Culture Threat #5: The Attack Against the Bible

[Chad]

Culture Threat #5: The Attack Against the Bible

Dear Chad,

I never thought I'd see the day when the Bible would be pushed to the edge in public education and out of the decision-making processes of our official institutions. But what grieves me most is that the Bible's status has been downgraded and its message diluted in the last place we should expect it: in the Christian Church itself.

Under the threat of execution, Iranian Pastor Yusuf Nadarkhani has refused to recant his Christian faith. Imprisoned since October 2009, this pastor has risked his life to take a stand for the truth of God's Word. As his unwavering conviction is proclaimed across the globe, I wonder:

How did the Bible lose its centrality in our lives?

Many Christians have grown afraid to utter the words "The Bible says . . ." or "God says . . ." or "Jesus says . . ." On one hand we have people in repressive nations laying down their lives to expand the Bible's influence, and on the other we have modern churches being willing to allow the Bible's influence to recede toward the vanishing point, even in their own lives.

As a Christian I am never free to move God's Word to the edge of my life, regardless of what those around me or in authority over me may do. While the church should be influencing the culture, we are allowing the culture to seduce and diminish the church.

If enough Christians restore the Bible and the One it tells us of to the center of our lives, our society and its culture may yet be transformed.

Take a stand for the Bible with me - today!

What you can do:

Prepare:

• Recognize the dangerous consequences of treating the Bible as irrelevant in your life and your church.
• Agree with Peter and the other apostles: "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).
• Read Chapter Six of I Never Thought I'd See the Day! and learn five ways Christians are contributing to the marginalization of the Word of God.

Pray:

• Pray for strength and peace for believers who are being persecuted around the globe.
• Daily commit to keeping God's Word central in your life.
• Pray for believers to take a stand for the Bible in their communities.

Participate:

• Be responsible as a steward of God to uphold His Word in every dimension of your life - in private, in public, at home, and at church.
• Spend time with a skeptic and strengthen their confidence in the Bible.
• Listen and watch I Never Thought I'd See the Day! on Turning Point Television and Radio.

I want to help you know what God's Word says about the cultural and spiritual changes impacting America and the Church today and also know how to live faithfully in the midst of them.

Order I Never Thought I'd See the Day! now, and discover the extraordinary opportunity to help reverse the destructive trends and call America back to faith in God, back to the solid foundation of His Word.

God bless you,
David Jeremiah

 

[stephen]

“America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within.”

Joseph Stalin

With others in my fellowship, praying for the Nation is what we do, when we meet together to pray.

 

[farout]

The Bible is the worlds best selling book. The bible is the least read book. Most christians can't name the books of the Bible. There are many christians who can not repeat the ten commandments.

These items are just a few issues facing christians in a world that thinks the Bible is a book made by men.

How many christians do not believe the Bible's account of creation? With many denominations allowing homosexual marriage, and ordaining homosexual clergy, the Bible has taken a back seat to what one thinks is right.

There is a huge change in what believers consider moral. Living together is not uncommon in the world, nor is it unheard of in those who say they are Christians. Some liberal denominations even support abortions.

Look at the divorces that take place in the church. Sadly marital unfaithfulness in the church is not uncommon, even among clergy.

We do need to be determined to be people of the Bible. We become people of the Bible by reading the Bible for all its worth. We must become not only readers of the Word, but become believers who followers the Word. Being followers takes courage and taking knowledge and applying to our daily life.

The Holy Spirit makes the Bible come alive for us. Scripture is the Love letters for mankind, or as I put it, our Owners Manual. I once read in a Bible, "This Bible will keep me from sin, or sin will keep me from this Bible."

There are so many bibles today. Bibles for Policeman, Servicemen, children, Teenagers, young adults, newly marrieds, recovering addicts, Men, women, Bible Study Bibles, Life Application Bibles, and the list goes on much longer. There are many versions, translations, and many more kinds and mixes. There is no reason for someone to say "I can't understand the Bible. For those who can't find the time there is the Bible on cd and on DVD. There is no excuse for not understanding the Bible. With all these ways to know the Bible, surely God will hold us responsible for avoiding knowing what the Bible is.

I hope this gives some light as to what we are accountable for in our lifetime. Blessings.

 

[agua]

Here in Australia our current Prime Minister is the first in our short history not to swear in on the Holy Bible. She is living in an unmarried relationship, is pro choice, and is being coerced towards ungodly legislation.

