Pray with others on May 4th

The National Day of Prayer

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Thursday, May 4th, 2006

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on events in your area.

9Marks of a Healthy Church MEMBER: Expositional LISTENING

By Thabiti Anyabwile
-- 9Marks.org

20 Tips to Help You Think Clearly

-- Stand To Reason

Online Video Details Partial-Birth Abortion

Watch it here. (NOTE: This video is not graphic but it will disturb you.)

Ohioans: Get informed on how to vote for May 2nd Election

Learn candidates’ views on issues you care about at: www.ohioelectioncentral.com.

Is the New Testament Text Corrupted on Questions of Gender?

-- Al Mohler.com

Vote on Marriage Slated for June. Pastors Encouraged to Hand Out Marriage Postcards to Members.

TAKE ACTION: Get your own postcard here. You'll need the free Adobe Reader to access the document.

To find contact info for your two senators, click here.

The Gospel of Judas: A Resurrection of a Different Sort

While many believers this weekend celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, many unbelievers will be celebrating a resurrection of a different sort – the Gospel of Judas.

That’s right: despite the mischaracterization by many in the mainstream media, this year’s Easter season hoax wasn’t discovered, but resurrected. The fact is, after closely examining this work, early church scholars determined it to be extremely inconsistent to first century church teachings. History records this determination to be by virtually a unanimous vote, which, by the way, is completely contrary to Dan Brown’s revisionist account of a very close vote. The conclusion reached by the early church resulted in this heterodoxical work being categorized along with other heretical, Gnostic writings (like the Gospel of Thomas) to form what is called the Pseudepigrapha (which literally means “false writings”). Once the Gospel of Judas was deemed false in the second century, from what I gather (now don’t quote me on this), some “pack-rat” decided to take this junk and store it away for posterity. Now, thanks to Hollywood and other liberally-motivated outfits, the Gospel of Judas has been pulled out of storage, fully-restored, and published as fodder in the latest attempt to discredit historical Christianity.

While serious scholars have concluded that The Gospel of Judas does not cohere with writings already canonized at the time into the sacred Scriptures, they do admit this work is historically helpful in better understanding the development of the Gnostic movement. That being said, however, one could properly assess the true, spiritual value of this and other Gnostic writings as tantamount to the physical value placed on a pile of bones following a chicken dinner.

The lies continue. The next big lie: The Da Vinci Code: The Movie.

Miracle recorded on tape. Witness it yourself right here.

Some people think God will heal if one follows some type of religious formula: perhaps if one shouts a particular mantra; falls to the ground a certain way; or is prayed over by a particular church leader. However, God heals if and when it fits into His sovereign plan. While not as normative as some people make it out to be, I do believe God does perform miracles today. And I believe this is a perfect example.

* this online clip is available for free for a limited time only.
download RealPlayer here

Are Facts Obsolete?

In an article entitled “Are Facts Obsolete?,” Thomas Sowell writes:

“We learn from the media's filtered facts that there are countries with stronger gun-control laws than ours which have lower murder rates. We seldom, if ever, learn from the media about countries which have stronger gun-control laws than ours and whose murder rates are two or three times higher than ours.”

He concludes his piece by stating:

“Apparently scholars, as well as journalists, have made up their minds and don't want to be confused by the facts.”

Does the "Gospel of Judas" Discredit Historical Christianity?

The media has created a firestorm of hype surrounding the recent publication of The Gospel of Judas. Albert Mohler addresses this issue in his article, "From Traitor to Hero? Responding to 'The Gospel of Judas. He writes:

In sum, the publication of this document, dismissed as heretical by the early church, offers great insights into the character of Gnostic heresies the early Christians had to confront and correct. But this text poses no threat to the authority of the Bible or to the Christian Gospel. It was identified and dismissed as heretical by the early church for one simple reason -- it was, and is.

He further discusses it on Thursday's edition of his show The Albert Mohler Program.

The Intolerance of Today’s Tolerance Movement

Unfortunately, true tolerance has become so perverted over recent times that a counterfeit tolerance has emerged. This false notion of tolerance has actually led towards true intolerance. In order for authentic tolerance to once again be embraced by our culture, people first need to understand what it actually is, and what it is not.

Basic to its understanding, one must first look at how tolerance is applied. As outlined by Greg Koukl of Stand To Reason, there are three possible applications of tolerance: always towards a person; and always towards either a behavior, or an idea. True tolerance – as classical defined – must be done with civility, respecting the person in the process, and must offer the freedom to express one’s ideas without fear of reprisal, yet without necessarily putting up with every type of behavior.

Some behaviors violate the sanctity of the common good. That is why we have laws on the books. For instance, one does not have the right to dump anything they want in our common rivers. As Lincoln said, “There is no right to do wrong.” A major implication of the proliferation of today’s definition of tolerance is that many deleterious behaviors have been overlooked. The list is long: from speeding to felonies. Un-enforced laws lead to a greater violation of those laws by those tempted to break them. The lawbreaker could reason, “If I’m not being punished for the behavior, then it must not really be a bad thing.”

