By James Baker

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6.

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD and you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart and you shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise, bind them as a sign upon your hand and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” Deuteronomy 4:6-9.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise, that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of God” Ephesians 6:1-4.

“How from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” 2 Timothy 3:15.

Being trained in the home is just as real as a doorknob. Home training is the first place where a child becomes familiar with the terms “yes” and “no” Where the child learns that there are rewards for obedience and punishment for rebellion (Colossians 3:25). Parents are to be solid examples of how to live and make the world a better place, and to install these values in their children. After all, our offspring is the product that parents will be sending out into the world; and the product better be good (Judges 2:10).

Children need to be taught about the existence of God and that He is to be worshipped on a weekly basis. Which means the parents must set aside the first day of the week for that to be done. There is no room for excuses. Man has six days to work and do what he pleases. God only asks for one day of our time (Acts 20:7).

Respect to elders, teachers, and all other people is a value that the parents must enforce and make sure the child understands. When a child respects others and treats them as he would want to be treated, there will be no reports of disrespect of teachers, classmates, or anyone else coming back to the parents (Titus 1:6).

The expectation of punishment is to be rooted into the mind of a son or daughter, so that they will tremble at the consequences when tempted to do wrong (1 Samuel 31:4). No person should learn this on the outside, the great principle of standing up for what is right and rejecting what is wrong should be taught in the home, before the young person steps a foot out the door.

A young person must be instructed inside the home about bad youngsters that they will encounter in school and others places, and why they must reject what these hoodlums will try to influence them to do. They must be instructed that there is nothing wrong about not following the crowd, and that in life one may have to stand alone at times (1 Timothy 5:22; Proverbs 1:8-19; chapters 2-6).

Values such as honesty, hard work, friendly manners, responsibility for self and others, respect for women and children with all purity, respect for oneself with all purity, and believing that sex belong in marriage must be instilled into the minds of sons and daughters. Parents need to create home classes on purity issues at the age when the opposite sex is an interest in sons and daughters so they can make good choices on dating and marriage (Hebrews 13:4-5; Titus 2:1-15; Romans 12:9-21).

So you see, home training means exactly what the word said. It is putting a son or daughter though values training in the home, so that the person can be sent out into the world and not cause a problem for the school teacher, or a problem for the police, by committing a crime.

Parents must work with their children to make sure they are of the best character. And when they come out to go to the school and finally go into the world. The world will be receiving tomorrow’s future, which will be young men and women making the world a brighter place.

By James Baker

The gay community has been asking this question for quite some time, and it is a question meant to stop opposition to their way of life. In other words, they seem to think that no one can answer it. But they are wrong about that, it can be answered, however, I’m not sure that I can talk to them about it.

You see, in order to answer this question, we must agree on a standard by which we examine our beliefs. For example, if two persons are debating bringing a baby from Iran into Pennsylvania one would have to consult with the law of the land. One could not argue “I feel it’s alright” or “I believe it is alright”. The law of the land would be the standard, and the debate must end around what the law said.

Such is the case when we talk about homosexuality. The existence of same sex relations is not left up to a person to decide if it is sin or not. The existence of homosexual activity being sinful is left up to a Higher power, and it is to that Power we must go to answer the question.

Now, if someone said, “a person can decide the question,” be careful, because if a person can decide the question, then I will decide it for everyone right now! I say, “Stop being Gay!” I now ask my gay opponent, is the question settled? And of course he will say no, because he doesn’t like my answer, and he will want to continue his homosexuality. So you see, we must look to another source for the answer and not how we think or feel.

With that, I am going to direct us to what the Bible has to say on the subject of homosexuality. The Bible makes the claim to be the word of God, and I affirm that such is indeed the case, because man cannot refute it. So, I ask you to take a walk with me though the scriptures as we look at what God said.

In the beginning, God saw that man should not be without a mate, so God decided to create woman to solve the problem of loneliness (Genesis 2:18-25). The decision to fill the void by having a mate was made by God, and it was the opposite sex who would serve as man’s companion (Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5, 11:8-9).

At the close of the creation activities, God looked at everything, and He saw that all His work was good and ready for man (Gen. 1:31).

So a person may ask, “who do I hurt by being gay?”

You hurt God because He has a plan for you and that plan does not involve having the same sex as a partner. God went though all His work to get everything ready for mankind to exist on earth, then do we want to change it? Do we want to change His choice of the female for the man, into a man for the man and woman for a woman?

In other words, we are telling God that we don’t like what He did for us, and we shall change it. So you see, we hurt God when we are gay. Imagine hosting a supper party and when your guests arrive, they tell you they are going to cook something else because they don’t like what you prepared. Now, what if one of your guests said, “who do I hurt by cooking something else?” Well, you would quickly say, “you are hurting me!”

Next you hurt yourself, because by being gay, you are living a life which isn’t pleasing in the eyes of God. Homosexual acts are condemned by the Lord, and those who insist on living that way are threatening their own salvation (Roman 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:8-10; Jude 7). The gay person can be saved if they will repent of homosexual acts and accept the word of the Lord (Acts 2:38, 17:30; Romans 6:1-17; James 1:21-25).

Third, a gay person hurts children when he brings them into a homosexual union. Children are born innocent and they don’t become lost until they become affected by the immoral actions of this life (Matthew 18:3-4; Ecclessiastes 7:29; Rom. 3:10-18; 1 John 3:4).