Put our hands and hearts back to the Bible Lord and help us call what is good good and what is evil evil.

 

[my_little_pony]

I never thought I'd see the day when the Bible would be pushed to the edge in public education and out of the decision-making processes of our official institutions.

Really? Why is it so shocking? Even in Jesus' day, his teachings were treated like dirt. Why should it be so shocking that people do it today?

But what grieves me most is that the Bible's status has been downgraded and its message diluted in the last place we should expect it: in the Christian Church itself.

I agree, that this is shocking. The church diluting Jesus' teachings. But then again, Jesus himself understood this would happen, and mentioned it in luke 14:33-34.

As a Christian I am never free to move God's Word to the edge of my life, regardless of what those around me or in authority over me may do. While the church should be influencing the culture, we are allowing the culture to seduce and diminish the church.

I think it would be helpful to discuss some actual examples of Jesus' teachings; the really hard stuff. Generally, speaking the most difficult issues for people today, (christians and non-christians alike) are Jesus' teachings realated to money. Matthew 6:24 is a very good example of this.

Most Christians will talk a very good talk about serving the lord, until this verse is pushed in their faces. When that happens, suddenly there are a lot of reasons for why he didn't really mean what he said...

If enough Christians restore the Bible and the One it tells us of to the center of our lives, our society and its culture may yet be transformed.

It may be helpful to get a more clear understanding of what the phrase "center of our lives" means in practical terms, for Christians. But to do that, it would be necessary to take a long hard look at what Jesus told his followers to do with life.

Agree with Peter and the other apostles: "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

I see a very large can of worms opening here...

“America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within.”

Joseph Stalin

Yep, there it is...a big fat juicy worm. Patriotism. How does that fit with obeying God rather than men? Patriotism is all about uplifting one's country, EVEN IF (and usually) that means putting down another country.

With others in my fellowship, praying for the Nation is what we do, when we meet together to pray.

When you pray for "the nation" what do those prayers include?

The Bible is the worlds best selling book.

What a terrible testimony for the Bible. I can understand the cost of printing, but I've not seen a shop anywhere in any country that sells the Bible for the cost of printing. If it's so great, why make a profit on it?

Most christians can't name the books of the Bible. There are many christians who can not repeat the ten commandments.

And even fewer who know what Jesus told them to do with life.

We must become not only readers of the Word, but become believers who followers the Word. Being followers takes courage and taking knowledge and applying to our daily life.

Can we get some examples of this courage, in the context of what Jesus told his followers to do? And not just poor, suffering Christians in other countries. I'm talking about America, England, Oz, etc...

Here in Australia our current Prime Minister is the first in our short history not to swear in on the Holy Bible.

What a fantastic example of Jesus' teachings in practical usage. Julia actually did the right thing according to Jesus. He said NOT to swear or make promises.

Aside from the superstitious element, it is particularly offensive to swear "on the Bible" precisely because Jesus said NOT to make a promise at all, but to let our yes be yes and our no be no.

 

[my_little_pony]

I've just had a look at the link to David's website promoting his book.

I am very impressed by what looks to be an invitation to give any amount one wishes in order to "purchase" the book. Am I seeing it right? Even if someone gives 1 dollar, they can still get the book? That really is a fantastic offer and one which I think lends a lot of credibility to David's message.

I'd like to comment on a few highlights listed supporting the contents of the book:

• Marriage becoming obsolete
• The Bible being marginalized
• Spiritual warfare intensifying
• An ancient nation intimidating the modern world
• America turning its back on Israel
• Atheists virulently attacking religion

First, marriage becoming obsolete. But to be fair, how many churches forbid divorce and remarriage? Why complain about how marriage is becoming obsolete and then make divorce a convenient option?

Of course it's becoming obsolete. If you know you can just get divorced anyway and move on to the next option, why even bother with all the hassle and expense of a wedding?

Next, bible being marginalized. I know the feeling. Ask any Christian today to name even 5 commands of Jesus (not the ten commandments, parables, or general teachings, but 5 actual commands of Jesus) and they'll get 1 or 2 and then claim that they don't even need to know the others because those 2 cover everything.

But if that's really true, why would Jesus bother even giving the other commands?

