Edited by

Warren E. Berkley & Jon W. Quinn

 

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"According To Tradition . . ."

Mark Reeves

I heard it on the news the other morning while listening to the radio. We were being informed that the Pope would be visiting Mount Nebo, "the place where, according to tradition, Moses viewed the Promised Land." I must admit that I was very irritated when I heard it, and my anger had nothing to do with what was said about the Pope (not this time!).

It was that subtle phrase that the announcer slipped in, "according to tradition . . ." I got to thinking, "I wonder if I could get on the radio and announce, ‘According to tradition this country’s first president was named George Washington.’ Or maybe I could declare that ‘according to tradition, Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon.’"

I might not have been so incensed had it been an isolated case. Unfortunately it was announced on the same radio station a few weeks earlier that Mount Sinai "was the place where tradition has it that Moses received the Ten Commandments."

"How crafty is our adversary," I thought to myself (Jn. 8:44). There was no blatant statement that the Bible is a hoax or something equally defiant of God. Just a quiet, unobtrusive remark which referred to an historic account as merely a tradition. The insinuation of course is that the Bible record is tantamount to a fairy tale or a myth. The cunning strategy behind those godless men who control the media is to lower the Bible account to the level of any dubious belief that all cultures and peoples have. Satan wouldn’t mind if you and I came away thinking that the Bible account of Moses on Mount Nebo was no more real than the Bigfoot monster or the superstitions of some African tribe.

Once the Devil gets us accustomed to the word "tradition" in connection with references to the Bible, then it will be just a short hop over his next objective. According to modern thought, we should be tolerant of all cultural traditions and treat them with equal importance. Soon we will begin to believe that the Bible "tradition" is just as valid as the tradition presented in the Koran or the traditions of Buddhist philosophy.

I doubt that this one statement which I heard on a news broadcast is going to be solely responsible for the apostasy of some child of God. It is the steady erosion of our faith, like the constant dripping of water on a rock, that concerns me.

We write these things in the spirit of Paul who said, "that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor. 2:11). Let us take advantage of these opportunities to point out to our children and our youth the fallacy of such statements. May none of us, while having our guard up against immorality and false doctrine, be brought down by a fiery dart of the Devil piercing from behind.

 

 

Why “Men Always Ought To Pray”

Luke 18:1-8

Warren E. Berkley

 

¹Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, ²saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. ³Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ ⁴And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, ⁵yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” ⁶Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. ⁷And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? ⁸I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

 

As this parable is introduced, we are specifically told the point: “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” When I look at that phrase I see a choice – either pray or lose heart. If I pray as Jesus taught I should, in His name and with an obedient faith that guides my life daily, I will not lose heart! To express the other end of this, if I lose heart I must not be praying in the manner taught by Christ. Which will it be? Will you pray or lose heart? In the story, Jesus gives a reason why we should always pray.

 

His story involves three parties: a judge, a widow and an adversary . There was this judge who “did not fear God nor regard man.” We know there were such men in Palestine then, and we believe there are such men in positions of judicial authority today. They have the position, but they do not have the godly character, compassion and sense of justice that should qualify a man to be a judge. Jesus says that this man “did not fear God nor regard man.”

 

The widow came to the judge to plea for relief from her adversary. The Lord said that “for a while” the judge would not respond; he would not do anything. Then the judge thought, “this widow really annoys me. Although I don’t fear God or respect people, I’ll have to give her justice. Otherwise, she’ll keep coming to me until she wears me out.”

 

Jesus calls attention to what the unjust judge said. Then He said, “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

 

Some who have read this parable get stuck on a supposed comparison between the evil judge and God. Jesus does not say that God is like the unjust judge. The point is, if an evil judge will eventually gives relief to those who appeal to him, how much more will God (who is perfectly just) give relief to His own elect! This is like the teaching of Christ earlier (in Luke 11:1-13, note the expression “how much more”). God’s people should always pray and not “give up” or “lose heart” because we are appealing to a perfectly just and righteous Judge. One way faith expresses itself is in the persistent, fervent practice of prayer.

