrine into the Church and be given free unfettered access to church members – including children and young converts! Except of course, if the leaders of those Churches don’t really believe homosexuality is a sin that can lead those caught in its throes to hell! (see Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Eph 5:5-6 however!)
“Gays” May Spread Deadly Staph
Reuters has reported that, a drug-resistant strain of potentially deadly bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, has moved beyond the borders of U.S. hospitals and is being transmitted among gay men during sex”. According to the study led by Binh Diep at the University of California, homosexual men are 13 times more likely to contract the potentially deadly, drug-resistant strain of Staph infection, but the fear is that, because the infection is spread via skin-to-skin contact, homosexual men may soon spread it to the general population.
Matt Barber, Policy Director for Cultural issues with Concerned Women for America (CWA), said, “The medical community has known for years that homosexual conduct, especially among males, creates a breeding ground for often deadly disease…. “The human body is quite callous in how it handles mistreatment and the perversion of its natural functions. When two men mimic the act of heterosexual intercourse with one another, they create an environment, a biological counterfeit, wherein disease can thrive.” Contrary to the hollers from people pushing the new sexuality that what goes on in the bedrooms of homosexuals is none of society’s business, developments as these prove the contrary. News adapted from original news item distributed by
www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.com
Matt Barber, Policy Director for Cultural issues with Concerned Women for America (CWA), said, “The medical community has known for years that homosexual conduct, especially among males, creates a breeding ground for often deadly disease…. “The human body is quite callous in how it handles mistreatment and the perversion of its natural functions. When two men mimic the act of heterosexual intercourse with one another, they create an environment, a biological counterfeit, wherein disease can thrive.” Contrary to the hollers from people pushing the new sexuality that what goes on in the bedrooms of homosexuals is none of society’s business, developments as these prove the contrary. News adapted from original news item distributed by
www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.com
Deeds, not Creeds, Rick Warren pleads.
Slowly but steadily, according to him, influenced largely by his wife’s battle with cancer and the huge success of his book “The purpose driven life”, Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church has gone full humanist.
In a widely-reported interview with the Washington Post, Rick Warren affirms that he is reviewing and broadening his perspectives (he had an “epiphany”) on issues he used to consider as “non-negotiables” for the evangelical Christianity. Specifically he says he now regrets his emphasized opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, and similar issues; and wishes henceforth to focus more on restoring “civility” to American culture. He explains what that means: "I just think we're becoming too rude…You have no right to demonize someone just because you disagree with them."
Of course, this is absolutely true – only that it is promoters of anti-christian values that are the crude rude ones, blackmailing, harassing and demonizing any uncompromising Christian. Ex-gays, creationist scientists, holiness preachers etc can tell the story better! Unfortunately, these really rude folks are not likely to listen to the preaching of Mr Warren, which then amounts to requesting Christians to keep the more silent on holiness issues. Warren’s co-traveller on the road to emergent doctrine, Brian McClaren, had earlier called for a moratorium of 5 years on any debate concerning the morality of homosexuality and lesbianism in the church.
This is clearly wrong and unacceptable! And Mr Warren’s position is hardly a novelty. In fact, a recurrent major issue in Christianity since the days of the Apostles has always been: should we or should we not give in to those who attempt to “creep in unawares”, trying to contaminate the salt of the gospel?
In the same interview, Rick Warren again confirms his involvement with the Council on Foreign Relations (which he tried to deny a while ago, even after having boasted about it previously – see Vol. 10 no 1). Here it is confirmed that he is working [on behalf of the CFR] together with Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention on a “Religion and Foreign Policy Meeting Series” that has to do with the “impact of religious doctrine on foreign policy.”
Concluding his interview with the Washington Post, Mr Warren bluntly makes it clear that conversion (i.e. soul winning) is certainly out of his new agenda, declaring: “People are so worried churches are going to be about conversion... Everyone has a world view. Christianity is a world view. . . . I don't care why you do good as long as you do good." Even, the secular Washington Post could not help but observe that that represents “ a shift”.
