ASBURY: AN ORCHESTRATED REVIVAL?

The Asbury "revival" began on February 8th and continues to the present time, although I understand that there will be some restrictions put in place from February 22nd. Whether it is biblical to put restrictions on a revival is an interesting question. The "revival" has been well aired on GodTV, CBN and also on Fox News. As far as I am aware from various reports and from personal observation, this revival has consisted mainly of singing repetitive Bethel/Hillsong-style songs and personal testimony. There has been no preaching of the gospel, a hallmark of genuine revival. It has been confirmed that the worship team has been led by self-identifying LGBTQ students. {1} In line with the college statement on human sexuality, this particular element within Asbury claim to be celibate while affirming the biblical teaching that sex is between a man and a woman within the context of heterosexual marriage. {2} As Caleb Corneloup explains below, the problem with identifying as an "LGBTQ Christian" is paradoxical from a biblical perspective. (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

Caleb Corneloup (iThinkBiblically): "There are many people touting the so called Asbury Revival as being a genuine move of God. But the truth is, this so called revival is not a move of God at all. Its a disgrace. From the very beginning the worship has been led by homosexuals. Gays and Queers have been leading this so called Asbury Revival. Now, as Christians we must love homosexuals and we must treat them equally and with compassion. However, the bible is very clear that homosexuals will not enter the kingdom of heaven. There is no such thing as a gay Christian or a queer Christian. A true Christian renounces his sin, and is ashamed of his or her sin."

 

Two Christian men were ejected from the "revival", one wearing a T-shirt saying "Homo Sex is Sin - Romans 1". {3} I am not entirely sure that the motivation of these two men was unassuming observation, but perhaps their ejection is worth noting. 

I have identified the following red flags at Asbury University which should send a cautionary message about accepting the current so-called "revival" as genuine. (1 John 4:1). Many Christians have learned critical lessons from the blatant false teaching and excesses that came out of Toronto, Lakeland, Pensacola etc. It should be expected that Satan will attempt to disrupt a genuine revival. (Nehemiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:14). As such, endorsements from various NAR wolves who apparently seek to co-opt the "revival" is unsurprising. What is surprising, if Asbury is a genuine revival, is their tolerance of various heretical teachers, not least the attendance of proven false prophet and adulterer Todd Bentley. Biblically we should mark and avoid Bentley and his cohorts like the plague! (Romans 16:17).  What fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14; cf 1 Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 5:7). Todd Bentley, Shawn Bolz and other wolves are referring to Asbury as the possible beginning of the fulfillment of the “Bob Jones Superbowl prophecy”. It seems that NAR leaders are determined to have their "billion soul harvest" one way or another! {4} 

An Orchestrated revival? 

Approximately two months prior to the "revival", ecumenical false teacher Francis Can posted the following video: 

(12) Collegiate Day of Prayer 2023: "Will You Pray?" (Francis Chan) - YouTube

4,043 views Premiered on 28 Nov 2022
"Adopt a college campus in prayer today at http://collegiatedayofprayer.org. Join us on Feb 23, 2023 for 200-year anniversary of when every denomination and every university adopted the last Thursday of February as a day of prayer for revival and spiritual awakening on college campuses in America."

(12) Collegiate Day of Prayer 2023 – LIVE from Asbury University — Feb 23rd @ 8-10p ET - YouTube

Let's ADOPT and saturate EVERY CAMPUS in America in prayer (go to http://collegiatedayofprayer.org to adopt a campus) and join us LIVE from Asbury University on Feb 23rd at 8-10pm ET with special guests Rick Warren, Francis Chan, Allen Hood and worship leaders from International House of Prayer, Circuit Riders + Black Voices Movement, and Met By Love Worship. Let’s believe God for REVIVAL amongst believers on college campuses and SPIRITUAL AWAKENING amongst the lost. Father, revive the saved and save the lost!!

The Asbury "revival" has the endorsement of the Roman Catholic Church.

Universe Weekly: Asbury revival sets Catholics on fire with Holy Spirit.

"It’s almost like a wellspring,” said Father Norman Fischer, pastor of St. Peter Claver Church in Lexington, Kentucky, and chaplain at Lexington Catholic High School. “You just know right away that God is there.” {5}

Alleged exorcism? 