 

Prayer should not be like a “fire extinguisher.” This equipment hangs on the wall and you may pay little attention to it until there is an emergency. Then you want it! Some treat prayer the same way. If there is no “emergency” in life, they don’t use it. But in time of crisis they want God to listen and respond at once! The teaching of Christ is exceedingly plain – we ought to pray regularly, “always,” knowing that God is perfectly just and will answer according to His wisdom.

 

 

 

"Do Not Receive Him Into Your House Nor Greet Him"

(Kent E. Heaton Sr.)

 

During the early days of the church, many false teachers went about denying

the humanity of Jesus.  Even among the brethren at Corinth, some did not

believe in the resurrection of the dead and thereby annulling the

resurrection of Christ.  (1 Corinthians 15)

 

The New Testament church had problems as evident by the writings of the

epistles.  John's epistles describe the challenges faced by the children of

God.  The second and third epistle of John specifically deal with false

teachers and men such as Diotrephes.

 

Through the Holy Spirit, John gives direction and exhortation concerning

those deceivers.  2 John 7-11 reads:  "For many deceivers have gone out into

the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a

deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those

things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever

transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.

He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If

anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him

into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil

deeds."

 

John exhorts "the elect lady and her children," to take care of how they

fellowship these people and not to give any credence to their false

doctrine.  He seeks to help them maintain their faith in the face of

opposition as the Hebrew writer exhorts in Hebrews 10:35 - "Therefore do not

cast away your confidence, which has great reward."

 

The nature of the deceivers is they are willing to "go beyond" or "go ahead"

of the doctrine of Christ.  To be a disciple of Christ, one must "abide" -

"tarry" - "continue to be present" - in the teaching of the Father.  Those

who are false teachers will not continue in the teachings of the Father but

make for themselves their own law.  Jesus made mention of this in Mark 7:7 -

"And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of

men."

 

John writes to admonish these saints to be careful of the association and

fellowship given to those who are unwilling to abide in the doctrine of

Christ.  He further instructs them that if any come to them and refuse to

follow the doctrine of Christ, they are not to be received nor welcomed with

greetings normally extended to one another.

 

This same instruction is given of Paul in Romans 16:18,18 - "Now I urge you,

brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the

doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not

serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and

flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple."

 

With the knowledge that "many deceivers have gone out into the world," (2

John 7) and the saints must "not believe every spirit, but test the spirits,

whether they are of God," (1 John 4:1) care must be taken with their

reception of these false teachers.  When John admonishes them to not allow

them into their homes, he is directing them to not allow an association with

them that would weaken their faith or resolve.

 

The understanding of verse ten is coupled with receiving them into their

homes and giving them greetings.  The Psalmist describes the essence of this

matter of greeting in Psalm 129:8 - "Neither let those who pass by them say,

'The blessing of the LORD be upon you; we bless you in the name of the

LORD'!"

 

John instructs the saints not to give such blessings to those who are not

willing to abide in the doctrine of Christ.  The receiving them into their

home is a relationship of abiding with them.  This verse has been used for

many years to mean that if someone came to the door desiring to teach

whatever doctrine they believe - that it is wrong to allow them "inside the

house" to talk with them.  This is not the import of John's message.

 

There is nothing wrong with allowing a person to come into the house to

discuss the Bible.  John (through the Holy Spirit) was not forbidding the

specific act of talking with someone about the Bible in our homes but

allowing them to be accepted in the false doctrine as part of our

fellowship.

 

He explains in verse eleven that if we condone by our fellowship the

deceivers and give them these types of greetings, we share in their evil

deeds.  Why?  Because we are not willing to stand for Christ and defend the

Truth.

 

If a Mormon came to my door and wanted to talk with me about the Bible (and

the Bible only), I would let him come into my house, sit on my couch and

open the Bible to talk with him about his false teaching.  This would not

contradict scripture as I seek to defend the Truth before him.