Next spiritual warfare intensifying. Well, yeah. It's stating the obvious, but I suppose it's meant to attract people into reading the entire chapter on what that actually means in practical terms.

Next, an ancient nation intimidating the modern world? Really? Sounds very intimidating and scary!

Next, a nation turning it's back on Israel. Well, are we Christians or not? If we are Christians, then shouldn't we be motivated by what Jesus taught without favoritism to any particular country?

Why are SOME Americans turning their backs on Israel? Could it be that Israel is using it's military might to hurt some other group of people? Is it really so wrong to condemn such behavior? Shouldn't we condemn military tactics from ANY country, and not just Israel?

Why does Israel get singled out, if Jesus' teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven are meant to save the whole world?

Next, atheists attacking Christianity. Well, so what else is new? The religious leaders of Jesus' day attacked Christianity. They would hardly be described as "atheists" and yet Jesus told them they didn't know God at all.

Labels like "christian" and "atheist", in this context, usually only serve as a means of identifying who is the "good guy" and who is the "bad guy" rather than an honest-to-God look at what Jesus said about good guys and bad guys.

Remember the good samaritan? The story could have just as easily been called the Good Hindu or the Good Atheist or whatever other label we want to apply.

And finally, what is NOT included on the list is probably the most significant, but I'll go ahead and add it here:

• The love of money is the root of all evil.

What did Jesus say about money? Why did his followers claim that the love of it is the root of all evil? What is the love of money? How do we spot someone who loves money? Is it possible to love even just a little bit of money, or do we need to swim in pools of diamonds and bathe in hundred dollar bills to be guilty of loving money?

 

[Donnie Ducati]

Christians and Preachers no longer believe the Bible to be the infallible Word of God today. People like Rick Warren and Joel Osteen and a host of others have presented it as no more then just another "self help" book. The world no longer sees the Church as a place of reverence and hope, and why should they with lesbians and homosexuals dawning the pulpits. The only difference between them and us is the Crosses on the tops of the building...even those are being torn down as to not affend anyone.
Makes me sick ! :secret:
Until the People of God return to the foot of the Cross this down ward spiral of decay is just going to continue.

 

[my_little_pony]

****, sounds like you've got a lot to be angry about, Donnie.

People of God return to the foot of the Cross

Can you give some practical examples of what this means, for the sake of clarity?

 

[Donnie Ducati]

****, sounds like you've got a lot to be angry about, Donnie.



Can you give some practical examples of what this means, for the sake of clarity?

I'm not angry, just sick of complaisant christians who wash down the Bible and Gods ways and "preachers" like Osteen and Warren are doing just that and thousands of people are following suit.


"Returning to the foot of the Cross....?" It should be perfectly clear in and of itself. Sorry if this sounds mean, but anyone (especially a Christian) that needs "clarity" on what that means I feel sorry for.

The Cross is were it all starts. The Cross is were its ALL found. The Cross is were it all began. The Cross IS the Bible as a whole. The Cross is EVERYTHING that the Born Again believer is ,and is to be ,and ever can hope to become. Without the Cross of Christ there is no hope for man. The church has left the foot of the Cross and has been feeding from the tables of people like Warren, Osteen, Oprah, and a host of others. Thank God The Crystal Cathedral is finally collapsing.


17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:17-18

 

[Christ4Ever]

Thanks Chad for the post.
We truly need to live it daily, and be prepared to voice it everywhere. Regardless of the danger to ourselves and those we love, just as the Pastor in Iran is doing. Keep praying for him and his family.

Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

[my_little_pony]

just sick of complaisant christians who wash down the Bible and Gods ways and "preachers" like Osteen and Warren are doing just that and thousands of people are following suit.

Can you say even one positive thing about Joel Osteen or Warren? I get what you are saying about washing down, but it really does sound like you are a bit too angry about this. Anger can be good at times, but almost always it becomes a convenient excuse to vent rather than discuss.

"Returning to the foot of the Cross....?" It should be perfectly clear in and of itself. Sorry if this sounds mean, but anyone (especially a Christian) that needs "clarity" on what that means I feel sorry for.

Can you tell me what my understanding of the cross is? And if you cannot, do I have the right to feel sorry for you?

Are you suggesting that anyone who gives a lesson or preaches about the cross is doing so unnecessarily, and that people should feel sorry for him?