Since homosexuality is a sin, the so-called gay parent is making sin appear to be alright. They tell children that two daddies or two mommies are natural, and it is not. Therefore the child will grow up deceived, thinking that gay unions are fine (Matthew 15:13-14).

No gay person came to this life being the offspring of a gay union. No gay advocate came to this life through the cause which they promote. They all have fathers and mothers, the male and female union which gave birth to them. These people need to return to what God has ordained and shun the temptation of being caught up in the gay movement.

I cannot close this article without saying something about hate speech and name calling. I have seen gay advocates called names of those who oppose them. The truth is, the hater is the one who won’t do what God Almighty said.

The hater is the one who hates the work of God and wants to establish his own work. The truth is that the gay advocate needs to be tolerant of what God has said and to refuse that which God has not authorized, because God will judge man at the end.

“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:4-6).

This is not hate, but correction for our 2012 times. Am I your enemy because I tell you the truth on this subject? (Galatians 4:16).

My job is to preach the word of God and not tell men what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

How about the gay advocates becoming tolerant of the male/female relation which God created? Faithful people are only trying to get them to return to what God ordained.

Famous people, doctors, and teachers are among those who agree with name calling, and they also state that this is 2012 and not ancient times.

However, how one feels on this subject, name calling is not the answer. Even if it is done by a famous or non famous person.

Obeying the word of God is the answer.

And by the way, many so-called churches don’t teach the truth on homosexual actions. That is why, Hell will be full of churches who didn’t teach truth (Matt. 7:21-22).

By Michael Thomas

The word itself makes us feel dirty. Just reading an article with pornography as a title makes us wonder if we should let others see us reading it. “Why are they reading an article on pornography?” Or, “Why is he writing about this?”

Clearly, no one is a winner when associated with this sin. We need teaching on pornography because we live in a time when it is a very lucrative industry, raking in over $57 billion a year.

Today’s generation not only must face a daily bombardment of sexual temptation, in the same way Joseph was approached daily by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:10), we must resist sexual immorality in ever-growing ways. According to a 2009 study by Alexa Research, the most researched word on the Internet is the word sex. The fourth is pornography.

Pornography is available now on cell phones, video games, and even satellite radio. Can you believe it? There are adult radio stations! If ever a generation needs warnings against sexual immorality it is ours. The tragedy in pornography is that it’s not needed. There is nothing we can find in it that we cannot find even more so in giving our self to our mate. Marriage is completely satisfying and rewarding when two people are committed to one another in ways God’s word instructs, especially sexually.

In fact, marriage is God’s solution to sexual desire. “Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband” (1 Corinthians 7:2). If people would listen to what God is saying they would not feel a need to pursue sexual activity outside of marriage, whether in pornography or promiscuity.

To avoid sexual immorality, each man and woman is to serve their mate sexually. It is God’s will for every Christian to meet these obligations to their mate when possible (verses 3, 4). Pornography is not a legitimate alternative to a lack of intimacy in marriage. God gave us those desires to enjoy in marriage (Proverbs 5:15-20).

To use those desires to lust after anyone else besides our mate is sinful. Jesus said, “whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his hear” (Matthew 5:28).

Pornography not only causes us to violate this warning, it ruins, perverts, and destroys whatever intimacy we have in marriage. In 2009, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (divorce lawyers) said 56% of all divorces have one mate addicted to pornography, while 68% of all divorces occur because of relationships made through the Internet. All of this could be avoided if people would listen to God and drink water from their own cistern!

Pornography does more than rob us of precious moments with our mate, it will cost us our eternal soul (Ephesians 5:5-7). For these reasons Jesus said, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:29). He was not referring to literal physical mutilation because the physical body is not the problem. Sin is the product of the heart (Matthew 15:19), which is why we must avoid seeing things that stir up lust (Job 31:1).

However, Jesus is saying that if there are activities in our life that we are unable to have without being tempted to sin, we need to get rid of them—even if it will be as inconvenient and debilitating as losing an appendage. Thus, if your satellite, Internet, or wireless connection is causing you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is more profitable for you that you live without the conveniences of modern technology, than to maintain those services and lose your soul in hell.

By Tom Edwards

Last week, we considered time and eternity. We are very familiar with time here on earth. We often need to get things done, be at certain places, or carry out other activities based on a time schedule; and sometimes we even run out of time. To help us, we keep our watches and clocks constantly ticking and set correctly. We view time as being linear and also know that one of these days will actually be when we come to the end of our time on earth. For we will then have gone “the way of all the earth,” as Joshua refers to the commonality of death (Joshua 23:14), and will, therefore, have no more need for any timepiece.

But though our lives are intertwined with time, God is not limited nor governed by it. For He dwells in eternity, which is separate from time, and is the Creator and Master of our time (Genesis 1:14). It is also because of His great love for us that the Lord had reached into our time—and continues to do so—to carry out His will according to His “schedule” (cf. Gen. 6:3; 18:14; 21:2; Exodus 9:5; Josh. 10:12-14; 2 Kings 20:5,6; Jeremiah 25:11,12; Galatians 4:4; Romans 5:6).

