Credibility

The Church is losing credibility. As a youngster, I attended Catholic schools and Catholic Churches. As an adult, I attended Southern Baptist, United Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, even non-denominational Churches. Do I seem confused? Well it can be very confusing if you’re trying to decide what religion is right for you. In case you’re wondering, that last phrase was meant for non-Christians since Christians know that all of the aforementioned denominations are supposed to be Christian, right? As a child, I had no choice but to attend Catholic schools and Churches because that is where my parents sent me. When I became an adult, I quit going to church altogether out of rebellion. In my mid 30’s I saw a need to get back to my faith, and being naïve decided to attend a Southern Baptist Church thinking that there would be little to no difference in the doctrine. For the first time in my life, my eyes were opened. There was/is a huge difference in the doctrines of the two.

What I found was the Southern Baptist Church was actually teaching from the Bible and encouraged me to read along and study even after I left Sunday services. The Catholic Church on the other hand, discouraged such reading and studying of the Scriptures, and instead, relied upon the teaching of the Nuns and Brothers in the Catholic Schools to teach Catholic doctrine. So I bought a Bible and actually began to read it. I discovered that some of the things I had been taught in the Catholic Church contradicted what the Bible was teaching. Now that was confusing since (I thought) they used the same Bible. Now I know theirs is a little different, but what is more confusing is that they also rely on their traditions. Supposedly, the apostle, Peter (the Catholic’s first pope), passed down some doctrine by word of mouth to the next pope and that tradition continues today, even to their latest pope. Some of that tradition also contradicts even the Catholic’s own Bible versions. So what was I to think? What was correct? How was I supposed to reconcile the differences?

After attending other various Protestant denominations, I found myself suffering the same dilemma. Southern Baptists and United Methodists teach conflicting doctrine with one-another, as do Pentecostals and even non-denominational churches. And in varying degrees, their doctrines contradict what the Bible teaches. Now what am I supposed to do?

Of course, no church is going to be perfect. There is no perfect person therefore mistakes will be made on some doctrine right? Not so fast!

The Bible claims to be inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). Didn’t men have a hand in writing it? Since the Bible claims infallibility, yet was written by mere men, is it possible that mere men can also be inspired by God to teach His infallible Word, correctly? Not only do I believe this is so, I believe it must be so.

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

Why would God give some people the ability to be pastors and teachers, yet not give them the ability to teach His Word correctly? It makes no sense. Therefore, those who teach falsely, either intentional or unintentional, teach for their own agenda, usually for greed. They are either greedy for money, power, or both.

The effect this has had on the Church is devastating! The Church is losing credibility because of the greed of its leaders. Instead of being perfectly united in mind and thought as the apostle Paul taught, the church is divided (1 Cor. 1:10).

Some so-called Christian leaders don’t even believe the Bible to be infallible. Some teach the account of Adam and Eve as nothing more than a story, a way to teach the difference between right and wrong. Some teach that the theory of evolution is possible, that the account of God creating man on the 6th day was also just a story. After all, “…With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” 2 Peter 3:8. Some so-called Christian leaders undermine the authority of the Bible by dismissing Biblical history as nothing more than teachable stories. No wonder non-Christians are staying away! Can we blame them? We have no credibility! We teach from a Bible that seemingly contradicts itself, we separate ourselves from each other by denominations, we don’t discipline errant preachers, no matter how audacious their theology or behavior. Do we actually believe the Bible or don’t we?

The Bible is God’s Word, without error or contradiction. It is the only credible account of God’s interaction with His people. It is the only credible source for instructions to Christians about what God expects from us. If the Church wants to be credible, it must be willing to stand firm in the reality that the Bible is absolutely true, and then teach everything it says with conviction.

“Build your credibility before persuading. Understand what builds and destroys it. Protect it like a baby, because once lost it can be impossible to recover. Use it to gain commitment without having to argue your case.” changingminds.org

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Nahum 1-3

There’s no need to get too deep here. Too often, people have an unhealthy opinion about the nature of God. Many people think that because He is all loving, He is incapable of punishment and wrath. These verses illustrate clearly, what God is capable of doing, and why He does it.

“…The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies. ” Nahum 1:2

But…

“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh ; he will pursue his foes into darkness. Nahum 1:7

Let’s not take His goodness for granted.

Daily Bible Reading Plan

Today I will start a daily Bible Reading plan presented by The Bible Gateway. As I read I'll post comments associated with the Scriptures read that day. I hope you'll follow along with me so that we can have a discussion and hopefully learn from each other. The plan is titled, Beginning. It starts at the very beginning of the Bible and reads straight through to the end. Click on the Title above to begin your Daily Bible Reading Plan. We are starting in Nahum chapters 1-3. I chose the New International Version, but you can choose a version that you are more familiar with.

