Using "OMG" And The "F" Word On Public Forums

In the past few weeks, my heart has been burdened. I am seeing a proliferation of people, mostly young, but some not so young, who I know to be Christian and who I know come from good Christian families - flagrantly posting two very offensive words/phrases on Facebook. What are these that I find so offensive? First, is the initials "OMG" and the second is the "F" word.

Why are these so offensive to me? Well, OMG is texting shorthand for "Oh, my God!" - which is taking God's name in vain. God takes His name and His glory very serious. That is why He wrote in the Bible, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, . . ." (Exodus 20:7).  So, just because it is abbreviated; makes it no less offensive - to God and to all Christian believers.

Creating slang versions of His name is the same, i.e., saying "Geez" or "Jeezus" - is just as bad as using, "Oh, Jesus!" as an exclamation.

Most of the people I have seen writing these have relatively good education - and I am sure that, if that person tries just a little, he/she can find a more appropriate word to use to vent their frustration, to highlight their point, or to make an exclamation.

And, what does surprise me the most - is that 95% of the people I have seen recently using these offensive words on public forums - are female.

When we, especially we Christian believers, post on public forums such as Facebook - we are representing all Christian believers; and we are representing our Lord. We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:20, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

When I read this Scripture verse, I am reminded of a story my good Friend and mentor, Pastor Sam Lacanienta, told us many years ago.  When Pastor Sam was a young pastor in the Philippines, one Sunday a relative who also was the Philippine Ambassador to England, came to the worship service.  After the service, Pastor Sam asked him what it meant to be an ambassador for his country.  He told Pastor Sam, "My main job as an ambassador to England - is to not embarrass my nation while doing my job."

As Christian ambassadors for Christ when we write on public forums, and even when in private discussions - we should be very aware of not embarrassing our Lord.

For my young Friends, when you post such words on Facebook and other networking channels - keep in mind that you are representing first, your Lord; then, yourself - and, very important - you are representing YOUR FAMILY, your mom, your dad, your siblings - all your family.

So, please, I know that you do not purposely want to be offensive - and I know you do not want to embarrass your family or yourself.  Therefore, when you write on Facebook or other networking channels - write your message as though you are writing it to your mother.  Write messages you would not be ashamed to have your mother and father read.  And, write messages which will glorify our Lord.

And, to my non-believing Friends, while you may or may not find these words offensive; keep in mind when you post on any Forum or network channel - that those things are offensive to we Christians.  So, as a courtesy to us, please do try to find other words or phrases to use.  For that, we thank you.

Thank you and God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

No Mosque Near Ground Zero!

It has been sixteen years since my mother went home to be with the Lord; yet, her memory is still very fresh and very precious to me. It has been nine years since the Massacre at the World Trade Center; yet, the memory of lost loved ones and of lost fellow Americans is still very fresh and very precious to the families and friends of all those lost on September 11, 2001 -- and to all Americans. These memories not only should be honored, they MUST be honored -- if America is to remain the beacon of hope for the poor and persecuted of the world.

The article below is not written from a Christian's point of view; for Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post is not a Christian believer. It is written from the point of view of a sensitive, sincere, conservative American who tells us to honor our dead and to not allow their memory to be desecrated.

Read this article, form you own opinion, and then be sure to let your elected leaders, and Mayor Bloomberg, know how you feel.

The White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Find your Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Find your Congressman: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml

Mayor Bloomberg: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html

Please share this with ALL your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Just as we honor and protect the memory of Gettysburg, Pearl Harbor, Auschwitz, etc. -- let us continue to honor and protect the memory of those lost on September 11, 2001.

No Mosque Near Ground Zero!

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WHY A MOSQUE DOES NOT BELONG NEAR GROUND ZERO
Charles Krauthammer, The Washington Post Writers Group
Published: August 17. 2010 4:00AM PST
http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100817/NEWS0107/8170332

A place is made sacred by a widespread belief that it was visited by the miraculous or the transcendent (Lourdes, the Temple Mount), by the presence there once of great nobility and sacrifice (Gettysburg), or by the blood of martyrs and the indescribable suffering of the innocent (Auschwitz).