The irrationality and absurdity of today’s definition of tolerance has also led to a modern myth that true tolerance consists of neutrality. But nothing could be further from the truth. As Koukl points out, the essential element of tolerance is disagreement. Tolerance is defined by Webster as “to allow or permit, to recognize and respect other’s beliefs and practices without sharing them, to bear or put up with someone or something not necessarily liked.” Think about it for a second. Isn’t it true that one cannot tolerate something unless one disagrees with that thing? One cannot put up with something unless they disagree with that idea or behavior – in other words, they think that idea or behavior is wrong.

Yet if you accuse someone – either implicitly or explicitly – of saying that another person is wrong, the person will most likely say, “oh, no! I don’t think they’re wrong.” They say this because the forces of political correctness have intimidated them. Many folks in our culture have sadly been duped into believing that if they are thought of as thinking someone is wrong, then they will be viewed as intolerant. And they would never want to be labeled intolerant, because afterall – and here’s the irony – that would be wrong.

Isn’t this politically correct thinking just ridiculous? If one doesn’t think another is wrong, then wouldn’t he or she think this other person is right? And if he or she thinks this other is right, then what could they possibly be in need of tolerating? We don’t “tolerate” people who share our views. They’re on our side. There’s nothing to put up with. Tolerance is reserved for those we think are wrong. How can we tolerate something unless we first disagree with that thing? That thing can be either a particular conduct or maybe it’s a point of view one holds. How can we tolerate an idea unless we first think that idea is wrong? One must first think someone is wrong before that person can exercise tolerance; yet expressing those thoughts brings the accusation of intolerance in our society.

This popular, yet perverted, view of tolerance today, not only leads to a passivity toward harmful behaviors, and suppression of the reality of real disagreements, but it also demands all views, or beliefs (mine included), be accepted as equally valid, or of equal worth or merit, as everyone else’s. But this is simply sheer nonsense!

Let’s say I actually give them the benefit of the doubt and test out what the “neo-tolerant” purveyors actually say the way the world really is. If their view were indeed correct, that is, that all views are right, then that would mean that my view is right. But here’s my view: I believe that not all views are right. (You heard me right. I’m not trying to “pull one over on you” with some fancy trickery or slight of hand. That’s why I’m writing it out. So you can read it, and re-read it, and more importantly, think it out, carefully.) In essence, my view would negate their view. If my view is the way the world really is, then that would make their view wrong. Conversely, if their view is right, in other words, the world operates in such a way that all views are right, then it would be impossible for someone to hold the view that I hold to – namely, that some views are wrong. But I do hold this view! Therefore, the sheer existence of my belief causes their “reality machine” to self-destruct.

Koukl further points out that this empty philosophy – which happens to be a modern convention of our post-modern, relativistic culture – advocates no morality, yet demands that no one ought to judge anyone else. They fail to realize that the word “ought” they use implicitly conotates a moral claim. So the next time someone tells you “you shouldn’t judge,” ask him or her if they consider themselves tolerant. And if they say yes, then ask them why they are pushing their beliefs on you. Don’t be surprised if they give you a blank stare. After the shock wears off, be sure to invite them to put on their thinking caps. To argue that some views are false, immoral, or just plain silly does not violate any meaningful standard of true tolerance. To argue to the contrary simply lacks good, old-fashioned common sense.

To learn more clear-thinking from a Christian worldview – from which I derived most of this thinking myself – go to Stand To Reason’s website at: www.str.org.

copyright © 2006 ThatTheyMayB1.net, All Rights Reserved

Update on Christian Persecution Around the World

U.S. Ambassador John Hanford shares the latest news about Christian persecution around the world in such countries as China, Sudan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and North Korea.

Listen here. *

* this online clip is available for free for a limited time only.
download RealPlayer here

Please pray for the Persecuted Church. Also tell your church about the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (November 12th, 2006). For more information, go to: www.persecutedchurch.org.

For more information about religious persecution worldwide, go to the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom.

Ohio Residents: Next time you renew your plates, support Pregnancy Resource Centers.

Order here.
See related story here.

Sex, Lies, and the Truth

Are young people being told the sad but real consequences associated with the pursuit of so-called “safe sex”? Every parent needs to listen to these Focus on the Family broadcasts. Listen here: part 1 / part 2 *

* these online clips are available for free for a limited time only.
download RealPlayer here

Brokeback v. Narnia: DVDs Hit Stores Today

As reported to me by Citizenlink.org, two movies that could not be any different hit DVD store shelves today: Brokeback Mountain and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The figures clearly demonstrate which of these two movies stands out as the people’s choice for the best use of their entertainment dollars. Brokeback is estimated to have pulled in about $83 million nationwide. On the other hand, Narnia, earned over $290 million, more than three times the amount of the "gay cowboy movie." Worldwide saw an even greater difference: Brokeback made about $165 million whereas Narnia earned roughly four times that much at over $718 million. 83 v. 290; 165 v. 718. I say no contest. But even though people of all different cultures and countries and perspectives have responded more favorably to Narnia than Brokeback, here’s the question for ya: which film will receive more media exposure in the coming weeks? Keep your eyes pealed as you get exposed to the media hype around you and then report back here in the comments what you see.

Candidate for Ohio Governor Ken Blackwell shares his Christian convictions in Public Square

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports “Evangelical church leaders are urging their parishioners to support conservative candidates in the 2006 elections.” Here’s a short slideshow the paper produced from a recent event held in Ohio where Secretary of State Ken Blackwell was praised by area church leaders for his strong support for moral issues such as the protection of marriage and the unborn.