Category Archives: instruction
Understanding church and kingdom, part 1
Proverbs 4:7 strongly encourages us to get an understanding in all that we do. And it can be said that much of our problems stem from a lack of understanding. Sometimes that understanding is because we just havent walked into yet, sometimes it is because we reject it when it comes. Thus, this post on understanding the Church and the Kingdom. I will try to keep it as simple as possible. Hopefully, it can clear up some misunderstandings you have had, if at all and consequently help you better understand certain situations and circumstances happening around us. Many times we question how can these things happen in the church? It is confusing and distressing. Why? Because we do not have a proper biblical perspective of church and kingdom.
There are a lot of religious people who are employing the word “kingdom” as a new buzzword of sorts. It gives the appearance that such people are in tune with God, but on closer examination some are simply playing a word shell game. To the unsuspecting, it can be a deadly one, both spiritually and naturally.
One very important distinction to remember is that Jesus said the kingdom of God ( per Romans 14:17 love, joy and peace in the Holy Ghost) is within you and eternal. Conversely, the kingdom of man (buildings, money, fame, positions, sexual desires) is external and temporal. Most people see the church as a building ( i.e. New Joy Church 1500 West Adams Street). A building can be called a church but it is not the church. The reason is because buildings can be destroyed and/or used for altogether different purposes, even evil. Changing your thinking paradigm about the church versus a church will significantly enhance your ability to endure when the sinful excesses in the building conflict with the purity of the kingdom of God.
While the terms “church” and “kingdom” are generally used interchangeably by people, in scripture there are distinct differences in the two. Both are present expressions of The Lord Jesus Christ, yet one has not reached its perfection. (Eph 4:11-15).
Let’s deal with the kingdom first. In simple terms a kingdom is the domain or residence under authority of a king. When applied to God, David said it best in Psalms 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein. Thus it is clear that God’s kingdom comprises both heaven and earth. Heaven is under control, but earth is still in transition. As Jesus prayed: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.
One theologian described the kingdom of God like this:
In today’s parlance the equivalent of the Kingdom of God would be something like the Presidency of God rather than the Nation-State of God; or the Episcopacy of God rather than the Diocese of God. This Divine Regime or Presidency which operates by gracious mercy (because of God’s love) and righteous justice (because of God’s holiness) is unlimited, eternal, spiritual, and sovereign over all. Since Christ came in grace and in the flesh and began His earthly ministry, the inward earnest of the Kingdom life became accessible as a present mediatory EXPERIENCE for whosoever believes in Christ. The full outward manifestation of the Kingdom is a future vindicatory EXPECTATION when Christ comes again in judgment (Eph 1:7-14).
The Kingdom (of God, of Heaven) are also used interchangeably in scripture. Jesus did in several places but there are differences that should be noted. Both the “kingdoms” are ruled by God. The main difference is time. The kingdom of God is within us now, while the kingdom of heaven has not yet come. (Matthew 16:19,Luke 17:20,21)
The Kingdom of God is physically represented by the earthly Church of Christ (this is not the denomination of the same name).
The tale of two churches
As with many situations in the bible paradoxes exist and quite frankly appear to the undiscerning eye to be contradictory. Such is the case with what I will call the church triumphant and the church universal.
The church triumphant is triumphant (victorious) both now and forever. It has both corporate and individual applications. I take that from 1 Cor 2:14. The CT isnt defined as a denomination. Nor is it a nondenominational, interdenominational or independent religious body. It is understood to be comprised of those out of every kindred and nation, every tongue and tribe, who have been washed in the blood of the lamb and whose names are written in the lamb’s book of life. The church triumphant has formed and is forming daily as the Lord adds to the church. It is the church which, according to Matthew 16:18, is indestructible, built on the Rock. It is this church-bride which will be presented in that day: pure, holy, blameless, faultless before the presence of God (Jude 24,25). While the church triumphant is universal, the church universal is not necessarily triumphant.
The church universal is universal because it worldwide in terms of its logistical placement and membership. Thus, it is comprised of those who are joined to the physical church of Christ. It is a consortium of the denominations, nondenominations, interdenominations, et al. The church universal includes the wheat and the tare, the hypocrite and the saint, the open homosexual and the downlow choir leader, the sheep and the goats. It is from this church which will come those who find out that their good works are useless because they feigned relationship with Christ or had none at all. They will discover that they will be rejected because they added or detracted from the words of the Lord causing others to be lost. The church universal is in essence a snapshot of the doctrine of inclusion pre-judgment day. All are included, but the day of separation has not come (see Matt 25:31-46).
The church has “membership” rolls and on any given Sunday whether a person is redeemed or not, they can step out into the aisle, walk up front, shake the pastor’s hand and become a member. Even if they never confess Christ and are never born again and filled with the Spirit, they can remain “members” of the church. Even become “leaders”.
But not so in the kingdom of God.
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor 6:9-11
The entrance requirements are set not by the will of man, but by God. Only those who are redeemed, washed in the blood of the Lamb and sanctified by the spirit of Christ will come in. There’s no hand to shake , no secretary to see, no new members class to attend, no St Peter at the gate, just a change of heart and lifestyle. That’s not the gospel of inclusion, its the gospel of exclusion. And its 100% the will of God.
Purpose driven joy
Joy —God’s joy— is something most of us don’t seem to have enough of, but truly need more of. The purpose of our joy is not just to make us “feel good” in difficult seasons, but to literally drive the way we view life and live it out for the glory of God’s kingdom. We have the blueprint in none other than Jesus himself.
Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him that endured such contradiction from sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3 (my bold)
The believer’s joy, to which the word rejoiceis related, is twofold. First, it offers you a picture of life as it is while simultaneously comforting you in this certain knowledge: no matter what you endure or where you are, even in the midst of all of the “trials and tribulations”, you will be all right. Take a look in the mirror and tell yourself that real quick! Secondly, it reinforces truth. Knowing that God’s law is the natural foundation for peace, prosperity and contentment settles you as you go through. Fundamentally, the joy that Im talking about is a peace of mind in absolutely certain knowledge that, at the end of it all, eternal life with Christ awaits those who are obedient to the will of God
Joy isnt synonymous with happiness. Too many (saints?) are lusting after happiness, but have no joy. Happiness is based on circumstances. If my circumstances turn out good, then I’m happy. If my circumstances turn out bad, then I’m not happy. The etemology of happiness has its roots in a 1520′s phrase which meant “good fortune”.
But how does that square with 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which says in everything (literally every circumstance) give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you?
Well, it can’t because it has a source malfunction. While the pursuit of happiness is based on the vicissitudes of life, joy is based on an unchanging and eternal God. Thus, circumstances do not affect my joy.
Purpose driven joy immediately takes control when life threatens to overwhelm you. When the enemy comes in like a flood. When you have lost something you feel is valuable to you. When things don’t happen like you want them to happen when you want them to happen.
My goal isnt simply to define joy for you, but to remind you of the purpose —and power— of joy.
David wrote: “Thou dost show me the path of life; in Thy presence there is fullness of joy, in Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11 RSV)
You can run a check to see if your joy is righteous. Check to see if when troubles show up, you seek circumstantial relief or do you hunker down and cling to the promises of God. If you are able to know and confess to yourself that what God has done before, he can do again, your joy is right. If you can take it a step further and confess that even if he doesn’t change the situation, he is still able (reference Daniel 3:16-18), your joy is show nuff right!
David does really set forth a picture of the inner workings of joy. He was a man much acquainted with trouble and pains. Yet his confession always extolled the law of the Lord as his hope for resolution.
