Wednesday, October 13, 2010

How to Submit Member Articles

1. Post the picture at top right side bar to your blog. Link it to Christians Against Leftist Heresy

http://christiansagainstleftistheresy.blogspot.com/

2. Join either of our two CALH groups.

2. Notify faultlineusa@yahoo.com that you are a new member.

3. Put the following notice at the end of any article you wish to submit:


&
4. Submit the article to faultlineusa@yahoo.com for approval.
Note: Frequent contributors will be invited to be regular contributors.






Tags: religion, christianity, bible,jesus, church, god, faith, spirituality, theology, christ, politics, liberal, media, news, left wing,

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

It Is A Fearful Thing To Fall Into The Hands Of The Living God


It Is A Fearful Thing To Fall Into The Hands Of The Living God.
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet


Allow me to say, right up front, that Mr. Glenn Beck does not need me to defend him.

I don’t know, for sure, what motivates Mr. Beck. I’d like to think it is love of God and country. But I don’t KNOW that.

Those of you who regularly read my blog, “INSIGHT on Freedom,” already know that I am about as “southern” as it is possible to be. My ancestors sailed into Charles Town Harbor, at what is known today as Charleston, South Carolina, in 1789 and were settled in the 98th Precinct of South Carolina. I grew up in the red clay and sand of the northern part of the state, in the piedmont, the foothills of that beautiful state.

I grew up at a time when a southern gentleman had a bible in one hand and a firearm in the other. We could pray or fight, at the drop of a hat, whatever the preference of our advisory might be.

I spent my youth reading, hunting, and getting an education. It was important that a southern man be well read, able to defend himself and his family, and have as much education as he was able to handle. (Yes, I DO believe there are those among us who are educated beyond their ability!) Not satisfied with the education I was receiving in school, I read an entire set of encyclopedias, front to back, just to broaden my knowledge, and insure that I knew a little bit about a lot of things. I cannot tell you how important that became in the field of endeavor I chose later in life.

I was taken to many “tent meetings” as a child. I observed and studied those “traveling preachers.” I listened to their delivery, their gestures, their play on emotions, and, on occasion, their sincerity. A wise person once said that when you can fake sincerity you’ve got it made – or words to that effect. I am satisfied that in those tent meetings, I saw both, real and unreal sincerity. BOTH made and impact on me.

I have seen the effect an old fashioned revival can have on a community. I have seen lives changed, for the better, in a moment of introspection keyed by something that raspy-voiced old bible thumping preacher said, or a single line of scripture that burned with the intensity of a laser deep into the heart and soul of a person weighed down by the cares and woes of a life squandered.

I have seen, first-hand, those “redeemed” people pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and begin to rebuild it, restore it, and honor it. I have seen this – and it left a life long impression on this scribe.

So – what did I learn? I learned an extremely important truth. It does not matter who the messenger is, what matters is – the message. The power is not in the messenger. The power is in the message. And if that message is truth, then, them believe me when I tell you, freedom is close behind.

Our nation is in dire straits. In my seventy years of life, I have seen America go from a God-fearing nation to a “fearing” nation. Of all those hell fire and brimstone preachers I was exposed to as a child, not a single one of them wore a bulletproof vest, as I believe Mr. Beck did last Saturday. (A faint outline of the vest was visible through Mr. Beck’s shirt. At least, that is what I took it to be.) That, alone, speaks volumes about the state of our country.

Another thing I learned as a youth was this truth: God uses people who are broken, who have failed, who have buckled under the stress of their lives, who are physically imperfect, and who are reluctant to stand out from the crowd, even for a moment, even to work great wonders.

Yes, Moses had a speech impediment. He was reluctant to go back to Egypt where he was a wanted man – wanted for murder. He asked that his brother Aaron be sent instead of him. In the end, he went -- and the rest, as they say, is history (at least bible history, anyway.) In the New Testament book of Hebrews chapter 13, verse 31, the writer says the following: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Consider that Mr. Beck may have fallen into the hands of the living God. Look at the life history of the Apostle Paul. Early in his life he took on the task of destroying the early Christian church. After his experience on the Damascus Road, he became the messenger of the gospel to all the Gentiles of the world including those of us who live today, 2000 years later.

I watched the entire telecast of the Restoring Honor Rally, last Saturday, and within ten minutes I exclaimed to my wife that I recognized it as an old-fashioned outdoor revival meeting. Because that is exactly what it was. And, I hasten to add – I don’t see that as a problem.

In the Old South, dishonoring a man could cost you your life. The man whose honor was questioned could demand satisfaction and, more often than not, the debate was settled by a duel to the death on the Field of Honor.

Honor was, and ought to be, a precious thing. The honor of a nation is a mirror image of the honor of that nation’s people. Our very own leaders have called our honor, as Americans, into question. The people are now demanding satisfaction. As was said at the Restoring Honor Rally, Now is not the time to fundamentally change America, now is the time to RESTORE America.