The difference between humanism and Christianity has always been clear: humanism sees the problem of mankind in only one dimension – physical. Consequently, the solution to these problems are believed to lie with man and man alone. Christianity on the other hand, sees Jesus as the only solution to the problems of mankind, which problems have to be dealt with from their non-physical dimensions before an enduring physical solution can be obtained. A Church that does not believe in “conversion”, i.e. soul winning is a compromised and dead Church. Such, Pastor Warren would want us all to be!
“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the Word of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle front besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.”</span>
(Martin Luther In Luther's Works. Weimar Edition. Briefwechsel [Correspondence], vol. 3, pp. 81f.
In a widely-reported interview with the Washington Post, Rick Warren affirms that he is reviewing and broadening his perspectives (he had an “epiphany”) on issues he used to consider as “non-negotiables” for the evangelical Christianity. Specifically he says he now regrets his emphasized opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, and similar issues; and wishes henceforth to focus more on restoring “civility” to American culture. He explains what that means: "I just think we're becoming too rude…You have no right to demonize someone just because you disagree with them."
Of course, this is absolutely true – only that it is promoters of anti-christian values that are the crude rude ones, blackmailing, harassing and demonizing any uncompromising Christian. Ex-gays, creationist scientists, holiness preachers etc can tell the story better! Unfortunately, these really rude folks are not likely to listen to the preaching of Mr Warren, which then amounts to requesting Christians to keep the more silent on holiness issues. Warren’s co-traveller on the road to emergent doctrine, Brian McClaren, had earlier called for a moratorium of 5 years on any debate concerning the morality of homosexuality and lesbianism in the church.
This is clearly wrong and unacceptable! And Mr Warren’s position is hardly a novelty. In fact, a recurrent major issue in Christianity since the days of the Apostles has always been: should we or should we not give in to those who attempt to “creep in unawares”, trying to contaminate the salt of the gospel?
In the same interview, Rick Warren again confirms his involvement with the Council on Foreign Relations (which he tried to deny a while ago, even after having boasted about it previously – see Vol. 10 no 1). Here it is confirmed that he is working [on behalf of the CFR] together with Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention on a “Religion and Foreign Policy Meeting Series” that has to do with the “impact of religious doctrine on foreign policy.”
Concluding his interview with the Washington Post, Mr Warren bluntly makes it clear that conversion (i.e. soul winning) is certainly out of his new agenda, declaring: “People are so worried churches are going to be about conversion... Everyone has a world view. Christianity is a world view. . . . I don't care why you do good as long as you do good." Even, the secular Washington Post could not help but observe that that represents “ a shift”.
The difference between humanism and Christianity has always been clear: humanism sees the problem of mankind in only one dimension – physical. Consequently, the solution to these problems are believed to lie with man and man alone. Christianity on the other hand, sees Jesus as the only solution to the problems of mankind, which problems have to be dealt with from their non-physical dimensions before an enduring physical solution can be obtained. A Church that does not believe in “conversion”, i.e. soul winning is a compromised and dead Church. Such, Pastor Warren would want us all to be!
“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the Word of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle front besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.”</span>
(Martin Luther In Luther's Works. Weimar Edition. Briefwechsel [Correspondence], vol. 3, pp. 81f.
Jacob Prasch defends Chuck Smith against Purpose Driven attack
Notable Bible teacher, Jacob Prasch of Moriel Ministries has written a comprehensive article addressing the issue of “doctrine” versus “experience” which kind of summarises the Emergent Movement, currently raging like wildfire and wreaking havocs in the Church of God.
The article was actually written in defense of Chuck Smith, Roger Oakland and Dave Hunt who had been critically attacked by Richard Abanes of Saddleback Church in reaction to their expressed position regarding Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Agenda.
Describing the response by Mr. Abanes as “an exercise in circumlocution failing centrally and candidly to address the various concerns voiced to the unbiblical nature of The Purpose Driven Agenda” Dr Prasch went on a systematic excursion exposing the progression of errors in recent times beginning from issues such as so-called “Christian yoga”, through the Toronto laughing revival, the re-packaging of Norman Peel’s positive thinking ideas in Christian language, etc, and eventually to the Purpose driven agenda of Rick Warren - which Prasch sees as opening the door to the Emergent doctrine being championed by Brian McLaren.
