Where I Stand
The Bible: It is God’s word to us and I believe every bit of it to be true.
Contradictions in the Bible: Barring translational errors and when understood properly, there are no real contradictions in the Bible.
Creation: It happened just as we read in Genesis – and, I interpret this section to be literally, historically accurate.
Science: To study the world God made and to harness the power of nature for the betterment of others is a worthy and noble calling. To believe the natural world is all there is and that “science” should be used as the sole source of ultimate truth is foolish.
Hitler: Was a demon-possessed murderer who rejected God and used his power to manipulate and intimidate others (including churches) into committing terrible atrocities.
The Holocaust: One of the greatest evils of all time. It serves as a lasting reminder of how far a nation can go once it concludes all human life is not sacred, valuable and worthy of protection.
Other Religions: I’ve never really liked any “religion.” Religion is our attempt to reach God through our own efforts. Salvation is not found in any religion – it is found in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Jews: They are chosen and blessed by God because of the faith of their father, Abraham. However, no one goes to either heaven or hell because of what they are born. Jews, just like everyone else, must embrace Jesus as their Messiah if they hope to have their sins atoned for and enter into God’s kingdom.
Israel Today: I support the nation of Israel and their right to peacefully live in the land given to them by God thousands of years ago.
Catholicism: Over the centuries, the Catholic Church has greatly and gravely departed from many important teachings in the Bible. Thus, most Catholics, unknowingly, simply don’t hold to the true teaching about Jesus and His salvation through grace. However, there are other Catholics who have studied the Scriptures for themselves and developed a true understanding of Jesus and His salvation.
Slavery: Although slavery has always existed in most societies throughout human history, I’m grateful that Christians arose to abolish this institution – first in Great Britain, later in American and now, throughout the world. Note that when I say “abolish,” I’m talking about the law. There are still plenty of slaves in the world today, especially those caught in the sex-slave trade.
College Education: Has become terribly secularized and, in many cases, pushes an agenda which is hostile to the truth of Christianity. I wouldn’t waste my time and money on it unless you know God has led you there for a specific purpose. (And I definitely don’t think a college education is necessary to be successful in life.)
Environmentalism / Global Warming: Don’t buy it. Too many politicians who stand to make too much money and gain too much power from it for me not to be deeply skeptical.
Public Education: Is secular. Truth is centered in God. Therefore, secular, public education is built on a false and faulty foundation. “And just as they did not see fit to have God in knowledge any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind to do those things which are not proper. (Romans 1:28).
Christian Education: All real education should be Christ-centered for “in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Also, it provides a good foundation: “The one who hears my word and acts upon them can be compared to the wise man who built his house upon the rock.” (Matthew 7:23-24). And, unless one begins with God, does he really begin? “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)
Home Education: The best way to educate children in their elementary years (and perhaps beyond). We educated our children at home and are really glad we did.
Death Penalty: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood must be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” (Genesis 9:6). As true today as when God first said it.
Abortion: Is a sin. Once human life has been conceived, to end it by any means other than natural causes is murder. (This refers to innocent human life, not someone guilty of a capital crime who should be executed according to Genesis 9:6).
Marriage: Was created by God (not man or any human institution) as the place where a man and woman find companionship and completeness in one another. It is the basic unit of society where children should be reared.
Gay Marriage: There is no such thing. This is an oxymoron, for the definition of marriage is “a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. Thus, the two shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6).
Divorce: God hates divorce and I do, too. It is permissible in cases of adultery, but easy, no-fault divorce or “irreconcilable differences” are not sufficient reason to cast off our marriage vows – “till death do us part.”
Sex: Is a wonderful gift from God designed for a husband and wife to become “one flesh” and to reproduce children. Sex between a husband and wife is not sinful; rather, it is holy, pure and blessed by God.
Premarital Sex: Is sinful. In the Bible, “premarital sex” is referred to as “fornication” and is condemned in all instances. “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4.
Homosexuality: Is sinful and perverse. Again, sex is only to be between a man and his wife. Our “sexual orientation” is learned through our developmental years and any perverse desires (including same-sex attraction) must be resisted.
Pornography: Is sinful and can become very addictive behavior. “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28).
Masturbation: Is self-pleasure and self-abuse – and we Christians should do nothing from selfishness (Philippians 2:3-4). This behavior can become extremely addictive and, contrary to what many teach, it does not enhance your sex life or “release tension;” rather, it perverts your understanding of sexuality and damages your ability to experience God’s plan for a holy and beautiful sexual union with your spouse.