Look, I do not walk in lock step with Mr. Beck, or with any man or woman. Anyone who knows me personally will tell you that of all the birds perched on the power line facing north; I am the lone bird facing south. It is my nature.

I would ask only this: Consider the message from Saturday’s rally. Restoring America’s honor is restoring America. The restoration of America is vital, not just to Americans but to the nations of the world. Consider which nation will slip into the leadership position that America gives up. THAT is truly frightening.

The restoring Honor Rally, last weekend, sent chills of fear through the ranks of the leftists, progressives, liberals, and the very few real democrats left in our government. They have now seen the evidence of just how far they have distanced themselves from the American people. When half a million people journey to the nation’s seat of government to PERSONALLY register a protest, any reasonable person would have to take notice and reconsider the course they have plotted for America. But they won’t.

I submit that half a million gathered on the national mall Saturday was just the vanguard of a nationwide movement retake America from those who are determined to “fundamentally change” her from the constitutional republic The Founders meant her to be into a socialist sewer.

They must be stopped. The Mid-Term Election, on November 2nd. That is our new “D” day.

You may not care for the messenger – but, for the sake of America, for your sake, heed of the message.

J. D. Longstreet

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

More Presbyterian Sins and The Fall of the Presbyterian Church USA

Now Presbyterians Call on the U.S. government to end aid to Israel. What will they do next?

The fall of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) into apostasy can be directly attributed to the long-time infiltration of far left components into the bureaucracy and leadership of all of the mainline Christian denominations. This has been a growing theological cancer for much of the 20th century. We are finally at a point in time where these once venerable denominations have become merely Christians in name only. They are, for all intents and purposes, nothing more than the religious arm of leftist politics (see Liberation Theology and Marxist Christianity). The Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) is now captive to and a willing dupe of the far left politically powerful zealots within this denomination.

The following is an excerpt from a report by Mark Braverman on the outcome of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA with regard to Israel-Palestine conflict.

Presbyterians Insist On 'Breaking Down The Walls' In Israel/Palestine Despite Pressure From Jewish Community

The PC(USA) is at the epicenter of the struggle of the Christian community in the U.S. to come to terms with the challenge of the Israel-Palestine conflict. . .

While strongly asserting the church’s commitment to Israel’s security and wellbeing, the Study Committee’s report as presented to the General Assembly clearly presents the narrative of Palestinian dispossession and suffering.  It asserts that Israel’s actions, illegal and in violation of international law, are an “enduring threat to peace in the region.” It receives the Palestinian Kairos document, a courageous and heartfelt call of Palestinian Christians “from the heart of Palestinian suffering” to the churches of the world, and recommends it for study by Presbyterians. It calls on the U.S. government to end aid to Israel unless the country stops settlement expansion in Palestinian territories. . .

Bernice Lipkin, editor of Think-Israel.org, sent me the following links to two articles concerning the anti-Israel agenda of the PCUSA.

THE U.S. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH'S RENEWED ATTACK ON ISRAEL
by Dexter Van Zile

  In this well-documented yet readable article, Dexter Van Zile reviews the sorry history of the Presbyterian Church's efforts to divest itself and others from investments in Israel, using attacks on Israel, partial withdrawal, and then renewed attacks. The point of view of the activists who control official reports is solidly in sympathy with the Palestinians, who are visualized as the suffering victims of a harsh and illegal occupation by Israel. As VanZile writes, "Leveling chimerical accusations at Israel in the name of peace, these activists seek to enlist their fellow Presbyterians - and the church's bureaucracy - into their efforts to banish the modern state of Israel from the community of civilized nations and portray it as uniquely worthy of criticism and condemnation." With each swing of the pendulum, the Church -- by backing these activists -- makes more obvious a more basic agenda: the delegimization of the State of Israel. How long will it be before crude anti-Jewish statements -- not clothed in pseudo theology or in a view of Middle East history that ignores most of the facts -- will be acceptable?

Continued here

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HAS ATTITUDE TOWARDS ISRAEL
A Q and Q with Will Spotts by Bernice Lipkin

  Anticipatory stories of the 2010 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church were filled with reports that there were to be motions for divestiture/boycott of Israel that would position the Presbyterian Church more strongly and intemperately in the ranks of the Palestinian sympathizers. I had some specific questions. I asked Will Spotts for clarification. We also include an addendum: Spotts's analysis after the ball was over, the General Assembly ended.

Continued here

This week Faultline USA contributors have posted four additional articles, due to their timely nature, concerning the sins of mainline Christianity and in particularly, those of the Presbyterian Church USA:

Liberation Theology Moves to the Border

The far left Presbyterian (PCUSA) has joined the Arizona Boycott and refuses "to hold national meetings in Arizona and any states that adopt strict immigration laws such as Arizona's new Senate Bill 1070." . . .

