Introduction:
The
following are articles that have been or are in the process to be presented in
our local Newspaper. They are grouped here for easy access as this link is
being provided in the articles in sequence.
Having read the below you may also read, if you so desire, the church’s
monthly article for February 2009. This article, “The Real Sin in Sodom”
contains a discussion with a respondent to the below mentioned article in News
Week. He was delighted with the error that was presented in News Week’s Dec. 15ths feature article “Gay
Marriage: Our Mutual Joy.” I wasn’t delighted and had something to say
scripturally concerning those who justify the wicked as being an abomination to
the Lord (cf. Prov. 17:15). There is a great deal of scriptural information
presented concerning what Jesus and inspired writers said about the sin of
homosexuality. There are descriptions of Sodom both from the Old and New
Testaments. The corresponding link is: http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/sininsodom.htm
.
To fully catch up you may then want to read the church’s monthly article for March 2009. In this “The Truth In Print” publication for Feb. 2009 you will find mention of a Mr. Knapp who has taken issue with the church’s articles in our local newspaper also titled “Newsweek’s Biblical Blunder On The Bible & Gay Marriage.” Included is what he chose to say about us in the opinion column of our newspaper. He has accused our church of using selective scriptures, the effect of which he says is to marginalize and demonize gays and lesbians. There are certain things presented we’d like for others to note concerning his disapproval of our teaching the truth about gay sex. Mr. Knapp is illustrative of how confidence in the social scientific theories of the “present” can lead one. It is obvious as one reads his last paragraph that this confidence has led him to say the opposite of what the Scriptures really do say. For example compare what his last paragraph says with our fourth newspaper article, “News Week’s Biblical Blunder On The Bible & Gay Marriage #4.” The New Testament scriptures do not teach that those who practice gay sex are to be included in fellowship with members of the local church. The corresponding link is http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/newsweekblunder2.htm .
Now, here are
the newspaper articles in the order they have appeared so far:
News
Week’s Biblical Blunder on the Bible & Gay Marriage
News Week’s Dec. 15th issue’s cover has “Gay Marriage: Our Mutual Joy” as its top article. The author says: “Opponents of gay marriage often cite Scripture. But what the Bible teaches about love argues for the other side.” It is evident that the author didn’t know what she was talking about. Anyone who knows the Bible knows homosexual “sex” is sinful and calling it “sex in marriage” doesn’t make it right. Jesus said: “If you love me you will keep my commandments” (Jo. 14:15). Jesus said the one who keeps His commandments is the one who truly loves Him and who will be loved by both Him and the Father (Jo. 14:21,23). He spoke of the destruction of the homosexuals in Sodom (Lk. 17:28-30; cp. Gen. 19:1-25). His use of the word “fornications” includes homosexual acts (Matt. 15:19). Jesus also said: “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me” (Jo. 14:24). “Love” is not approving of what God disapproves! (cf. I Cor. 5:9-13)
The Apostles and prophets preached the Father’s word Jesus gave to them and they continued to condemn homosexuality (cf. Jo. 16:12-15, 17:8; Rom. 1:26-27; I Cor. 6:9; 2 Pet. 2:6-9; Jude 7; Gal. 5:19-21). God required obedience to His word based upon repentance (Acts 17:30, I Cor. 6:9-11). To repent they had to stop their homosexual practices! Hear John: “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I Jo. 2:4).
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm
News Week’s Biblical Blunder on the Bible & Gay Marriage #2
Our last article exposed the false statement on what the Bible teaches about love in News Week’s article “Gay Marriage: Our Mutual Joy” (Dec. 15, 2008). You may read that article at http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/newsweekblunder.htm . The author acknowledged that Lev. 18:22-23 condemns gay male sex, but then comes a common ploy. Follow it with a string of ordinances under the Mosaic Covenant, peculiar to the Jews only (cf. De. 5:3) --- anything from women’s health to animal sacrifices. And then jest that modern man has far outgrown any of them and need not take seriously that they include the condemnation of gay sex.
The answer to such is that some things have “always” been wrong. There were certain things wrong for Gentiles (never under the Mosaic Law) that were also wrong for the Jews (under the Mosaic Law) that are “still” condemned under the New Testament, the will of Christ for all men (Rom. 1:16-17, Mk. 16-15-16). God never approved of “any” gay sex at any time for either Gentiles or Jews! The context of Romans 1 is the wrath of God against “all” ungodliness of men who hinder the course and progress of the truth (Rom. 1:18). Romans 1:18-27 describes the Gentiles’ idolatries and other sins including gay sex. If you never read the Law of Moses and just read Romans 1 that would be enough to see that gay sex was an abomination from Adam to Christ and the New Testament. And if you keep on reading in Romans 1:28-32 you will understand that Paul is saying that gay sex is “still” wrong!