When we speak of ground zero as hallowed ground, what we mean is that it belongs to those who suffered and died there — and that such ownership obliges us, the living, to preserve the dignity and memory of the place, never allowing it to be forgotten, trivialized, or misappropriated.

That's why Disney's early-'90s proposal to build an American history theme park near Manassas Battlefield was defeated by a broad coalition fearing vulgarization of the Civil War. (The coalition was wiser than me. At the time I obtusely saw little harm in the venture.) It's why the commercial viewing tower built right on the border of Gettysburg was taken down by the Park Service. It's why, while no one objects to Japanese cultural centers, the idea of putting one up at Pearl Harbor would be offensive.

And why Pope John Paul II ordered Carmelite nuns to leave the convent they had established at Auschwitz. He was in no way devaluing their heartfelt mission to pray for the souls of the dead. He was teaching them a lesson in respect: This is not your place, it belongs to others. However pure your voice, better to let silence reign.

Even New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who denounced opponents of the proposed 15-story mosque and Islamic center near ground zero as tramplers on religious freedom, asked the mosque organizers "to show some special sensitivity to the situation."

Yet, as columnist Rich Lowry pointedly noted, the government has no business telling churches how to conduct their business, shape their message, or show "special sensitivity" to anyone about anything. Bloomberg was thereby "inadvertently" conceding the claim of those he excoriates for opposing the mosque, namely, that ground zero is indeed unlike any other place and therefore unique criteria govern what can be done there.

Bloomberg's implication is clear: If the proposed mosque were controlled by "insensitive" Islamist radicals either excusing or celebrating 9/11, he would not support its construction.

But then, why not? By the mayor's own expansive view of religious freedom, by what right do we dictate the message of any mosque? Moreover, as a practical matter, there's no guarantee this couldn't happen in the future. Religious institutions in this country are autonomous. Who is to say the mosque won't one day hire an Anwar al-Aulaqi — spiritual mentor to the Fort Hood shooter and the Christmas Day bomber, and onetime imam at the Virginia mosque attended by two of the 9/11 terrorists?

An Aulaqi preaching in Virginia is a security problem. An Aulaqi preaching at ground zero is a sacrilege.

Location matters. Especially this location. Ground zero is the site of the greatest mass murder in American history — perpetrated by Muslims of a particular Islamist orthodoxy in whose cause they died and in whose name they killed.

Of course, that strain represents only a minority of Muslims. Islam is no more intrinsically Islamist than present-day Germany is Nazi — yet despite contemporary Germany's innocence, no German of good will would even think of proposing a German cultural center at, say, Treblinka.

Which makes you wonder about the good will behind Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf's proposal. This is a man who has called U.S. policy "an accessory to the crime" of 9/11 and, when recently asked whether Hamas is a terrorist organization, replied, "I'm not a politician. ... The issue of terrorism is a very complex question."

America is a free country where you can build whatever you want — but not anywhere. That's why we have zoning laws. No liquor store near a school, no strip malls where they offend local sensibilities, and, if your house doesn't meet community architectural codes, you cannot build at all.

These restrictions are for reasons of aesthetics. Others are for more profound reasons of common decency and respect for the sacred. No commercial tower over Gettysburg, no convent at Auschwitz — and no mosque at ground zero.

Build it anywhere but there.

The governor of New York offered to help find land to build the mosque elsewhere. A mosque really seeking to build bridges, Rauf's ostensible hope for the structure, would accept the offer.

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Think about it! Pray about it! Then, do something, contact your leaders!

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

Creation Is The Foundation"Dr. Henry M. Morris"

Can you imagine loving someone so much that you would voluntarily submit yourself to being spit upon, tortured, beaten until your body and face are unrecognizable? And, then, having an 80 pound wooden beam strapped on your raw, bloody, beaten shoulders and having to carry this, on your torture-weakened body, about a mile to the top of a hot, dusty, rocky hilltop. There to lay upon the cross constructed from your 80 pound cross-beam -- while soldiers drove huge metal spikes through your wrists and feet -- and lift you upon that cross to hang, suffocating because your position on that cross made it very difficult to get enough air into your lungs to breath? Then, to hang there for many hours as life slowly seeped out of your body. Do you love anyone enough to voluntarily do this for him/her?

