The
Truth In Print Vol. 15 Issue 3, April 2009
A
Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928-782-5058)
Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Unitarian /
Universalists
In our last month’s publication, the “The Truth In
Print” publication for Feb. 2009, you will find mention of Mr. Knapp, a Unitarian Universalist, who
has taken issue with the church’s articles in our local newspaper 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. 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. You
may access that article at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/newsweekblunder2.htm
The
series of articles the church is running on this in our local newspaper, as
well as other information on this is located on our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/newsweekblunder.htm
Unitarian /
Universalists
First, understand
that Universalism as a religion is a belief that all people will be
reconciled to God. The New Testament does not teach, nor the
Old Testament, that eventually all people will be reconciled to God. Paul
said when Jesus is revealed with His mighty angels it will be “In flaming fire
taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be
glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because
our testimony among you was believed) in that day” (2 Th. 1:7-10). John speaks
of those who will be in hell: “He that overcometh
shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But
the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their
part in the lake which burneth with fire and
brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:7-8).
Universalists Said
There Was No Hell
From
the Unitarian Universalists website I found the following. In giving a
definition they said that “Universalists said there was no hell. And all
individuals are capable of learning what is good.” Going on it said “Unitarians
believed, and still believe, that everyone has the capacity to learn the right
and do what is right. Our tradition encourages us to understand and weigh the religious
voices and visions of every place and time in light of our own experience.”
I
found that definition under their “Affirmation of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and
Transgender People” section. They are very active in supporting legally
recognized marriage between members of the same sex. The last paragraph in Mr. Knapp’s article
criticizing us gives a practical definition of what they are about:
“As a Unitarian/Universalist, I rejoice that I am part of a religious
tradition that does not deny the validity of the sexual orientation of gays and
lesbians, nor dispute their need for loving relationships, but welcomes them
into every aspect of religious life, including membership,
leadership and the ministry.
REV. RONALD KNAPP
Visiting Minister Unitarian/Universalist
Fellowship of Yuma”
Fellowshipping
Pagans, Atheists, Humanists, Etc.
Actually what Mr. Knapp said isn’t the half of it folks! When you are
welcomed to this caring and open-minded religion that encourages each to seek their
own spiritual path it includes fellowship with Pagans, Atheists, Agnostics,
Humanists, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews and even some they call Christians. I found
that in their “Beliefs Within Our Faith” section. They
claim a free faith not bound by a statement of belief. Obviously, any Christian
can see that includes the doctrine of Christ which a Christian must not go
beyond (2 Jo. 9). No friends — no true Christian is a part of this faith!
Do
you get it? You don’t have to believe in God to be one of them! You can be a Atheist! To fellowship Atheists is to fellowship fools
(Ps. 14:1).
One Should Not Live
Unto Himself
1. 2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that
they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which
died for them, and rose again.
Their appeal is you
can believe whatever “you” desire to believe. They aren’t intent on following
what the Apostles gave by inspiration. They have a faith “made for the people”
rather than the people changing to fit God’s pattern and thus please God not
themselves!
1. 1Th 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even
so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth
our hearts.
2. 1Co 14:37 If any man think himself to be a
prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto
you are the commandments of the Lord.
Everywhere in the Bible their philosophy is condemned. The Prophets
taught along the same lines and said:
1. Isa 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day
unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that
was not good, after their own thoughts;
2. Jer 10:23 O LORD, I know
that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
3. Psa 119:101 I have
refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
Their
people are not united on God’s Word but more so it appears on social things and
politics. Compare the following:
1. Phi 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see
you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one
spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
2. 2Ti 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words,
which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
3. John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the
world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of
the world.
John 17:15 I
pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the
world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the
evil.
John 17:16 They
are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 17:20
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall
believe on me through their word;
John 17:21 That they all may be
one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be
one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
There
is no real spiritual benefit in their kind of “faith” — it allows members to
fulfill their own carnal desires!
1. Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they
became fools,
Rom
1:25 Who
changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature
more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom
1:26 For this
cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change
the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom
1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving
the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with
men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Rom
1:32 Who
knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of
death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Since Universalists say that “It is incumbent upon us to push the
boundaries of the word ‘we’ to see whom it may come to include” we plan to
present as our next monthly publication a scriptural view of the words “We,”
“Us” and “Our.” Watch for it!
By
Bob Lovelace
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To
learn more call, visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com