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John Rosenstern:
John Rosenstern:Believers in Jesus Christ are called to expose error and unrighteousness. The Apostle Paul said, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them” (Rom. 16:17).
What I find to be very offensive is Believers disobeying God by not exposing error that will infect the Body of Christ with faith-killing, doubt-building, God-denying, doctrine-compromising teaching. What the modern church is sacrificing for the sake of false unity and friendship with the world is the Sacrifice itself! The Cross of Christ is our only foundation. All Biblical doctrine is built upon the Cross. When we emphasize our “deeds” above what we believe, we will not stand for anything.
Instead, the church has opted to appease rather than to expose error and unrighteousness. For example, Rick Warren clearly found himself caught in his doublespeak (bald-faced lie) when he told his Saddleback Church congregation he supported Proposition 8 in California. Warren stated:
“Now let me say this really clearly, we support Proposition 8 (marriage protection amendment that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman)—and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8. I never support a candidate, but on moral issues I come out very clear.”
Several months later Rick Warren appeared on Larry King Live and said the following:
“During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, and never—never once gave an endorsement in the two years Proposition 8 was going on.”
TRUE CHRISTIANS OPPOSE VIOLENCE
Although we believe it is necessary to expose error and unrighteousness, we do not believe we should oppose those who do not believe exactly as we believe. The recent murder of late term abortionist, George Tiller, is not acceptable to true Christians. However, we must still call abortion what it truly is: murder. On the other hand, anyone who believes in the pro-life platform is now being called a terrorist. National Organization for Women(NOW), President, Kim Gandy, on CBS Radio said the killing of seven or eight OB/GYN’s was done by anti-choice extremists.
As Believers in Jesus Christ, we condemn any acts of violence and killing to stop abortion, such as the murder of Dr. Tiller. These sinful tactics only strengthen those who wish to oppose the pro-life platform. The goal, however, of the Pro-choice Movement is to oppose everyone with contrary opinions to theirs by silencing them.
A US News opinion columnist believes the idea is not only to have Homeland Security prosecute Tiller’s killer as a domestic terrorist, but to “ban inflammatory rhetoric that incites the unbalanced to violence, and holding inciters responsible for the murders they cause.”
EXTREMISTS?
Christians are being categorized as domestic terrorists and their voices are being silenced at every opportunity. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary, Janet Napolitano, put together an anti-terrorism security assessment—“Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization Recruitment.” The main problem with the report is that virtually anyone who does not agree with the policy direction of the current Administration, including President Obama’s position on abortion, is perceived as a potentially dangerous extremist.
The Matthew Shepard Hate Crime Act seeking enactment by Congress would also open the door for Christians to be called radical extremists for simply exposing homosexuality, and other devious sexual behavior, as sin.
Because the Church is divided by false doctrine, it has confused exposing error and unrighteousness with appeasing it. The false teachers of the modern church, like Rick Warren, will not speak the truth in love, but rather seek for common ground to find mutual respect.
COMMON GROUND WITH ISLAM?
When dealing with the Muslim world, President Obama, in his recent speech in Cairo, Egypt, said he seeks “common ground with Islam.” President Obama further stated, “I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.” Islam has its own crusader now: the President of the United States! Although we do not expect the President to speak disparagingly of Islam, we do not find his responsibility to champion its defense, especially in light of Islam’s hatred of Jews, suppression of women’s rights, and intolerance towards other religions.
Likewise, Rick Warren, once again seeks to find “common ground”with Islam at his meeting with the Islamic Society of North America on July 4th in Washington, D.C. Warren seeks common ground based on a false and dangerous assumption that Allah and Jehovah are one and the same. Warren will be a guest speaker and share the stage with Muslim scholar, HamzaYusuf, who once called Judaism “the most racist religion” and ISNA leader, SayyidSyeed, who blamed the U.S.A. for the 9/11 (Sept. 11/2001) attacks by terrorists.
The Reformation Church was an intentional church. Their clear intention was to expose the blatant error of the Roman Catholic Church that taught salvation was obtained through the works of the sacraments, instead of by Grace through Faith. Today, we need another reformation with intention. We need a reformation of the Cross of Christ. The Cross is the anchor of Salvation and Sanctification to a backslidden church and to a lost world.
My daughter works with the youth of her church . She walked by when I was "bashing" Warren and his philosophy. She asked the same question everyone seems to say with shock and amazement "Whats wrong with The Purpose Driven Life ?".
She brought me a copy of a graduation present "Selected Thoughts and Scriptures" from the Purpose family by Warren. She flipped through the pages and asked how something that backed everything up with scripture could be wrong.
It was true that the pages are filled with one liners from various translations of Bible. The elusive thing is that the theme was self and what self should do and receive.
It was like a switch was thrown and the light came on. What was once elusive became evident . It may be scripture but it is merely law when it's focus is on the requirements of the flesh.
A veil gets dropped and lemmings appear.
Do you then have to call the whole of Saddleback Church a liar since its statement of faith lines up almost perfectly with yours?
Saddleback's statement of faith is a statement. Like many churches it hold to the doctrines of faith that have been closely guarded and cherished by Christians for centuries. However it is on one hand and the shepherd of saddleback is on the other.meaning just because it is a statement of faith it does not mean that it is one he adheres to. It is there for anyone interested in saddleback... it's like bait. and the fish bite not knowing the hook buried in the bait. i was saved in 2004. within a year i had read the enitre Bible. not just hungry, but starved for God's word. then like many i joined a small group going thru 40 days of Purpose by Rick Warren. What i found was do this, do that... i did not find Jesus died for my sins. I did not find the cost of the blood of Jesus and that His shed Blood is my ONLY means of victory. Mind you i was a babe in Christ yet i found Purpose Driven lacking from the get go-- it is a works righteousness -- legalism handbook. Joshua read the Law to the children of Israel. They said we will do all the words you have stated. Joshua in turn basically said "You can't do it." I say the same of this book-- it is another voice saying, "we will do all the words of this law." if Purpose Driven could bring victory it would be full of reminders of the price paid for sin. It is not. My regret is i can't get my money back i wasted on that book.