Continued here

The Demise of Mainline Religious Denominations in America

. . .Look, churches cannot claim to be representatives of God on this earth, a Christian church, and then teach a congregation a lifestyle that is not Christian and certainly not in keeping with what the scriptures tell us God/Christ taught us -- and demands of us. It is as simple as that.

Continued here

The Evils of Collective Salvation

. . .You may have first heard about “collective salvation” from the infamous “Rev.” Sun Myung Moon in his 1997 address Personal Salvation and Collective Salvation. With the growth of religious pluralism over the last decade, much of Mainline Christianity seems to have blindly joined this chorus rooting for “collective salvation” while blissfully unaware that this is all part of the revolutionary move toward a new global church based upon the old Marxist notion of . . .

Continued here

The Paganism of the PCUSA?

. . .An Orthodox Church theologian who was invited to greet the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has criticized its approval of non-celibate homosexual clergy.

The Reverend Siarhei Hardun of Belarus said that vote and efforts to approve same-gender "marriage" looked to him like an attempt to "invent a new religion -- a sort of modern paganism." . . .

Continued here

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Liberation Theology Moves to the Border

The far left Presbyterian (PCUSA) has joined the Arizona Boycott and refuses "to hold national meetings in Arizona and any states that adopt strict immigration laws such as Arizona's new Senate Bill 1070."

Dozens of municipalities and private organizations have announced various types of boycotts or protests over the policy. But no religious groups were included as of Friday on lists assembled by the Arizona Republic newspaper and a private, pro-boycott organization called Arizona Boycott Clearinghouse. . .

"Our work will always be to stand with those who are the most marginalized," said Rick Ufford-Chase of New York, a former moderator of the denomination who for years worked with immigrants in Tucson, Ariz.

The PCUSA, which is on it's last legs as a viable mainline denomination, has given itself over to the open pandering of all so-called "marginalized" groups, and to heretical leftist theology in an attempt to bolster it's sagging membership rolls.

Read  The Demise of Mainline Religious Denominations in America

It would appear that the truly marginalized are the long-suffering legal residents of Arizona and of all the border states, who have had to put up with the continued onslaught of violent and deadly crime brought about by the massive illegal invasion from across the deliberately unsecured border!!!

These panderers, who call themselves Christians, have a completely different "progressive" agenda and they are hardly champions of the marginalized, who are ultimately their pawns.

Read The Evils of Collective Salvation

The best way in the world to deceive believers is to cloak a message in religious language and declare that it conveys some new insight from God. (Charles Stanley, How to Listen to God, p.50)

 But there is hope!!!

Houston Religious Leaders Support Arizona with the God Bless Arizona tour.

1. Secure the borders 1st

2. Reform the immigration system

3. Deal humanely with those who are here illegally

. . . Activists across the country have organized boycotts against the state and some Houstonians have jumped on board. "We wanted to counter the boycotts with our very own boycott," said Craig Winfree, who is part of a Houston group that organized the God Bless Arizona Tour.

For three days, the group toured the sunshine state showing their support for Governor Brewer's law. "(She) has been the first to stand up and pass the legislation to secure the border to keep the people of Arizona safe." said Winfree. With so much controversy on both sides, Houston religious leaders said the immigration debate has become a crisis. "We feel like there is a need for a moderating voice," said Steve Riggle, a pastor at Grace Community Church.

On Wednesday, the group of pastors announced a declaration calling all political leaders to set aside their differences. "Secure the border first, second reform the immigration system and third deal humanely with those who are here illegally," said Pastor Riggle. So while the state of Arizona and the government prepare to duke it out in court. "I would rather see the feds and the state of Arizona not fighting and go fix this problem, said Riggle. Religious leaders hope their declaration will help bring a peaceful solution.

Source: http://www.39online.com/news/local/kiah-religious-leaders-immigration-debate-story,0,3400320.story

Glenn Beck Monday on Black Liberation Theology

This is the ideology of Barack Obama's church for 20 years, and the theology of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright. The Black Panthers believe in Black Liberation Theology. Glenn plays some of the audio from the man who started the Black Liberation Theology movement and explains how it pertains to today. Check it out from radio.( Transcript, Insider Audio)

Be sure to watch and record Glenn Beck today, July 13th. The entire program will be devoted to the issue of Collective Salvation.

Search Faultline USA (left side bar) for several articles on Liberation Theology.

The Demise of Mainline Religious Denominations in America



The Demise of Mainline Religious Denominations in America
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet
*******************

America is in trouble. BIG TROUBLE! I write not of the financial mess in which we find ourselves embroiled. No. The crisis of which I speak is a crisis of the soul of every individual American. And the blame for this endangerment of the souls of Americans can be laid at the feet of the hierarchy of the mainline religious denominations in America.

This nation, whether you choose to believe it -- or not, was founded as much on biblical scripture as it was on common law. America used to be a “God-fearing” nation filled with people who KNEW they relied upon the kindness and the grace of an omnipotent God to guide them through any troubles they/we as individuals, and as a nation, faced. That is no longer the case. The result of of switching America’s fealty from God to man is plain for all to see. We are today – a pitiful nation in decline.

America resembles nothing less today than a once powerful, muscular, man whose body is riddled by cancer and has shrunken to a shell of its former being.

When America was young and vital the ministers of the mainline denominations took to their pulpits to preach from the Scriptures. They told their parishioners of the story of God’s benevolence, his faithfulness, and they told us of his jealousy. They reminded Americans that God himself said: “I am a jealous God!”

Those of us perched in the pews knew there was a price to be paid for willfully disconnecting oneself from the power source that is God. Equally as important, I think, we Americans knew, in those days, that America was no accident. We KNEW that America was to us as the Promised Land had been, and remains, to the Jewish people.

The extreme importance the ministers, priests, and rabbis of the churches and synagogues cannot be overestimated. It was they who shepherded the huge flock known as America in the way they should go. And America was so much better for it.

The bitter truth is, in my opinion, the church has turned its collective back on the One they purportedly serve and now serve, instead, their own interests, their own, politics, their own politically correct philosophy of what God ought to be, and, in so doing, they have created God in their own image. And what a pitiful god they have created!

Moral equivalence has no place in the pulpit. When God, Himself, refers to some action, or inaction of man as a sin, then it is not left to the ministers to equivocate. They are bound to pass God’s pronouncement on to the sheep of their flock. For a pastor to do less cannot be defined as being honest with either man or God.

There was a time, not so long ago, when ministers were the pillars of their community, both the religious community and the secular community. They were solid citizens. They could be looked up to, relied upon, and trusted. In many cases they were role models for youngsters who would later join their ranks as pastors, priests, and rabbis. That was then. This is now.

Those members left in the congregations of today’s mainline churches are growing older as the rolls continue to shrink. Attendance at services is very low. In some of the denominations there seems to be an on going struggle of wills between the membership and the hierarchy of the churches. Such an atmosphere is not conducive to worship. Sniping? Maybe. Worship? No.

So what has happened? It has been my personal observation that the hierarchy of the mainline churches went left and adopted so much of the philosophy of the left that many of their members left. I don’t mean the membership went left, also. I mean they LEFT as in: They went away. In fact, many of them went right. That is just another way of saying they began to associate themselves with churches that still believe, preach, and practice the scriptures. That explains why the evangelical churches in America are growing by leaps and bounds.

Look, churches cannot claim to be representatives of God on this earth, a Christian church, and then teach a congregation a lifestyle that is not Christian and certainly not in keeping with what the scriptures tell us God/Christ taught us -- and demands of us. It is as simple as that.

Somehow, the mainline denominations have made a turn away from God, away from those age-old lessons He has taught us through the authority of the scriptures, and now they find themselves blindly stumbling down the road to complete oblivion. And the really sad thing -- they don’t understand why.

I know this is not the popular explanation for what has befallen those shrinking denominations – I do. But when you clear all the smoke away, get past all the excuses, and really, REALLY, look at how the churches got into this fix, there is only one answer.

Look, I am a refugee from one of those churches. I saw this coming. I fought it for about five years, or so. I argued my way up the hierarchical ladder to the top – only to have my national bishop tell me I didn’t know what the dickens I was talking about (in a kindly and gentle fashion, of course). It was then that I decided to cut my losses and hit the door. I did so amidst numerous accusations that I would not stay and fight from within the church. My answer was that I was following the teachings of the scriptures in getting myself “OUT from among them.”

I hold that the collapse of the mainline denominations not only will have, but already HAS had, an extremely negative effect on America. All one has to do is consider our society today, our government, our education system, practically every facet of American life which was so carefully influenced by the church in the early days of America. Observe how it has all become so crass, so unkind, and so angry. It is obvious that something is missing. The churches in America once provided that missing thing.

There was a time when the church not only set the standards for American society, often times it WAS the standard for our society. They spoke with the authority of the scriptures. When the mainline denominations turned their backs on the scriptures they began losing their authority… and their followers who, naturally, sought green pastures and still waters in the flocks of the evangelicals who still believe that being biblically correct rather than politically correct is the path to righteousness and the guarantee of eternal rest.

Why is this so difficult for our mainline denominations to understand?

J. D. Longstreet

Monday, July 12, 2010

The Evils of Collective Salvation

Christians, what you don’t know about so-called “collective” or “communal salvation,” aka “Social Justice,” could pave your road to hell! I won’t pull any punches here. Christians must become grounded in sound Biblical truths so as not to be easily led astray. Today there are literally thousands of “Christian” churches here in the United States, and several denominations, that are Christian in name only and have completely abandoned all sound traditional Christian doctrine.