Evangelism: Every Christian is an ambassador for Christ and ought to do all he / she can do to win as many to Christ as possible.
Foreign Missions / Great Commission: Jesus’ last word were His marching orders to the church to take His gospel to the whole world and make disciples of all peoples. To serve as a missionary by taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to others – especially foreign lands – is a good, noble and heroic work that will be richly rewarded by God in eternity. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Future of America: Don’t know, but I worry for my country. So many of our leaders (political, entertainment, business, education, etc) have forsaken the Lord and mock Him openly. We stand idly by at the shedding of innocent human blood and we cast off God’s moral laws. Injustice and corruption are infecting our entire country. There are still plenty of godly people left in America, but I fear we are under God’s judgment and are not responding with appropriate repentance.
Return of Christ: I hope it will be soon and more and more, signs seem to be pointing that way. I’m ready. Are you?
Economics — Free Enterprise: A person ought to be paid what he is worth and be ble to keep what he makes without excessive interference or taxation from the government.
Economics — Socialism / Communism: I totally reject that the government has the right or the moral authority to redistribute wealth from those who earn it to those who don’t.
Government: Is necessary to protect good people from bad people, both foreign and domestic. Besides that, I’m skeptical of government becoming too big and powerful. The bigger the government, the more our individual freedom is threatened.
Once Saved – Always Saved: I believe that once a person in genuinely saved by Jesus that God will keep them as His children for all eternity. However, I don’t like this discussion because it almost always refers to someone who made a profession of faith and is now living such an ungodly life that it seems as if they aren’t really saved – and, in this case, it’s a good chance that they aren’t.
Old Testament Law: Is awesome and I love it. However, it can never save a person nor are we still under the Law of the Old Testament. We are now under the Law of Christ – to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and to love my neighbor as myself. If I do this, I will keep all the Old Testament Law that I need to.
The Afterlife: There is one. “It is appointed to all men to die once and after this comes the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27). I’ll say with fear and trembling that I’m ready for that day. Are you?
Heaven: A real place in the presence of God where the faithful followers of Jesus will be rewarded for all eternity.
Hell: A real place where those who did not come to Jesus will be forever punished for there sin and rebellion. Most likely, it is just as the Bible describes it – a place of torment, suffering, darkness, fire, loneliness and deep regret.
The Church: The Bride of Christ. It is composed of all true believers in Jesus. Jesus loves the church and I do to. Jesus is building His church and this is what I’ve given my life to do as well.
The Emergent Church: I’m deeply concerned about the Emergent Church movement as I believe they have embraced some very false teaching and are ambivalent about other very important teachings. I believe a number of these leaders are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Beware.
Charismatic Gifts: Although I’ve never personally experienced these and I’m disturbed by the way I have usually seen them being exercised, nevertheless, I believe God still has a purpose them and that there are places in the world in which they are being properly exercised.
Divine Healing: I believe God, for reasons that only He knows, chooses to heal some people and not others. I’ve seen healings that can only be described as miraculous when all medical hope was lost.
Alcohol: Personally, I don’t drink. However, I don’t have a problem with someone who drinks in moderation. The Bible condemns getting drunk and be careful, most people who drink don’t realize when they’ve had too much.
Illegal Drugs: Are a curse on our land that has snared many an unsuspecting person. I’m particularly concerned that a seemingly harmless drug – marijuana – has turned millions of otherwise decent American’s into closet criminals and, thus, created a disregard for the law.
Comming soon:
Atheists
Other Campus Preachers
Social Justice
Money
Dating
Sickness
Unpardonable Sin
Demon Possession
Christians in Politics
Entertainment / Hollywood
Women Pastors
Church Buildings
Televangelists
Calvinism vs Armenians
Predestination
Obama
Democrats & Republicans
Glenn Beck: Speaks the truth and is saying things that no one else is saying – and that need to be said. Just wish he weren’t a Mormon.
Sarah Palin: The Ivy League elitists hate her, which is one reason to love her. She’s got something few politicians possess: common sense and a backbone!
Birth Control: If used to prevent conception from occurring, I believe it is permissible. If used to abort after conception has occurred (i.e. RU486), it is sinful and wrong. (Note: see next point).
Children: Are a gift from God. Therefore, be fruitful and multiply! I don’t fear that we are overpopulating the earth or that raising kids is too expensive.
Rock Music