The law of The Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of The Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of The Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of The Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of The Lord is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of The Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19
Joy is not ours, it is God’s gift to us. In other words, we have no ability to produce this joy on our own. God gives us his supernatural joy to help us navigate through the pitfalls of our sojourn. Joy then isnt the product of the natural mind but the product of the Holy Ghost. If it is not a product of the natural mind, then pursuing any solution apart from the guidance of the Holy Ghost will produce very limited and pale imitations of what God intended for you to experience.
The concept of joy as expressed in the Bible contains a wealth of synonymous terms but they cannot easily be differentiated. The commonest is simchah translated as “joy,” “gladness,” “mirth”. Then there’s sameah, which means “to be bright,” “to shine”, but generally used figuratively “to rejoice,” “be glad”. These definitions only define the expression of joy, but its purpose. In this regard, the Word of God presents a much more complex virtue than any definition can adequately express.
JESUS JOY
Purpose driven joy then is a result of our seeking first the kingdom of God. Too many of us seek after things that do not satisfy. But when we seek God and our place with him, we discover that life really is beautiful (smile right there). We become focused on God and the things of God. We become what I would call seeking saints. We seek to please God and consequently find a reciprocity of joy in our own lives.
Biblical joy is inseparable from right relationship with God. If God is actually present and active in our lives, the joy He experiences is fulfilled in us PS 16:11. Joy is the sign that your life has truly found its purpose! This, too, is a revelation of God, for no one can come to Him and find the purpose of life unless He, by His Spirit, calls and reveals it.
Purposeful joy motivates us to serve God and accomplish his purpose in our lives.
How could Jesus have joy in the situation he was in? It was excruciating becoming King of kings, Lord of lords and our High Priest—the Savior of all mankind. There was a preordained joy in him that confirmed the cross ordeal would come to pass, thus fulfilling the will of God. There was joy in heaven that the plan of God was moving forward, and God would then have more sons and daughters. His suffering on his cross produced joy unspeakable in us as we carry ours.
Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.
A beautiful conversation: Talking with God
I’m not sure how often you pray, when is the last time you prayed or even if you believe that prayer is important. I do. I’ve learned to talk to God and listen so that whatever he wants me to know I don’t miss it. I confess there are times when I don’t “feel” like praying. And (more confession) there was a time in my saved life I didn’t want to pray. But as I have walked with God and calmed down considerably, I value the conversations we have.
Prayer isnt just talking selfishly about our wants as God cannot be manipulated by our prayers. While we tend to talk to God in abundance, it appears that he doesn’t speak in great volumes to us in return. But when he does, its undeniable.
Prayer is the primary form of communication with God. It is, in essence, a conversation between divinity and humanity.
The great Christian writer Oswald Chambers said “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” Indeed, we cannot see our prayers as a means to an end but rather as both the means and the end.
There are many types of prayers:
Agreement – Our will submits to the Father’s will. The other aspect of agreement is when we pray with another person with one heart towards what is desired as in Matthew 18:19
Meditation – Quietly thinking on the Word of God and recalling it either in silence or whisper. Psalms 1 says a man is blessed when his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Confession – Acknowledgement to God personal wrongdoing. John 1:9 tells us If (in prayer) we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Forgiveness – Acknowledgment before God releasing someone who has done you personal wrong. Jesus himself prayed the prayer of forgiveness on the cross. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34
Thanksgiving – A proclamation of praise for what God has done.
Praise – Expression of adoration for what God has done. No one biblical writer could put it down like the prolific warrior/praiser King David. His psalms (songs) are the basis of countless songs and prayers. My favorite: the 103rd Psalms.
Petition – A personal request for things that we need. There is nothing wrong with asking God for personal needs. We are encouraged to do just that in Philippians 4:6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Intercession – Bringing another’s petition to God on their behalf. The church prayed for the release of the Apostle Peter when he was imprisoned in Acts 12:5.
Listening – Active quietness in the presence of God in order to hear Him speak. The child Samuel was instructed to say “speak Lord, for your servant listens” in 1 Samuel 3:9-10.