 

Letting a person in the door to study with them is not the reason John wrote

instructions to the saints of 2 John.  If this were true, this would

prohibit anyone from talking to anyone who does not believe in Truth - in

their house.  This verse has been used incorrectly to define a pattern

unknown in the New Testament.  It has been applied to a modern custom of

religious groups going door-to-door peddling their false doctrines.

However, John (as with Paul) warns that abiding with these deceivers will

cause them to "lose those things we worked for." (2 John 8)

 

To "receive him into your house" shows a willingness to associate with a

desire to be a companion with them and share in their false doctrine - this

God forbids lest we approve of what they teach.

 

A warning must be given to any who are unprepared to talk with those who

come to our doors to discuss the Bible.  It would be best to ask them to

come back another time and invite a strong Christian to assist them in

talking with them about the Truth.

A greeting of fellowship cannot be given to those who "go ahead" of the

doctrine of Christ as some would suppose that all are children of God in

Christ.  I cannot greet a person as a Christian who is not a Christian nor

should I condone their false doctrine.  Whether it is in my front

living-room, office, front porch or back yard or wherever - we should

"always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks" concerning our hope

and our trust in Jesus Christ.

 

 

Visit Kent’s web site: 

http://www.svic.net/kerux

 

 

 

Conversion At Midnight

(Acts 16:16-34)

By Jon Quinn

 

 

           The gospel works twenty-four hours a day.  People have been converted to Christ in very unusual circumstances. Sometimes, we may refrain from speaking about Christ because we just do not think the circumstances suggest a very favorable outcome. We could be making a wrong choice when we think that way.

 

          Consider one such set of unfavorable circumstances. The time just isn't right; it is very late. The place is inappropriate; the two believers are in a dungeon. Besides that, the teachers themselves are suffering from physical injury.... oh, and another thing; they are not in a position to move around very much because they are in stocks. Finally, the potential convert is a heathen jailer who has seen it all.

 

Some Preliminary Points

 

          The text for this article is found in Acts 16:16-34. The believers are Paul and his coworker Silas. They had come to Philippi to teach the gospel. Philippi was in Macedonia.  It is the first example we read about the gospel being proclaimed on the European mainland. The Holy Spirit had sent Paul and Silas from Asia Minor to Macedonia to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 16:6-10).

 

          The first convert was a business woman by the name of Lydia. She and her household were baptized into Jesus Christ (Acts 16:14,15).  In the New Testament, it is only believers that are baptized, so we must conclude that  Lydia's household was made up of people old enough to believe the gospel (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:37).

 

          As Paul and Silas continued to teach the gospel, a servant girl who was controlled by an evil spirit began to follow them. Everywhere they would preach, she would cry out "These men are bondservants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation." (Acts 16:17). The statement was true, but it was disruptive. A look at the messages of Paul shows that his discourses were always well reasoned and logical. He wanted people to concentrate on the message. It was not just empty catch phrases or emotional outbursts, but an intellectual pursuit of truth. He wanted people to think about what they heard, but the girl's ranting made this difficult. The evil spirit was cast out of her. Now everyone can be happy. Well, not everyone.

 

Arrest and Prison

 

          "But when her masters saw that their hope of profit gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities." (Acts 16:19).

 

          The girl had been used by her masters to "tell fortunes" and so forth. People figured she had a "gift" and paid money for her services. Her owners accused Paul and Silas of throwing the city into confusion and proclaiming customs unlawful for Romans. Paul and Silas were severely beaten with rods and thrown into prison. The jailer, told to guard them securely, put them into the inner prison in stocks. This would be where the most hardened of criminals would be kept (Acts 16:19-24)

 

Making the Best of Things

 

          "But about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." (Acts 16:25).

 

          In prison; in stocks; bruised and bleeding and surrounded by the very worst criminals. What does one do? Pray and sing praises to God, of course!  Well, that's not the usual thing that is done, but these two are not your usual prisoners. They were more interested in pleasing God than men, and God had given them great boldness and confidence even there in that awful place. See Paul's later remarks about this ordeal (1 Thessalonians 2:1-4).

