The hatefulness of LGBT-affirming churches

Many churches today have embraced the new sexual revolution in the name of love.

“As long as people love one another and are true to themselves”, is the new battle-cry.

These LGBT-affirming churches say that they are very loving and caring to affirm same-sex relationships, same-sex marriage and the notions of transgender and gender fluidity.

Churches and church leaders not affirming LGBT relationships are lampooned as bigots, homophobic and hatemongers.

In stark contrast, the letter of 1 John in the New Testament (the letter of love!), says that the LGBT-affirming churches and leaders are not acting in love, but rather in hate, because they are not telling those in their care the truth about sin.

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Does your church talk about sin?

Gurmeet Ram Rahim is a charismatic Indian guru known as one of the so-called Indian godmen.

These godmen, who follow a strain of Hinduism, have a high-profile presence, have thousands of devotees, and claim to possess paranormal powers.  They claim to have attained a higher level of spirituality.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted of rape a few weeks ago – which led to large-scale riots by his followers resulting in 28 people dead and 250 injured.  It turns out that he and his close followers were involved in the sexual exploitation of many, many girls.

He is a self-proclaimed teacher, claiming a higher spirituality, deceiving and exploiting others.

Unfortunately, we have a similar phenomenon in the Christian world as well: self-proclaimed teachers, claiming a higher spirituality, yet deceiving and exploiting others.

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Fake Christianity

In the first Century, there were a lot of fake forms of Christianity doing their rounds.

The Apostle John wrote 1 John to say that those beliefs are false, but what his readers had was true, authentic Christianity.

We too are inundated with fake Christianity.

I’m not referring to the easily-identifiable wrong ideologies of Islam, Buddhism or New Age spirituality, but false teaching spreading in the name of Christianity.

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7 Truths about the Gospel we proclaim

“Fake news” is a newish term that’s in circulation today.

Fake news is a type of journalism that consists of deliberate misinformation or hoaxes.

Fake news is written and published with the intent to mislead in order to gain financially or politically. Often with sensationalist, exaggerated, or patently false statements.

Many people think that the gospel about Jesus is fake news.

Those who believe the gospel are considered at best naïve, or at worst: extremists. The gospel about Jesus is considered to be a fabrication intended to deceive.

Are Christians propagators of fake news?

The New Testament book of 2 Thessalonians says, “no”.

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The Bible and racism

Years ago, in South Africa, you were classified according to the colour of your skin and the coarseness of your hair.  You were told where you could and couldn’t live.  You were told which bus you could and couldn’t ride. You we told who you could and couldn’t marry.   Racism is part of our history.  South Africa, the USA and many other countries have struggled and continue to struggle with racism.

A good definition of racism is: an explicit or implicit belief or practice that distinguishes or values one race over other races.

A racist believes that their race, whatever it may be, is superior to other races.

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Sex has a price-tag

A World War II venereal disease poster

As I read the CNN article, “STD rates reach record high in United States”, I remembered watching (twenty years ago) the DVD, “Sex has a price-tag” by Pam Stenzel.

Pam, while speaking to high school learners, made the point that condoms may prevent pregnancy, but they certainly don’t protect one from a whole host of venereal or sexually transmitted diseases. Pam’s point is even more urgent today.

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God has spoken!

We are familiar with the concept of a spokesman or spokesperson.  It’s a person who speaks for another person or group.

Zizi Kodwa is the South African presidential spokesmen.  What Zizi says, the SA president says.

Sean Spicer, probably has one of the worst jobs in the world, he is the current spokesperson for President Donald Trump.  Officially he is the White House Press Secretary.  What Sean Spicer says Donald Trump says.  Mr. Spicer must also explain what Donald Trump says and tweets.

Individuals and organizations have official spokesmen who speak for them or the organization.

One of the functions of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Triune God, is to be the spokesman of God.

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