We are not only subject to time while here on earth, but are also limited to distance—and compared to infinity, our longest journeys could be diagramed as less than one small step. For even with modern spacecraft, how far can man really go to explore the universe? Though we have come a long way in modern technology and space research (that has helped in so many other fields, too), it almost seems unreal that prior to Edwin Hubble’s discovery in the early 1920s, man’s concept of the universe was that it was filled with just one galaxy—our Milky Way. Hubble, however, observed that there were many galaxies beyond our own—about 200 billion galaxies in the observable universe! So his finding changed man’s concept toward our vast cosmos.

But just in thinking of our Milky Way Galaxy, it is said to be 100,000 light years wide. How, therefore, could man—even in the most advanced, futuristic spacecraft that could go the speed of light—traverse all of that in one lifetime? For even if he could spend 75 years traveling at that speed, he would cover but a small fraction of the distance. If instead, however, a robot was used that needed to be recharged every 75 years, it would have to be recharged 1,334 times to make that journey across our galaxy, traveling at the speed of light. But could even the best of robots last for 100,000 years?

Just as God, however, is not limited by time, neither is He limited by great distances. Think for instance of the great space that surrounds us. Is it not infinite? Or would there be a large wall of some sort that borders it all, with a sign that says, “Caution: You have reached the end of space”? Even if there were such a wall (which I certainly would doubt), how could there not be more on the other side of it—and even if that “more” were just empty space?

An intriguing thought that occurred to me one night in the very early 1970s pertained to where the center of space is. Have you ever thought about that? We can talk about the sun as being the center of our solar system, and there is also a center of the Milky Way Galaxy. That’s because these specific areas are finite with dimensions. But where is the center of infinite space? We would have to say, logically speaking, that there is not just one center; but, rather, an infinite number of centers. For example, here on earth, infinity goes out in all directions. But if we were on a planet 100 trillion light years away, it would also have the same infinity going out from it in all directions. This can be liken to an imaginary road, endless in both directions. Regardless of where you would stand on that road, you would always be in the center of its length. So no matter how far you would go one way or the other, you would always have the same distance of infinity on both sides to still travel. For infinity has no edge nor border that you can move closer to—even if you tried for an eternity!

I found that thought new and amazing that every entity in the universe, when considered individually and in relation to the infinite space around it, would be in the center of that infinity. I wondered, too, if there might be a lesson in that of equality. That not just one would have the distinction of being in the center of it all, but everything would.

Thinking of eternity and infinity truly does go beyond our ordinary, everyday thinking. Though we understand what these terms mean, they are beyond our human experience. For how can we really imagine something that had no beginning, but just always was and always will be? Or to imagine space that goes on without end throughout infinity? Is that not more than we can really conceive? For instance, if we would try to imagine what it would be like to go on and on and on through space with no end, our imagination will stop before we can complete what an infinity would be like—and the same with eternity. We just can’t really imagine it. So our concepts of eternity and infinity are very incomplete. Isn’t that something? We can imagine many of the most bizarre and impossible things, but we cannot fully imagine eternity and infinity. Yet, they both exist.

I remember when I was very young that, after hearing of 1,000,000, I thought I would never have a need of using a number that big in all my life. But as I got older, that number became very common, as well as numbers in the billions and even trillions. So right now we know of our limited time, but one day we will truly be familiar—on a very personal level—with eternity.

Just as God has power over time, He also does over infinite space. The psalmist says in Psalm 139:7-12: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,’ Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.” This is also an amazing thing. That even if man could soar billions of light years through endless space, God would still know not only where that person was, but also what was going on in that person’s mind, as David also mentions in the previous verses of Psalm 139: “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it” (vv. 1-6).

Because our universe is so vast, and we here on earth seem so small in contrast to it, that indicates to some folks that there must not be a God. For they have mistakenly reasoned that “if there were a God, why would we be made so insignificantly small?” As if we are nothing but a speck, in this vast universe, that no Supreme Being could possibly even be concerned about. But what does size have to do with it? Actually, we are many millions of times larger than microscopic organisms. Even compared to the average size of vertebrate species (which would be the size of a typical cat), man is much bigger. But suppose God did make everything larger. Let’s say that everything that exists in the physical realm—whether something God created or made by man—was enlarged 100 trillion times? Who would notice the difference? There would be no difference, relatively speaking. For the same proportional ratios would still exist. What we are twice the size of now, we would still be twice the size of then. So everything would appear the same, as if no change in size even took place. But think of this, too. Isn’t it much more of a marvel to live in a universe that is so vast and incredibly larger than us that it causes us to reflect on just how truly great, how extremely powerful, and how far superior our Creator must be? It is as if the whole universe metaphorically expresses the greatness of God; and it has been said that where we are situated in the universe, in our galaxy, in our solar system, and on our planet Earth is one of the best places possible from which we can observe the universe around us—as if the Lord does want us to take notice and consider it. Is that a coincidence? Solomon writes, “Consider the work of the Lord...” (Eccl. 7:13). Notice the fault Isaiah writes about God’s people who “do not pay attention to the deeds of the Lord, nor do they consider the work of His hands” (Isa. 5:12). Observing the celestial bodies certainly made a powerful impression upon David concerning God’s superiority over man. David writes in Psalm 8:3,4: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?” David was amazed—but not unbelieving— at how someone as great as God, as seen in His demonstration of creating the heavens, could truly be concerned for mankind. The magnitude of the universe causes us to think on the greatness of God and, at the same time, helps us to humble ourselves by realizing how small, fragile, and dependent we are upon the Lord, in comparison.