 

          Imagine the impact of the things said in prayer and hymns on the jailer and the other prisoners. It was a far cry from the oaths, threats and curses usually heard in such places. The message had its effect on the listeners, it always does. The kind of effect depends on each individual heart, but it is always there.

 

Conversion

 

          It was  about the midnight hour that an earthquake shook the dungeon. The chains dropped from everyone's arms and legs and the prison doors swung open. The jailer, certain that prisoners have escaped, prepares to do the thing expected of him. He failed his assignment so he must die. The most honorable thing to do, in this heathen society, is to take his own life (Acts 16:26-27).

 

                    Paul assured the jailer that the prisoners all remained in the prison.  Perhaps it was for fear of the earthquake that the other prisoners did not escape. Maybe it was because they knew they were seeing the power of God at work. But the jailer knew enough about these two preachers from the things he had heard to ask the most important question that can be asked; "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:28-30).

 

          It  is the word of God that tells us what to do to be saved. It is a proper question because there is a proper response to make to grace (1 Peter 1:22; Acts 10:34,35). There is something we must do!

 

          The jailer needed to believe in the Lord Jesus. This means to put his trust into the Lord, and doing so involves action. It involves submission and obedience (Acts 16:31).

 

          This means that the jailer would need further instruction about the One he must put his trust into, and about the will of that One, the Lord Jesus.  Paul and Silas spoke "the word of the Lord" to the jailer and his household so that they would know what they must do (Acts 16:32).

 

          The jailer washed the wounds of Paul and Silas, and then, that same hour of the night, he and his household were baptized into Christ. He and his whole house rejoiced that they had put their faith in Christ (Acts 16:33-34). There is no example in the Bible of any new believers waiting days to be baptized.

 

          Yes, the gospel has the power to save souls, and we have the responsibility to teach it. The gospel can work effectively in all kinds of circumstances if we will have the kind of faith that Paul and Silas had. What are you doing with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

The Christian Life Begins With Faith

2 Peter 1:1-5a

 

 

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue... (ASV)

 

This Faith Is In A Person

Peter addresses this letter to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. The faith that Peter's readers had was not just some "better felt than told" emotional concept, but instead a deep-rooted system of belief in God the Father and God the Son. Those of us today that choose to adopt this system of belief as our own will also have access unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness..., but only if we have a true knowledge of God and the Savior. The grace that pardons and sanctifies us will only come through this true knowledge. This knowledge will additionally bring the peace of conscience, reconciliation with God, and calmness of life in the face of trials.

 

This Faith Involves God's Power

We will be properly spiritually supplied through God's power. He manifests that power through the Word. It is through the Word that we come to believe that God's revelation is sufficient for our every spiritual need. God guarantees our access unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness..., which is our assurance that every need will be supplied. In this context "'life' refers to the spiritual vigor that the soul possesses; 'godliness' to the conduct necessary to preserve and maintain it." (Woods)

 

How will we be supplied? Through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue..., that is, through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. In John 17:3, Jesus prayed that "all flesh may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent." In the previous verse Jesus indicates that He had been given all authority, which includes the ability to give eternal life. God's power, through Jesus Christ, is the guarantee of our faith.

 

How will his "own glory and virtue" call us...? The resurrection of Christ from the dead indicates God's omnipotence and Christ's "glory and virtue." It is by the Word of Jesus Christ that the call goes out for those with open minds. (See Eph. 1:17ff.)

 

This Faith Involves God's Promises

The glory and virtue of Christ grants us "precious and exceeding promises." These promises are precious because of what they mean to our soul. They are exceeding because they include forgiveness, peace, the promise of eternal life, and a chance to be partakers of the Divine Nature. As partakers of the Divine Nature we become partners with God, His Son, and His Spirit in their Holy Character. It is only by partaking in this Divine Nature that we are given an escape from the corruption of the world.