You may have first heard about “collective salvation” from the infamous “Rev.” Sun Myung Moon in his 1997 address Personal Salvation and Collective Salvation. With the growth of religious pluralism over the last decade, much of Mainline Christianity seems to have blindly joined this chorus rooting for “collective salvation” while blissfully unaware that this is all part of the revolutionary move toward a new global church based upon the old Marxist notion of redistribution of wealth.

Below are excerpts from a variety of articles dealing with various aspects “collective salvation” as an integral part of the left’s assault on Christianity through misguided notions born of religious pluralism.

Those who teach this grave Theological error are promoting a socialistic community based upon Marxist thought. Read this excerpt from the Emergent Manifesto. Please note that the use of the term “emergent” when attached to Christian = progressive=leftist=Marxist thought.

This new collective spirituality leads people into a socialistic community where rituals, practices, and social justice become a means of salvation, but not the salvation you think of in a personal sense of being born-again through Jesus Christ. This is a collective salvation [1] that includes whole cultures and communities who follow the way of someone referred to as Jesus.

Here’s an excerpt from Pledging Your Moral Stand for Immigrants Rights

. . .Most church attendees have no idea of what’s actually going on behind the scenes in their particular denominations. There’s a certain comfort in knowing that you are worshiping in the same faith tradition as your parents and grandparents. Unfortunately, the only intact part of that traditional faith may be the denominational name. Few Christian parishioners have any idea where the money they donate actually ends up. Here’s a clue:

The money sent to ministries sponsored by the NCC go to support a variety of Social Justice values – many of which are clearly Marxist/socialistic values: communal salvation (as opposed to individual salvation), open borders, sanctuary for illegal aliens, an immediate end to the war in Iraq, and eradicating America’s Whiteness (White Privilege) once and for all. Warfare conducted by a nation (bad) is not viewed in the same light as a revolution (good). Social Justice, born of Marxist Liberation Theology, promotes the view that Jesus was a revolutionary leader and any revolution by an oppressed people against the established order is considered a Christian duty. Need I go on? . . .

Evangelicals should read “Treason in the Church”. Here’s an excerpt:

"Various churches and denominations claim to be undergoing 'transformation.' This word no longer refers to the humble sanctification of the individual believer. Rather, it now refers to an orchestrated, systemic and revolutionary overhaul of the global church, including the 'transformation' of cities, societies, cultures, marketplaces, and more. . ."

Meanwhile numerous mainline Protestant denominations and some evangelical churches are actively implementing the NCC’s: For the Peace of the World: A Christian Curriculum on International Relations

For a frightening overview of what is happening in many churches today right beneath our collective noses, please read: United Nations Entrenched Within Most Christian Denominations

Here’s an excerpt from The Road to Islamification is Paved by Religious Pluralism

Social Justice (as commonly understood today): Social justice mostly refers to an ideal of society, where "justice" refers to economic status rather than to the administration of laws. It is based on the idea of a society which gives individuals and groups fair treatment and a just share of the benefits of society, although what is "fair treatment" and a "just share" must remain unclear or subject to interpretation. . .

Think: Redistribution of wealth from wealthy (imperialistic) nations of the West to poor 3rd and 4th world nations.

Read this from Glenn Beck - July 9, 2010 Update

Obama: Individual salvation depends on collective salvation

It's a phrase he's mentioned a few times, but could explain much of why the President is jamming a Marxist agenda down the throats of Americans. He believes in collective salvation, and that's an idea straight out of the Jeremiah Wright playbook. Remember, Obama credits Jeremiah Wright with bringing him to faith. Glenn explains more about this ideology that is directly at odds with traditional Christianity. ( Transcript, Insider Audio)

GLENN: . . .Collective salvation, excuse me for being a Jesus freak, is from Satan. Collective salvation is from the devil, not God. And we have some audio of the president talking about his collective salvation. His personal salvation will not happen unless there is collective salvation, that is evil. . . .

STU: What does that even mean, collective salvation? How did he mean?
GLENN: Collective salvation, unless we all are saved, none will be saved, okay? Jesus came to save you, okay? Let me just give you the — real quick, you've got to take it back, you've got to take it back to the war in heaven. War in heaven with the angels and everything else, and they have this war and Lucifer says, "I'm going to save all of them. Just give me the glory." And God says, no, I don't think so. And he selects, he selects the plan of Christ which, I'm going to send a savior down and he will save each individual, okay? That's why he's — that's why God came — that's why, you know, God came down and saved the — saved us all because of individual salvation. You accept the atonement of Jesus Christ and you are saved. Collective salvation is, I can't be saved on my own, I can't be. I have to make sure and ensure everyone else's salvation and then we're all saved together. . . .