The largest star known to man, which also happens to be the brightest, is VY Canis Majoris. It is 4,900 light years from earth and has a diameter of 1.7 billion miles. It is a hypergiant star. So its diameter is not just 100 times wider than the earth’s, nor 1,000 times, nor 10,000 times; nor even 100,000 times; but it is more than 214,000 times wider than our earth’s diameter. But even the size of that enormous star seems like hardly a speck when compared to infinity!

Yes, the vastness of God’s universe is most impressive. It is said that the observable diameter of it is 93 billion light years. Man, down through time, must have often gazed and long wondered at all the many stars in the sky that could be seen with just the naked eye. Whatever power could bring all of that into existence is truly an omnipotent power; and we are told in the very first verse of the Bible of that power, who happens to also be more than merely a power; but a Being, as well, and a most Supreme Being at that—far above any other. Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” We also see in the Bible of all the Godhead being involved in this great work of creation—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. For God said, “...‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness...’” (Gen. 1:26). John 1:3 declares that “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” If you also read John 1:1-3,14, you’ll see that verse 3 is referring to Jesus Christ as the One who did this creating of all things. Corresponding to that, Hebrews 1:2 says that God the Father “made the world” through Jesus, which is also rendered as “worlds” and “universe,” in some other versions. Paul also speaks of this by saying, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible...” (Col. 1: 16). Concerning the Holy Spirit’s involvement, Psalm 104:30 states, “You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the ground.” During the time of the great creation, the Spirit is seen as being a part of that in Genesis 1:2. For after we read that “...God created the heavens and the earth,” this verse then states, “The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.” So that was before God had even made light.

How can the vastness of the universe be overlooked? There is a greatness about it that boggles our mind. It indicates God’s wisdom, His power, His eternal nature, and His omnipresence. For in thinking of the stars, the Lord not only created them, but also placed each one of them where He wanted it to be and gave a name to each one as well (Gen. 1:16,17; Isa. 40:26).

Many today, in speaking of the universe, refer to it as a “closed system.” What they mean by this is that the universe does not fill all infinity. Rather it is just the area where all the billions of galaxies are. They say you will never reach the end of it because of the curvature of space (in which even light is bent), as Einstein spoke of. That if you were to go in a straight line long enough, you would eventually arrive where you started. This, of course, would be similar to a pilot who is maintaining a steady and level course at a constant height above the earth. Though his instruments and senses indicate that he is going in a straight, level course, while maintaining a consistent altitude, he is actually going in a large circle that would have him orbiting the earth, if it would be possible for him to have enough fuel to do so.

But taking the curvature of space into consideration, why not chart the course to be a “true” straight line that would go beyond the “closed system” (instead of continually encircling it) and travel throughout infinity? Surely there is more beyond this “closed system.”

Speaking of the “closed system,” while disregarding all the infinite space around it, reminds me of those who would tell us that the universe began about 13.75 billion years ago with a “Big Bang”—but then want to ignore the “time” to be accounted for, prior to that. What happened before the creation and time? God was in eternity, having always been and always to be. As we saw in Genesis 1:1, God created the heavens and the earth “in the beginning,” which would be the beginning of the universe and time, and not the beginning of God; for He has always been. The creation itself also indicates to us that God is eternal, according to Romans 1:19,20: “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” In other words, since it is obvious that the universe had a beginning, rather than being eternal, there was a need for some great first cause to bring it into existence—and a first cause which had to have always been or else nothing would have ever become. That first cause is the Almighty God. So though some folks do not believe in a God who can keep living forever, they need to realize that the creation shows that God already is forever. For it required something eternal to bring non-eternal things into existence.

We need to distinguish our realm of time as that which is set apart from God’s realm of eternity, rather than trying to mix the two together in some kind of time-line. But we can be thankful unto God for sending His Son into our realm of time and for all the ways that God continues to deal with us in the physical and spiritual realm, that we might one day make it to His eternal realm of glory—if we will submit to His gospel plan of salvation. In closing, let it also be said that perhaps “space” is not the best or correct word to be used in expressing that which extends beyond what we can know through astronomy; but the point is, even if there be something else way on out there, would there not still always be a continuation of endlessness (of whatever) in all directions?

How great our God is! He truly knows the answers to all our questions, about eternity, about infinity, about anything. As impressive as the universe is, its Creator is even more so. The Lord had no trouble in creating the heavens, forming the galaxies, placing it all in such a wide expanse that man, even traveling at the speed of light, could cover only a small fraction of it in a lifetime. How great heaven will be, however, where we will never run out of time to enjoy it. May we, therefore, humbly and faithfully give ourselves to the good Lord Jesus Christ by our faith and obedience to the gospel, that we may be in His good keeping—now and forevermore!

By Tim Haile

Those who oppose homosexuality are called “homophobes.” Those who oppose illegal immigration are called “xenophobes.” Those who oppose Islam are called “Islamophobes.” The habit of many when making, and especially when losing an argument, is to resort to name-calling. Rather than address the substance of the argument, the labeler seeks to discredit and marginalize the person who his making it. We witness this cowardly practice in all realms and types of controversy. One’s motives are impugned, his appearance and mannerisms are ridiculed and his character is assaulted. There is, of course, no victory in this type of ad hominem assault, for it fails to honestly address the actual point of disagreement.