 

This Faith Involves Our Participation

Because of the importance of obtaining the exceeding and precious promises, we should be adding on (our part) all diligence. The Greek word for adding (pareisenegkantes) literally means, "bringing in by the side of." The message to us as followers of Christ is clear: God supplies the exceeding and precious promises and He expects us to bring along side some things of our own. Of course our paltry contributions will not measure up to God's, but nevertheless they are necessary. The very fact that we are to "give diligence to add..." implies that there is something in addition to that which God has supplied which He expects us to supply. Time and again we see that God's promises are conditional and we must add our part to His part to make the promises functional.

 

What does this "diligent adding" involve? It is the express purpose of this series of articles to teach exactly what God expects us to "bring alongside" His promises to make them function on our behalf. The foundation of our participation in "the faith" is our faith. We must pursue these virtues diligently. Diligence involves an alignment of priorities and a tenaciousness of spirit. We must be focused on the goal and pursue it until it is accomplished.

 

The Hebrew writer (Heb. 11:6) says, that "without faith it is impossible to please God." Faith is the foundation on which all the other virtues are built. Faith must be more than just mental assent or it would not support the weight of the other virtues to come. It must be a lively, working faith, which will grow to become a system of belief that will not be compromised regardless. Paul told the Philippians, "Work out your own salvation... For it is God which worketh in you." (Phil. 2:12,13.) As with any building the ground must be prepared before the foundation can be laid. It is up to us to provide God with a place to build. The parable of the Sower (Mt. 13:1-9, 18-23) relates the types of ground that are available. What type are you?

The seven characteristics that follow must be supplied alongside our faith for our faith to operate properly in conjunction with God's promises.

 

(Editor's note: The preceding expository article comes from "Bible Insight" edited by Carey Dillinger and is a part of a series by him and other writers. Carey contacted me several weeks ago and suggested that we might be interested in publishing these articles. The series is quite good and Lord willing, Expository Files will be using these articles in future issues. Carey and the other writers have given their permission. Carey's web page may be visited by pointing your browser at http://www.geocities.com/~cdillinger/bibl.htm)

 

Contact the writer at

dillinc@hotmail.com

         

Topic Page

 

Dangerous Doctrines and Bad Logic

Jay Horsley

 

Big news for homosexual Jews wanting to marry each other. 

Reform Rabbis Approve Gay Unions

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) - Reform Jewish leaders have overwhelmingly approved a resolution giving rabbis the option of presiding at gay commitment ceremonies.

        With Wednesday's vote, the Central Conference of American Rabbis became the most influential U.S. religious group to sanction same-sex unions.

        The resolution applies to the 1,800 members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, who serve at least 1.5 million Reform Jews. Reform Judaism is the largest and most liberal of Judaism's three major branches in North America.

        Rabbi Charles Kroloff, CCAR's president, said the resolution shows the conference's belief that "gay and lesbian Jews, and the committed relationships they form with their partners, deserve the recognition and respect due to people created in the image of God."

        "It is not sinful to be a gay and lesbian,'' said Rabbi Paul Menitoff, executive vice president of CCAR. "It is sinful to have these prejudices and act out on them.''

        Menitoff said he hoped other religions would adopt the resolution as a model.

        The resolution calls for the rabbinate to develop sample ceremonies for rabbis who choose to officiate at same-gender ceremonies. It also said the relationship between two same-gender Jewish people is worthy of affirmation through Jewish ritual.

        The Torah condemns male homosexual intercourse, but Reform Judaism now supports same-sex civil unions and a decade ago approved openly gay rabbis. Some Reform rabbis have already officiated at same-sex ceremonies at synagogues.

Associated Press, March 30, 2000

 

This was, as the story states, the most influential religious group to adopt this position.  However, they are not the only ones.  The Unitarian Universalist Church has already adopted the same basic position, and later this year Presbyterian, United Methodist and Episcopal denominations are expected to consider the same.  There are increasing calls for homosexual marriage to be legally sanctioned.

When conservative politicians or religious leaders speak of the "culture wars," this is what they are talking about.  This is a complete setting aside of all that God has revealed and experience has taught concerning the nature of man and the formation of families.  Homosexual Jews will now have religious sanction for their "unions."  In front of a congregation, with with Law of Moses on big scrolls as a back drop, two men (or two women) will have their their religious leader invoke the blessing of the God upon their physical union.  As we gag, God glares and judgment on this nation comes a giant leap closer. 

