Sharing of various opinions leads to personal growth, if we allow it. And I think the fact that evangelicals seem to focus on one prominent dissenter at a time, making an example of that person by public mockery and critique is cruel and unbecoming. Winter 2016-2017: Elders who hold to the traditional view of marriage resign their position at ANC. However, the scriptures are clear that homosexual practice is sin. In the end, people are going to follow their hearts/instincts. Fri, Mar 10 . Thank you for being my intellectual superior and calling me out on that. Im finding new eyes to see what it really means to follow the Messiah Jesus and it doesnt look like what I just experienced. Its Biblical. According to James 1:27, Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.. But the actual Gospel is this: That even while were sinners, Christ died for us! He ONLY allows it because, to quote Jesus, because of mankinds hardness of heart. We all know deep down whats right and whats wrong. And she calls herself a Christian!. What you arent wanting to hear is a calm, sincere appeal to Biblical truths. Sin has marred things, yes, but this is Gods original and only design of the marriage covenant. Do you believe in predestination, and, if not, how do you justify that? So happy to read that you have been able to move on to a far healthier, happier place and wish you the very best for the future. "Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but. Only In Christ can brotherly love or sisterly trust take place. I mean, its like youre willfully ignoring what Jesus is saying about marriage and what Genesis is saying about marriage. Youre at church to get help for any kind of sin not just this one, not to have it smiled upon so that no one will be offended. Somewhat ironic, and perhaps some of the fellow congregants should have been listening more closely. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a mans enemies will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. BURN. When church leaders dont mind resembling the bad guys in the Gospels we have a problem. If your deal is to call anyone with differing theological opinions a heretic Im not guessing its something I can change, but as a close friend of Jens I find a lot of this commentary nothing like the Jesus I love and serve alongside Jen. I had never thought of that. Have you ever held a rattlesnake or chugged a bottle of Clorox? Religion is bull$hit. Call off the attack dogs. Octocer 25: JH interviewed by Jonathan Merritt which affirms her belief that gay marriage can be holy. In response to Ben, below, it aint necessarily so. This is the bottom line: Jen Hatmaker and her husband said that they had a revelation from God after much prayer that basically the story of Adam and Eve and the pattern of marriage also pertains to homosexual marriage! JM states he was silently pro gay marriage when he was hired but kept this position hidden and claims his ability to not be cornered regarding his doctrinal views: I can do the presidential pivot. What good is it?! My faith in God is deep. I appreciate your post on this. Step back and have some one on one time with God because.let he who has no sin cast the first stone and when people do this and run her down you are TURNING PEOPLE AWAY FROM GOD!!! He gave one hard and fast litmus test: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself. No, Jesus didnt specifically say armed robbery is wrong, but it harms your neighbor. I tend to stay out of the dialogue because it only matters to Christians, and the same people who []. And to say that marriage between two homosexuals is not wrong-well, I cant even believe we have to have this conversation. He described evangelical Christianity devolving to the point where true believers are sniffing each others butts for doctrinal purity. Its sometimes called the Doctrine of Election. Please let me clarify something I just wrote above: Yes, homosexuals as well as anyone else should be allowed-ENCOURAGED-to attend church for the reasons above-to repent and get help, whatever the sin is, not just homosexuality. Let them be consumed by it. (In the latter, its called the Church Discipline passage & is about kicking people out. But Truth of sin doesnt waver. Maybe then they could have seen how badly they were treating someone that was faithfully guiding a congregation that loved him dearly. The C-List celebrity world you pursued comes with its pluses and minuses. Jesus reprimanded the woman at the well. Online. This surely is something many evangelicals would agree with. Jen Hatmaker, is NOT a victim, maybe she is a victim of poor theology and hermeneutics. Plain and simple. And of COURSE he would use the same language they were using. Please read Chapter 33 of the esteemed Hebraist Joel Hoffmans The Bible Doesnt Say That, on Homosexuality. They need to ask forgiveness and repent like all sinners need too do. Both sides!). The best place to confront false teaching is on Sundays from the pulpit (like in Pauls letters which were meant to be read to a local church) and in personal discussion, where real Q & A dialogue can happen. That is the way it is handled in our church. Predestination is referenced over a dozen times in Scripture. Look at this in context: Have you not read that He Who made them in the first place made them man and woman? I lay no claim whatever to being more healthy or loving than anyone else quite the opposite. Praise His holy, beautiful name. If I am wrong on this issue, I am practicing a form of self-justification and teaching self-justification. During this time when many in the church are embracing a worldly view on sexuality and being influenced more by the opinions of the culture than by the Word of God, those who have the Word of God as a priority are genuinely concerned about syncretism in the church with Hollywood values and agenda. But this only provided them with more ammunition and fueled their rightness. The loaded the big guns, and intensified their attack. His Holiness I know it is Leviticus but that is the o my thing from ?Leviticus we hear about. I am never for calling names but when false teachings arise they must be dealt with. Because if it is sin, the only justification we are allowed as believers to practice is repentance and forgiveness through the cross and grace of Jesus. He told the prostitute to sin no more. [] (The link to the original blog is here.) Austin Butler, Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, 'The Banshees of Inisherin' and 'Better Call Saul' were among the surprise snubs from the 2023 SAG Awards. Grace is just as available to her in Christ as it always was, and any believer whose heart HAS in fact been transformed by the love of Jesus and the work of Holy Spirit longs for her to be grounded in truth and to be reconciled. The views expressed are my own and do not necessarily represent the official views of Morling College or its affiliates