Making matters even worse is the fact that such labeling is often designed to misrepresent the opponent’s real position. This is being done in the present cultural battle over issues like immigration, islamization and homosexuality. Those who oppose homosexuality are called “homophobes,” which is an absolute misrepresentation of them and of their position. Liberals don’t use the term in its true meaning. Their purpose is to misrepresent their opponents and to prejudice the minds of others against them. “Phobia” is fear (not opposition to some behavior or situation). Christians and traditionalists are not “afraid” of homosexuals: They merely oppose their behavior.

“Homophobes”

“Fear” is not the issue, but the Greek word “phobos” means fear! Hence, the actual meaning of the word “homophobic” does not mean “opposed to” homosexuals (as persons), but afraid of homosexuals (as persons) or of the practice of homosexuality, which is a misrepresentation of facts. Gay activists and their liberal enablers in the media use sophistry to turn the term “phobia” into the idea of one’s being opposed to some perceived personal liberty, and thereby prejudice the public against honest people who oppose the arrangement or activity itself as immoral. The labeler is wrong on two counts:

(1) Bible believers do not oppose genuine liberty, but are strong proponents of freedom of will and expression. It is actually gay advocates who stifle free expression by their mischaracterization of their critics. (2) Bible believers do not fear homosexuals; they oppose homosexuality. Opposition is to sexual deviancy, not to persons. Passages like Romans 1:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10; Jude 7; Genesis 19:1-5; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13 condemn same-sex (sexual) relationships. Of course, the Bible also condemns other types of illicit sexual relationships including adultery, bestiality and pre-marital sex (fornication).

“Xenophobes”

With increased attention being given to illegal immigration and border security, we are seeing increased attacks against those who insist upon the enforcement of immigration laws. One is called a “xenophobe” if he opposes illegal immigration. This is another example of false labeling. “Xenophobic” does not mean opposed to strangers (illegal immigrants) as persons, but afraid of illegal immigrants. While it is true that some illegal aliens are dangerous and should be feared by law-abiding citizens, this misses the point of the objection and misrepresents the facts. The opposition is to law-breaking, not to persons themselves. But supporters of illegal immigration charge those opposed to law-breaking with being xenophobes! As with the term “homophobe,” this prejudicial term is used by those who wink at violations of border law to disparage those who insist upon the rule of law in immigration.

“Islamophobes”

This expression is being bandied about more and more of late. The labeler seeks to marginalize his opponent by framing him as a bigot. In this case as in those above, he misuses the word “phobes.” By definition, an “Islamophobe” would be one who fears Islam. The issue, however, is not a fear of Islam, but the rejection of a political ideology that is opposed to our Constitution, culture and biblical worldview. People are not afraid of Muslims (though some particular Muslims are personally dangerous). Rather, they oppose Islam, with its system of Sharia law, which when implemented, will by its very nature supplant all existing legal and political systems. Sharia law is utterly incompatible with the US Constitution and the biblical concepts from which it was conceived.

Exposing The Sophistry

Let us turn the sophistry on the sophist. Since the sophist likes to attach the words “phobia, phobic, phobes” to various Greek words, let us attach it to a few other Greek words and see what happens.

1. “Pornophobes”? Before discussing homosexuality in 1 Corinthians 6:9, the apostle cited “fornication” as one of the behaviors that will keep people out of heaven. The Greek word “pornos” is translated “fornicators.” This is the general word for all types of sexual immorality, from unmarried sex to bestiality. By suffixing the Greek word “grapho” (writing) to the Greek word “porno” we get our word “pornography.” If one is opposed to fornication or pornography does that make him a “pornophobe”? Since those who oppose homosexuality are called homophobes, one would assume this to be the case. Of course, “phobia” means fear, not opposition. People are not “afraid” of fornicators or fornication, they are opposed to fornication.

2. “Moichophobes”? Paul also said that “adulterers” would not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9, 11). The Greek word for “adulterer” is “moichos.” Is one guilty of “moichophobia” if he opposes a man’s having sexual relations with his neighbor’s wife? Many “progressives” have no objection to homosexuality or fornication, but even many of them will agree with us on this point. If so, is such a progressive a “moichophobe” for objecting to adulterous behavior? Does he fear adultery, or is it that he simply opposes its shameful and destructive practice? If the progressive can see the point with respect to adultery, then why can’t he see it with respect to homosexuality?

3. “Kleptophobes”? The Scriptures oppose thievery (Ephesians 4:28; 1 Cor. 6:10). Jesus said that the thief comes to “kill, steal and destroy” (John 10:10). If one is opposed to thievery (Greek: “klepto”) does that make him “kleptophobic”? Are liberals (progressives) “kleptophobes” for condemning thievery? If not, does that mean that they are in favor of stealing? We know that many of those who favor gay sex and marriage call their opponents “homophobes.” Will they be consistent here? Is bank-robbing merely an “alternate economic lifestyle” in making a living? No. It is sinful and wrong. Those who oppose stealing do so, not because they are “afraid” of stealing, but because they oppose it.