Having said this, I (a heterosexually married man believing and teaching God's word) have, in the minds of these rabbis, committed more sin than these homosexuals.  You understand this you must realize that I've committed the nearly unpardonable sin of prejudice.  "It is not sinful to be a gay and lesbian...It is sinful to have these prejudices and act out on them."  In their carnal mind it is worse to think that homosexuality is wrong and act on that conviction than to engage in homosexual acts. 

This deluded rabbi hoped that "other religions would adopt the resolution as a model."  I pray that in me, and in all of us, this rabbi find only disappointment. 

The resolution of this group reads:

WE DO HEREBY RESOLVE, that the relationship of a Jewish, same gender couple is worthy of affirmation through appropriate Jewish ritual...

It doesn't say how exactly, but I think this means the "happy couple" gets a wedding.  But what is appropriate "Jewish ritual"? 

I wondered if the scripture might provide us with a hint as to what an "appropriate Jewish ritual" might be.  Would Lev. 18:29 (which deals with incest, beastiality and homosexuality) be an appropriate ritual?  This text reads "For whoever does any of these abominations, those persons who do so shall be cut off from among their people."  If that "ritual" is not to your liking, how about Lev. 20:13  "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them."  I have searched my Old Testament in vain for additional "rituals" for Jews to engage in regarding homosexuals. 

I know, it probably will be considered a hate crime to even mention these Old Testament passages, but this was God's law for the Jews.  The apostle Paul affirms this in the New Testament.  He indicted the Gentile world of all of their sins, including "the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts" and completed his charge with "although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them"  Rom. 1:27,31. 

The question is, how does any religious group, much less one supposedly based on the Old Testament, arrive at this point?  I truly believe that the keys to such departure are 1.) Emotionalism   2.) Obfuscation and 3.)  False Claims of Relevance (saying that the old teachings don't apply today). 

Being led by our emotions lets us do as we feel - no matter how debased or perverted our feelings.  Invariably some will try to argue that our debasement is good.  This self justification is common to all man.  We will argue that our lusts really are good and wholesome and satisfying if we want to do them bad enough.  Then we will obfuscate (make less clear) clear passages condemning us and our practice. 

Notice this example from the "Community" Section of the Jewish Journal,  May 21, 1999

        Using an argument often heard in Orthodox circles, Muskin says he treats homosexuals as he would treat anyone who is violating a mitzvah [a teaching of the Bible or a rabbi - wjh]. Muskin would certainly not expect an observant Jew to proudly proclaim that she cheats on her tax returns or regularly eats cheeseburgers.

        But Greenberg says the cheeseburger analogy just doesn't work. "People can live deep, emotional, committed, loving, wonderful lives and not eat cheeseburgers,"he says, apparently having heard the argument one too many times. "But to tell a person that to be a member of this group you have to live a life without self-expression and love and commitment and intimacy and daily touching and caring and holding... that would be an unbearable burden for most people."

 

Torah's Puzzling Attitude

        Greenberg is a few months away from completing a book that, along with telling his personal story, explores what he believes is the Torah's puzzling attitude toward homosexuality. Greenberg asserts that there is more to the discussion than the surface meaning of the verse in Leviticus 18: "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; it is an abomination."

        While Greenberg is reluctant to lay out the specifics of his arguments without the benefit of several hours of background building up to his conclusions, he says that he is "attempting to demonstrate this verse is more interesting and ambiguous than a simple, superficial reading would suggest. This is what rabbis do when they confront a verse: find anomalies in order to enrich its meaning."

        But, he says, rabbis will only be motivated to reinterpret the verse if the issues become personal, rather than abstract and foreign. "In this area I believe halacha [part of the Talmud giving laws and ordinances - wjh] is wrong, because its refusal to talk to people makes it fail to be authoritative. True halacha has to be open to listening to people," he says. And he is willing to be the first to talk.