There are some misconceptions about prayer. Some believe that prayers should not be public, only private. Not true. This misconception comes from Jesus warning to his followers in Matt 6:5 about emulating the Pharisees.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
His warning was not against public prayer, but public prayer used as a cloak for hypocrisy. Please understand that public prayer does not bring the same personal results as secret, closet prayer. Reference Matthew 6:6.
I believe the greatest prayer we can pray is “Lord, let your will be done”. When you don’t know what to say, its best to pray that his will be done. Knowing God like I do, that prayer will certainly always be right and true.
Question: Has God ever specifically answered your prayers?
Loving you when youre bad
I’ll never forget what my former pastor G. Gillum said one Sunday morning while he was preaching.
“I’ve been bad, since I been good”
Profound? Yes, but only if you knew what he was talking about. I knew.
He was saying that since he had been saved (good) he had not always done right (bad). That probably includes 99.9% of us believers. We know what God says, we know what we are supposed to do and we even are aware to some degree of the consequences. Yet, there are times when we disobey and do wrong. Sometimes its error and if we are real honest, sometimes its because we want the sin in front of us.
But out of his will, God is able to love us even when we are bad.
Before I go further, we need to swat some misunderstanding flies.
There exists this false perception that the lives of believers are 100% perfect at all times. I call it perfectionism. Its faulty theology which leads to faulty beliefs about sin and the believer. I’m confident in saying that we’re not supposed to be perfect, but rather we are to strive for perfection (spiritual maturity). I understand that perfection has several definitional nuances.
But the bible doesn’t teach that sin is eradicated in the life of the believer (reference 1 John 1:8). It does teach that the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, gives the believer power over sin and its decaying consequences (Luke 10:19, Romans 6:12,13). Still, there are many mitigating factors involved. Too many, perhaps to go into in this post, but suffice to know that power over does not mean eradication. God’s standard is holiness and it will never change, but the flesh remains a major active source of struggle in the quest to live holy.
Paradox of Pain
With the exception of the Holy Spirit and the law of God now “written on fleshly tablets”, we are not much different than the Isrealites (reference 1 Corinthians 10:11). The cycles of bad and good were played out over and over in the lives of God’s chosen ones. Great lessons can be gleaned if we observe the admonitions of the past.
First look at a “pull out” scripture we all tend to get misty-eyed about when someone recites it.
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
There is something deeply moving about God’s everlasting love. But in order to truly understand and appreciate the weight of Jeremiah 31:3 you cant start with that. You would have to look into the previous chapters first. There’s nothing like context when studying the bible.
The context is this: Isreal was at the height of its brazen idolatry when God spoke these words to them through Jeremiah. The problems and sins were deep and widespread.
The dialogue begins in chapter 2 with God releasing a series of probing questions/charges against Isreal for their mounting sins. Some of them are incredulous:
Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, all you clans of the house of Israel. This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.
They did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD, who brought us up out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness, through a land of deserts and rifts, a land of drought and darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?’
I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable. The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD ?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols.
“Therefore I bring charges against you again,” declares the LORD. “And I will bring charges against your children’s children.
Cross over to the coasts of Kittim and look, send to Kedar and observe closely; see if there has ever been anything like this: Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols (vss 4-11).
The great majority of the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah was warning the people of God’s inevitable, unavertible wrath to come. Because of his call, he endured persecutions, was branded as a traitor and outlaw, was emotionally distraught much of the time and even bemoaned his own birth. Yet he faithfully continued to preach against their sins. People only got worse. At one point God orders him not to pray for the people any longer. His was a life anointed with paradoxical pain.
Love Letters
Against that backdrop Jeremiah 31:3 is breathtakingly stunning. You can feel the longing in the voice of God. The softness and tenderness of it against the bleak doom of sin’s consequences is amazing. There in the midst of their sins, God reminds them of his unquenchable love for them, even though they reject him. That’s love.