For this very important article, which ends by repeating Prasch’s standing challenge of Rick Warren to an open “properly formatted and filmed webcase debate” on his Purpose Driven ethos, see http://www.moriel.org/articles/notice_board/in_defense_cc_hunt_oakland.htm E-copy of the article is attached with this edition for our e-subscribers.
The article was actually written in defense of Chuck Smith, Roger Oakland and Dave Hunt who had been critically attacked by Richard Abanes of Saddleback Church in reaction to their expressed position regarding Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Agenda.
Describing the response by Mr. Abanes as “an exercise in circumlocution failing centrally and candidly to address the various concerns voiced to the unbiblical nature of The Purpose Driven Agenda” Dr Prasch went on a systematic excursion exposing the progression of errors in recent times beginning from issues such as so-called “Christian yoga”, through the Toronto laughing revival, the re-packaging of Norman Peel’s positive thinking ideas in Christian language, etc, and eventually to the Purpose driven agenda of Rick Warren - which Prasch sees as opening the door to the Emergent doctrine being championed by Brian McLaren.
For this very important article, which ends by repeating Prasch’s standing challenge of Rick Warren to an open “properly formatted and filmed webcase debate” on his Purpose Driven ethos, see http://www.moriel.org/articles/notice_board/in_defense_cc_hunt_oakland.htm E-copy of the article is attached with this edition for our e-subscribers.
Emergent doctrine suffers setback in Cedarville University
The intensity of the desperate efforts to stealthily infect Christian institutions with heretical doctrines was vividly demonstrated at Cedarville University, Ohio, US recently. Thank God, at least in this instance again, the Truth has prevailed as the authorities at that Baptist institution cancelled the invitation they had earlier given to Shane Claiborne, spokeswoman for Emergent Doctrine, to come infest the institution with her message. See details at www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com.
Cerdarville, one of the top Christian universities in the United States, is particularly noted for its creationist approach to scientific research and study, and its requirement of a Bible minor as part of all academic programs. It unabashedly boasts of its “commitment to the inerrancy and authority of Scripture” (http://www.cedarville.edu/about/).
In recent times however, the institution has been under pressure to discard its orthodox posture and embrace Emergent and Purpose-Driven ideas as enunciated by people like Brian Mcclaren and Rick Warren. [For more on these erroneous ideas, check www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/emergingchurch.htm.] For instance, two professors who had expressed disagreement with two other professors on Emergent doctrines were fired from the University last year, indicating that it was the massive interest shown by Christians that led to the change of heart by authorities at CU with respect to Ms Claiborne. For more details, see http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/019919.php
Cerdarville, one of the top Christian universities in the United States, is particularly noted for its creationist approach to scientific research and study, and its requirement of a Bible minor as part of all academic programs. It unabashedly boasts of its “commitment to the inerrancy and authority of Scripture” (http://www.cedarville.edu/about/).
In recent times however, the institution has been under pressure to discard its orthodox posture and embrace Emergent and Purpose-Driven ideas as enunciated by people like Brian Mcclaren and Rick Warren. [For more on these erroneous ideas, check www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/emergingchurch.htm.] For instance, two professors who had expressed disagreement with two other professors on Emergent doctrines were fired from the University last year, indicating that it was the massive interest shown by Christians that led to the change of heart by authorities at CU with respect to Ms Claiborne. For more details, see http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/019919.php
Eminent Christian signatories back out of “Common Word” response
In the last edition, we featured the letter written by 138 Islamic leaders suggesting that the same God is served by Christians and Moslems alike; and that a Common fundamental principle links the two dominant monotheistic faith together, compelling that they close ranks and launching out from a kind of hybrid faith, jointly square up to the task of making the world a better place for mankind. One hundred evangelical pastors in the US responded with a letter of their own, praising the Islamic initiative, apologizing for perceived intolerance of Christians towards Moslem, and offering to close ranks as requested by the Islamic faithful.