Jesus Christ did this for you and for me. Yet, many people, even good Christian believers, will dishonor that painful sacrifice -- by denying the Creation. Yes, the Creation of Jesus Christ in His pre-incarnation deity. We read, in John 1:3, "All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being." And, in Colossians 1:16, "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him."

Therefore, denying the Creation is to deny Jesus Christ!

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CREATION IS THE FOUNDATION
by Henry Morris, Ph.D. - (1918-2006)
Founder of the Institute for Creation Research
http://www.icr.org/article/5543/
It is high time that people in general, and Bible-believing Christians in particular, recognize the foundational significance of special creation. Creation is not merely a religious doctrine of only peripheral importance, as many people (even many evangelical Christians) seem to assume. Rather, it is the basis of all true science, of true american ideology, and of true Christianity.

Evolutionism, on the other hand, is actually a pseudo-science masquerading as science. As such, it has been acclaimed as the "scientific" foundation of atheism, humanism, communism, fascism, imperialism, racism, laissez-faire capitalism, and a variety of cultic, ethnic, and so-called liberal religions, by the respective founders and advocates of these systems. The creation/evolution issue is, in a very real sense, the most fundamental issue of all.

Foundation of True Science

Evolutionist presuppositions permeate the writings of modern scientists. Stanley D. Beck said, "No central scientific concept is more firmly established in our thinking, our methods, and our interpretations, than that of evolution." (1)

But it was not always thus. Beck himself, after defining and discussing the basic premises of science (that is, the existence of a real world, the capability of the human mind to understand the world, the principle of cause-and-effect, and the unified nature of the world), admitted that "each of these postulates had its origin in, or was consistent with, Christian theology." (2) That is, since the world was created by a divine Creator, and man was created in God's image, therefore nature makes orderly sense, man is able to decipher its operations, and true science becomes possible.

If the world is merely the chance product of random forces, on the other hand, then our human brains are meaningless jumbles of matter and electricity and science becomes nonsense. Consequently, the great founding fathers of true science (Kepler, Galileo, Pascal, Newton, Boyle, Brewster, Faraday, Linnaeus, Ray, Maxwell, Pasteur, Kelvin, etc.) were almost all creationists and believed they were glorifying God as they probed His works. Yet today such scientists would not even be considered scientists at all, because they believed in the primeval special creation of all things by God!

Foundation of American Ideology

Although not all of America's great founding fathers were Bible-believing Christians, almost all of them were true creationists, believing that God had created the world and man and all natural systems. The colonies had been settled and developed largely by Christian people who had come to this continent to gain freedom to believe and do what the Bible taught, and they all acknowledged that the foundational belief was belief in special creation. The historian Gilman Ostrander reminds us that:

"The American nation had been founded by intellectuals who had accepted a world view that was based upon Biblical authority as well as Newtonian science. They had assumed that God created the earth and all life upon it at the time of creation and had continued without change thereafter." (3)

Note that these great pioneers were intellectuals, not ignorant emotionalists. They laid great stress on education and science, founding many schools and colleges, in confidence that true learning in any field must be biblically governed. Christian historian Mary-Elaine Swanson said:

"In colonial times, the Bible was the primary tool in the educational process. In fact, according to Columbia University Professor Dr. Lawrence A. Cremin, the Bible was 'the single most primary source for the intellectual history of colonial America." From their knowledge of the Bible, a highly literate, creative people emerged.'" (4)

In a July 4 address in 1783, Dr. Elias Boudinot, then president of the Continental Congress, stated that his reason for advocating an annual Independence Day observance in America was the great precedent set by God Himself.

"No sooner had the great Creator of the heavens and the earth finished his almighty work, and pronounced all very good, but he set apart (not an anniversary, or one day in a year, but) one day in seven for the commemoration of his inimitable power in producing all things out of nothing." (5)

The fact of creation was also clearly implied several times in the Declaration of Independence itself ("endowed by our Creator," "created equal," "Nature's God," etc.). Attorney Marshall Foster has pointed out that at least the first 24 state constitutions recognized Christianity as the religion of their states. (6)

Yet today, the Bible, Christianity, and creationism have been banned from the schools of the states which had been founded to teach these very truths! All this has been done in the name of a gross distortion of the First Amendment. The amendment, which was intended to prevent the establishment of a particular national denomination (e.g., Catholic, Anglican), has instead been so twisted as to establish evolutionary humanism as the quasi-official religion of our public institutions.