The (Christian?) woman who was allegedly delivered from a demon poses the controversial question of whether true believers of Jesus Christ can be demon possessed. In my view, believers cannot be demon possessed. Whilst I subscribe to the belief that believers can be oppressed by demons, there is no instance in the New Testament of believers being demon-possessed. If this was a genuine "deliverance", then why was it necessary to send for medical assistance? {6} 

When Jesus delivered those possessed by demons they emerged completely sane.  

And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. (Mark 5:15 cf. Matthew 17:18; Mark 9:26-27; Luke 11:14).

 

Asbury is an ecumenical liberal Methodist seminary

Loving God, Loving Self: Faith & Culture 2013

Speaker Father Normal Fischer

"Topics ranged from identifying the not-so-obvious signs of racism to ministering to other faiths in a pluralistic society.

'We need to focus less on our similarities and focus on our differences and work through them,” Barringer said. “Even Catholic/Protestant — you’re working in your framework, and I’m working in my framework, but how do we work together and give witness to the fact that Jesus rose from the dead? I would hate to be ‘color blind’ and not see the beauty of our differences, but I would also hate to live in a world where we can’t approach those differences in a productive way, especially for those of us who claim the name of Christ..

'Junior Elijah Friedeman appreciated the emphasis on religious diversity in this year’s “Faith and Culture” series. 'I enjoyed having a Catholic priest come and speak, because it emphasized the point that not only is ethnic diversity important, but also religious diversity' he said. 'Although Catholics are Christians too, it was neat to have that experience hearing from a theological tradition that’s far different from what most of have experienced.'" {7}

Egalitarianism

Kate Nunneley speaks on the egalitarian and complementarian views of women in the Church. {8)

Entire Sanctification

"Asbury University, with its roots in the American Methodist and holiness tradition, has followed Wesley’s teaching on entire sanctification. Believers may and should seek a subsequent work of God where through grace imparted by the Spirit, they are made full of the love of God." {9} 

We believe:

"That entire sanctification is that act of divine grace, through the baptism with the Holy Spirit, by which the heart is cleansed from all sin and filled with the pure love of God. This is a definite, cleansing work of grace in the heart of a believer, subsequent to conversion, resulting from full consecration and faith in the cleansing merit of the blood of Jesus Christ." {10}

Wesley's definition of "entire sanctification" was, and still is, widely criticized. {11} 

There are enough red flags at Asbury to be very cautious about this so-called "revival". It seems unlikely that this was a spontaneous revival arising from a simple student prayer meeting. I do not doubt that there are genuine Christians in attendance and my prayer is for their protection and for spiritual discernment. 

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1).

1. The Asbury Revival Narrative Is Crumbling – Evangelical Dark Web

2. 2019_04_10-AU-Human-Sexuality-Statement.pdf (asbury.edu)
3. (12) Christians Kicked Out of Asbury Revival for T Shirt? You Won't Hear This on the News - YouTube
4. Bob Jones’ Revival Prophecy Headlines Super Bowl Win - Charisma Magazine
5. 'Jesus was right next to me': Asbury revival sets Catholics on fire with Holy Spirit - Universe Catholic Weekly
6. (12) Casting Devils out at Asbury University!!! - YouTube
7. Faith and Loving My Neighbor – Asbury University
8. Friday, November 3, 2017 — Kate Nunneley — “A Woman’s Place in the Church”
9. Wesleyan-Holiness Theology – Asbury University
10. Spiritual Vitality – Asbury University
11. A PLAIN ACCOUNT OF CHRISTIAN PERFECTION text by John Wesley (whatsaiththescripture.com)

Further Links

Letter to the Editor Raises Concerns About Possible Pre-Planned Exploits - Lighthouse Trails Research Project

(14) Daniel Adams Using Asbury to Promote His False Ministry - YouTube
Francis Chan, Rick Warren Do Not Attend National Collegiate Day of Prayer at Asbury To Keep It Free of Celebrities (churchleaders.com)

INCLUSIVE GENDER POLICY ISSUE AT SCOTTISH HIGH SCHOOL

An unidentified 17-year old Scottish student was thrown out of a social education lesson by his teacher recently for voicing his opinion that there are only two genders. The student has now been suspended from his secondary school in Aberdeenshire for three weeks. The teenager claims that he spoke out in protest at the "dangerous" views being forced onto pupils.