GLENN: This is the same way, this is the same thing that — this is the root of social justice. Social justice has to happen because we all are in this together. It also is the way that you can excuse killing cracker babies. You can kill millions of people because they don't get it, and if we don't get them out of the way, we can't all be saved. Now, this is the religious context. Now, not everybody who is — you know, most people who are like Stalin, they don't believe in the religious side. But the American social justice progressive, in the way the early 20th century or Jeremiah Wright understand collective salvation, this is it. And it is out and out evil. And I want you to hear what the president has said about his own salvation, how he cannot achieve it without collective salvation. We'll play that for you in about a half an hour. . . .

And Finally here is an excerpt from Michelle's Boot Camps For Radicals

Published 9/4/2008 in INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY

The Obamas discourage work in the private sector. "Don't go into corporate America," Michelle has exhorted youth. "Work for the community. Be social workers." Shun the "money culture," . . .

Barack added. "Individual salvation depends on collective salvation." . . .

 

The Paganism of the PCUSA?

 

The following is from OneNewsNow.com

PCUSA's 'gay' measures reflect 'modern paganism'

Associated Press - 7/11/2010 4:20:00 AMBookmark and Share

Associated Press logo smallPCUSA Presbyterian sealMINNEAPOLIS - An Orthodox Church theologian who was invited to greet the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has criticized its approval of non-celibate homosexual clergy.

The Reverend Siarhei Hardun of Belarus said that vote and efforts to approve same-gender "marriage" looked to him like an attempt to "invent a new religion -- a sort of modern paganism."

"Christian morality is as old as Christianity itself. It doesn't need to be invented now," he said of attempts to create what he described as a "new morality."

Hardun added, "When people say that they are led and guided by the Holy Spirit to do it, I wonder if it is the same Holy Spirit that inspired the Bible."

The Orthodox priest's remarks drew applause from conservative Presbyterians who made similar arguments at the gathering in Minneapolis.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Nancy Gets High on The Word

Nothing can ever be more profound than listening to a confirmed Progressive expound upon Biblical truths!

 

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Non-Church Goers Form The Base of Obama’s Support


Non-Church Goers Form The Base of Obama’s Support
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet
*********************
This should come as no surprise to anyone!

According to an article at CNSNEWS.COM entitled: “Americans Who Don’t Attend Church Form Base of Obama’s Support, Gallup Polling Indicates,” Terence P. Jeffrey, Editor-in-Chief writes the following:

“Gallup reports the breakouts from its presidential approval survey for three different types of church-goers: people who attend church weekly, people who attend church nearly weekly or monthly, and people who seldom or never attend church. Among these three groups, Obama’s approval rating tops 50 percent only among those who seldom or never attend church. In fact, among this group it was at 56 percent for the week ending May 8.”

Jeffrey went on to write: “Obama’s approval rating dropped to a low of 38 percent among weekly church-goers in the week that ended on April 4. By contrast, Obama’s presidential approval rating has never dropped below 50 percent among those who seldom or never go to church. (Read the entire story
HERE.)

Surely you are not surprised by these findings – are you? You should not be. As far back as the presidential campaign, Obama was supported by the less religious among Americans.

In an article from the “Christian Post UK,” and posted on “Directions to Orthodoxy” dated July 9th, 2008, it is noted: “Presidential candidate Barack Obama has stronger support among less religious Americans than rival John McCain, a survey revealed.” The article goes on to say: “The survey, conducted by The Gallup Poll and released Tuesday, found 55 percent of Americans who say religion is not important in their life backed Obama, compared to 36 percent for McCain. The reverse was true for Americans who said religion was important in their life, with 50 percent to 40 percent preferring McCain over Obama. WE recommend you visit their site
HERE.

Little has changed, at least for Obama’s support. A little deeper in the Christian Post UK article it is noted: “The finding that religious voters prefer a Republican candidate is not new. Evangelical Christians, who are viewed as highly religious, have traditionally been stalwart voters of the Republican Party…” You may read the entire article
HERE.

As a conservative Christian I am not surprised by these findings. What troubles me is that ANY Christian could support Obama and the American political left. With every passing day it becomes more and more obvious the American political left has embraced socialism.

It is the opinion of this scribe that the Christian faith and socialism cannot co-exist. They are totally incompatible.
Simply put -- Christians believe in God and believe that man needs God. Socialism, on the other hand, sees no need for God. The “State” takes over the duties of the “Supreme Being.”

“Socialist philosophy assumes that the masses [are] as dumb as children, and they don't need a god to reach their fondest dreams, but a government to hand out the goodies… .“ Thus states Julie Behling in an article titled: “Why I Believe Socialism and Christianity Are Wholly Incompatible.” Ms. Behling goes on to say: “In Christian philosophy, individuals are responsible to care for the needs of the poor, the sick, the widow, and the orphan, but not compelled. Those who rise to the challenge will find themselves on the right hand of God because of their CHOICES, and those who don't -- will not receive the blessings reserved for those who do.