The word Jeremiah uses ahav is a hebrew word which denotes in essence a “privileged love”. It is significant and rare in the Old Testament and associated with deep sacrifice and overflowing emotion. Compare with the New Testament usage of agape. God is saying what I have for you is love that proves you are in a privileged relationship with me. A relationship of covenant so that when you do not uphold your covenantal promise (to obey me), it will not cancel my covenantal promise to love you.
He does love you, me, everyone. When we are at our worst, he reminds us that though discipline will come it will not change one iota of his love. That should never be a question in anyone’s mind.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-38)
This post isn’t to point out how bad you are, or the possibility of you being bad again. Its to point out that He loves us even when we are bad. If you will agree with him, no matter what you’ve done or how bad it was, that same love will cause you to recover and become whole and fruitful again.
Knowing the will of God
Why am I here?
Where should I fit in?
What do I do with my life?
Have you ever asked yourself these questions? If you have, then you’re no different from millions of other Christians who have sought to understand the meaning of their lives. Many people it seems, want to know the “will of God”, but it slips by them like a silent whisper. Have you looked at other people wondering how they could be so secure in doing kingdom work? If you have, wonder no longer because behind the “secret” of their security is a solid goal and a purpose they have come to understand, accept, and practice. Its called the will of God. Think of God’s will, not as a secret, but as hidden treasure. As hidden treasure, he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
What is God’s “Will”?
I heard someone say “God’s will is God’s word”. I agree with that. You can be sure that if you are doing something or supporting something the Word of God has deemed sin or unacceptable to God, then it is not his will. Conversely, just because something is difficult (even beyond your capabilities) doesn’t mean it is not the will of God. I would add to that God is his will and his word (John 1:1-3). The primary source for discovering God’s will for your life, is in the pages of God’s word. Its in the lines and between the lines. Its both what is said as well as what is not said. Again, he has placed it there for you to earnestly seek out. The treasure you seek is not just information, but rather the One who holds the information. Please understand that because it is treasure, there exists a degree of difficulty (including the time factor) in finding it. No one finds treasure laying about in the open.
We know from Romans 12:2 that whatever the will of God is, it is good and perfect and pleasing. So we don’t have to be afraid of it. We also know from Jeremiah 29:11 that God has predetermined a strategy to bring you to an “expected end” (his expectation, not ours).
The word will is translated from the Greek “thelema” which means “to will”. This doesn’t signify some demand, but an expression of pleasure towards the object of God’s pleasure (you). Thelema was used by biblical writers to designate what God Himself does of his own good pleasure and what he had ordained out of his sovereignty. In short, what God has planned for you is because he wants it.
So does God has a plan for your life? Absolutely. When I say plan I mean something he created you uniquely to do and because of that He will likewise equip you to complete that task. His plan for you will ultimately accomplish two major purposes:
(1) bring another person into reconciliation with God resulting in glory and praise for God;
(2) bring glory and praise to God resulting in another person being reconciled to God
This seems to be what Solomon surmises in Ecclesiastes 12:13. “…here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
Within those two broad intents lie the plan that God has for you. It is not filled with specifics for a reason.
It is God’s desire that we all know His will for us. If a Christian misses God’s will its like missing a turn on a lonely highway and being lost on an unfamiliar detour. So knowing God’s will is very important. As a matter of fact if you don’t discover it, you will live your (Christian) life unfulfilled, unhappy and unfruitful. Knowing and living in his will for you will dramatically set you apart from those who meander aimlessly through church life.
I was teaching a discipleship class once and I asked for a show of hands from all those who knew what God had specifically called them to accomplish. Out of approximately 30 odd people, only 4-5 people raised their hands. When I asked those few to share their specific calling, the numbers got even smaller. The answers were more or less general in nature.
It suggested to me that a vast majority of the rank and file church attendees are clueless as to the meaning of the lives. They come to church, participate in church activities (perhaps faithfully) but inside are deeply dissatisfied without understanding the reason for their dissatisfaction. Consequently when you are not 100% convinced of God’s will for your life, you will always be in flux and susceptible to deception that appeals to answering that question with temporary solutions.
