Part 3
@ 40 seconds in Jennifer, says that she has people who give her spiritual guidance and the Pastor Bob, is not her Pastor and so should not be advising her.
Response
There are a few things that need to be clarified:
1-Bob, does not have to be her pastor in order to speak truth into her life. Bob, seems like he cares for her and it is out of a sense for love that he is going after her to try and properly exegete the text and tell her what the bible clearly says about this issue.
2-As a Christian we have duties to stand up for truth. Even if Jennifer, never repents of her lifestyle, the fact that she is claiming that the homosexual lifestyle is not a conflict with scripture then she is misleading people. The fact she is a celebrity means she will influence many people and thus needs to be publicly challenged on her claims. To sit by and not stand up for truth and let people be decieved maybe easy, but it is NOT loving!
2 Corinthians 10:5
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
@ 1:37 As pastor Bob is talking about the woman caught in adultery Jennifer, interrupts and says that it is a massive implication to say one can not be a lesbian and a Christian.
Response
Can one live in outright sin and rebellion to Christ and still be a Christian?
While it is true that in this life we will never get to a point of perfection and be sinless, we are to repent from sinful behavior and be grieved and broken over our sin. The scriptures tell us this repeatedly!
(1 John 1:6-7 ESV)
"If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
(1 John 2:3-6 ESV)
"And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked."
(1 John 3:7-10 ESV)
"Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother."
The verses are very clear that to walk blatantly in sin and to make a PRACTICE of sin, demonstrates that you are not a follower of Christ.
@2:00 Pastor Bob, hits the nail on the head. Jennifer, before was asking why she was in the hot seat and why was Bob, not in the hot seat because he had sinned before as well.
Response
The reason why is that Jennifer, does not acknowledge that homosexual behavior is a sin! Jennifer, will not acknowledge she is in sin and earlier argued that the bible and homosexuality were compatible. It is AMAZING she does not catch this!
@4:05 Ted Haggard, joins the conversation and after a few remarks goes on to say that why both Jennifer, and Bob, have good points the main thing that needs to be emphasized is a personal relationship with Jesus.
Response
Sadly this seems to be the battle cry in American evangelicalism and it is absurd! In order to have a relationship with Jesus, we MUST believe certain doctrinal truths.
Dr. Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes have written the book "Convictions Without Compromise"
http://www.amazon.com/Conviction-Without-Compromise-Standing-Christian/dp/0736922202
They point out on page 134, that in order to be regenerated one must believe certain things:
1-The need for salvation (Human sinfulness)
2-Must believe in ONE God
3-Must believe that salvation is dependent upon God's grace
4- Must put there faith in Jesus to save them.
5- Jesus is God (John 8:24)
6-Jesus was raised physically from the dead (Romans 10:9-11)
To stress that Christianity is just about relationships is to mislead people. I know that today doctrine is considered to be a "dirty word" but one can NOT be a Christian without believing certain truth's and one of them is confessing Jesus as Lord!
I would again point back to:
(1 John 3:7-10 ESV)
"Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother."
@4::30 Ted, goes on to say that we all have sinned and he accepts us all anyway and the journey will not be complete until we see him face to face.
Response
While it is true of course that we all sin, as I have said numerous times that we should be grieved over are sin, turn from are sin, and should not make a PRACTICE of sin! Ted is confusing the fact that we all do sin with Jennifer, who refuses to acknowledge that she is in sin and will live blatantly rebellious to what Christ has told us in His word. Please look at a few of the scriptures I posted earlier in 1 John which speak to this issue.
@4:45 Ted, then says that while both have sinned they should not judge eachother which Jennifer agrees with
Response
The amazing thing is that a minute ago when Bob, said she was in sin she said that she did not agree that homosexuality was a sin, and now she agrees to what Ted, was saying in that she was in sin.
Larry, picks up on what Ted, missed and pointed out that Jennifer, did not think she was in sin. Jennifer, as we see is confused and ends up saying contradictory things depending on the situation:
1- When Bob, says she needs to repent she says it is not a sin
2- When Ted says we should not judge each-other because we all sin she agrees fully with him and wanted to know why Bob, called her out on sin if he was a sinner to
If Jennifer, wants to maintain that homosexuality is not in conflict with Christianity, then she needs to stand on that and be able to defend it when we put her beliefs under biblical scrutiny.