In Socialist philosophy, all are compelled to care for the needy whether they want to or not (through taxation), and this care comes through the administration of a notoriously inefficient bureaucracy.”
Ms. Behling explains: “Christian philosophy causes men and women to rise up, work for their sustenance depending oftentimes on faith that help will come if and when it is needed. It is hard, it is risky, but the rewards of making the proper use of God-given free will are great. The consequences of poor choices can be brutal.

Socialist philosophy seeks to soften the blows of consequences to natural laws, both positive consequences - financial abundance for the thrifty, wise, hard-worker -- and negative consequences - poverty to those who break the natural laws that govern abundance.”
As one who subscribes to the Christian faith, I believe Ms. Behling is "spot on" when she says: “Socialism falsely informs men and women there is another way to reach their ultimate dreams besides faith in any god.” (We urge you to read Ms. Behling’s article in its entirety
HERE.)

In summing up Ms. Behling says: “The degree to which taking care of the poor and the needy is instituted and administered by government is the degree to which freedom is abdicated.” (Editor’s note: The italics used here for emphasis are totally mine.)

We applaud Ms. Behling’s article and recommend it to you. You will find it
HERE.

It may seem that we have moved far a field here, in this commentary, from the original intent. I assure you -- we have not. My intention was to try to explain why the majority of the religious in America, the Christians especially, cannot support Obama en masse. Obama’s socialism flies in the face of the Christian faith. In fact Obama’s socialism is seen, among many Christians, as a religion in, and of, itself. It is a secular religion, without God, but a religion, nonetheless.

I suspect my conclusion above will not sit well with Obama followers, but the truth, oftimes, brings pain.

Evangelical Christians have only to consider Obama’s stance toward Israel to find reason to renounce his particular brand of socialism.

For evangelicals the fate of Israel and the fate of the United States are inextricably interwoven. The promise of God to Abraham that God would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel is taken literally. According to their belief, Obama’s rebuke of Israel and his obvious fondness for Israel’s enemies will bring the wrath of God down on America. In fact, many Christians believe that has already begun. They believe that God’s protection of America has been lifted and America’s future holds only crisis after crisis and disaster after disaster until America once again embraces God’s “Chosen People.”

Americans have slowly come to realize the leadership they chose in 2006 and 2008 was a huge mistake and has brought nothing but pain and suffering to the American people. Elections have consequences. Decisions have consequences. America is living through the consequences of choosing a socialist government, which is incrementally dismantling our constitutional republic right before our eyes.

One of the signs given man as to when to expect the “End of Days’ was when people began living their daily lives as they did in the time of Noah. We have certainly reached that point in the evolution of our American society. And, unfortunately, just as Noah preached over and over again, to the masses, that the rains WERE coming and the ensuing flood would consume every one unless they changed their ways, they refused to listen and even rebuked and made fun of the old man building a huge boat in that dry land. Even the unchurched and the non-religious supporters of Obama know how that story turned out.

All the signs are there. Just as Israel paid a terrible price for demanding an earthly king, Saul, just so they could have a king of their own, just like their neighboring countries, America will be required to pay a price, of biblical proportions, for demanding a leader who remake America into the image of the socialist countries with whom we share this globe.

To say the end is nigh would be kind – and wrong. Unfortunately, America has much suffering in her future long before anything resembling the end rises above her clouded horizon.

J. D. Longstreet

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Leftist Christians Go After Glenn Beck

Yesterday the Associated Baptist Press published an article by “Jim Wallis, a politically progressive evangelical,” who is also the CEO and editor in chief at the left-leaning, Sojourners. The article by Wallis demands that his readers and all Christians stop watching the Glenn Beck because “Beck denies the central teachings of Jesus and the Bible!”

I earned my Masters in Theology in 1999 and I watch Glenn Beck daily. I’ve never heard Beck deny the central teachings of Jesus and the Bible! It appears that the “progressive” Mr. Wallis is fabricating his charges against Beck out of sheer leftist desperation.

Anyone who has ever bothered to honestly research the origins of the concept of “social justice,” as taught within most mainline and some evangelical denominations of the Christian church, understands that that it is closely tied to Marxist Liberation Theology. It is a concept that has little to do with Christian charity or justice and everything to do with radical leftist revolutionary political change.

Make no mistake; Glenn Beck is absolutely correct in stating that “social justice” is a code word" for communism and Nazism.

Three years ago I wrote, Obama’s Marxist Liberation Theology ChurchIn that article, which I strongly suggest that you read, I’ve quoted from James H. Cone, one of the primary authors of Black Liberation Theology. Additionally I’ve summarized and provided a link to an excellent overview of the grave dangers of Liberation Theology written in 1984 by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI).