4. “Pseudophobes”? The Scriptures oppose lying (Colossians 3:9; Eph. 4:25; Revelation 21:8). If one is opposed to lying (Greek: “pseudo”) does that make him “pseudophobic”? Are liberals “pseudophobes”? If not, does that mean that they are in favor of lying? Is lying merely an “alternate style” of describing an activity? No. Lying is sinful behavior. Opponents are not “afraid” of lying; they simply oppose it.

5. “Methophobes”? The Scriptures oppose drunkenness (1 Cor. 6:10; Eph. 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3). The Greek word for drunkenness is “methuo.” If one is opposed to drunkenness does that make him “methophobic”? Are liberals (progressives) “methophobes” if they oppose drunkenness? If not, does this mean that they are in favor of drunkenness? As we observed above, those who favor the Islamization of America call others “Islamophobes.” Those who favor homosexuality call others “homophobes.” Those who favor open borders call others “xenophobes.” According to this rule, opposers of drunkenness must be “methophobes!”

Conclusion

Bible believers will never be treated right by all secularists and liberals. By many of them they will be hated, misrepresented and maligned (John 15:19; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 3:12). The cowardly misuse of labeling of one’s opponent simply exposes the falsity of his contention. Labeling is good and necessary for example in the commercial world, but it must state and represent facts. Many companies have been prosecuted for mislabeling. But the ungodly and worldly-minded create their false labels, mis-define them, and hurl them at others freely. Where is the prosecution for this? The ungodly population truly are “aphobes,” meaning “without fear” or respect. In Jude 12 we read of such that existed in the first century. They need to be “phoberous” (“fearful,” Hebrews 10:31).

{My thanks to Bill Reeves for his idea and suggestions for this article.}

By James Baker

“For whosoever will save his life will lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s the same shall find it” (Mark 8:35 KJV).

A martyr as revealed by the word of God, is one who is persecuted for what he believes and is evidently killed by his oppressors because he refuses to denounce what he believes (Acts 12:2; Revelation 2:13, 6:9, 20:4). In Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:1-60, and Acts 22:20, we read of the martyrdom of Stephen, a godly man who single-handedly stood up against the haters of the good news and didn’t back down. Those wicked people really hated him because of his stand for the truth, so they arrested him and had him stand before a mock court, only to attack and kill him afterward because he wasn’t intimidated by them. The closing statement of his life was, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (KJV). So this gentle peaceful man died a martyr, and he didn’t deserve this violent death, yet he gave his life so that Jesus could be glorified.

John the Baptist was also a martyr; his crime was telling Herod, “It is not lawful for thee to have her” (Matthew 14:4 KJV). John the Baptist refused to back down, and as a result, he was thrown into jail by the wicked Herodias, and that cost him his head. (Literally).

More martyrdom can be found in Hebrews 11:36-40, where we can read of the faithful being tortured, enduring mock trials, being cut asunder, etc., etc. The motives of the martyr can be seen in the closing words of verse 35, “Not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection” (KJV). These people knew that what they stood for wasn’t popular and would probably get them killed at some point, however, they considered the promises of God better than anything in life.

Apostle Paul was also a martyr, for he said in Acts 21:10-14, “I’m not only willing to go to Jerusalem and be arrested, but also willing to die for the Lord Jesus.” I find it interesting that Paul is only speaking of the death of himself. We read nothing about Paul planning to cause the deaths of others, and then claim martyrdom. In 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Paul continues to inform men of his death, “For I’m now ready to be offered, the time of my departure is at hand” (KJV). Notice that he didn’t say, “my departure and the departure of those who want to kill me.” He said that he alone would die at the hands of those who hate the gospel of Jesus Christ. So the interesting thing we learn about martyrdom is that the person dies himself, and he doesn’t plan or seek to cause the death of others, whether they be his oppressors or just innocent people.

Let me repeat just in case someone didn’t quite understand; a martyr is someone who is suffering based on what he has believed, and is finally killed because of that belief. The martyr dies alone, not plotting the death of others. A martyr is a righteous person in good favor with God and isn’t a fanatic or homicidal. You won’t see him walking into a crowded mall and murdering shoppers when his backpack explodes.

So what about these people who explode bombs in shopping centers, airports, trains, etc.? Some said they died as martyrs. But is that really true? I say no. I say such is no different than a fired employee who goes back to the job from which he was dismissed and begins shooting former bosses and former coworkers, and then turns the gun on himself when the police close in. Did that person die a martyr? Did the local news media address the shooter as a martyr? Of course not and rightly so, because the news media said such actions are homicides. Those people we hear about on the news who have been blowing up buses, planes, and other crowed areas, are cold-blooded killers. They aren’t martyrs, because the word of God doesn’t teach for the faithful to kill people who refuse to accept the Lord. When it concerns acceptance of God, Jesus leaves it up to each person to decide for himself (Matthew 11:28-30). Wanting to murder people because they don’t accept ones belief is not martyrdom, but the spirit of the Devil. Consider what Jesus had to say to James and John after they became angry at the villagers who refused to show hospitality to Christ. These men asked Christ for his permission to command fire from heaven to burn up the villagers! Jesus responded by saying, “You know no what manner of spirit ye are of; for the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:51-56 KJV). Jesus is interested in people living and not dying, for even when people have rejected his message, he sends the sun and rain on the just and unjust (Matt. 5:45). Jesus gave no command for his followers to strap on bombs and blow up or behead the “infidels!” (Al-Qaeda). Only Satan would deceive men into committing such murderous acts in the name of God (John 8:44). Rather than kill unbelieving people, Jesus said, “Let both grow together until the harvest” (Mark 13:30 KJV).