The young man was ordered to leave his classroom after arguing that only two genders exist – male and female – a position that his teacher claimed was "against policy" and "not inclusive". A secretly filmed video clip of him being reprimanded by his teacher has gone viral on YouTube.

The definition of an "inclusive school" apparently means that only one opinion is “acceptable in the school”.

"British Christians who believe in (and dare to articulate) the natural order of ‘male and female’ are going to have a tough time over the coming years. Oppression may begin with a student being excluded from class; it will soon progress to an official state orthodoxy and mandatory compliance on pain of dismissal from one’s job, or summary arrest and trial for transgressing the laws of ‘hate’. Who would have thought that the matter of male and female, the nature of marriage, and the truth about the human person would become the foundation of Christian persecution? https://archbishopcranmer.com/teacher-throws-student-out-of-class-for-insisting-there-are-two-sexes/

Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. (Genesis 5:2 cf. Matthew 19:4). 

A SIGN OF THE TIMES: THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND'S COMING VOTE ON TRANSGENDER BAPTISM

"The Church of England is to vote on creating an official ‘baptism-style’ service to celebrate when transgender Christians change sex.

The controversial motion has dismayed traditionalists, who say the Bible teaches that gender is God-given.

But liberals said vicars have been forced to devise unofficial services to welcome sex-change worshippers and the Church should demonstrate its unambiguous acceptance of transsexuals....."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4549058/Church-England-vote-baptism-transgender-people.html#ixzz4j31NCXRD

Such a move, if successful, would go directly against the scriptures. Conservative Synod member Andrea Williams, director of pressure group Christian Concern, said: "It is unclear why we are even debating this issue."

Liberal Synod member Jayne Ozanne: “The Bible teaches that we are each fearfully and wonderfully made, and we should therefore look to celebrate God’s gift of diversity in creation, not treat those of us who are non-heterosexual as having mental disorders that need to be ‘cured,' {1}

I would agree with Jayne Ozanne that we are each fearfully and wonderfully made... (Psalm 139:14). However, God does not contradict Himself. If He makes a person male or female, then who are we to argue with the unmistakable physical evidence before us? The scriptures warn us that there are severe consequences for those who distort the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:7). The liberal scripture twisters are playing a dangerous game that will not ultimately succeed. For I the LORD do not change.. (Malachi 3:6).

The scriptures are clear that God created humans to engage in sex exclusively within marriage between a male and a female. (Genesis 1:27, 28; Leviticus 18:22; Proverbs 5:18, 19). God condemns sexual relationships unless they are between a husband and wife, whether they are homosexual or heterosexual. (1 Corinthians 6:18). The apostle Paul instructed Christians not to judge those outside the church; that is God's business. However, those supposedly inside the church, those who profess to be Christians are a different matter entirely.

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-12).

It is a mistake to view anyone who is non-heterosexual as having a mental disorder that needs to be "cured". The bible teaches that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The "cure" so called, is a new creation in Jesus Christ, the new man. In other words, once someone has been born again and truly accepted Jesus Christ into his life, they become a different person.. the old has passed away the new has come. In fact without repentance and the new birth no one can stand (Ezra 9:15).

Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:3-7).

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17).

If the Son shall make you free you shall be free indeed (John 8:36).


{1} http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/05/31/church-of-england-to-vote-on-baptism-style-services-to-honor-sex-changes/

The Great Hillsong Sellout - Brian Houston Fudges On Homosexuality

Apparently Brian Houston looked rather nervous before making these remarks about the LGBT debate - and rightly so. It is a pity that he does not fear God more than men (Hebrews 13/6; Proverbs 29/25). These remarks follow Houston's outrageous false claim that Muslims and Christians serve the same God earlier this year - a claim that he quickly retracted! 
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/brian-houston-hillsong-muslims-and.html

TRANSCRIPT:

Brian Houston: "The message is sacred but the methods have to change uh- for the church to stay relevant. And uh it’s challenging! It’s challenging to stay relevant. I mean we go to you – you know – the one big hot topic maybe for churches is now with homosexual marriage uh legalised and uh – you know – and churches for generations, they- they hold a set of beliefs around what they believe the Word of God- the bible says. And all of a sudden in many circles the church can look like a pariah because- to many people it’s so irrelevant now on that subject. So staying relevant, it’s actually a big challenge. Uh- I think it’s more than just – you know – singing more contemporary songs and- and uh – and – you know, the c-c-colours you paint your walls or whatever.
It’s- it can be challenging for churches to stay relevant because many mainstream churches – uh – you know – in how in what- would they would believe is a long established view in what the bible says on the subject of homosexuality. But the world’s changed around and about them.
On the subject I always feel like there’s three things: there’s the world we live in, there’s the weight we live with and there’s the word we live by. The world, the weight, the word. And to me, the world we live in, whether we like it or not, is changing around and about us. Um- homosexual marriages legal in your city and uh- and will be in probably in most Western world countries within a short time. So the world’s changing and we want to stay relevant as a church. So it- that’s a mixing thing. You think, 'How can we stay- ho-how can we not become a pariah'.
So that’s the world we live in. In the weight we live with is the reality that in churches like ours and virtually in any other church, there are young people who have serious questions about their sexuality. And uh- who maybe spea- you know – hypothetically – speak to a youth leader. A youth pastor. And says -uh, 'I think – you know- I’m gay'.
And maybe they feel a sense of rejection there. Or maybe even their own Christian parents can’t handle it and uh- exclude them at the time when they are the most vulnerable in their life. So you can have in churches not- not just our church – churches, young people who are literally uh depressed. Maybe even suicidal. And sadly often times grow up to hate the church because they feel like the church rejected them.
So there’s the world we live in, the weight we live with and the word we live by. And the word we live by is what the bible says. And uh- it would be much easier if- if- if- if you could feel like all of those three could easily- easily wind up. But they don’t necessarily. And that’s why Carl always says, 'For us it’s a conversation'.
You know to us, I think it’s very easy to reduce, 'What do you think of homosexuality' to just a public statement. And that would keep a lot of people happy. But we feel at this point that it is an ongoing conversation. That the real issues in people’s lives are too important for us to reduce it down to a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer in a media outlet. So we- we’re on the journey with it aren’t we?"

BRIAN HOUSTON'S THREE POINT VERSION OF CHRISTIANITY AS IT RELATES TO THE LGBT DEBATE:

1. THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
2. THE WEIGHT WE LIVE WITH
3. THE WORD WE LIVE BY

Notice that the Word of God comes last in Houstons three points! He has it completely backwards - the Word of God always comes first biblically.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119/105)

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2/15)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12/2)

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1/27)

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. (James 4/4)

Houston says that because the world is changing Hill$ong wants to stay RELEVANT! Should Christians be relevant to the world or pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 5/9)? Although the world is subject to change, GOD DOES NOT CHANGE (Malachi 3/6). Houston/Hill$ong do not want to become a pariah.... this is nothing less than cowardice and compromise - Jesus Christ said that Christians can expect to be a pariah:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you...." (John 15/18-19)

.....and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10/22 and also Matthew 24/9, Mark 13/13, Luke 21/17)

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (Matthew 5/11)

Houston says that many mainstream churches have traditionally held a set of beliefs around what they believe the word of God says. NO BRAIN HOUSTON - The Word of God is unequivocal - The Bible condemns homosexuality and calls it a sin. If this offends anyone then I am very unhappy, but it says what it says. It is more important to Houston to "stay relevant" than to preach the Word of God. Houston is no real friend of homosexuals I can assure you. He is squirming and stuttering through this issue to stay relevant i.e. to pacify the LGBT community and to keep his rather large "church" (if you can call it that).

For Houston the LGBT debate is an ongoing conversation!!! It may be an ongoing conversation for Hill$ong and other traitors of Jesus Christ, but it is not an ongoing conversation for those who truly follow the Lord.  The Lord Jesus Christ calls sinners everywhere (including homosexuals) to repent and turn to him in faith so that they will be saved from the wrath to come.

Carl Lentz New York City Hill$ong pastor also fudges the issue:

“When it comes to homosexuality, I refuse to let another human being or immediate moment dictate how we approach it. Jesus was in the thick of an era where homosexuality, just like it is today was widely prevalent. And I’m still waiting for someone to show me the quote were Jesus addressed it on the record in front of people. You won’t find it because he never did.”
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1406/02/acd.02.html

THIS IS A GROSSLY INACURATE STATEMENT

Jesus Christ was NOT in the thick of an era where homosexuality was widely prevalent!!!!  Homosexuality was condemned by the Jewish tradition and it was almost unheard of in first century Jewish culture.

The author of the Syballine Oracles, thought to be an Egyptian Jew (approx. 163 - 45 B.C.) "The Jews are mindful of holy wedlock, and they do not engage in impious intercourse with male children, as do Phoenicians, Egyptians, and Romans, specious Greece and many nations of others, Persians and Galatians and all Asia."  http://www.conservapedia.com/History_of_homosexuality#Homosexuality_among_the_Jews

JESUS CHRIST AFFIRMED THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS!

Jesus Christ: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5/17)

Jesus Christ: “But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.” (Luke 16/17)

Leviticus 18 forbids various types of unlawful sexual relations calling them “unclean” - verse 22 explicitly calls homosexuality an abomination as does Leviticus 20/13).

Jesus Christ's affirmation that marriage is between a man and a woman: “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh." (Matthew 19/3-6; Genesis 2/24)

Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”  (Acts 17/29-31)

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21/8)

HILL$ONG MEMBERS BEWARE!  The feel-good factor at Hill$ong has nothing to do with Biblical Christianity!

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; (Revelation 18/4)

THE BIBLE AND HOMOSEXUALITY

·You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. (Leviticus 18/22)

·If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them. (Leviticus 20/13)

·For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error. (Romans 1/26-27)

·Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, (1 Corinthians 6/9)

·This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching (1 Timothy 1/9-10)

THE DAYS OF LOT

The days of Lot were were defined by sexual immorality and rampant homosexuality just prior to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus Christ warns us that the world will be just the same in the end times prior to his second coming. Now is the time for church leaders to be warning about the coming judgement rather than fudging the issue.

Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building..... (Luke 17/28).

They (Sodom and her daughters) were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it. (Ezekiel 16/50)

Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural lust (perversion), serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 1/7)

…… they called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, so that we may know (be intimate with) them." Lot went out of the door to the men, shut the door after him, and said, "I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly." (Genesis 19/5-7)

Dear Reader – Do you have questions about Jesus Christ and how to be truly saved? If so, then please read my post: GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/gods-plan-of-salvation-through-jesus.html

THE LGBT DEBATE - ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN WELBY INSULTS TRUE BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby recently had the audacity to tell an audience of “traditional born-again Christians" that they “must repent" over the way gay and lesbian people have been treated in the past and said most young people viewed Christians as no better than racists on the issue. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10271438/Archbishop-urges-Christians-to-repent-over-wicked-attitude-to-homosexuality.html

Welby’s arrogance in that he has told Christians that they “must repent”  is outrageously inaccurate and highly offensive. Firstly, we need to consider exactly who are responsible for treating gay and lesbian people badly in the past.  Historically the persecution of homosexuals has been state sanctioned! Prior to the fourth century, Christianity was a minor cult with no political influence. It is very well documented that the early Christians were persecuted themselves by the Roman Empire - as such they were not responsible for persecution against gay/lesbian people.

It was in the fourth century that the emperor Constantine (280?-337) reinvented Christianity under the direction of Augustine of Hippo. This was when Roman Catholicism began to hijack Christianity and it became the state religion.  Laws against homosexuality were introduced by the emperor Constantine and later by his sons, emperors Constantius II and Constans who imposed laws against homosexuality in the year 342.  Constantine was anything but Christian.  He worshipped the pagan sun god Mithras and incorporated pagan traditions into Christianity, thus polluting the apostles teaching. He  had his first born son Crispus strangled; he had his second wife Fausta boiled alive; he assassinated friends and advisers and extended the death penalty for minor crimes. Constantine’s/Augustine's unbiblical marriage of church and state was a contradiction of Jesus Christ’s own words: My kingdom is not of this world. (John 18/36)   Augustine redefined Christianity in Platonic terms and followed the false ideas of men such as Origen, Cyprian of Carthage, Ambrose etc. In doing so he went beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4/6).