Once you’ve read this short article and the provided links you’ll have no doubt as to who is telling the truth.

God bless and protect Glenn Beck!

 

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Should God Apologize To Sodom And Gomorrah!


Should God Apologize To Sodom And Gomorrah!
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet
***************

"This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are. It's the right thing to do." … B. H. Obama President of the United States in his State of the Union Address January 27th, 2010.


There is an old expression that says: "If God does not destroy America the He owes an apology to Sodom and Gomorrah!" It seems more applicable today than ever before.


Look, having a known homosexual in a military unit disrupts that unit’s cohesiveness. If it happens to be a combat unit, lives are at stake.Homosexuality is even splitting apart mainline religious denominations in America and around the world… and you REALLY think it will not disrupt the US Military? Get REAL, PLEASE!


As a subscriber to the Christian faith, I believe homosexuality is an sinful lust forbidden by God. In the scriptures we are told that God, himself, said to His people Israel, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination" (Leviticus 18:22). "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them" (Leviticus 20:13). In these passages homosexuality is condemned as a sexual perversion. It is considered a “Prime Sin.” As a Christian I cannot change how God views homosexuality and I cannot turn my back on it and say that well, times have changed, and God must change too. THAT is blasphemy.


Now, before some of you point out the obvious, that this scripture is from the OLD Testament; I give you Saint Paul’s view of Homosexuality from the NEW Testament. (Paul is the Apostle credited with bringing the Christian faith to the Gentiles of the world.) Paul wrote a letter to the people of the Christian church in Corinth. In that letter Paul said the following: “ Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10- nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.”


It could not be any clearer. Homosexuality is condemned in the scriptures just as murder, adultery, premarital sex, kidnapping, lying, and idolatry are condemned.


Back to the incompatibility of Homosexuality with the military: “Homosexuality is simply incompatible with the principles of military services, which include a focus on the mission, service, discipline, bodily integrity, and control over one's impulses. Homosexuality does not appropriately reflect these principles.” This sentiment was reflected in an article signed by Gen. Carl E. Mundy, Jr., a former commandant of the Marine Corps; Adm. Leighton W. Smith, a former commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe; Gen. Charles A. Horner, who commanded U.S. aerial forces during the 1990-91 Gulf War; and Adm. Jerome L. Johnson, a former vice chief of Naval Operations. They wrote, succinctly, "Homosexuality is incompatible with military service". Read the article HERE.


In 2008, the Republican Party Platform said the following: "To protect our servicemen and women and ensure that America's Armed Forces remain the best in the world, we affirm the timeliness of those values, the benefits of traditional military culture, and the incompatibility of homosexuality with military service." Read the article HERE.


Many retired military officers, including several who were top commanders, have urged President Barack Obama and Congress to maintain the law that bars gays from serving openly in the armed forces. They claim openly serving homosexuals would undermine recruiting and retention, impact leadership at all levels, have adverse effects on the willingness of parents who lend their sons and daughters to military service, and eventually break the All-Volunteer Force. They, too, believe that repeal of the current law, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” could jeopardize morale and “unit cohesion.” Read the article HERE.


Back in June of 2006, I wrote the following: “As a veteran, when I served, a homosexual was not allowed in the service, period. If they did manage to get in, as soon as they were found out, they were gone. And it was quick.


I remember, in July of 1959, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, as we stood in formation on Tank Hill, we recruits were instructed to immediately turn in any in our ranks we suspected might be homosexual. We were led to believe that if we knew, and did not turn them in, we were in danger of being kicked out of the service as well.


I liked that. It gave me a certain confidence in my fellow soldiers… that they were who they said they were.


In my time in the US Army there was no such thing as privacy. You did everything as a unit. You slept in the same room, you showered together, you ate together, and you even relived yourself in full view of all the other soldiers who happened to be in the latrine at the same time. There were no “stalls” with toilets in them. There was a line of toilets, in a row, and it was quit possible for two soldiers to have a conversation, while relieving themselves, sitting on those toilets. Did I mention there was no privacy? I did, didn’t I?


It was important that a soldier knew his fellow soldier was the same gender as himself.”


My opinion has not changed.


There is no effort here to “gay-bash.” I am merely expressing my opinion as a Veteran of the US Military and as one who subscribes to the Christian faith.


For the record, I do not care a whit what other country’s militaries do. They can have all homosexual regiments for all I care. But, I DO care what the US military does.


Public support of the US military is vital to their morale and their effectiveness as a fighting force. Allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the US military will rob them of the support they now enjoy from the American public. It will destroy the All Volunteer Force we have so painstakingly built up. That means the return of the draft.


I do not support the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. I support the old policy of not allowing homosexuals to serve in any branch of the US Military -- at all.


J. D. Longstreet