There are not two wills of God, but there are two aspects of his will.
One is a general will for all people.
For example, it is God’s will that all people be saved. (2 Peter 3:9) It is God’s desire that we are blessed and in good health (1 John 3:3). God has called us unto holiness, not uncleaness (1 Thess 4:7).
Most become satisfied with these generalities. They are good, but beyond that is something specifically, that God has determined you should accomplish. Like Solomon, building the first temple or like Paul taking the gospel to the Gentiles. Or like Mary bearing and delivering the Christ. Remember Moses was chosen to tell Pharoah, “let my people go!”. What about Jesus who was born to die for the sins of the world?
Now, what about you? Do you know his will for you? If you know it, are you passionately working it out for God’s glory?
Dr. Albert Mohler unmasks gay movement’s origin
Why is that important to this site you ask? Because the gay christian movement is little more than a religious version of the socio-political gay movement. Its goals, agenda, character and ills all mirror their parent movement with one addition: a Christian veneer. Its our view that it is much more sinister because it masquerades as part of the Body of Christ when in essence it is actively working against the mission of the church and the Lord Jesus.
Deception becomes the homosexual movement like nothing else. Its rather shocking when you realize how deeply homosexual culture’s perverse way of thinking and living has impacted so many of the central areas of our society. Marriage, politics, religion, education, entertainment and music, law and finances all have either been drastically altered or in the process of being altered by people blinded by their worship of their error-ridden sexual passions.
And for context remember it only takes a little leaven to leaven the whole lump (Gal 5:9).
Thankfully, Dr. Albert Mohler’s “History and Origins of the homosexual movement” help us to understand and thus respond with wisdom and accuracy to one of the greatest threats of our times. Dr. Mohler does a monumental job in explaining how the homosexual movement evolved, its etimological subculture and particularly the point of its spear: the sexual orientation theory. He reminds us that homosexuality unlike any other sin formulates a distinctive attack against God himself. Looking at the Romans 1 passage, the Apostle Paul identifies homosexual conduct in men and women as a prominent sign of the decline of societal integrity. If this is true in society, imagine what acceptance of it in the church signifies!
“Essential to understanding this reality in theological perspective is a recognition that homosexuality is an assault upon the integrity of creation and God’s intention in creating human beings in two distinct and complementary genders. Here the confessing church runs counter to the spirit of the age. Even to raise the issue of gender is to offend those who wish to dispose of any gender distinctions as mere “socially constructed realities” and vestiges of patriarchal past.”
You should be aware that you are being played with words that serve a singular purpose: legitimizing homosexual conduct. He explains how the homosexual movement only recently began using the term “sexual orientation” and why. In contrast, they vehemently object to the usage of the word “homosexual” because they say it was only “recently” introduced into biblical translations. You will understand why gay christian activists and their supporters (who come to this blog) always argue identity over behavior as a defense despite what the scriptures teach.
“The concept of sexual orientation was an intentional and quite successful attempt to redefine the debate over homosexuality from same-gender sexual acts to homosexual identity–that is, from what homosexuals do to who homosexuals are.
Yet this concept is actually of quite recent vintage. In fact, even within the past decade, the concept more commonly employed by the homosexual movement was sexual preference. The reason for the shift is clear: “Preference” implied a voluntary choice, so the clinical category of “orientation” was more useful in public arguments.”
If you truly want to understand what we are facing, why homosexuality is satan’s weapon of choice in this generation forward and why the gay christian movement should never be allowed to operate in the Christian church in any form, take some time and read this four part series.
I’ve taken the liberty of linking to the articles at Black Christian Network News.
Part One – Introduction
Part Two – The construct of sexual orientation
Part Three – Homosexuality in Biblical and Theological Perspective
Part Four – The Church’s response to homosexuality