What I am asking for, Donnie, is discussion. I appreciate your zeal and I hope you will indulge me.

The Cross is were it all starts. The Cross is were its ALL found. The Cross is were it all began. The Cross IS the Bible as a whole. The Cross is EVERYTHING that the Born Again believer is ,and is to be ,and ever can hope to become. Without the Cross of Christ there is no hope for man. The church has left the foot of the Cross and has been feeding from the tables of people like Warren, Osteen, Oprah, and a host of others. Thank God The Crystal Cathedral is finally collapsing.

I think I understand what you are saying, but I am also hoping that, as a part of genuine discussion, we can explore what it means to practice this belief, in everyday practical terms.

An example of HOW this works in every day life would would be helpful, not only for me, but for anyone else reading this thread. How do we APPLY this belief?

 

[Kit Carson]

I'm not angry, just sick of complaisant christians who wash down the Bible and Gods ways and "preachers" like Osteen and Warren are doing just that and thousands of people are following suit.


"Returning to the foot of the Cross....?" It should be perfectly clear in and of itself. Sorry if this sounds mean, but anyone (especially a Christian) that needs "clarity" on what that means I feel sorry for.

The Cross is were it all starts. The Cross is were its ALL found. The Cross is were it all began. The Cross IS the Bible as a whole. The Cross is EVERYTHING that the Born Again believer is ,and is to be ,and ever can hope to become. Without the Cross of Christ there is no hope for man. The church has left the foot of the Cross and has been feeding from the tables of people like Warren, Osteen, Oprah, and a host of others. Thank God The Crystal Cathedral is finally collapsing.


17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:17-18

I am grateful to those of you on here that can say things like this. And put it into good words.

I deal with people daily and the day starts out with lies and ends with lies and I sometimes make them mad with I simply say, Please do not lie to me, just say truth.

For example say a man calls me to come give him an estimate for a job, so I do, and he accepts and agrees and I go buy the material for it and when I call him to let him know I will conduct the work this date.......he says......well Kit we just decided to let it go a bit....we will do it later.....so on the phone I ask him, so you found another with a cheaper price and he admits it on the phone. So I tell him you are a liar, why not just tell me the truth?

Just an example, of how things are. All things start with lies and end with them in daily life. It is how the world has become .

I think deception is the work of the deceiver. All the now allowed ways, all the things that are, all the things that are against God and the simple moral laws of how to live a decent life, have been pushed to one side and now it is the accepted way. It has become the total deception and when folks are deceived then they do not know they are deceived as this is the nature of deception.

Sometimes I do get Sad, for a bit when I reflect on these things.
But soon my smile comes back and I just say Hi Elshadia, I hope you are fine today, that is my defense against it all.

But yes it will make you sad, disgusted, angry and sometimes to lose hope.

It is a serious time. For sure. Much more so than when our Grandfather thought we were so bad , the deception of the world in our time is quite serious.

Kit

 

[Donnie Ducati]

I am grateful to those of you on here that can say things like this. And put it into good words.


Kit

Thank you.

 

[Donnie Ducati]

Can you say even one positive thing about Joel Osteen or Warren?(...NO...) I get what you are saying about washing down,(ie, Osteen & Warren) but it really does sound like you are a bit too angry about this.( Righteous anger ) Anger can be good at times, but almost always it becomes a convenient excuse to vent rather than discuss. (Not venting...informing.) :wink:


Can you tell me what my understanding of the cross is? (No.)And if you cannot, (Didn't know I tryed.) do I have the right to feel sorry for you? (Sure.) :wink:

Are you suggesting that anyone who gives a lesson or preaches about the cross is doing so unnecessarily, (....?....the Cross is ALWAYS necessary. ) and that people should feel sorry for him? (Uh ?)

What I am asking for, Donnie, is discussion. I appreciate your zeal and I hope you will indulge me. (I thought we were discussing.)



I think I understand what you are saying, but I am also hoping that, as a part of genuine discussion, we can explore what it means to practice this belief, in everyday practical terms. (It is more an acknowledgment not a daily practice. Daily practices become law and anything law is Sin when trying to live for God. Recognizing that everything we have or want is made only possible through what Jesus did at the Cross, not how many hours we pray or how many verses we read a day or how many times we fast. Recognizing and acknowledging and focusing on the CROSS.....nothing else. Its nothing we "apply".....we just have to rely.)