Copyright © 1999, Jewish Journal of Greater L.A

 

That first rabbi sounded pretty fair - treat homosexuals like any other violators of teachings.  But that was not good enough for Rabbi Greenberg.  He says that without "self-expression and love and commitment and intimacy and daily touching and caring and holding" (all of a homosexual nature)life is just "unbearable."  Obviously here is a man who lives for his own pleasures.  Being so determined to continue in his homosexual ways he makes it sound like a wholesome thing.  "[L]ove and commitment and intimacy and daily touching and caring and holding" sounds pretty good until you consider that this is a man with another man and what kind of intimacy and holding they do.  "For it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret."  Eph. 5:12  Would that they would keep it secret. 

Now for the obfuscation part:  Notice the  heading "Torah's Puzzling Attitude."  What's puzzling to me is that something is puzzling.  Rabbi Greenberg asserts "that there is more to the discussion than the surface meaning of the verse in Leviticus 18: "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; it is an abomination."   I really would like to know what lies below the surface of such a clear teaching.  Rabbi Greenberg asserts its there, but declines to tell what it is.  He is looking for what is "more interesting and ambiguous than...simple" and "anomalies...to enrich its meaning."  What would truly be "interesting" and "enriching" to our understanding of this text would be understanding how detestable God considers this sinful activity.  But this is neither "ambiguous" or "anomalous" as God has always been consistently clear about it. 

In fairness, we must notice that such mental gymnastics, hermenuetical hide-n-seek and text torturing are par for the course for just about anyone whose practice or doctrine is contrary to the revealed word of God.  The old adage is true:  "that the longer the explanation the greater the chance its wrong:." 

The Rabbi says refused even discuss his denial of the text with a sympathetic journalist "without the benefit of several hours of background building up to his conclusions."  Heavens, what could you possibly say, do or smoke for several hours that would make Lev. 18:22 say anything other than homosexual acts are an abomination to God? 

If the text says something you do like - deny that it says it.  If it seems clear - muddy the water.  If people know and teach that you are wrong - call them narrow minded and prejudiced and tell them the only way the can cure themselves of these "sins" is accept you and your new teaching.  This is exactly what these homosexual Jews and their rabbi apologists do.  Read the quotes again and see that it is so.  Also, look for examples of the same process in other false teachers - in the world, the denominations and the church. 

Notice our homosexual rabbi's final argument.  "In this area I believe halacha [part of the Talmud giving laws and ordinances - wjh]  is wrong, because its refusal to talk to people makes it fail to be authoritative. True halacha has to be open to listening to people," he says. And he is willing to be the first to talk." How does understanding that Lev. 18:22 says that homosexuality wrong not "speak to people."  It speaks to me pretty loud and clear.  The text says "its an abomination"!  The real problem is not how the text speaks to people but what it says.  I accept it, Rabbi Greenberg does not. 

This rabbi would have the standard of authority in teaching be what people will accept - how it "speaks to them".  This is just as the apostle warned us:  "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths."  2 Tim. 4:3,4 

What is this nonsensical statement that "True halacha has to be open to listening to people"  The teaching has to listen to people?  So if the people change, the teaching changes?  If the audience changes, we change what we say?  I thought it was the people that were to listen to the teaching.  "Be careful to listen to all these words which I command you, in order that it may be well with you and your sons after you forever, for you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God."  Deut. 12:28.   The rabbi graciously offers "to be the first to talk."  He needs be quiet and listen. 

The lessons for us:  1.)  How far one can go with they depart from the scripture - in society and religion.  2.)  The techniques used by those who would foist such agendas on the unsuspecting are basically the same, no matter what error they teach.  3.)  We have a true, objective standard for our behavior revealed in the word of God.  It doesn't matter how we feel about it or how we think it would "speak to us" better if we just changed it some - it is still the same and not ours to change. 