By James Baker

I just finished reading a story in the Philadelphia Inquirer detailing the description of homes here in our nation. The article talked about the households that have thrown marriage under the bus and men and women living together and producing children in those unions. To many this kind of thing is a family, and the phrase “living in sin” doesn’t compute because no one cares. But, all who teach the Bible find this kind of living very troubling because it isn’t what the word of God teaches. Consider the word of God in 1 Corinthians 7:1-2:

“Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. ² Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her husband.”

Man should be avoiding fornication (premarital) sex, not walking directly into it by living with a woman and having sex as if they were married. But that is what happens when couples live together. Now many say, “times have changed since the 1930s etc.” Well times sure have changed, and they have changed for the worse (2 Timothy 3:13). Children according to God are to be born into the union of marriage and not outside wedlock (1 Timothy 5:14; 1 Cor. 6:18. Just recently a person had a baby out of wedlock and had the boldness to parade the child around in church, and that man was rebuked for his behavior (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Also throwing wedding showers for women who had children out of wedlock is also wrong. That conduct makes the sin respectable instead of shameful (1 Timothy 5:22).

And for anyone who might disagree, I pose a question to you. Would you celebrate someone that has committed fornication? (1 Cor. 10:8). If not, why not? After all that is what a wedding shower is—it is a celebration of a baby being born. God created male and female so they can be joined together in marriage; and if they desire, create children in that union. This is God’s plan for the birth of children that they be born into marriage not in a home where the man and woman are shacking up. Men and women must quit shacking up, and they must stop having sex because God put sex in marriage (Hebrews 13:4). Man has drifted too far away from what the word of God teaches, and man must return to what God told us to do (Nehemiah 1:4-11).

In closing, consider these facts the God has established.

1. He is the creator of the home.

2. No one can argue with or change what He has created.

3. God placed a man and a woman in marriage.

4. In marriage, which God established, children can be a part of that home.

5. Anything not in harmony with what God established will be rooted up.

6. Common law unions and homosexual unions aren’t what God established, therefore they will be rooted up.

By James Baker

A person can be rich and famous, having lots of gold, silver, cash, diamonds, autos, boats, real estate, etc. However none of that will mean a thing after death because God isn’t interested in financial portfolios. Further more, the Bible teaches that we brought nothing into this world, and we sure won’t carry anything out of it (1 Timothy 6:7).

Jesus also warned that if a person could have all of the world’s goods and lose his soul, no amount of material gain could be used to redeem that lost soul (Mark 8:36-38). Once when Jesus was teaching a class, He was interrupted by a man who wanted Him to decide a matter in which another person owed money. Jesus chided the man for his behavior and told him that a person life is not made of what he possesses. Then Jesus made the statement sweeter by telling the story of a rich guy who lived for his money and how he constantly brought bigger and better things and looked forward to many years in which to enjoy himself and spend his money. But guess what? This man died, and I wonder who got his money and all the stuff he brought? (Luke 12:13-21). King Solomon, was a rich man. and he wrote about the vanities of riches. He talked about if the person who gets his goods would be a wise man or a fool (Ecclesiastes 2:12-23).

But having money isn’t a bad thing, as long as one doesn’t fall in love with it (1 Tim. 6:10). Also having money isn’t bad if you keep in mind that money can leave just as fast as it comes (Luke 15:14). Having money isn’t bad if it never take the place of God or what is right (Matthew 26:14-16; Acts 8:18-22). Having money isn’t bad if one is not stingy and is willing to help others in need (1 Tim. 6:17-19). Having money isn’t bad if you use it to promote the cause of Christ by giving into the treasury of the local church on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-4).

By doing things of this nature, the rich person will leave a great legacy and many lives will be enriched by the generous actions.

Seven Strikes at the Error of Chrislam

By David Cooper

If seven strikes of the sword of God (Ephesians 6:17) doesn’t excise a false doctrine from its adherents, nothing probably will. That is why I limit this series to refute error to seven quick easily maneuverable death dealing blows from the word of God (Revelation 19:15).

Many may not realize that an insidious machination of Satan is arising quickly to confront the truth of Jesus Christ as the son of God and God’s word as his last will and testament to mankind. This error is called Chrislam. It is an unholy joining of God’s people with unbelievers. It tries to unite Christians and the truth with the Muslims and the lies of Mohammed. One cannot believe that Jesus, “is the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” as Peter stated from God (Matthew 16:16-17) and accept this unholy union. This confession is the very foundation of the Christ’s Church (Matt. 16:18).

1. This unholy doctrine accepts as the word of God both the Quran and the Bible. Mohammed was not born till 570 or 571 A.D. Jude states that the faith had been once delivered to the saints approximately 500 years previously (Jude 3). Paul also states that the scriptures available to Timothy were all that was needed to learn and teach what the “man of God” should be and should do (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Why would we need another revelation later?

2. What is Paul talking of in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18? In particular he refers to idolatry, but it applies to all false religion. We cannot have agreement with infidels!

3. One teaching of Islam that Christians cannot agree with; claims that Jesus Christ was only one of the many prophets who led up to and pointed to the coming of Mohammed. John was that for Christ (John 1:15, 20, 23, and 29). Was Christ but a forerunner for Mohammed?