The Foundation of True Religion

True religion must necessarily be based on worship of the world's true Creator. Other religions may deify great men, or man-made systems, or the world itself, but these are all merely variant forms of humanism as men "worship and serve the creature, rather than the Creator" (Romans 1:25). It is highly significant that all such religions and religious books begin with the creation, rather than the Creator, except the Bible!

That is, they all start with the universe already in existence, and then try to delineate how the primeval space/matter/time universe somehow developed into its present array of complex systems. This attribute characterizes both ancient paganism and modern humanism; these and all other atheistic, pantheistic, or polytheistic religions are merely various forms of evolutionism. Only in Genesis 1:1 (the foundation of all foundations!) is there a statement of the creation of the universe itself. Without this foundation, true religion is impossible.

Now although creation is the foundation, it is, of course, not the complete structure. Orthodox Judaism and Islam, like Christianity, believe in one eternal Creator, as revealed in Genesis 1:1, but they have rejected Him as Savior. In addition to the general revelation seen in the creation, God has explicitly revealed Himself through both His Word and His Son. Those who reject either or both, even though they believe in one God as primeval Creator and, like Christianity, are monotheistic, cannot know God in His fullness. He must be known as gracious Redeemer as well as omnipotent, but offended, Creator. Thus, biblical Christianity is the only truly creationist religion.

Foundation of Christology

By the same token, neither can one know Christ as He really is if one knows Him only as Redeemer. Faint-hearted Christians often justify their lukewarm attitude toward creation by saying that it is more important merely to "preach Christ." They forget that we are preaching "another Jesus" (2 Corinthians 11:4) if we do not preach Him as He really is, along with His complete work. The threefold aspect of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ is beautifully outlined in the majestic declaration of Colossians 1:16-20.

1. Past Work, Creation: "By him, were all things created," Colossians 1:16.
2. Present Work, Conservation: "By him, all things consist," Colossians 1:17.
3. Future Work, Consummation: "By him to reconcile all things," Colossians 1:20.

The great scope of this threefold work is "all things in heaven and in earth." Jesus Christ was Creator before He became the Sustainer (or Savior) and Reconciler, and the awful price of reconciliation, "the blood of His cross," is the measure of mankind's terrible offense against our Creator. That offense, furthermore, consists essentially of rejecting His Word, and thus denying that He is really the Creator.

One truly "preaches Christ" only when he first of all presents Him as the Almighty Creator, from whom man was alienated when he repudiated God's veracity in His Word. Only when this is first understood is it really meaningful to speak of God's forgiving grace and saving love, His incarnation and redemptive sacrifice as Son of man.

Foundation of Faith

The great message of Christianity is that "the just shall live by faith" (Hebrews 10:38), speaking of "them that believe, to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:39). But exactly what is this living faith — this saving faith? Faith in the abstract is only naïve sentimentality; it must be faith in something and/or someone to have any substance.

The faith of which the apostle speaks, of course, is outlined in the verses immediately following, in the great "Faith Chapter," Hebrews 11. It is the faith of Abel, offering an acceptable sacrifice; it is Enoch's faith, pleasing God in obedient witness; it is Noah's faith, believing and acting on God's word; and Abraham's faith, stepping out on God's promises.

But, first of all, it is the foundational faith of Hebrews 11:3, the faith by which "we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." This affirmation clearly tells us that any meaningful faith for salvation and the Christian life must be founded, first of all, on faith in God's special creation of all things, not out of already existing materials but solely by His omnipotent Word!

Foundation of the Gospel

Many Christians, who either ignore or compromise the biblical doctrine of creation, have urged creationists just to "preach the Gospel -- not creation!" But this is impossible, because the saving Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is squarely founded on creation. The wonderful threefold work of Christ (creation, conservation, consummation) as outlined in Colossians 1:16-20 is identified as "the gospel" in Colossians 1:23. The very last reference to the Gospel in the Bible (Revelation 14:6-7) calls it the everlasting Gospel (thus, it could never have been any different) and its message is to "worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."