and partners. As a pastor I realize that people in churches are now being taught the meaning of the Bible mainly on-line, through sermons, blogs, tv shows, and books, probably more than personal dialogue on Sunday mornings or in small groups, or over coffee with me or other leaders, whose ministries are disciple-making. The whole account shows Jesus mercy for sinners, certainly not a model for punishing the sinner. I must be very removed from online evangelical chatter. And if they give you an unsatisfactory answer, do you disfellowship them or consider them apostate? Im not suggesting religious communities shouldnt have core beliefs and clear tenets of faith. We should know by now what Gods word is. We cant receive grace from something we dont actually believe is a sin. I apologize for such a long post. I know lots of sincere believers who practice infant baptism. I dont know the specifics on Jen, so just a general comment/question: When, in your mind, must a leader be called out for heresy or false doctrine? I know that my Jesus has chosen and includes me. Some elders were not aware of this change in stance prior to the interview publication. To say that this was some kind of clue to the fact that people are born certain ways regarding homosexuality is twisting this verse. Im late to this article but I totally agree with you Sheri-its time we as TRUE Bible believing Christians start telling it like it is-and if these heretics-and that is what they are-go public-and any preacher is public really, whether online or preaching in their church-why then shouldnt we go public? Since when did social media become the first step to hold someone accountable. We should love every one but never condone sin. States Being informed invites the Spirit to lead, reduces our defensiveness, and gives us the confidence to love better. However, most respectful Facebook comments arguing for traditional viewpoints are deleted. The festival welcomes and encourages artists from any discipline to join us in a week-long celebration of student-led performance. My PCA friends love John Calvin, Martin Luther, et al. We cant say its ok because peoples feelings might be hurt. Will you explain that that was okay back then but not now? The grace of God is a core gospel issue. Frankly, I cant believe we even are having a conversation about this. But the issue at hand is Christian teachers saying they heard from God through prayer that God looks at homosexual marriage the same as heterosexual-it just is blasphemy to say you heard such a thing. So perhaps, you would be better off doing the same. Enlarging Life ConcernedMeasuring.Locating I dont know what people are saying about this woman and I dont have a clue as to who she is, I couldnt care any less than I do right now. But we have GRACE. BHs Facebook profile describes himself as Author. Anyway. Anyone who writes a damning or imperious or condescending comment on their blog is only showing they have no such concern for the person. 6406 N I-35 Suite 3100 Austin, TX, 78752. But we cant go to the other extreme and do nothing about wayward leaders. High profile people in high profile ministries invite both high profile praise and high profile criticism, with no accountability on the part of those meting out the criticism. IN-PERSON | 2701 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 ONLINE | Facebook or YouTube I'M NEW HERE. But if a person is a reviler someone who is rude, denigrates others, makes fun of them or tries to make them look small then we should keep away. Never about homosexuality. There is a time and place for calling people out, but we have lost our heart when it comes to being good examples of how to resolve conflict. During these six months, I couldnt sleep, I began to have periodic heart palpitations, and went into a dark place of depression. If you work on the Sabbath, how do you justify that? As strongly as your convictions are explained here, please remember that many conservatives feel equally as strong regarding their heartfelt desire for biblical holiness. What we call Christianity is not what I have experienced in China, the Middle East, etc Those fellow believers faith cost them something, while much of our experience here in America is a raw form of spiritual narcissism. so I guess that wouldnt be considered a sin. The law is very important to them as a way to honor God, but their rabbis have debated points of the law for centuries, and they dont live in a world where the debater who turns out to be wrong has thereby denied the whole of his faith, like you seem to think Christians do. Good question. Many first century believers did, and we dont have real solid evidence that it ever was meant to be retired. Questions: both with the questions validity and the proper response. David I am so truly, deeply sorry to read your story. Whether it be drunkiness,adultery or homosexuality. In seeking purity, all they do is destroy. Of course homosexuality us wrong-its everywhere in the Bible. The idea that only the things that Jesus says is sin is considered a sin. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Post-Bulletin, Austin MN. It was the era of the Walkman, acid wash jeans, Miami Vice, Chernobyl, and the beginning. JENNIFER and Brandon Hatmaker are known for their work with Austin New Church. If a sweet grandmother comes walking out of church and I kick her in the shins, she will probably react. Thank you for sharing your story and heartache. And I dont know anyone who doesnt love a little Righteous Anger. Because this teacher is teaching self-justification for sin rather than justification through repentance and the cross. CARE FOR ALL PEOPLE. This IS great, Mike!! According to a source that told the U.S . And how could the writer possibly individually approach all Christians with a message he feels is important? The Body of Christ should do better than this! Yes! Thats why you lost another Millenial. The couple founded the Austin, Texas, based church along with Legacy Collective, a community foundation aiming to find sustainable housing, prevent child trafficking and provide health care. I dont know what it is that some of you have eaten but before commenting about a biblical issue perhaps it would serve you well to actually read the bible, brush up a little. So hopefully nobody interprets my misgivings to this article as being a religious bigot. I do agree with Mike, Surely, if you think a person is guilty of teaching or promoting heresy your primary motivation would be to want to correct that person and restore them to orthodox faith. Your firmly held religious beliefs are personal. View Event Website . Its not biblical. Does JH submit to the elders of ANC, or do the elders of ANC submit to JH? The old you have to be tolerant of my intolerance argument. You either believe or you dont and you either repent and work away from sin or you dont. 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