If She agrees that it is sin then she needs to explain the scriptural admonitions given in 1 John about how Christians are suppose to live lives that are not in darkness but rather in the light.
@ 5:40-6:36
Pastor Bob, does a great job here explaining that to be a sinner or to commit a sin as we all due is NOT the same as having sin rule my life:
(Romans 6:6}
"We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin."
(Romans 6:1-4 ESV)
"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
(Galatians 5:24)
"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
(Galatians 2:20)
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
(Romans 6:13 ESV)
"Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness."
@6:50 Jennifer, says she is not trying to tell people to walk her path
Response
There is more to it then that. Jennifer has made a living singing songs about Christ and having a biblical worldview. She is now living a life that is blatantly in conflict with what she has made her living doing and whether she likes it or not or agrees with it or not she is sending a confusing message to people.
On top of it she claims that her views somehow line up with biblical theology!
@7:00-8:15 Ted, talks about the sanctification process and points out that we all have sins we struggle with and gives an example of three people where one struggles with smoking, the other with drinking, and the other with sexual sin and they are all convicted and want to stop.
Response
Ted, seems oblivious to the fact that Jennifer, does NOT think she is in sin and is NOT convicted to stop and that is the difference. Of course we sin but as has been pointed out Ad nauseam we do not continue to PRACTICE sin and let it rule our lives. I am baffled as to why Ted, can not see this?
Secondly, Ted, says that we should not be just calling out one sin. He again completely misses the point. The problem is Jennifer, is a public figure and has a big following and claiming the homosexual lifestyle is consistent with biblical theology.
As Christians we MUST publicly address these claims and challenge them. It is not a personal attack but rather defending biblical theology from those who want to distort it and potentially lead others astray!
(1 Corinthians 5:9-13 ESV)
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.”
This is written TO Christians! The attitude that we all sin so who are you to judge is confused and an enemy of Holy Scripture! It is our job to judge wicked and evil behavior and stand up for truth and if need remove those who claim to be a Christian from the flock.
To not do as instructed in 1 Corinthians 5 is to be blatantly rebellious to the scriptures and assumes we know whats best rather than trusting in our Sovereign God, who told us what to do.
@8:50 Larry ask's the pastor if he feels bad when he hears that homosexuals have been murdered or kill themselves.
Response
This is a "appeal to pitty". No Christian should ever hate someone. This is often brought up and it is used to get pitty and to make one feel as though if you do not agree with the homosexual life style that you are a bigot and Larry, even said that Bob, had a part in it when homosexuals are murdered or kill themselves.
Let me make two points:
1- We are to love all people including homosexuals. Why we do not agree with the behavior we love them and treat them like everyone else because they are made in the image of God.
2-When homosexuals claim the name of Christ, and claim that the homosexual lifestyle is not in conflict with the teachings of scripture then we MUST confront the claims!
As John Calvin said:
"A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent."
We must be willing to defend God's word from all those who would attack it. When atheists or skeptics attack Holy Scripture they are on the outside and we can know what to expect. The greatest danger are those who are in the body of Christ, and are misleading and poising other members in the body.
@9:00 Larry, ask's pastor Bob, if he ate shellfish because in the OT there are passages about eating shellfish. Pastor Bob, say's God changed his mind in the NT
Response
I was shocked when I heard him say this. God did NOT and can NOT change his mind! To even suggest a thing would be to strike a blow at God's very nature and attributes.
I know pastor Bob, was not trying to do that but to claim God changes his mind will question numerous attributes of God. Lets look at why God can not change his mind:
Biblical Basis
(Numbers 23:19)
"God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"
(James 1:17)
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
(Malachi 3:6)
“For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed."
(1 Samuel 15:29 )
"And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.”
In order to change your mind you would need to be given information you did not at one time have. However God is omniscient meaning he knows ALL things and thus can NOT change his mind
(Isaiah 46:9-10 ESV)
"remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,"
(Psalm 147:5 ESV)
"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure."
Much more could be said and I will tackle this question in a more in-depth manner in a future post . For now here is a great link to learn and study the attributes of God
(http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Gods-Attributes/)
Here is a fantastic book on God's attributes! I can not underscore how important it is for us to get the attributes of God right.