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm
News Week’s Biblical Blunder
on the Bible & Gay Marriage #3
News Week’s article “Gay Marriage: Our
Mutual Joy” (Dec. 15, 2008) is full of biblical error. Our last article showed
that God never approved of “any” gay sex at any time for either Gentiles or
Jews. All of these articles can be read at: http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/newsweekblunder.htm .
In this article we want to present an
awareness of how writers may use hand- picked authors, sources, so called Bible
scholars and even churches in error to give the appearance that practicing
homosexuals in committed relationships are to be accepted in the church.
Consider this: “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just,
even they both are abomination to the
LORD” (Pr. 17:15). Concerned reader, understand that it is not God but man that
is doing the blessing of gay unions today!
1.
To cite “progressive” denominations such as the United Church of Christ that
have agreed to support gay marriage just displays the church’s abomination!
2.
The article says “Being with one another in community is how you love God.
That’s what marriage is about.” In Jesus’ legislation marriage is between man
and woman (Read Matt. 19:3-9).
3. The author quotes her priest friend who in
his heart believes if Jesus were alive today he would reach out especially to
the gays and lesbians because He doesn’t want people to be lonely and sad. She
adds, “Let the priest’s prayer be our own.”
Hear this: “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his
prayer shall be abomination” (Prov. 28:9). Some think if Jesus were alive today
He’d deny what He said when here that condemned homosexuality!
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50 am;
Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm
News Week’s Biblical Blunder
on the Bible & Gay Marriage #4
News Week’s article “Gay Marriage: Our
Mutual Joy” (Dec. 15, 2008) is full of biblical error. Our last article briefly
touched upon “inclusiveness” used as a false justification. As we said, it is
not God but man who is doing the blessing of gay unions today (cf. Pr. 17:15).
All of these articles can be read at: http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/newsweekblunder.htm .
Here is another of their points on
inclusion. The author states that a professor at Columbia Theological Seminary
quotes the apostle Paul when he looks for biblical support of gay marriage:
“There is neither Jew, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in
Jesus Christ.” She follows this with “The religious argument for gay marriage,
he adds, ‘is not generally made with reference to particular texts, but with
the general conviction that the Bible is bent toward inclusiveness.’”
1.
The context of Gal. 3:28 is not marriage! The book of Galatians also includes a
list of the works of the flesh in Gal. 5:19-21. Here all Christians who continue
to practice such are warned they will not inherit the kingdom of Heaven. That’s
“exclusion” not inclusion!
2.
The Corinthians to whom Paul wrote were also “Christians” just like those in
Galatians. All belonged to one body, the church (Eph. 4:4, 1:22-23). Read I Cor. 5:11-13; 6:9-11. What Paul wrote shows any in the
church who continued to practice gay sex would be removed from fellowship. That’s “exclusion” not inclusion!
3. This
false doctrine of “inclusiveness” is just like the false doctrine of evolution
– it says just the opposite of what God’s Word does say!
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50 am;
Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm
News Week’s Biblical Blunder On The Bible & Gay Marriage #5
News Week’s article “Gay Marriage: Our
Mutual Joy” (Dec. 15, 2008) is full of biblical error. Our last article
presented what Paul wrote that shows any in the church who continue to practice
gay sex are to be removed from fellowship. It is man, not God, who is blessing
gay unions today. Individuals associated with governments, institutions, schools,
news, churches, even newspapers with their philosophies who themselves actively
promote such would do well to understand they ultimately speak “against” Him
(Rom.
1:21, 28; 2 Cor. 10:5).
All of these articles and more related
material can be read at: http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/newsweekblunder.htm .
We will conclude our series now with an important
scriptural warning from a true Christian to Christians against false teachers.
Concerned reader, Peter warned Christians about a certain
kind of teacher that promises personal liberty in the defilements of this world
(Read 2 Pet. 2:19). And what did he say about them in 2 Pet. 2:18? He said they
speak great swelling words of emptiness all the while enticing by fleshly
desires, by sensuality referred to as the “defilements of this world” (2 Pet.
2:20). And one prior application to the defilements (immoral filth) of this
world that Peter made in this very chapter that relates to gay sex is the
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Read 2 Pet. 2:4-11. So, what kind of
“religious” people did Peter warn Christians about who would be willing to push
gay sex as acceptable? They were presumptuous and self pleasing not caring,
loving and kind. Take time now to read 2 Peter 2 and compare it with Jude 7.
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50 am;
Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm