The Conservative Christian Reader

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Due to the nature of this Blog, I have found it necessary to reserve the right to review, edit or refuse inappropriate messages, specifically those that are overly harsh and those with inappropriate language or innuendo. Thank you for understanding and for using mature, thoughtful and kind comments. dh

Standing for Truth at the Caucus

Blog #18 – Standing for Truth at the Caucus

By Sandy Holden[1]

A number of the sermons at our church (Foothills Bible Church) this spring have related to an experience that I had early in February.  As we stand for the truth, sometimes we are put in unusual situations.

I have attended our local caucus the last six years or so.  But, this year, it was impressed on my heart that it was time to prepare differently for the evening as I might have to testify about why we as Christian believers should not vote for someone of the Mormon faith.  To compound the problem, I was also supporting Newt Gingrich.  I left the house prepared, hoping for the best, and hoping that I would not be called upon.

The room was full of people that had not attended past caucuses.  The leader asked for someone to stand to defend Mitt Romney.  A man immediately stood and supported him.  By the end of the evening this man had been elected our delegate.  He shook hands with people at the door as they left.  It seemed obvious that he is of the Mormon faith.

Then, she asked for someone to stand to defend Rick Santorum.  A man of prominence that has run in the Presidential race in the past stood and did a lovely job of that.  He and his wife live in a nearby neighborhood.

Then, the question came “Is anyone willing to defend Newt Gingrich?”  No one else raised their hand, and I was prompted.  I took my notes and stood there shaking, noting that I would like nothing better than to be able to support Senator Santorum for the godly man that he is, but that I believe this is one time in the history of our nation when we need a Washington insider to be able to undo all that President Obama has done; to include, health care, increased debt, czars, etc.  And, that we need someone who can actually get around the Washington gridlock in order to make these changes.

Then, I noted that I do not believe Governor Romney will be able to win against President Obama, so voting for him could be a wasted vote.  I believe this for two reasons:  1) because he would not be able to debate him, but more importantly, 2) because he wouldn’t get the votes to win the election due to spiritual issues.  A woman from the front raised her hand and wanted to know, “What about the spiritual issues?”  So, I said that while the Mormons are very nice people, they are works-oriented and not Christians.  That means that many in our nation concerned with theological issues would not be able to vote for him.  She wanted more clarification.  So, I said that I had brought a list of differences separating them from the Christian faith from their own theological writings, but that “It’s all about Jesus, and their view of Him.”

I closed by saying that we need to look at the bigger picture and realize that for those concerned with theological ramifications, there is no difference between voting for a Muslim and a Mormon.  And, that I know people who would not cast a vote if that is their choice.  I heard some gasp at that statement and then a hush went over the room.

Upon sitting down, another woman from the front of the room announced that she is a born-again Christian and cannot even think of voting for someone as despicable and immoral as Newt Gingrich.  I was shaking so bad at that point that I did not respond that I believe we should take Speaker Gingrich at his word that he has been forgiven by God and his family for his past, that he is a changed man, and therefore, there are no Biblical concerns against voting for him.

Anyway, by that time everyone in the room hated me for what I had said.  I was sad that my views were seen as politically-incorrect bigotry rather than standing for truth and concern for unsaved souls.  I know that this clumsy defense of Jesus was not of my doing, but because He drew me to this place.  My hope is that someone left that room on a quest to find out the truth about their faith as it compares to the truth about Jesus, the Incarnate God.  Not a god among gods, but the Creator God.  Not the brother of satan, but the Creator of all angels, including those that are fallen.

The truth:

Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.’

It is doubtful that my appeal to them made much difference.  My real solace for the evening was that I stood for Jesus through obedience.  When the words “It’s all about Jesus” came out of my mouth, I thought, “Woo hoo!”  And, it didn’t matter what anyone in the room thought.  I had stood for truth and my Lord.

 

 

 

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[1] Sandra K. Holden has her Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Ministry Degree and is currently pursuing her Master of Christian Studies in Biblical Counseling Degree with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President Part Five of Five – The Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President

Part Five of Five – The Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons

In Part Four, we looked at the Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons.  Here, in Part Five – last article in this series -  we’ll look at the topic of Voting for a Mormon for President.

Voting for a Mormon for President

So, we return to the point of our beginning.  I will say it again.  I have made a personal judgment that I cannot in good conscience vote for Mr. Romney for President.  For all I know, he is a nice person, good father, husband and friend to others.  He appears to me to be an intelligent person and he may serve well as President.  After much contemplation, I have decided that God places leaders over us.[1]  Some will be good leaders, some indifferent and some exceedingly bad and/or incompetent.  I am personally going to pray that I do not have to forgo my privilege to vote for the first time in my life, but if Mr. Romney is the nominee, I will do just that.  If that makes me unfair, unjust and bigoted, so be it.  To whoever reads this and comes to a different conclusion, so be it.  I do not call you a bad person or a bad Christian.  I call you no names at all, and I hope to live at peace with you.

Doug

Douglas S. Holden © December30, 2011.  All Rights reserved.

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[1] Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Rom. 13:1 NIV

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President: Part Four of Five – The Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President

Part Four of Five – The Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons

In Part Three, we looked at The Danger of Cults.  Here, in Part Four, we’ll look at the Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons.

The Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons

How Christians should approach Mormonism and Mormons is not the same.  Mormonism is a false religion, it is counter-biblical and it can lead people to hell.   Mormonism should be opposed to the greatest degree.  Note, during this political season, that the Mormon Church is trying hard to be accepted as Christian mainstream partly by the use of very pleasant commercials showing upstanding citizens and then closing with them saying, “…and I’m a Mormon.”  I consider this as deceitful or else they would talk about their doctrine.[1]   How Christians approach Mormons – the people – is much different.  I know many Mormons.  I cannot recall ever hating a Mormon, and I really cannot recall a single Mormon I have disliked. The Mormons I have known have been nice, moral, friendly, and of high character.  So let me be very clear again.  Do not take this article to mean Christians should reject the Mormon person, but it does say to reject Mormonism.  The Bible is replete with information of how Christians should love the lost, pray for them  and be a witness to them in word and deed.

Next, in Part Five – the last article in this series - we’ll look at the Voting For A Mormon for President.

Doug

Douglas S. Holden © December30, 2011.  All Rights reserved.

 

 

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[1] Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. 2 Cor. 4:2 NIV

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President: Part Three of Five – The Danger of Cults

 

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President

Part Three of Five – The Danger of Cults

In Part Two, we looked at how to recognize cults.  Here, in Part Three, we’ll look at The Danger of Cults.

The Danger of Cults

Whatever definition, it is clear that to the Christian faith, cults are dangerous.  Dangerous because a cult distorts the Word of God and serves to lead others down a path that could lead to an eternity away from God.  To support a cult – even tacit support, even the failure to speak out against a cult – could create the same consequence.   To be clear, politics does not accomplish that, but a faith that is counter to the Word of God, especially as it distorts the salvation process, does.  Cults twist the Word of God.  What could be more dangerous – abhorrent – than that?  Being involved in a cult, supporting a cult in any manner is playing with fire – literally.

Dr. Geisler notes that “Cults often prey on vulnerable people.”[1]  Those people who are the most vulnerable should be protected the most – the young, the elderly, the socially oppressed, the emotionally oppressed, those who have never heard the true Gospel or, who have, but for a variety of circumstances been driven away.  Shame on those who would do such things – who would employ such tactics.  This is one reason that the New Testament church was warned multiple times about  teaching and protecting sound doctrine:              

1 Tim 1:8-11

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers — and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

1 Tim 4:16

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2 Tim 4:3-5

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Titus 1:9

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.   

Titus 2: 1

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

Without a strong doctrinal background, we can all be counted among the vulnerable.  Following is a list of some Mormon teachings documented from Mormon authors.

• There are many gods, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163)
• There is a mother goddess, (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 443)
• God is married to his goddess wife and has spirit children, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 516)
• God used to be a man on another planet, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 321)
• After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god, (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 345-347, 354)
• God resides near a star called Kolob, (Pearl of Great Price, pages 34-35; Mormon Doctrine, p. 428.)
• The Trinity is three separate gods, (James Talmage, Articles of Faith, p. 35)
• God is increasing in knowledge, (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 120)
• God has the form of a man, (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 3).
• God the Father has a body of flesh and bones, (Doctrine and Covenants, 130:22)
• We were first begotten as spirit children in heaven and then born naturally on earth, (Journal of Discourse, Vol. 4, p. 218).[2]

Next, in Part Four, we’ll look at the Christian Approach to Mormonism and Mormons.

Doug

Douglas S. Holden © December30, 2011.  All Rights reserved. 

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[1] Correcting the Cults, p. 17

[2] http://carm.org/dictionary-mormon

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President: Part Two of Five – What is a Cult

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President

Part Two of Five – What is a Cult

In Part One, we looked at a general introduction.  Here, in Part Two, we’ll look at how to recognize a cult.

Now, let us look at the “Why” question.  It should come as no surprise, based upon what I have previously stated in this article, that the question of Mormonism as a cult is at the heart of my conviction.

What is a Cult?

One of my most revered writers is Dr. Norman Geisler.  Dr. Geisler states, “There is no universally agreed-upon definition of a cult; there are only some generally recognizable traits.”[1]  Dr. Geisler also states,    “… there are three different dimensions of a cult—doctrinal, sociological, and moral.”[2]

Dr. Millard J. Erickson is general in his definition.  Cults are defined as:

Groups that are heretical in one or more significant respects and that frequently practice strong social control over their members.  They sometimes also engage in forms of brainwashing to gain and retain converts.[3]

Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty commission, explained: 

When we use the word 'cult,' that's a theological definition of a movement that claims to be within the confines of the Christian faith and clearly is not within the confines of the Christian faith. It is a new religion.[4]

To be clear, what is a cult is juxtaposed against the Christian faith.  Some professing Christians will not like the exclusivity of this statement, but it must be true since the Christian faith is true and because it is foundational to the Christian faith that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is true about all of which it speaks.  If one does not believe this proposition, then the rest of the article will not make sense.  That is why it is so important to understand this is my personal conviction based upon my Christian worldview.  I believe this is a sound position based upon conservative, evangelical Christian principles. 

Dr. Geisler states that it is probably best to describe certain of the characteristics of cults in an effort to better understand the issue. He explains that not every cult exhibits all of the characteristics, but all exhibit one or more.  He lists three basic characteristics:  Doctrinal, Sociological and Moral.[5]

 

Regarding the Doctrinal Characteristics, Dr. Geisler lists the elements of (1) “New Revelation,”  (2) “Denial of the Sole Authority of the Bible,” (3) “Distorted Views of God and Jesus,” and (4) “Denial of Salvation by Grace.”[6]  

Regarding New Revelation, Geisler states that “many cult leaders claim to have a direct pipeline to God”[7] like Mormonism that has taken position that has allegedly come from God and has then succumbed to social or political pressure by alleging that a new revelation has come from God to reverse the previous.  Examples are not allowing African Americans to participate in the priesthood and then changing to allow this participation and allowing polygamy and then changing to prohibit polygamy, to mention a couple.

Regarding Denial of the Sole Authority of the Bible, Geisler comments that Mormons “believe the Book of Mormon is higher Scripture than the Bible.”[8]  Regarding the Distorted Views of God and Jesus, Geisler writes that “Mormons do speak of a ‘Trinity,’ but redefine it into Tritheism (i.e., three gods).”[9]  Finally, the element of Salvation by Grace, “The Mormons, for example, emphasize the necessity of becoming more and more perfect in this life.”[10]  Do not confuse this position with the Christian perspective of doing what is right out of commitment to God.  Mormonism teaches one must do certain things in order to graduate to the next life as a god.[11]

Regarding Sociological Characteristics, Dr. Geisler points to “authoritarianism, exclusivism, dogmatism, close-mindedness, susceptibility, compartmentalization, isolation, and even antagonism.”[12]  Specifically referencing Exclusivism, Dr. Geisler says that “The Mormons believe they are the exclusive community of the saved on earth.”  Do not confuse this with the Christian view that salvation only comes through Jesus.  For Dogmatism, “Mormons claim to be the only true church on earth.”[13];[14] The Christian view speaks of the “Church” in a universal sense, as those who have been saved by grace, through faith alone.[15] For Close-mindedness, “One educated Mormon we encountered said he did not care if it could be proved that Joseph Smith was a false prophet; he still would remain a Mormon.”[16] For Susceptibility:

Many Mormons have a "burning in the bosom" which makes it nearly impossible to reason with them about their faith. Cultists often accept teachings by a kind of blind faith that is impervious to sound reasoning. One Mormon missionary said he would believe the Book of Mormon even if it said there were square circles![17]

Next are the Moral Characteristics for which Dr. Geisler points to Legalism, Sexual Perversion, Physical Abuse and Intolerance Toward Others.  Legalism involves extrabiblical standards to which followers must adhere like Mormon teaching “forbidding the use of coffee, tea, or any drink with caffeine.”[18]  Regarding Sexual Perversion, “Joseph Smith (and other Mormon leaders) had many wives.”[19]

Correcting the Cults does a good job of going from Genesis through Revelation showing how Christianity differs widely from Mormonism in a number of areas:  Creation, Salvation, the Deity of Christ as a member of the Trinity, Pre-existence, the Virgin Birth, the Relationship between Jesus and satan, the Fall, Sacred Books, Heaven and Hell and countless other ways.  Much more time could be used to develop the Biblical position, but, for now, I’ll just quote this: 

Who is the liar?  It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ.  Such a man is the antichrist – he denies the Father and the Son.  No one who denies the Son has the Father.[20] 

Mormonism does not call Jesus “the Christ” – Messiah in exclusivity – but rather that we are all destined to be gods if we comport to Mormonism.  See footnote 11, supra.

The Philosophical Law of Opposites states that if two statements are opposites, both cannot be true.  In that Mormonism and fundamental, evangelical Christianity support many opposites, they cannot both be true.  You may argue that fundamental, evangelical Christianity is not true in your opinion, but it is hardly logical to claim that Mormonism and Christianity are both true.  Thus it is simply not logical for a Mormon to claim to be a Christian or for a Christian to claim to be a Mormon. 

Next, in Part Three, we’ll look at The Danger of Cults.

Doug

Douglas S. Holden © December30, 2011.  All Rights reserved.

 

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[1] Correcting the Cults, © 1997 by Norman L. Geisler and Ron Rhodes, p. 9

[2] p. 10

[3] The Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology, Millard J. Erickson, Crossway Books, Wheaton, IL (2001), p. 45.

[4] The Christian Post > Politics| Wed, Oct. 12 2011 03:42 PM EDT. Mormonism Debate: What Is a Cult? Different Understandings Confuse the Debate on Mormonism, By Napp Nazworth.

[5] Correcting the Cults, p. 10

[6] p. 10

[7] p. 10

[8] p. 10

[9] p. 10

[10] p. 11

[11] After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god, (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345-347, 354.)  "Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them," (Doctrine and Covenants 132:20).

[12] Correcting the Cults, p. 11

[13] p. 12

[14] Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV

[15] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:8-9 NIV

[16] Correcting the Cults, p. 12

[17] p. 12

[18] p. 13

[19] p. 13

[20] 1 John 2:22, 23 NIV.

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President: Part One of Five - Introduction

A Christian’s View – The Theology of Voting for Mitt Romney for President

Part One of Five - Introduction

I usually do not comment of things political in this blog, and though this article will discuss voting for President of the United States, I will offer my personal views, but only from a theological perspective.  The short answer is that from a theological perspective, I cannot vote for a Mormon.

This year, one of the front-runners for the Republican nomination for President, Mitt Romney, is a Mormon and  I have been asked a number of times regarding the issue of voting for a Mormon.  I haven’t gone public with my personal views, but my friends and family certainly know my view. 

Recently, the Republican debates brought this issue to the forefront when a Pastor, introducing Governor Rick Perry at a political rally, commented that Mormonism is a cult.  That comment was later disavowed by Mr. Perry during a debate.

There was, of course, a flurry of comments about the cult comment, but one political commentator, Dick Morris, grabbed my attention.  He stated that those who choose not to vote for Mr. Romney because he is a Mormon is “unfair, unjust, bigoted.”  I had remained quiet up to this point, but I had to take issue with what Mr. Morris said and I wrote to him sharing my view that my choice was based upon a heart-felt theological position shared by many within the conservative, evangelical Christian community and though he may have a personal view that my position is unfair, unjust and bigoted, he had stated it not as an opinion, but rather as fact.  It is not a fact that I am any one of the three names he called me, especially not a bigot.

So here is my take.  I think there are two basic issues:  The political issue and the theological issue.  Before I get to those issues, I want it to be clear that I am expressing my own, personal view, both politically and theologically.  First, I have no problem with anyone who votes for Mr. Romney, whether from a political or theological position.  Second, do I hate Mormons?  Certainly not.  I believe that the belief system and worldview of Mormonism is seriously flawed.  The Mormons I know are of high moral character and possess many traits espoused in the Christian faith – sometimes to a much greater extent than mainstream Christians.  I will discuss how the Mormon faith deviates from the Christian faith and why I agree that Mormonism is a cult, later.

The Political Issue:  I think the issue is best framed as whether or not one who is a conservative, or who is otherwise disenchanted with President Obama and/or his policies and ideologies, should vote for ANY conservative Republican candidate merely in an effort to defeat Mr. Obama.  I understand this position and make no personal judgment regarding those who answer this issue in the affirmative.

The Theological Issue:  Here, the issue is best framed as whether or not one should refrain from voting for Mr. Romney solely – or substantially – because he is a Mormon.  I want to make this clear again.  This is my personal position and I make no personal judgment regarding one’s personal faith should s/he choose to vote for Mr. Romney.  I do not believe those Christians who vote for Mr. Romney will somehow lose their salvation or will be less Christian than those who choose not to vote for Mr. Romney.

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I consider myself a patriot.  I proudly served in the military of the United States.  I am politically, economically and morally conservative. I find much of who I perceived Mr. Obama to be and what he has done and may continue to do as president as unwise and damaging to America.  I pray that God will not have us endure another four years with Mr. Obama as President, though I subscribe to the saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”  Israel wished for a secular king even though God told them that was not a good idea.  God allow that to happen and the result was some pretty bad characters became kings.  I believe it is best to merely seek God’s Will.

I highly value my right and privilege to vote, and I believe that I should vote, so long as voting will not violate my Christian conscience.   And therein lies the rub for me.  I understand that should I choose not to vote for anyone for President, and if many others make that same choice, Mr. Obama may be reelected.  So I view my choice as “should I vote in violation of my Christian conscience, or should I, out of my personal, Christian conscience, leave the result to God.”  I choose the latter.  I pray that I will not have to make that choice.  This is my personal conviction, and I hold no one to that conviction, but me.

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Next, in Part Two, we’ll look at how to recognize a cult.

Doug

Douglas S. Holden © December30, 2011.  All Rights reserved.

Don't Look Back

Don’t Look Back

By Sandy Holden[1]

My brother-in-law, Clint Holden, sings a beautiful song entitled “Don’t Look Back.” It’s about Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt.

Lot’s wife disobeyed God by looking back. She held on to useless things as the Lord’s angels led her and her family by the hands to safety. I think this bears repeating. Angels! Angels are leading her and her family by the hands and she still looks back.

The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. . . When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”. . . But lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19

I suspect that there are several reasons why she did this; maybe fear, pride, worry, lack of trust, worldliness, or blame. But, disobedience is the result. All of these attributes are sin.

Lot also had his problems as we see that he hesitated initially, prompting the angels to grasp their hands to lead them out of the city. So, while they had been living in a sinful environment, they had become blind to the evil and now at this crucial time, it was their choice. Lot also argued with the angels about their destination and concessions were made to him. It is clear that their relationships with the Lord were not what they should be. And yet, “the Lord was merciful to them.”

How often do we as Christian women choose the safety of what we know rather than trusting God with the uncertainty of change in our lives? How often do we harbor memories of disappointment that keep our family members, our friends, our selves, and even the Lord in boxes to protect ourselves, so that changes are not made that we so desperately want and hope for? How often do we focus on the temporal things of life rather than on the Lord God Almighty? We block the progress that we and our families might make, while all the while, our Jesus is right here indwelling us in the person of the Holy Spirit, as He intercedes for us, His saints, in accordance with God’s will.

There were no godly men for her daughters in this evil city that they were fleeing. So, she held back the wonderful progress that her family would have made had she only trusted God, the one who “was merciful to them.” This story might have ended with a wonderful family including grandchildren had she lived in obedience. But instead, her sin and self-destruction ended her life on earth, and led the way for her daughters to also sin by not trusting the Lord. What a sad commentary!

We are called to lose our life for the Lord, just as He gave His life for us.

Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Luke 17:32-33

As we who believe lose our life, we really gain the life that counts and it is the life that we want.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

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[1] Sandra K. Holden has her Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Ministry Degree and is currently pursuing her Master of Christian Studies in Biblical Counseling Degree with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

The Christian & Politics

The Christian & Politics

By Sandy Holden[1]

I was interested this past week to hear Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak of the freedoms that the nation of Israel and the United States of America have in common. These freedoms are rare and even non-existent for most of the nations of the world. I could not help but be drawn to the many spiritual connections between these two nations. Both would honor the following verse from the Torah and the Bible.

The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous . . . The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord. Psalm 146:7b-10

Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke almost reverently about America’s founding documents. The United States has indeed been blessed with freedom. Her founding documents include statements that acknowledge and honor our Christian heritage and its accompanying freedom. Some of these statements are as follows:

The Declaration of Independence: When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. . .

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

The Constitution of the United States: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Many have sacrificed much, even their very lives, in support of these profound statements within these profound documents.

Over the years not everything has gone well. Significant areas of sin in our historical past and present are:

• Slavery - The people of our nation suffered tremendously before, during, and after the Civil War in the fight to end slavery. Then, the Civil Rights Movement brought further necessary reforms.
• Women’s suffrage – Women were denied the right to vote until an amendment to the Constitution was passed. This Nineteenth Amendment prohibits any United States citizen to be denied the right to vote based on gender. Introduced in 1878, it was submitted to the states for ratification in 1919 and ratified in 1920.
• Humanistic psychology – This is the element of psychology that is diametrically opposed to theology. This anti-God thinking has become pervasive in American society. The subtleties are evident on a daily basis. While it began in the 1800’s, the push to remove God from our society gained momentum during the 1900’s.
• Abortion - This is one of the results of humanistic psychology. Self has become all important even to the point of mothers legally killing their babies as a means of birth control. And, oh the heartache that many of them bear later. It is a grievous situation, indeed.

It is noticeably significant that three of the points listed are discriminatory against entire people groups. While we cannot go back and change the past, we can work from where we are to change the future. Why should we do this when the Scriptures say that we are to be subject to rulers and authorities?

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. Titus 3:1-2

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 1 Peter 2:13-14

We fervently pray and fast and trust God that all will come together in His perfect will just as He has planned. And, of course, we know that this will be the case. But, we also see in Revelation that churches will be judged. Then, we read that nations will be judged.

Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. Joel 3:12

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. Matthew 12:36

God cares about the careless word that is spoken. God cares about the churches that let their eyes wander away from Jesus. God cares about babies that are being needlessly murdered. And, God will judge our nation for this sin.

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16

We quite often hear that people are calling for the end of tax-payer funded abortions. But, I do not believe this will let us off the hook in the final roll call. The issue is legalization of abortion. It was unlawful for the majority of this nation’s history, is unlawful in God’s economy, and should be restored to unlawful status.

Our Lord has not called me into the profession of politics. And, while politics will never replace or even be able to compete with the spiritual disciplines in my life, I’m making an effort to know more about the candidates and political issues as I take my role as a Christian and citizen more seriously. It is the issue of abortion that has clarified my understanding of the Christian and Politics. The sin of our day should not be ignored.

Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’ Acts 5:29

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

These babies are orphans in the truest sense.

Just as Christians were involved in the abolition of slavery through helping dedicated women like Harriet Tubman with the Underground Railroad, we can be in the abolishment of abortion. As our history has proven, it takes time, effort, and dedication to change minds about discrimination. I often hear about the “woman’s right to choose” and wonder how we came to a place that justifies a right to kill. This could only happen with anti-God thinking that does not value God’s creation of human life. The real choice is for us as Christian women to carry the burden for the unborn through our faith, our prayer life, our witness, and our vote. We do not have to be running for political office to make this commitment. Thankfully, God is in control and, by His grace as we are used as His vessels, we can jointly make a difference.

But, let us do this with wisdom and gentleness as unto the Lord. And, with the hope that we might share our precious Savior with those who have yet to believe.

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6

 

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[1] Sandra K. Holden has her Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Ministry Degree and is currently pursuing her Master of Christian Studies in Biblical Counseling Degree with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

A Call for Change – Part Two By Sandy Holden

A Call for Change – Part Two

By Sandy Holden[1]

Portions of the following concepts were obtained from study of The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges, The Walk of Repentance by Steve Gallagher, and lectures by Jeff Colon of Pure Life Ministries.

Just as we receive a call to repentance that leads to a changed life in the salvation process, there is another call for change.  We also receive a call to live in repentance.  The Bible tells of two kings that sinned against God.  One chose to love himself more than God and lost all fellowship with God.  The other acknowledged his sin against God and humbled himself before the Lord and was forgiven. 

King Saul loved and cherished his sin.  What a hideous thing!  Like King Saul, we can deceive ourselves by reforming some actions without repenting in our hearts.  Disobedience in one area of life increases the likelihood of disobedience in other areas.  We tend to rank our sin and work on the areas that we find most offensive, while all sin is equal in the eyes of God.  So, if we’re struggling to overcome what we consider a “big” sin, but continue to drive 15 mph over the speed limit, our progress may well be hindered.  He has provided instructions for us in honoring civil laws provided by our governing system just as well as moral laws provided by His Word.  A turning away generally means leaving the source or environment.  While there are some situations that cannot be changed, most can.  Being obedient and diligent is critical in turning away from sin.

King David, on the other hand, committed horrible sin; to include adultery and murder involving his commander, Uriah, and his wife, Bathsheba.  But, his repentance was sincere and accepted by God.  David faced the truth and accepted full responsibility for his sin.  He was humbled and broken before the Lord.  There were consequences for his sin, but he was reconciled to his Lord.  He was able to write:

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.  Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!  Psalm 66:19-20

Just as King Saul and King David were called to live in repentance, we are as well.  We can choose to keep ourselves on the throne or humbly allow our precious Savior to reign in our lives.  God sees the heart as it truly is. 

We are made holy by the grace of God.  But, many question their ability to live in holiness, with the belief that sinning is part of the Christian life and that God doesn’t expect obedience because He knows they will fail.  This belief interferes with determination to live in obedience to God, and it is false.

We must be willing to live morally blameless and to die to the sin which reigns within our heart.  This requires making a choice to resist sin and to break old habits that come from the desires within the heart.  Discipline is required if we are going to have the resolve to overcome our desires and live a life of moral purity according to God’s standard of holiness.  

This means coming to the Word of God in all humility and contrition as we openly understand the corruption in our own heart and our need for the Holy Spirit’s work therein.  We must become convicted of areas of sin in our life and address those through obedience to God’s Word.  This is done by fixing our mind on the commands of God.  His Word must become the dominant influence within our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. 

Change comes through meditation on and memorization of God’s Word.  As His Word becomes the dominant influence in our own heart, then it can be applied to our daily life.

While it is possible and our objective to live in holiness, when sin happens, it must be dealt with sincerely, as God’s truth is revealed to us.  We must consistently watch for His nudging to turn around and go the other way.  But, when we fail, we must repent and get right back up and keep going.  We do this better as we train ourselves to listen for God’s voice.  He’ll faithfully show us the truth.  Our responsibility is to guard the truth He has shown us.

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.  John 3:21

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[1] Sandra K. Holden is pursuing her Master of Arts in Christian Studies degree with a major in Biblical Counseling with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.