I Hate Racism

It’s no secret that racism still exists in America. For centuries, African Americans have been enslaved, abused, scorned, and treated as second class citizens. Fortunately because of the work and influence of men like Martin Luther King, Jr., racist attitudes have largely diminished in this country. Of course there is a small segment of society that still holds to racist beliefs, but it is my belief that it is a very small segment with little or no influence.

But another trend has emerged and seems to be gaining traction that I think might cause a backlash that leads to more racism. It is increasingly obvious that there is a reverse racism at play and it involves more than a small segment of the African American community. It is understandable that there might be some resentment still because of the way they have been treated, and it is still fresh in the minds of many of the older generation. But this resentment sometimes translates into passive aggression. It is not always an outward display of contempt for the white man, but I have sensed it none-the-less. I live and work in a community of mixed races and I see and feel it on a daily basis. While the older, white racist generation is passing away and the younger white generation is becoming increasingly accepting of African Americans, the older Black generation doesn’t seem to want to let go of the past and they are teaching the younger Black generation that white people are still their enemies, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. If White acceptance of Black people is going to continue to increase, Black people are going to have to start the process of forgiveness, especially since most of the younger generations had nothing to do with the racism of their fathers.

I do understand the difficulty people have forgiving others that have wronged them. But what I can’t understand is that even in Christian Churches, forgive and forget is not on the minds of African Americans. So-called African American Ministers/Civil Rights leaders like Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton continue to sow seeds of discord unlike the Civil Rights leader they claim to be carrying on the dream of, Martin Luther King, Jr. To MLK, the Civil Rights movement was not about special rights for one race over another, it was about equal rights for all. Do I have to quote from his “I have a dream” speech?

It makes sense that non-Christians would continue to hold a grudge and harbor resentment. But when a person puts on the name of Christ, as they have been forgiven, so it is that they too should be willing to forgive (see MT 6:14-15, MT 18:21-35). This is what is so troubling for me. All racism is bad no matter where it comes from, but in the Church? There are White racists and there are Black racists, and some claim to be Christians. Please, if you are a racist Christian (oxymoron), choose one or the other. It is my hope and prayer that you will choose to be a Christian because the two are not compatible. You are either one or the other, but you cannot be both.

Religious values stand in the way of the homosexual agenda

Homosexuals wish that all people would accept their lifestyle as legitimate, even attempting to force the rest of us to redefine marriage. As of this date, four states, Iowa, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut, have legalized gay marriage. Forty-one states currently have statutory Defense of Marriage Acts (DOMA), defining marriage as between a man and a woman. It is obvious that the majority of the people of this country do not want to change the definition of marriage. Even the citizens of California passed ballot Proposition 8 in the November 4, 2008 General Election, which, in part reads: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California”. And although homosexuals account for a small minority in America, they have major support and sympathy from liberal media outlets and the entertainment industry. Over the last few decades, they have relentlessly pushed the homosexual agenda in an effort to normalize homosexual behavior and to shift our thinking on what has been considered immoral for thousands of years. It is their hope that one day we will forget thousands of years of what is normal to adopt that which is abnormal. What they fail to realize is that theirs will always be an uphill battle as long as religious people oppose them. 

Christians who regard the Bible as the authoritative Word of God have no choice but to oppose immoral behavior of any kind. That is not to say that Christians should treat homosexuals badly. On the contrary; Christians are to treat all people with dignity and respect regardless of their condition. But it is important for homosexuals to realize that just because Christians reject their lifestyle choice, doesn’t mean that we are being hateful when we state our opinions on the subject. In fact, it is a mandate from the founder of the Christian faith to try to convert all people to Christianity by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which includes admittance and then repentance of sins, one of which is homosexuality. Therefore, in order to accept the homosexual lifestyle as legitimate one would have to reject the authority of the Bible and the Christian mandate to convert the world to Christianity. This is highly unlikely since Christians would rather please God than please man. 

To the homosexual reading this article: 

I have nothing against you. If it were up to me, you could live your life as you see fit. In fact, as a Christian, my only interest in you is that you follow Jesus Christ into eternity, that’s all. Maybe what I have to say is offensive to you. I’m sorry to say that I have no control over the message since it is not I who wrote it. I am merely repeating the message that was given to me by God. I happen to believe the Bible is God’s Word and nothing anyone can say will ever change my mind on that fact. Either you accept it or reject it those are your only choices, just as it is my choice to accept or reject all sexual immorality. As a Christian, if I share my faith with you it is not to be hateful, but it is only because of my love for you. God wants everyone to be saved, therefore so do I. If I believe the Bible is true (which I do) and ignore those that reject it, what does that say about my faith? Do I really believe in God if I believe people who die in a sinful state will go to hell but do nothing to try to prevent it? It is my belief in God and His Word that compels me to try to lead you to Jesus Christ. So-called Christians that say “live and let live” and never share the Gospel with anyone because it is too offensive, either don’t really believe in God, or they have little regard for the Bible. Either way, they are not being true to their faith, and they care as little for their own souls as they do yours. 