Canon law was brought in by another uniblical marriage between church and state under the unrighteous Henry VIII, who began the process of forming the Church of England after his split with the Pope in the 1530's.  Henry VIII was a murderer and adulterer who was not worthy of the title "Defender of the Faith".

In Muslim countries, from the birth of Islam in the seventh century to the present time there has been prohibition of homosexuality.  This fact is conveniently overlooked when Christians are being blamed for homophobia.

Paul the apostle stated very clearly that it is no business of the Christian to judge “outsiders”  i.e. unbelievers outside the church, in respect to anything the Bible calls sinful:

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 15/9-12)

In the above passage Paul was referring to an act of heterosexual immorality within the church at Corinth. When he says “purge”, he is talking about disfellowship.  Let him who has done this be removed from among you. (1 Corinthians 5/1)

Sodom and Gomorrah is often quoted in the Christianity v LGBT debate:

…… they called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, so that we may know (be intimate with) them.  Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.”(Genesis 19/5-8)

It should be noted that no human being lifted a finger against the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord Himself rained sulphur and fire out of heaven on Sodom and Gomorrah after Lot’s escape. (Genesis 19/22-24)

Homophobia is defined as: intense hatred or fear of homosexuals or homosexuality (www.thefreedictionary.com). It is inconceivable that a true born-again follower of the Lord Jesus Christ would have an attitude of hatred (Welby says malice) towards homosexuals. It is totally unchristian to do anything to harm gay people or to call them nasty names. Having said that, Christians do not have to do anything that is unbiblical and against the Lord’s will – we cannot say that something is right when the Bible says that it is sinful, but that is as far as we should go - God Himself is the Judge, not us. The fact is that God cares enough about sinners (that is everyone) that he tells Christians to warn those with any kind of sinful lifestyle to repent because they are all in danger of hell.

….. all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

…..for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers,liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine……(1 Timothy 1/9-10)

None is righteous, no, not one (Romans 3/10).

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17/9)

I do not think that the homosexual community are fooled by Welby’s hypocrisy for one minute. Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights charity Stonewall, said: "It is a tiny bit rich to say he has great sympathy for gay people when in the 10 years since the introduction of civil partnerships the Church has doggedly refused to bless people's long term partnerships even though they are happy to have services for pets and even canals.”

Welby publicly opposed the Government’s Same-sex Marriage Act earlier this year and says that his own mind is not yet “clear”on the wider issues pertaining to the subject. If he is not even clear in his own mind then why is he pontificating to the rest of us? Is he schizophrenic?

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1/8)

And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? (1 Corinthians 14/8)

Speaking about homophobia, Welby says that “we have to be really, really repentant about that because it is utterly and totally wrong.”   Welby is making wild assumptions about people’s attitudes and he demands that born again Christians repent for unchristian acts and attitudes that they are not even responsible for! Who does Welby think he is – he has clearly been spending too much time with the Pope! Perhaps he should think about repenting himself from his unbiblical and authoritative dictates.

It is not Bible believing Christians who have changed, it is society that has undergone a “revolution” in attitudes towards sexuality. Welby himself admits that the shift in public attitudes to homosexuality is one of the biggest social changes of recent history. Do Christians have to change with societal changes? We must remember that God is outside time, He is eternal. Trends and societal changes are nothing to Him – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13/8)

Your decrees are very trustworthy;
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, forevermore.  (Psalm 93/5)

Welby urges Christians to speak out about what they are in favour of rather than simply what they are against. As a committed Bible believing Christian myself, I can inform Welby that I am in favour of the Bible, God’s Word: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.  (2 Timothy 3/16)    I am not part of the World Council of Churches or any other compromising and cowardly “church”  which bows to the pressures of a fickle society and corrupt religiosity. True Christians follow the Lord Jesus Christ, a person who never conformed to the dictates of the religious leaders of His time or anyone else who thought that they were something when in fact they were nothing at all.