4. The previous belief of Islam infers that Mohammed and not Jesus is the Messiah mentioned by the other prophets. Jesus said that Moses and the prophets pointed to him, Jesus, (Luke 24:27). Peter said they pointed to Christ as the Messiah (Acts 3:22-26).

5. Islam further says that Jesus Christ is not the Son of God. John the apostle states unequivocally that he is (John 1:14). The angel told Mary she would bear the Son of God (Luke 1:30- 35). Even the Father himself claimed Jesus as his Son twice (Matt 3:17; 17:5).

6. Islam teaches that belief in Mohammed as God’s chosen is the way to God. Peter says there is no other name given under heaven in which salvation is offered to man (Acts 4:12). Jesus, a prophet even to Muslims, says he is “the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father except by me” (John 14:6). Jesus also stated, “for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).

7. Moses, another accepted prophet by Muslims, says one would rise up from among the them, the Jews, like unto himself and that they were to hear him (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). Mohammed was not a Jew! Also Mohammed could not be the Messiah because he was not in the line of David. (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

Many times, men don’t want to consider what women have to say and that is wrong. A woman cannot teach in such a way that she is holding authority over men, but she sure can offer some words of wisdom (Proverbs 31:26). I asked the women of the Mt Airy church of Christ to write about their thoughts concerning what they see among the churches of Christ, and this article deserves a listen.

James Baker, (preacher for the Mt. Airy church of Christ)

In Revelation chapters two and three, Christ assesses the seven churches of Asia, their faults, their weaknesses, and their good works. No other passage gives a clearer demonstration of the importance of church autonomy than this, for see that while one church is condemned for its actions, another church is unaffected by the bad deeds of the other. Therefore, we know that each church is to operate autonomously. In addition, 1 Timothy 3:1-10, teaches that the role of oversight of the church is given to the elders (men) of the congregations, and that women have roles of teaching other women (1 Corinthians 14:34, Titus 2:4-5). Women may teach younger children and assist in functions that the men authorize, such as maintenance of the meeting place, etc.

Without violating these scriptures let us take a look at the struggling churches in America and ask ourselves how some of us might lend some assistance. The struggling church of which I speak is a church that has limited material resources so that it is sub-standard relative to structures in its community. For instance, if that church is in a $200,000 dollar real estate area, and its meeting place costs way below that area’s average, it is meeting in sub-standard conditions. Therefore, the term substandard will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. The outcome of operating in substandard structures is that the average person in that community will view that church’s structure as “beneath” the criteria of “successful church,” and evangelism in that neighborhood will be an uphill or near impossible challenge. In these situations, many folks will complete a Bible correspondence course but never attend services at that church.

Of course, we know that the Lord does not count a church’s success by these materialistic yardsticks, but rather on the performance of individual members within that congregation (Rev 2:9). We also know that Christians worshipped in homes, upper rooms, etc, during the persecutions. However in order to reach the lost, we cannot be blinded to the mindset of the community. Today more than ever, we have to be savvier at evangelism, or the church will not grow. So, why should we care about the plight of the struggling church? Should we only be concerned with what happens at home? As we look at some faithful churches we see a wide spectrum in the abilities in those churches. While some worship in palatial grandeur equipped with the latest state-of-the-art audio, visual, climate controls and comforts systems; others are worshiping in hole-in-the-wall structures with miss-matched seats, kerosene heating units, inefficient cooling systems, torn songbooks, barely-working toilets, located in a less-desirable area of town or in someone’s home.

Aside from the examples of churches assisting other churches in the area of evangelism and benevolence for their needy members, we know that the scriptures do not preclude individual assistance to other congregations. So, if you are able and so inclined, here’s how you can help a struggling church:

(1) Consider the struggling churches in your gifts to charity; for they should be considered along with your Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, donations. Faithful churches are more worthy of support than secular organizations that do not care about the Lord or his work.

(2) If you have folks, young or old warming your pews but eager to contribute of themselves to the building up of a struggling church, challenge them to take a sabbatical to an area in need. You have heard of eco-tourism, the Peace Corp or work internships; well consider this your “Christian tour-of-duty.” This is ideal for congregations with huge memberships, so large that their young boys only get to say a closing prayer once every four months or their young ladies rarely or never get to teach a women’s or children’s class. How about sending off a few of your folks, maybe in pairs to an area where they can put their skills and talents to work while greatly impacting a struggling church. They can set up children or women’s classes or be a boost just by their presence. For a church with few members, you wouldn’t believe what joy it brings to have two additional members, especially if they can sing! Remember, we are all obligated to developing our talents, not hiding them in the ground, for there is much work to do out there and the laborers are few.

How to start you may ask? There is a website findthechurch.com that shows photos of many meeting places of faithful churches all over this country. Browse this site and get a feel for the need out there. Some churches don’t post a photo because there isn’t much to show. Next connect with the members of these congregations and assess how you might be able to help financially or by your presence for a committed period of time. People can also plan their vacation routes so they can visit new churches. This is a wonderful way to visit and boost another congregations and is similar to what the early apostles did (Acts 14:20-22).

With many of the churches in the northeast and northwestern states struggling, now is the time to reach out to your fellow struggling brethren or plan to visit or work with them for a season. Your presence alone can do much to boost the work there, and what a great way to show your Christian love!