To the Christian reading this article: 

It is not our place to condemn sinners, including homosexuals. If they are not Christians, our only responsibility is to share the Good News about Jesus Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest. If they are willing to listen, it is only by treating them with dignity and respect. If they say that they are already Christians, then their sinfulness should be disciplined by the Church according to Biblical principles with the hope that they will repent and return to the standard of behavior that God expects from His children. See for example 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 and Matthew 18:15-17.

Earl Paulk is in a better place?

Earl Paulk Jr., has died. Someone wrote, “He’s in a better place now”. Is he really? I have my doubts. Throughout his pastoral career, controversy has followed him. Many women have claimed that he manipulated them into sexual relationships, including Jessica Battle who claimed she was sexually abused by Paulk as a young girl. Was he a child molester as well? He would tell the women, “…such bonding relationships were used by God to bring confidence and power to one's spiritual calling”. There’s no doubt that Earl Paulk enjoyed sexual relationships outside his marriage, but is that enough to deny him access to heaven? Aren’t we all in danger of being excluded? Don’t we all fall short of the glory of God? If that’s all there was, I would not be writing about him now, especially so soon after his death. But there is in my mind something greater to consider. What about Earl Paulk’s theology?

Earl Paulk taught Kingdom Now Theology, which is:

A Heretical teaching. It holds that Jesus can not return unless and until "the Church" subdues and rules the earth. For an extensive overview, see
Kingdom Theology Defined.

Kingdom Now Theology comes in various flavors, goes by a number of different names, and permeates several related movements. See, for example, Latter Rain Movement, Manifest Sons of God, Dominion theology, and Five-Fold Ministry, as well as the New Apostolic Reformation.

Pat Robertson (CBN, Christian Broadcasting Network, 700-Club) is a major proponent of Kingdom Now theology. Other proponents include Bill Hamon (and other so-called ''prophets),'' Larry lea, Thomas Reid, and many prominent leaders and teachers of today's controversial renewal and revival movements.
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/k00.html

See also, Kingdom Now Theology by Al Dager, for an in-depth study.

Teaching heresies and misleading God’s people is not the way to get on God’s good side.

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. 2PE 2:1-3

God’s Word warns us about these people and that we should avoid them (see
MT 7:15, MT 24:11,MT 24:24, MK 13:22, Gal 2:4, 1 Ti 6:3-5, 1 JN 4:1).

The apostle Paul worked diligently to preach the truth to counter false teaching.

And I [Paul] will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. 2 Cor. 11:12-15

Earl Paulk spent his final years teaching false doctrine. I don’t know if he actually believed what he taught or if he was in it for the power that he could have over others, or if he was in it for the money he could gain, or maybe all of the above. I do know God’s Word is clear. He will be held to a higher standard for his teaching.

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. JAS 3:1

Did Earl Paulk have a deathbed confession? Did he plead on God’s mercy for his sins against those that he was charged with shepherding? Did he plead on God’s mercy for his greed and manipulation, for teaching heresies? Only God knows what was in his heart when he was alive. His death is a sad one for me because the hope I have for him is slim. I have my doubts about Earl Pauk’s salvation.

For more information about Earl Paulk, go to
http://www.iamforsure.com/False Teachers/Paulk/ReasonsPaulk.html

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Permission is granted to copy and distribute this article in its entirety, provided that it is not sold or used in any publication that is sold. Also, this disclaimer must accompany the article along with the author’s copyright and Zondervan’s copyright. All other uses for this article must be approved by the author in writing.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION(r). Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

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Welcome

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord (JUDE 1:3-4). NIV

The apostle urged his friends to contend for the faith. Even then, there were those who would distort the truth that sets us free. Nothing has changed in that respect. There are still those who twist and turn the Scriptures to suit their own needs, either deliberately, or out of ignorance. Whatever the case, the faith which has been entrusted to the saints which we claim to be, is now our responsibility to preserve so that future generations can know the freedom that comes from believing in the True Jesus Christ. There are many false preachers and teachers out there who would have you believe in another gospel; another Christ. While they may use the same terms and phrases, and they claim to teach right out of the Bible in plain view of everyone present, a close examination will reveal the wolf in sheep's clothing. It is important therefore to read and study the Scriptures for yourself. Each one of us are responsible for what we believe and how we receive Christ. We must all face Christ one day to receive what is due (2 Corinthians 5:10). What we believe about Him is extremely important so that we will know how to live for Him. If we lived for a different Christ, believing in a different gospel, we will surely have lived in vain.

If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him (Deuteronomy 13:1-4). NIV

God tests us to see whether or not we will follow Him. Even though someone might not come right out and say, "Let us follow other gods.", are they not saying it by teaching a different gospel or a different Christ? Essentially they are saying let us follow other gods when they do that. iamforsure.com is dedicated to contending for the faith. I will post articles revealing what the Bible says compared to what others have been saying.