The Bible is very clear that homosexuality is a sin – this is not my opinion it is the Word of God. I do not hate homosexuals; I care enough about them to warn them to repent because homosexuality will lead people to eternal destruction.

Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Galatians 4/16)

The Lord……. is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3/9)

Wolves in sheep’s clothing are doing the LGBT community no favours at all by placating them; in doing so they are deceiving them: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5/20) Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."  (Matthew 15/14)

Welby told the General Synod in July that the strength of feeling he encountered in support prompted him to reassess his own beliefs and urged them to face up to a “revolution" in attitudes on sexuality. If Welby’s beliefs are to be reassessed by the strength of feeling of others then what sort of Christian is he? It is very fortunate that Jesus Christ did not reassess his determination to go to the cross because of the strength of feeling of his opponents! The same thing could be said of the apostles of Christ and the Christian martyrs throughout history.

Welby comes from what is termed as the evangelical wing of Anglicanism, which is said to take a more traditional interpretation of the Bible. Welby was a member of Holy Trinity Church in Brompton (HTB) in the 1980's.  He is a proponent of the much criticised Alpha Course which was pioneered by Nicky Gumbel and developed by HTB (Gumbel is now the Vicar at HTB). HTB claims to be an “evangelical” church, though many would dispute its biblical soundness and the antics that have taken place there. HTB hosted the so called “Kansas City Prophets” who falsely prophesied a massive revival in the UK. Furthermore HTB was at the forefront of promoting the disastrous “Toronto Experience" in Britain.

"In London, countless abandoned Christian churches have been turned into mosques.  And yet, about 12 years ago, the Kansas City prophets prophesied at Holy Trinity Brompton, where the Alpha Course started.....  Paul Cain prophesied a massive revival in the United Kingdom...  The revival happened, but the only problem was that he got his religions wrong - it wasn't a revival of Christianity, it was a revival of Islam!!"  http://www.africanaquatics.co.za

There is much more that could be said about Holy Trinity Brompton, but suffice it to say that the public should be aware that many true born-again Christians regard HTB as totally apostate. Welby does not represent the true church of Jesus Christ any more than Augustine of Hippo or Constantine did. These days many true bible believing born-again Christians refuse to be associated with the World Council of Churches ecumenical agenda and the ravings of people like the Kansas City Prophets and those associated with Pensacola, Toronto and more recently in the UK, the so called "Welsh Outpouring".

Whilst the LGBT community and the true church are on opposite sides of the fence, I hope at least the LGBT community will respect the honesty of people who do genuinely care about them enough to warn them rather than to accept the inane drivel and political manoeuvring of people who falter between two opinions (1 Kings 18/21).

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. (John 3/16-21)

IS GAY MARRIAGE IN CHURCH A BASIC RIGHT?

On the 7^th December 2012 the media reported that a free vote to allow gay marriages in churches will take place in order to fast track legislation for proposed new laws.

David Cameron: "If there is any church or any synagogue or any mosque that does not want to have a gay marriage, it will not - it absolutely must not - be forced to hold it…. but let me be absolutely and 100% clear, if there is any church, or any synagogue, or any mosque that doesn't want to have a gay marriage, it will not, it absolutely must not be forced to hold it. That is absolutely clear in the legislation.”

Cameron’s assurance that no church will be compelled to perform gay marriages is problematic however because of the European Convention on Human Rights – churches will in fact be forced to marry same-sex couples according to Peter Bone Conservative MP.

Peter Bone: "I do not believe that it is possible to protect churches from conducting same sex marriage if other churches are allowed to do so….. I think that situation would be struck down by the ECHR. No political party has any mandate for such a change."

Since both statements cannot be true it would be very nice to know which position is actually correct and whether David Cameron’s position is 100% clear as he asserts. All the assurances that this legislation will not be forced onto churches that do not agree with same sex marriage from politicians and gay people alike do not seem to be watertight.

