Christian Bakers, Photographers, Florists, Caterers, Wedding Planners, etc.

 I recently participated in a heated and very disheartening discussion in my Sunday school class.  The teacher and several of the students took a position which I strongly disagree. 

The teacher’s position is described as follows:

It is not sinful for a Christian to provide goods and services, such as a wedding cake, photography, or flowers for same-sex couples for their “marriage” ceremonies.  Homosexuality is sinful, and you can tell the couples that you don’t agree with what they are doing, but you can set a better Christian example for them by “giving them grace” than you can by refusing their request.  You can provide these goods and services without condoning their sin.

My rebuttal follows:

First of all, Romans 1:24-27 (ESV) says,

“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie…their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.” 

1 Corinthians 6:9 and Ephesians 5:5 say that homosexuals cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven.

These passages clearly show that homosexuality is a serious sin.  One who condones homosexuality does not do a good deed to the homosexual.  But can one participate in a sin (or a celebration thereof) without condoning it?  

From Acts 15:28-29, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and 10:19-20, I can see the following: 1) Abstaining from eating meat from idols was a requirement (not a just a suggestion) in order for Gentiles to become Christians. 2) Anyone who does not abstain is a participant in idol worship and is guilty of sinning against Christ. 3) It can cause a weaker brother to stumble or in fact, to be “destroyed”. There is no grace in that.  Therefore, anything that might be gained by eating the meat is nothing compared to the downside of it.

At this point we must ask these questions,

1)      Is homosexuality any less serious of a sin than worshipping idols?

2)      Is there any difference between eating meat sacrificed to idol and selling an animal to idol worshippers knowing that they intend to sacrifice it to idol?

3)      From the standpoint of Christian ethics, is there any difference between knowingly eating meat sacrificed to an idol and knowingly contributing to some other sinful activity such as a ceremony that promotes the sin of homosexuality? 

4)      If something is wrong because it can cause a “weaker brother” to stumble (or be “destroyed”), then wouldn’t it stand to reason that it would also put a stumbling block in the way of an unbeliever coming to repentance?

5)      If you sell something to someone knowing that the recipient intends to use it for a sinful purpose, can you justify yourself by telling them that what they intend to do is wrong? Will this strategy lead people to repentance or steer them away from it? 

Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 and Ephesians 5:1-14.

People often quote, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” from 2 Corinthians 6:14 to prove that Christians should not marry non-Christians.  Certainly this a valid application of this teaching, but nothing in the context suggests that this principle is limited to the bonds of matrimony.  In the ESV, in addition to “yoked”, it uses the words partnership, fellowship, accord, portion-sharing, and agreement to describe what should not take place between the body of Christ (i.e. the Church) and the unrighteous or demons.  The reason why there must be such a partition is so that God may dwell and walk among us (the Saints).  A necessary condition is given in order for God to be a father to you is that you “touch no unclean thing”. In other words, “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness.”

As imitators of God, we are to love the lost, but sexual immorality is not love, but rather it is the opposite.  A same-sex union can never be a true marriage, but a ceremony which has all of the trappings of a real marriage ceremony serves to deceive people into thinking that it is.  Children of light must not participate in such deceptions.  “The fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true”, not in deception.  Children of light must rather expose such deceptions. 

Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. Movie (2024)

 

As a boy, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, is portrayed in the new Bonhoeffer movie, as aggressive, energetic and loving. As a man he is depicted as an open minded, eclectic, energetic, fearless, uncompromising, and who stood for and on the truth.

He lived in Germany in the early part of the 20^th century. There were several scenes in the movie where Bonhoeffer visited several countries including the United States and the United Kingdom. He even is seen playing the piano in a jazz club in the U.S.

He belonged to the German Lutheran Church. He was a seminary graduate. He served as a pastor at the time of the rise and bloody reign of Adolf Hitler. Unlike many of his fellow pastors he rejected the church’s subjecting itself to the heavy-handed Hitler. You see Hitler expected the German people and church to bow in reverence to him instead of to the true God. Hitler carried out his plan to exterminate the Jewish race and other inferior persons. Bonhoeffer fought him the best he could.

On the CoachDaveLive.com daily podcast on Monday,10/18/2024, there was a discussion contrasting the 1^st Century Church and the 21^st Century Church. The early church could be characterized by three C’s: courage, confrontation, and conquest. This body of believers at that time were active and involved in what was going on in the culture. Today’s church could also be summarized by 3 C’s: comfort, compromise, and cowardice. Bonhoeffer, as the movie reveals, fits more in the mold of the 1^st Century than today’s Church.

The movie indicts the modern-day church, which for several reasons ignores the moral decay and evil rampant in today’s culture. It uses the Bonhoeffer life story to do just that. Today the Church remains mostly silent on abortion (the murder of pre-born humans), sexual deviancy (taught in our schools and widespread on broadcast and social media), destruction of the family, etc.

Bonhoeffer took a stand against the evil of his day and went to a premature death at the gallows joyfully. Will we and our leaders dare emulate this valent soldier?

This Angel Studio production is currently playing locally (through Monday, 10/25/2024). Everyone, especially Christ-followers, should see this inspirational film.

 

Why Are Unborn Babies So Evil?

And can we ever find it in our hearts to forgive them?

 

It is the Babies’ Fault, Punish Them, Abort Them!

From the very moment of fertilization/conception the unborn human being, the baby, seems to have no regard for the life of their mother or father. How inconsiderate of the baby to ignore the fact that their parents were too ignorant, too young, too poor, too ill-equipped, or too immature to provide even for themselves, let alone for a child. Afterall a child requires the full love and attention of loving, mature, moral, adult parents. The baby should have acted more responsibly and waited until the parents were ready, better prepared for parenthood before attempting enter the world.

Is There an Alternative to Execution?

Some folks contend that we cannot just kill the baby. You think? Indeed, can we ever forgive the baby? How, might you ask? Give the baby a reprieve, a much lighter sentence, than death? Maybe require that the baby be given the opportunity to be placed with a loving, maybe even an infertile, couple for adoption.

Is There a Better Solution?

In any case let’s warn, educate, and counsel young or older couples not to let emotions, irrationality, and irresponsibility rule the day and control their actions and lives. There are many ways to prevent unwanted pregnancy, of which monogamous marriage and natural birth control are God’s design and the responsible course of action. Abstaining (what?) from sexual intercourse IS the best practice prior to marriage. It prevents the baby from “ruining your life” as he or she is so intent and fond of doing.

Let Love Be the Ultimate Guide!

Yes, reason, logic, responsibility, unselfishness, true-caring love should guide couples through this wonderful God-given life.

Who said what?

“…Look what they are doing to their own people. It is all about the destruction of the family, of cultural and national identity, perversion and abuse of children, including pedophilia, all of which are declared normal in their life. They are forcing the priests to bless same-sex marriages…

“But here is what I would like to tell them: look at the Holy Scripture and the main books of other world religions. They say it all, including that family is the union of a man and a woman, but these sacred texts are being questioned…”

Question:

What famous world figure recently made this intensely truth filled statement when referring to one of the enemies of God?

 a.  Joe Biden

b. Pope Francis

c. Franklin Graham

d. Vladimir Putin

Answer:

·         Click here to check your answer 

Apotheosis of Washington

It has been a long time since I have done any blogging. I will have a new congressman because of the redistricting. My pastor recently called to my attention an issue that should have been addressed a long time ago. Here is my letter to petition my congressman about this issue.

Dear Honorable Congressman,

As you know Article I, section 8, clause 17 of the Constitution of the United States gives Congress the power to "...exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District...".  I would like to voice my opinion about the "Apotheosis of Washington" which is painted on the ceiling of the rotunda of the Capitol Building.  It should be painted over.  The fresco depicts pagan Greek gods, which should not be in a Christian nation.  The word "Apotheosis" in the title of the fresco means "ascending and becoming a god".  This is something that George Washington would never have approved of.  Even though he was a great man, it is morally wrong to elevate any human being except Jesus Christ to godhood status or to promote polytheism.  

Thank you for your consideration.

Concerned Citizen

November 3, 2020: Election or Selection?

People are still talking about the 2020 Presidential Election.  Democrats and some Republicans consider that the election is a settled matter.  Many Republicans, however, think that there was significant fraud involved across the nation in the 2020 General Election.

There is an important event scheduled for this weekend, which can be viewed free online. This event addresses the election integrity issue from a conservative perspective and offers evidence that all Americans need to examine.

Mike Lindell’s Presents the Moment of Truth Summit

Live on FrankSpeech.com Saturday, August 20, 2022 & Sunday, August 21, 2022
 

Outline of the Event

Day One – Saturday, August 20^th

·         Part 1 - How We Got Here – 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

·         Part 2 - State of the States Address – 12:30 – 7:30 p.m. ET

·         Part 3 - Selection Code Movie Premier – 7:30 – 9:45 p.m. ET

Day Two – Sunday, August 21^st

·         Part 4 - A Message of Hope – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET

·         Part 5 - Trial of the (Voting) Machines – 12:00 – 7:30 p.m. ET

·         Part 6 - Call to Action – 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. ET

Who Really Cares Liz?

Despite what U. S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and other radical pro-aborts say,Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC) do care about women.

Crisis Pregnancy Centers provide both pre-birth and post-birth services. They serve the physical, emotional, and in many cases even the financial and spiritual needs of the pregnant woman. Funded primarily by private, church, and other philanthropic donations, they are the backbone of services to pregnant women in need.

Increased support will be vital for these vulnerable women and families with more children now freed to be born. CPCs, now more than ever, must be supported financially and with increased volunteer participation.  

In stark contrast, it is the abortion industry, which heavily funds (using profits from abortion) the Warren-types in Congress, that only cares about filthy lucre (that’s money for those in Rio Linda). They see the expectant mother as a cash cow and terminating her baby as means to an end - easy money.

Worse yet, by their words and actions the baby-murdering Leftists seem to be encouraging violence and destruction of these praiseworthy, woman-supporting organizations, the CPCs. Expect more rage this summer as Antifa morphs into Abortifa.