We need to realize the growing presence and acceptance of homosexual sin in our culture.  We are repeating the sins of the Gentiles, Rom. 1.  But the gospel overcame this sin in the lives of early Christians and can work the same redemption and cleansing today.  "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God."  1 Cor. 6:9-11 

 

 

The Plan of Salvation

By Jon  W. Quinn

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Plan #1

 

    Announced by the apostles, inspired by the Holy

Spirit, to new believers in Christ who had asked what they

must do:

 

     "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name

of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and you shall

receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."  (ACTS 2:38)

 

Plan #2

 

    On the back page of a tract, sinner were urged to pray

this prayer to be saved. This prayer is not found in the

Bible; nor were alien sinners commanded to pray for their

forgiveness.

 

The Sinner's Prayer:

 

    "O' Lord, I accept that I am a sinner and that Jesus

died for my sins. I now accept Him into my heart as Lord

and Savior asking for your mercy and forgiveness in His

name. Amen."

 

The editors of Expository Files are happy with plan #1 and

thankful to the God of all grace for it. We cannot

recommend Plan #2 at all, but will change our minds when

this prayer can be shown to us in the Bible.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

Final Page

 

 

 

            He did it again. He made it onto the cover of another national magazine. This time, Jesus made the cover of the April 24th, 2000 issue of U.S. News & World Report. The caption reads, "Why Jesus Was Killed" and underneath in smaller letters: "Scholars find new clues about the Crucifixion".  The picture portrays a more or less typical representation of Jesus except He has no beard. Probably the artist was not aware that Jesus did have a beard, as was typical among first century Jewish men. Isaiah, the prophet, when prophesying of the mocking Jesus would one day go through specifically mentions the beard;  "I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting." (Isaiah 50:6).

 

            The article examines various theories about Jesus and His death. Interestingly, it coincides with the recent apology of the Pope to various groups that have been mistreated by the Roman Catholic Church (under orders from previous Popes)  throughout the centuries. Some Catholics believe the previous Popes were right, but most believe the present Pope did the right thing. At any rate, I am kind of an outsider when it comes to the present "Vicar of Christ on earth" apologizing for previous "Vicars of Christ on earth." That's like Jesus today apologizing through His Vicar for what he did back in the 14th century through another Vicar. But again, I do not accept that the Pope is Christ's Vicar on earth. If I did, then I would become a Catholic. Not only that, but I would obey everything the Pope said. How can anyone be a Catholic, claim to believe in the Papal office, and reject what is said about abortion, birth control, homosexuality and other similar issues? If I were a Catholic, I'd be a better one than many. I would accept these things as the word of Christ.

 

            The article accurately records a wide variety of thoughts on the matter of Jesus' death., from the most liberal, modernistic extreme (Crossan and the "Jesus Seminar" scholars) to the Islamic perspective (Through a case of mistaken identity, Judas was crucified instead of Jesus)  to  some more or less accurate, Scriptural viewpoints.

 

            There is discussed the role of the Jews in the event. Some, in the effort to be "politically correct" deny the Bible record is correct on this. Others have referred to Jews as "Christkillers" and persecuted them. Neither one of these positions is righteous and true.

 

            As a matter of fact, Jews were involved. Their leaders sent soldiers to arrest Jesus. They tried Him before the Jewish High Priest Caiaphas and declared Him worthy of death. They handed Him over to Pilate. They charged Him. They cried out, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"

 

            But Jesus was also a Jew. So were Matthew, Mark and John, three of the four gospel writers. Paul, who wrote more of the New Testament books than anyone else was a Jew. Mary, Martha and Lazarus were Jews. All the apostles were Jews. Following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the first three thousand converts were Jews.  Then the first five thousand. It would be another five years or so before the first non Jews obey the gospel of Christ. As Jesus told the woman of Samaria at the well, "You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews." (John 4:22). The gospel was a gospel for the Jews before it became a gospel for the Gentiles. Paul wrote,

" For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16).

 

            This might offend the politically correct on one side as well as haters of Jewish people on the other. Many find Jesus of Nazareth offensive, but He is the hope of the world, to both Jew and Gentile. To either dismiss the event of the crucifixion or to hate and mistreat any person using that event as a pretext is evil and contrary to Jesus' own words. Jesus is Lord.

 

 

 

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