An example of HOW this works in every day life would would be helpful, not only for me, but for anyone else reading this thread. How do we APPLY this belief?

:wink:>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[my_little_pony]

Can you say even one positive thing about Joel Osteen or Warren?

(...NO...)

Someone who can't say even one single good thing about someone else probably isn't interested in genuine discussion anyway....:wink:

 

[Donnie Ducati]

Someone who can't say even one single good thing about someone else probably isn't interested in genuine discussion anyway....:wink:

C'mon, :friends:don't take my tone to seriously. Sometimes things I say are taken the wrong way. I'm sure there "descent" people but there teachings are misleading and deseptive as are a dozen or so of alot of well known and beloved preachers that come over TV or radio.

little_pony , if you REALLY want to know what I know about Rick Warren and Joel Osteen , and others (it is public information , nothing secret) I'll be more then glad to post it. Being that it may shock some or even offend some there's no telling how long before administration removes it.

:rtm:

 

[my_little_pony]

Hi Donnie,

Actually, I'm not all that concerned or bothered about either of the two guys you mentioned. My concern was trying to have a discussion with someone who can't say a single nice thing about someone else.

The concern is that you can only see the negatives and, from experience, it's really not any fun at all trying to have a discussion with someone who can only see the negative. Even now, you've not really said anything positive about either of the two guys, though you did say you are "sure they are decent people".

I'm not suggesting that you must compromise on what you feel are deceptive teachings from these two guys, but just that it sounds like you've got a fairly narrow point of view when it comes to discussion.

For example, I asked if you would elaborate on your understanding of what it means to come to the cross. It sounds like a fair enough question and I'm sure there are a lot of people who would feel flattered that someone was taking an interest in their point of view.

But for whatever reason you seemed to actually feel offended by that. You went so far as to say you feel sorry for anyone who does not share your understanding of what the cross means.

I hope you can see how incredibly offensive that kind of comment was to me, someone who was taking a genuine interest in your point of view. It's like, how many more times are you going to feel sorry for people if they don't think the way you do?

Anyway, I'll leave it there for now.

 

[Donnie Ducati]

Hi Donnie,

For example, I asked if you would elaborate on your understanding of what it means to come to the cross. It sounds like a fair enough question and I'm sure there are a lot of people who would feel flattered that someone was taking an interest in their point of view.

But for whatever reason you seemed to actually feel offended by that. You went so far as to say you feel sorry for anyone who does not share your understanding of what the cross means.

I hope you can see how incredibly offensive that kind of comment was to me, someone who was taking a genuine interest in your point of view. It's like, how many more times are you going to feel sorry for people if they don't think the way you do?

Anyway, I'll leave it there for now.

I did..................>

I think I understand what you are saying, but I am also hoping that, as a part of genuine discussion, we can explore what it means to practice this belief, in everyday practical terms. (It is more an acknowledgment not a daily practice. Daily practices become law and anything law is Sin when trying to live for God. Recognizing that everything we have or want is made only possible through what Jesus did at the Cross, not how many hours we pray or how many verses we read a day or how many times we fast. Recognizing and acknowledging and focusing on the CROSS.....nothing else. Its nothing we "apply".....we just have to rely.)

Anyway, I'll leave it there period.


To everyone reading , sorry this thread has gone this direction. The original topic is the cultural attack against the Bible.

 

[Christ4Ever]

To everyone reading , sorry this thread has gone this direction. The original topic is the cultural attack against the Bible.

Agreed. Back to point.

Attacks against anything Holy of God has been happening since the Garden, and probably before then as well. The technology of our times has just allowed it to spread at a more rapid rate. It has also allowed the deception to morph into similar yet false and misleading scriptural assumptions which continue to spread and multiply like a virus, to deceive the unwary. I’m not against technology, because it can also benefit those who are searching as well, as evidenced by TJ. As long as we pray and continue to hold to the inerrancy of scripture!

 

[my_little_pony]

How about listing some examples of what people feel are attacks against the Bible, like specific examples?

An attack that I find particularly frustrating is when people try to claim that Jesus didn't really mean what he said. For example, at times when Jesus gives a teaching or command which could threaten our comfort or lifestyle, it's very easy to come up with a doctrine which explains that Jesus didn't really mean what he said, or that those teachings were only for specific people.

Any thoughts?