The Truth in Print Vol.
20 Issue 8, Sept. 2014
A Publication of the
Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma,
AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Surely
Fair is Unacceptable ~ “All” Works of the Flesh are Sinful!
(Selected Newspaper Articles)
Note: The
following newspaper articles are listed in the order written, and hopefully
helped to show our community the importance of “religious freedom of speech.”
The above title is the last in sequence.
Why Churches Fear Applying
“Scriptural Authority” (May 2014)
Each local church
is required to follow New Testament authority for its organization, work and
worship (cf. Phil. 1:27; Jude 3). This is a frightening thing to leaders who
are using human wisdom, emotions and lies; whose goals are power, prestige,
pleasing self and material gain. Members themselves love the false position
that all that is necessary is to believe that Jesus is the Son of God -- then
go and fulfill your own desires. Their leaders let them fulfill their lusts,
Paul said (cf. 2 Tim. 4:3). When members themselves study, and apply scriptural
authority, the things such leaders and carnal members seek are taken away from
them (cf. I Cor. 5:1-2; Rom. 16:17).
Accepting the
above elements in this shared arrangement led to Unity in Diversity among
denominationalists (I’m Ok, you’re Ok); a mutual agreement that we’ll soft
pedal on doctrinal differences and fellowship one another. This deliberate
deception to ignore the authority of the Scriptures expanded as Prayer became
an ecumenical tool used to unify the Inter-Faith Movement (So called
“Christians,” Jews, Muslims, and those of Eastern faiths joined together in
worship); “One God many faiths” flies in the face of “one Lord,” “one body” and
“one faith” (cf. Eph. 4:1-4).
The commands, instructions, and rebukes
demanding repentance given to the New Testament churches do not produce the
above false plans for unity. Moreover such plans cast aside “sound doctrine” in
order to accept those practicing the grossest of immoralities into fellowships
(cf. I Cor. 5, 6; I Tim. 1:10). To learn about the necessity of a church
establishing scriptural authority for its work go to: http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/scripturalauthority.htm
Surely Not a Protector of Corruption ~
Political Correctness (June 2014)
The use of Scriptural authority
(God’s word not man’s, 2 Tim. 3:16-17) brings into the light those who hate the
application of His Word. Jesus spoke of those who hated His word thus Himself,
stating they’d also hate those who apply His word (cf. Jo. 3:19-20; 15:18-20).
Christians do not promote the Gospel with physical warfare; we fight the good
fight by using “the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” (Eph. 6:17).
The Word exposes the hearts and wrongdoings thus demanding repentance and
obedience (Heb. 4:12). It is the Word when spoken that the world hates!
Moreover, the “world” is often seen in those claiming to be Christians and
going to church (Ja. 4:4).
Making hatred a political thing is seen in
Pilate caving in when told “thou art not Caesar’s friend” IF you let Christ go
(Jo. 19:12). In Ephesus (Acts 19) as many were learning about God you find a
silversmith, Demetrius, who gathered his co-hearts (fellows who made a living
making shrines of Diana), spoke to them of the danger their “pocket books” were
in, and caused an uproar. Some “politicals” (Asiarchs) as well as the town Clerk willingly helped Paul
and his companions here (Acts 19:28-31).
Secular institutions influenced by PC have become protectors and enforcers for
those who despise God’s Word. With frequency we read of those who have been
pursued by such despisers that led to their being fired, threatened, replaced
or cancelled. All the worldly despiser has to do is complain to the
“establishment” – be it a company, network, the press etc. expecting to and
most often getting their own way.
Surely Respect for Religious Freedom of
Speech ~ Your Phobia! Hate! (July 2014)
Local churches are
to be the pillar and support of the truth even though it is not the popular
consensus (I Tim. 3:15; 2 Tim. 4:1-4). Just because something becomes a “civil
statute” thus acceptable by civil law -- take no fault divorce -- that does not
automatically make it moral and right in God’s eyes. Divorce in the New
Testament is “also” a religious matter before God; at times it is a sin to
divorce and remarriage can issue in an adulterous union (cf. Matt. 19:3,6, 9;
5:32; Lk. 16:18).
Although gay
marriage is recognized “civilly” by some states that will not make it
“spiritually” right in God’s sight (cf. Matt. 19:5-6). Christians have a right
to oppose this just like a guest column for the Sun recently explained: “Of
course, religious groups have a constitutional right to oppose gay marriage and
to refuse to perform same-sex weddings. And as long as we uphold the First Amendment, that will continue to be the case.” When a group
practicing that which is immoral is given status “civilly” ---- then suddenly
it is “hate speech” when others continue as they always have to identify
“religiously” a specific immorality; those claiming to be for freedom of speech
want censorship while crying Phobia! Hate! All must uniformly speak as “they”
else the motives are to be impugned and the characters assassinated.
A great weakness and lack of respect for
“religious” freedom of speech is seen in objecting to specific sins being
identified and requiring that others speak in generalities.
Surely Fair Is Unacceptable ~ “All” Works of
the Flesh are Sinful! (August 2014)
Local churches are to be the pillar and support
of scriptural truth even though it is not the popular consensus (Cf. I Tim.
3:15; 2 Tim. 4:1-4). In our July 2014 article we emphasized an important right
that should be respected by those who claim belief in freedom of speech –
namely “religious freedom of speech.”
A recent guest column for the Sun exemplified
this right in defending a student charged by the administrators of a university
with “religious discrimination” – he disseminated views criticizing a religious
group. The writer stated: As constitutional scholar Eugene Volokh points out in his commentary on this case, “freedom
of religion and of speech itself protects the right to denounce religions.
Religious beliefs and religious groups, no less than political beliefs and
groups … are eminently proper subjects of criticism. A public university is
forbidden by the First Amendment from trying to squelch such criticism, whether
it’s of conservative Christianity, Islam, Catholicism, Mormonism, Judaism or
the World Mission Society.”
One aspect of “religious freedom of speech” is
the right to name specific immoralities as well as oppose the teachings of
other religions (cf. Matt. 15:12-14). Much is said today in defense of
practicing homosexuality as if none have the right to say religiously that it
is sinful conduct. However, true Christians believe and teach that “all” works
of the flesh identified in the New Testament are sinful and that includes
practicing homosexuality (Cf. Rom. 1:24-32; I Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21).
Note: To learn about the necessity of a church establishing
scriptural authority for its work go to: http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/scripturalauthority.htm
By Bob Lovelace
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Note: To understand that
Jesus did not teach it was wrong to name and describe false religious beliefs,
even if someone is offended read: You
Discriminate! You Hate! ~ “Knowest thou that the
Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?” (Matt. 15:12)
To
learn more call, visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com