However, top administrators from Wheaton College, one of the most influential evangelical colleges in the United States, who had earlier signed the joint evangelical reply now say they have had a re-think, and can no longer in good conscience continue to endorse that joint statement According to Wheaton College president Duane Litfin, "I signed the statement because I am committed to the business of peace-making and neighbor-love….. I did not savor the document’s unnuanced apology section…” Also backing out are provost Stanton Jones and chaplain Stephen Kellough of the same University.
The so-called “Evangelical Response” had drawn sharp criticism from highly respected theologians including R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, who called it a “profound disappointment”. John Piper, pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, issued a public statement criticizing the document, emphasizing that the love of God for Christians is starkly different from that of Islam. According to Pastor Piper, "The love of God is ... uniquely expressed through Jesus Christ as the propitiation for our sins because he died on the cross and rose again. All those things, Islam radically rejects,..So they do not believe in the love of God we believe in.".
In withdrawing his endorsement for the joint statement, Litfin said he was not pressured to make the withdrawal, only that "It was simply a matter of conscience, combined with the fact that I had put the College on the line in a way I was no longer comfortable in defending.” He emphasized that he could not support a statement that speaks as if Quran's Allah and the God of Christians are the same.
For us at Church Arise!, the only sad part of this heart-warming development is that many other evangelical leaders who had signed largely on the example of the influential Wheaton leaders may not find it easy retracing their own steps! For instance, one of the signatories who admits to having been influenced by “other evangelical leaders more knowledgeable in Islam than himself” into signing the letter was the President of the very influential National Association of Evangelicals, Rev. Leith Anderson. According to the Christian Post, Anderson said the unnamed “more knowledgeable” evangelical leaders had suggested to him that “not signing could be damaging to … Christian brothers and sisters who live among Muslims”. “So I agreed to add my name to the letter,” www.christianpost.com/article/20080104/30738_Evangelicals_Rebuke_NAE_Leaders_over_Islam_Letter.htm.
Meanwhile, the Vatican is currently preparing to receive the 138 Islamic scholars for more dialogue, with the first meetings held early February - http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=11727
However, top administrators from Wheaton College, one of the most influential evangelical colleges in the United States, who had earlier signed the joint evangelical reply now say they have had a re-think, and can no longer in good conscience continue to endorse that joint statement According to Wheaton College president Duane Litfin, "I signed the statement because I am committed to the business of peace-making and neighbor-love….. I did not savor the document’s unnuanced apology section…” Also backing out are provost Stanton Jones and chaplain Stephen Kellough of the same University.
The so-called “Evangelical Response” had drawn sharp criticism from highly respected theologians including R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, who called it a “profound disappointment”. John Piper, pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, issued a public statement criticizing the document, emphasizing that the love of God for Christians is starkly different from that of Islam. According to Pastor Piper, "The love of God is ... uniquely expressed through Jesus Christ as the propitiation for our sins because he died on the cross and rose again. All those things, Islam radically rejects,..So they do not believe in the love of God we believe in.".
In withdrawing his endorsement for the joint statement, Litfin said he was not pressured to make the withdrawal, only that "It was simply a matter of conscience, combined with the fact that I had put the College on the line in a way I was no longer comfortable in defending.” He emphasized that he could not support a statement that speaks as if Quran's Allah and the God of Christians are the same.
For us at Church Arise!, the only sad part of this heart-warming development is that many other evangelical leaders who had signed largely on the example of the influential Wheaton leaders may not find it easy retracing their own steps! For instance, one of the signatories who admits to having been influenced by “other evangelical leaders more knowledgeable in Islam than himself” into signing the letter was the President of the very influential National Association of Evangelicals, Rev. Leith Anderson. According to the Christian Post, Anderson said the unnamed “more knowledgeable” evangelical leaders had suggested to him that “not signing could be damaging to … Christian brothers and sisters who live among Muslims”. “So I agreed to add my name to the letter,” www.christianpost.com/article/20080104/30738_Evangelicals_Rebuke_NAE_Leaders_over_Islam_Letter.htm.
Meanwhile, the Vatican is currently preparing to receive the 138 Islamic scholars for more dialogue, with the first meetings held early February - http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=11727
Chris Okotie Unveils New Wife To Church
It is not likely that Rev Chris Okotie, who unsuccessfully tried to sell himself as the Christian candidate in the last Presidential election, is aware of the raw deal believers are receiving in the North, if reports in the media are anything to go by. At the same time as the events we report in the previous article were unfolding, the Pastor of the popular Household of God Church in Lagos, was busy introducing to his congregation, Stephanie Henshaw as the woman he intends to marry later in the year.
Rev. Okotie divorced his wife of 17 years, Tina, some years ago; and last year announced that he had decided to marry Stephanie, who he describes as “a woman of breathtaking beauty”. Stephanie Henshaw had been married twice and has three children. According to TheNews, “Okotie, however, said he does not care, adding that he was marrying her because she was beautiful” Stephanie, in her 30s, has known 50 years old Okotie for the past 10 years “but the two lovers became close when she left her second husband.”
www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=22410
Rev. Okotie divorced his wife of 17 years, Tina, some years ago; and last year announced that he had decided to marry Stephanie, who he describes as “a woman of breathtaking beauty”. Stephanie Henshaw had been married twice and has three children. According to TheNews, “Okotie, however, said he does not care, adding that he was marrying her because she was beautiful” Stephanie, in her 30s, has known 50 years old Okotie for the past 10 years “but the two lovers became close when she left her second husband.”
www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=22410
Again Muslim riot claims 3 lives in Kano state, Nigeria.
For the third straight edition, it is our sad duty to once again report the cold blooded killing of our Christian brethren by so-called Islamic faithfuls in Northern Nigeria. After the mauling last October in which an indeterminable number of Christians (official figure of 9) were killed; with the response from the Christian Association of Nigeria nothing more than some feeble whimpers channeled through its secretary; with government responding through the VP at a Church service with a promise to set up yet another committee, etc etc, we warned that the Islamic goons can not miss the clear message that they are literally untouchable even in the face of crude hideous murder.
In this latest event, the AFP reports on Feb 9 that three people, including a police officer were killed by Muslim students, who were rioting over a Mohammed cartoon allegedly drawn by a Christian student.
The event occurred at Sumaila, 76 kilometres south of Kano city. This time around, the Muslim students were said to be protesting the resumption back to school of the Christian student who had earlier been suspended by school authorities for two weeks for the cartoon pasted on a wall inside the school. www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=702348
Unlike the case of the young Christian evangelist who was forcibly retrieved from a police station and lynched in Izom, Niger State on June 28, 2006 (see Vol 9 No 4), the Police, at the divisional police station in Sumaila, successfully resisted the “hundreds of angry Muslim students” who demanded that the Christian student be released unto them for instant sharia justice.
Kano police chief Aminu Yesufu recounted the cost of the brave Police resistance: three people including a police inspector killed. Twenty others badly wounded (including the divisional police officer who suffered a deep machete cut to the head); while the police station itself and everything inside, including ammunition were burnt down by the “Allahu Akbar” chanting mob. A week earlier, on February 1, the Police had watched apparently helplessly as about 200 members of the private Sharia Police (Hisbah) took to the streets of Sabon Gari, the Christian area of Kano city, arresting scores of women indiscriminately on the allegation that they were prostitutes. This is despite a Supreme Court ruling last year declaring the operations of the Hisbah as unconstitutional. Whither the Rule of the Law?
A day after this rampage in Kano, hell was again let loose in nearby Shira Yana (Bauchi State), when Islamic youths similarly demanded that the police hand over another Christian lady for Sharia-prescribed lynching. In that situation, after several rejections, a desperate love-seeking Moslem had appealed to the young Christian lady in question to speak to him “in the name of the Messenger”. When the Christian girl responded that she knew no “messenger,” that was sufficient ground for an Islamic mob to attack her house the next day, on blasphemy charge, prompting her running to the police station for safety.
What happened at Sumaila is an indication of the herculean task the security agents had to confront. In self defence, the Police had to shoot into the mob, unfortunately fatally hitting one protester, before they could get them to disperse. However the Islamic crowd simply descended on private properties of policemen and Christians in town in an orgy of wild revenge! According to a report in Christian Today, “Around 1000 people were displaced, several critically wounded, and every church reportedly destroyed” in the resulting rampage. (http://www.christiantoday.com/article/churches.destroyed.in.wave.of.religious.violence.in.nigeria/16769.htm)
Recall that at least 10 Christians were killed in Bauchi state 2 weeks to the end of last year (see vol 10 no 6)!
The real nauseating aspect to all these, is that Moslem’s zeal for their Prophet and Scriptures seems to be only a superficial, exaggerated affair. As we reported in Vol 10 No 4, when two influential rival moslem groups engaged in a duel in Sokoto on July 19 last year, the first items they seized and burnt were copies of the Koran, these being the most treasured asset of their opponent! So for the umpteenth time we ask, how long will this continue? Until the law of the land is strictly applied there seems little respite in sight for our brethren living in Pergamos, “where the devil dwells”, literally! (see Rev 2:13)
In this latest event, the AFP reports on Feb 9 that three people, including a police officer were killed by Muslim students, who were rioting over a Mohammed cartoon allegedly drawn by a Christian student.
The event occurred at Sumaila, 76 kilometres south of Kano city. This time around, the Muslim students were said to be protesting the resumption back to school of the Christian student who had earlier been suspended by school authorities for two weeks for the cartoon pasted on a wall inside the school. www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=702348
Unlike the case of the young Christian evangelist who was forcibly retrieved from a police station and lynched in Izom, Niger State on June 28, 2006 (see Vol 9 No 4), the Police, at the divisional police station in Sumaila, successfully resisted the “hundreds of angry Muslim students” who demanded that the Christian student be released unto them for instant sharia justice.
Kano police chief Aminu Yesufu recounted the cost of the brave Police resistance: three people including a police inspector killed. Twenty others badly wounded (including the divisional police officer who suffered a deep machete cut to the head); while the police station itself and everything inside, including ammunition were burnt down by the “Allahu Akbar” chanting mob. A week earlier, on February 1, the Police had watched apparently helplessly as about 200 members of the private Sharia Police (Hisbah) took to the streets of Sabon Gari, the Christian area of Kano city, arresting scores of women indiscriminately on the allegation that they were prostitutes. This is despite a Supreme Court ruling last year declaring the operations of the Hisbah as unconstitutional. Whither the Rule of the Law?
A day after this rampage in Kano, hell was again let loose in nearby Shira Yana (Bauchi State), when Islamic youths similarly demanded that the police hand over another Christian lady for Sharia-prescribed lynching. In that situation, after several rejections, a desperate love-seeking Moslem had appealed to the young Christian lady in question to speak to him “in the name of the Messenger”. When the Christian girl responded that she knew no “messenger,” that was sufficient ground for an Islamic mob to attack her house the next day, on blasphemy charge, prompting her running to the police station for safety.
What happened at Sumaila is an indication of the herculean task the security agents had to confront. In self defence, the Police had to shoot into the mob, unfortunately fatally hitting one protester, before they could get them to disperse. However the Islamic crowd simply descended on private properties of policemen and Christians in town in an orgy of wild revenge! According to a report in Christian Today, “Around 1000 people were displaced, several critically wounded, and every church reportedly destroyed” in the resulting rampage. (http://www.christiantoday.com/article/churches.destroyed.in.wave.of.religious.violence.in.nigeria/16769.htm)
Recall that at least 10 Christians were killed in Bauchi state 2 weeks to the end of last year (see vol 10 no 6)!
The real nauseating aspect to all these, is that Moslem’s zeal for their Prophet and Scriptures seems to be only a superficial, exaggerated affair. As we reported in Vol 10 No 4, when two influential rival moslem groups engaged in a duel in Sokoto on July 19 last year, the first items they seized and burnt were copies of the Koran, these being the most treasured asset of their opponent! So for the umpteenth time we ask, how long will this continue? Until the law of the land is strictly applied there seems little respite in sight for our brethren living in Pergamos, “where the devil dwells”, literally! (see Rev 2:13)
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