@10:15 Larry, points out the obvious that If God can change his mind on the shellfish then why can't he change his mind on homosexuality?
Response
Pastor Bob, got himself in a pickle with his answer and that is why I would refer those reading this to the links and scriptures I posted.
The answer to Larry's question is that God did NOT and can NOT change his mind. Israel was under a theocracy, meaning God himself was their ruler. He instituted certain civil and ceremonial laws for them to practice to keep them set apart from the surrounding pagan nations. God never changed his mind but from the foundations of the world knew how he would accomplish his will.
When Christ came he fulfilled the law:
(Matthew 5:17 ESV)
“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."
Far from "changing his mind" Christ, accomplished the mission that was set forth before him!
I know pastor Bob, was not trying to demean or take away from God's attributes at all and I am not going after him personally because I believe he is a man of God, and a great bible teacher. It is the answer he gave that I am demonstrating is not biblical and will cause major problems theologically down the road if one holds this view.
Here is a short video of Dr. Michael Brown explaining why we can eat shellfish today and homosexuality is still wrong.
@10:30 Larry ask's pastor Bob, if God can give new revelation (such on homosexuality now being ok) to which Bob, essentially defends the cessasionist view that God is not still giving new revelation.
This of course would open up another WHOLE can of worms and maybe a future blog post. I would hold to the cessaionist view. Please read this article so you have a correct understanding of what this view is.
It does not say God can not do miracles or heal people today. Sadly many people will have a completely false view of this position and reject it and they do not know what the view teaches.
My friend Mathew Graham wrote this article
( http://www.grahamapologetics.com/pdf/Cessation_Apostolic_Sign_Gifts.pdf)
Here are several more articles defending the classical cessationist view
(http://www.the-highway.com/charismatic_index.html)
As we see there are a lot of issues that come out in this interview and I have tried to address them fairly but also from a biblical world view!
Part 4 will be coming soon!
“For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed."
"And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.”
In order to change your mind you would need to be given information you did not at one time have. However God is omniscient meaning he knows ALL things and thus can NOT change his mind
(Isaiah 46:9-10 ESV)
"remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,"
(Psalm 147:5 ESV)
"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure."
Much more could be said and I will tackle this question in a more in-depth manner in a future post . For now here is a great link to learn and study the attributes of God
(http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Gods-Attributes/)
Here is a fantastic book on God's attributes! I can not underscore how important it is for us to get the attributes of God right.
@10:15 Larry, points out the obvious that If God can change his mind on the shellfish then why can't he change his mind on homosexuality?
Response
Pastor Bob, got himself in a pickle with his answer and that is why I would refer those reading this to the links and scriptures I posted.
The answer to Larry's question is that God did NOT and can NOT change his mind. Israel was under a theocracy, meaning God himself was their ruler. He instituted certain civil and ceremonial laws for them to practice to keep them set apart from the surrounding pagan nations. God never changed his mind but from the foundations of the world knew how he would accomplish his will.
When Christ came he fulfilled the law:
(Matthew 5:17 ESV)
“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."
Far from "changing his mind" Christ, accomplished the mission that was set forth before him!
I know pastor Bob, was not trying to demean or take away from God's attributes at all and I am not going after him personally because I believe he is a man of God, and a great bible teacher. It is the answer he gave that I am demonstrating is not biblical and will cause major problems theologically down the road if one holds this view.
Here is a short video of Dr. Michael Brown explaining why we can eat shellfish today and homosexuality is still wrong.
@10:30 Larry ask's pastor Bob, if God can give new revelation (such on homosexuality now being ok) to which Bob, essentially defends the cessasionist view that God is not still giving new revelation.
This of course would open up another WHOLE can of worms and maybe a future blog post. I would hold to the cessaionist view. Please read this article so you have a correct understanding of what this view is.
It does not say God can not do miracles or heal people today. Sadly many people will have a completely false view of this position and reject it and they do not know what the view teaches.
My friend Mathew Graham wrote this article
( http://www.grahamapologetics.com/pdf/Cessation_Apostolic_Sign_Gifts.pdf)
Here are several more articles defending the classical cessationist view
(http://www.the-highway.com/charismatic_index.html)
As we see there are a lot of issues that come out in this interview and I have tried to address them fairly but also from a biblical world view!
Part 4 will be coming soon!
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