The Church of England has voiced concerns that such a move could weaken its status as the established Church. It is quite amazing that this statement does not even mention anything about what the Bible says concerning homosexuality or that same sex marriage is dishonouring to the Lord Jesus Christ – it is all about themselves, their status and how threatened they feel the poor things. In 1998 Church of England Lambeth Conference stated: “homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture…..”   In the very same document they issued the following resolution: "We commit ourselves to listen to the experience of homosexual persons and we wish to assure them that they are loved by God and that all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Body of Christ."  This is pure schizophrenia – is it any wonder that hardly anyone respects the Church of England and their double talk. They have played both sides of the fence for long enough and should come down on one side or the other. If homosexual practice is “incompatible with Scripture”, which it is, then why do the Church of England all but condone it. How can homosexuals be full members of the Body of Christ when the Bible clearly says: Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.(1 Corinthians 6/9-10) It is very true that if God should mark our iniquities, who could stand? (Psalm 130/3) …..as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one (Romans 3/10)  God loves everyone, and He does not single out homosexuals. The message of the Bible is repentance and it is the job of the church to warn those practising the things which God condemns. These warning should be conveyed in love, not with condemnation and hatred, but with tears and concern for the eternal destiny of those caught up in the things that God hates. Bible believing Christians are not here to win a popularity contest, our message is detestable to many people but this is what we are called to do. In the very same way, the message of Jesus Christ was detestable to many and in the end it cost him his very life. It is only cowards who water down the message of the Bible; in fact they rob people of the salvation and eternal life that Jesus Christ came to give them.

The group Out4Marriage is reported to be highly delighted, but I do question their understanding of "religious freedom" as human choice rather than the definition of marriage being the mandate of God Himself. Of course if gays want to get married in the apostate church then so be it; but what about the rights of those churches who really do believe that the Bible is the Word of God and that there are severe consequences for those who go against it? These churches will very likely be put in an untenable position despite Cameron’s assurance that they will not be compelled to perform gay marriages. As the Apostle Peter said: “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5/29) We will see who stands for the Lord if this legislation does go through.

My hope and prayer is that this legislation will not go through in the near future, but even if it doesn't, the way that things are going I believe that these things will eventually overtake us all with dire consequences.

“Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit……… Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” (Acts 2/38,40)

UPDATE 11TH DECEMBER 2012: QUADRUPLE LOCK

The Church of England's Canon Law is made by its own governing body, the Synod. Canon B30 paragraph 1 explicitly defines marriage as between a man and a woman. As such, it will be illegal for the Church of England and the Church of Wales to marry gay couples. Parliament traditionally does not legislate for the Church of England in matters of doctrine and practice and so for the present, Canon Law will remain. However there will be an option for them to "opt in" corporately at a later date. Since many bishops agree with gay marriage unofficially, the process of amending Canon Law to redefine the nature of marriage seems inevitable given that they already acquiesce same sex civil partnerships and do not speak up against homosexuality.

Peter Tatchell: “This faith-based discrimination could be open to legal challenge. The government is treating two churches differently from all other religions. Discriminating between faith groups is probably illegal under the Human Rights Act and the European Convention on Human Rights.” (pinknews.co.uk)

The "quadruple lock" will supposedly protect any church which does not agree with same sex marriage:

1. The legislation states that neither religious organisations as a whole nor individual ministers will be forced to hold same-sex weddings on their premises.

2. Miller will amend the Equalities Act so that no discrimination claims can be brought against religious organisations who refuse to conduct gay marriages.

3. Religious organisations who do support gay marriage can opt-in, and then their individual ministers will also then need to opt-in before they can conduct the ceremonies.

4. The legislation will explicitly state that it would be illegal for the Church of England and Wales to marry same sex couple: Miller told the Commons that the CofE had already said that it did not want to carry out same-sex partnerships.

This still leaves concerns for those churches who do not wish to "opt in" however:

Rather than protecting churches who do not "opt in", this legislation will actually expose the ones who are against gay marriage. A concern is that those churches who do not "opt in" may be the target of specific activists who want to take this to the European court of human rights. It seems that this issue is not going away.

Dear Reader – Do you have questions about Jesus Christ and how to be truly saved? If so, then please read my post: GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/gods-plan-of-salvation-through-jesus.html