A Call for Change By Sandy Holden

A Call for Change

By Sandy Holden[1]

We are a people that love comfort.  It is to what we have become accustomed.  Having comfort was not common throughout history past, it is not common for many in our world now, and it is likely that it will not be common in the future.

However, the biblical message is not generally one of comfort.  The prophets did not forecast calm, but storm.  They did not say that “All is well in the world.”  In fact, Jesus would not have needed to come as our Savior if all had been right in the world.  The prophets consistently spoke out saying “Repent, repent.”

Man is sinful by birth, because sin came into the world when Adam and Eve sinned, which was the point of singularity (inception of sin), and it has expanded since that time.  The world is not getting better, it is getting worse moment by moment.  From the point of singularity, sin can do no other than to expand; thus, making the natural condition of man’s heart one of depravity.

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.  Psalm 51:5

 

[F] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, . . . Romans 3:23

Because God is holy and cannot be around sin, man was destined to eternal death.

Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.  Deuteronomy 24:16

Repentance is a change of mind and heart that leads to a change of life.  I received the call to repent from my sin in November 1972.  This was a personal decision that I made uniquely at the same time that my husband made his decision for which I am eternally grateful.  We discussed our desire to be saved and agreed to separately pray our own prayer at the same time.  Three months later very little in our life circumstances was the same.

This decision was of supreme importance to me/us as it was our only hope.  We could not do for ourselves what Jesus had done for us on the cross.  We were sinful creatures that needed the way provided for us by our Creator God.

My husband was a full-time student taking 21 units a semester (year-around) while working 48 hours a week as a security guard to support our family.  We had one hour a day together and Sundays.  I was a stay-at-home mom with two little boys ages 4 ½ and 3.  He was exhausted, and I was sad and lonely.  We knew that things were not right.  God sent two people into our lives to tell us of our need.  One was a long-time friend of Doug’s who was traveling through town on his way to go to seminary in Tennessee.  He was witnessing to people and baptizing them along the way.  He spoke to us about the end times, which was something that was never discussed in our previous church experiences.  The other was Doug’s sister who came across town every Thursday evening to have Bible Study with me and several of our neighbors.  She repeatedly told me to tell Doug that we were not saved, and in order to be saved we must repent of our sin and ask Jesus into our hearts.  Just like Noah, Jeremiah, and John the Baptist, these people were the voices telling us to repent.

The Holy Spirit was simultaneously convicting us so that we were able to be saved at the same time.  What a precious, precious gift that has been to us over the years.  We have been so richly blessed!

We know that the Lord used our circumstances at the time to get our attention in order to point out our need for Him.  Once we had given ourselves over to Him, He changed many of our circumstances and blessed us through those changes.  It was after our salvation that I went to work at the private college that Doug attended which allowed him to go to school tuition free.  Then, I also worked at the private law school he attended and we received a 50% tuition discount.  The hard part for me was leaving our young boys in the care of others.  But, God even provided for us through this painful experience as we found our new church home at the church-based day care provided for our sons.

There is purpose to living out our lives according to the plan of our Creator.  While the message is one of storm, there is also a message of hope and even comfort.  Sometimes God blesses His children with the kind of comfort that they desire, but there is a greater comfort.  I did not get the comfort that I desired to stay home with our children during those years of sacrifice, but I knew that we were in our Lord’s will.  And, this comfort did bring peace. 

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.  Psalm 119:76

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

This hope comes through the blood of Jesus Christ.  God sacrificed His own Son, so that man could be redeemed.  He loved His creation so much that He came to earth as a defenseless baby.  He changed for us by becoming one of His creation; one of us.  Who, but Holy God, would even think of doing such a thing!

What is going on in the world is not where it’s at.  God calls us to change. 

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”  Matthew 4:17

 

I tell you, no!  But unless you repent, you too will all perish.  Luke 13:3

As the prophet Amos would say, “Prepare to meet your God . . . The Lord God Almighty is his name.”

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[1] Sandra K. Holden is pursuing her Master of Arts in Christian Studies degree with a major in Biblical Counseling with IABC Certification from Master’s International School of Divinity.