Recent investigations by the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express News in Texas, USA, have revealed that in the past 20 years, “a disturbing number of Southern Baptists with formal church roles have engaged in sexual misconduct.” About 380 people, including pastors, deacons, youth pastors, other assorted church leaders and volunteers have, “left behind more than 700 victims.” As if that were not bad enough, it is reported the Southern Baptist Convention declined to keep a list of those convicted of their crimes. Thanks to the Houston Chronicle however, a data base of names has been compiled. Continue reading “Warning to Church Sexual Predators”
God Has No Grandchildren
The other day my wife and I went for a coffee in a building that was once a church. The coffee shop is situated where the foyer used to be and the rest of the building is now converted into apartments. That night on TV we watched a home renovation program, with one of the best of the renovations being that of a former church building. A couple of days later on the Internet my attention was drawn to yet another renovation, of yet another former church building! There’s nothing new here of course; the renovation of former church buildings into beautiful homes has been going on for many years all across the globe. Continue reading “God Has No Grandchildren”
Ignorance, Arrogance and Apathy
As I understand it, pinpoint accuracy and safety in space travel is due entirely to the humble submission of space scientists to the fixed, physical laws operating in the universe. They bow to those laws, knowing them to be inviolable, unalterable and absolute. These scientists know everything in the entire created universe operates on such laws; nothing is random, therefore they are confident nothing will go awry in any way that will violate those laws. They are humbly submitted to the reality that fixed, physical laws control everything in the universe from the smallest single cell to the largest planets and stars hurtling throughout. Continue reading “Ignorance, Arrogance and Apathy”
A New Creation for A New Creation
Of Jesus Christ alone do the following Bible Scriptures speak: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist Colossians 1:15-16. For the encouragement of new believers: The next time you hear or read of strong attacks and ridicule on the Creation narrative in Genesis 1:1-31, be reminded it is Jesus Christ who is being strongly attacked and ridiculed equally so.
Continue reading “A New Creation for A New Creation”
The Church has Silenced Itself! Time to Speak Up!
Quote: “The devil has no authority over us other than that which we give him.” Whether it be preached from church pulpits or declared in home Bible studies, Christians have been listening to that statement, or similar, for decades. And for the last 30-plus years that I have heard it, “Amen,” has always been the collective response. It’s an easy response to make in a church setting when everything runs smoothly; the moment it doesn’t, the devil will take full advantage. How does that work? Does he walk into a church dressed in red carrying a three-pronged fork in his right hand and throw his weight around? If only!! Continue reading “The Church has Silenced Itself! Time to Speak Up!”
Blast “modern Christianity” back to the Pit of Hell
Quote: “…..much of what is called Christianity today is not the Christianity of the New Testament; it is distinctly different…… Jesus is not the fountainhead of modern Christianity. He is scarcely thought about. Christian preachers, Sunday School teachers, religious books, all without any apology patronize Jesus Christ and put Him on one side. We have to learn that to stand true to Jesus Christ’s point of view means ostracism; the ostracism that was brought on Him. Most of us know nothing whatever about it.” – Oswald Chambers. I’m not sure when he made that statement, but given he died in 1917, it was over 100 years ago at least. Continue reading “Blast “modern Christianity” back to the Pit of Hell”
A Common Christian-speak Question
A common Christian-speak question: “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Going by the number of Google searches, it seems the question is still relevant to preachers and writers as it was when I was first challenged with it 30-plus years ago. But much has happened in that time throughout the Western church and much of it not good, sad to say. The biblical teaching that once lifted millions out from spiritual, mental and physical slavery, the same teaching that once sent multitudes to the stake, the stocks and the prisons has been so watered down it is barely recognizable today. Continue reading “A Common Christian-speak Question”
Violating the 9th Commandment is Unwise
Accusations of engaging in child sex have recently been made against some very high profile Australian and American men, some living, some dead – and some Christians! Not a few Christians are shocked to discover this. “Is this true?” they ask. “This is shocking!” My response: It is shocking if it’s true; but who knows if it is, or not? What is true, and perhaps shocking for many: Christians and Christianity are not only coming under attack from Atheists, Marxists, Communists and Socialists, but also from men and women who say they too are Christians, the most effective among them being influential church leaders. Continue reading “Violating the 9th Commandment is Unwise”
Jesus Christ THE Solution to Anxiety
According to a former Google data scientist, Australians make more searches looking for help with anxiety than anyone else in the world. Apparently, whilst Australians don’t always confess their anxiety openly, they do confess this to Google. I Googled “anxiety” right now and it shows 380,000,000 results. How many of those represent Australians is anyone’s guess, but I imagine there’s enough of them to cause us to question the accuracy of our reputation for being a “no worries” laid-back, easy-going people. In fact, I questioned that years ago when sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ door to door in my local community for 3½ years. Continue reading “Jesus Christ THE Solution to Anxiety”
The “too simple” Gospel Message of Jesus Christ
Question: Why don’t people believe the gospel message of Jesus Christ? One answer only, today: It’s too simple. Did I get that answer from a book? Not at all. I got it (and get it) as a response to my sharing it with people. A common response: “There has got to be more to it than that.” More to it than what? We are sinners; only Jesus Christ can save us; repent and submit to God; believe Jesus came to earth and died on a cross, shedding His blood to pay the price for our sins and then rose again; ask God to save our soul; ask Jesus to be Lord of our life. That’s it, essentially. Continue reading “The “too simple” Gospel Message of Jesus Christ”