While it is surely true that the central focus of the Gospel is on the substitutionary atonement and victorious bodily resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), it also includes His coming kingdom (Matthew 4:23) and His great creation. Any other gospel is "another gospel" (Galatians 1:6) and is not the true Gospel.

Without the creation, a supposed gospel would have no foundation; without the promised consummation, it offers no hope; without the cross and empty tomb, it has no saving power. But when we preach the true Gospel, with the complete Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ as they really are, we build on a "sure foundation," can promise a "blessed hope," and have available "all power in heaven and earth" through Christ who, in all His fullness, is "with us, even to the end of the world" (Matthew
28:20).

References

1. Beck, S. D. 1982. Natural Science and Creationist Theology. Bioscience. 32: 738.
2. Ibid, 739.
3. Ostrander, G. M. 1971. The Evolutionary Outlook, 1875-1900. Clio, MI: Marston Press, 1.
4. Swanson, M-E. 1983. Teaching Children the Bible. Mayflower Institute Journal. 1: 5.
5. Address in New Jersey to the Society of Cincinnati, July 4, 1783.
6. Foster, M. 1983. Mayflower Institute Journal. 1:1.

Adapted from Dr. Morris' article "Creation Is the Foundation" in the December 1983 edition of Acts & Facts.
* Dr. Morris (1918-2006) was Founder of the Institute for Creation Research. Cite this article: Morris, H. 2010. Creation Is the Foundation. Acts & Facts. 39 (9): 20-22.

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This article is from the monthly publication "Acts & Facts" published by The Institute Of Creation Research. Visit their web site to read other articles in the latest issue which are pertinent to our Christian faith: http://www.icr.org

Or visit this web site page to get a free subscription to this great Christian magazine: http://www.icr.org/subscriptions/

Another web site you will find useful in your Biblical studies is Answers In Genesis: http://www.answersingenesis.org

Share this with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's keep discussing God's Word and sharing the Gospel with all we know, in all the world, especially the unchurched and the unsaved -- until He returns.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

A Forum Friend AccusesPastor Chuck Smith Of Heresy!

With the "information explosion" we have witnessed on the internet over the past 10 to 15 years -- we must also keep in mind that, jut because it is written on the internet -- does not make it true. It is not the Gospel -- unless you are reading the Bible online.

Much of what we read online is the opinion of another person -- and could true or it could be based upon false statements and a desire to get even with someone, or to best another, or it could be written by someone who does not have full knowledge of the subject or the issue. So, with all we read on the internet -- the best advise is to remember that just because it is published online does NOT make it true.

The dialogue below is a great example of that. Someone wanting to defame Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa has, it appears, purposely twisted what Pastor Chuck wrote in a book -- actually changing words -- to make his writing appear to say something different.

And, my Forum Friend, Beter, because I often quote Pastor Chuck's commentaries -- has tried to use this same false writing on the internet to declare Pastor Chuck a heretic. I suppose Beter feels that, if he can prove Pastor Chuck (my frequent reference source on Biblical issues) a heretic -- that, in turn, makes everything I write heretical.

Whenever we are sharing the Word of God with the unbelieving world, we will always have such burdens. We just have to look past the ones throwing stones -- to those standing behind who may read and who may be ready to allow seeds of salvation to be planted in fertile soil.

We stand on the words of our Lord and Savior, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you" (John 15:18). So, the rocks they throw are not bullets of destruction -- but, rather, they are Badges of Honor.

Grab your Full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20) and join in the battle! Start by sharing this with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's keep sharing the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- until He returns.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

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In the discussion titled "The Holy Way" -- our Friend, Beter, takes a broadside swipe at Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California. And, this from a person whose tells us he/she is "Better Than You" -- i.e., the posting name BeternU. Personally, I do not think I am better than anyone else. I may be more blessed because I am a Christian believer -- but, I certainly am not "better than you." Only Jesus Christ can claim that title -- for He, indeed, is better than any of us.

Beter wrote, "Bill Gray -- I got yer Pastor Chuck Smith/Calvary Temple right heah! The man is a flaming false prophet. Per Wickipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvary_Chapel:

Return of Christ in 1981: During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Chuck Smith wrote and published a prophetic timeline that predicted the Rapture would occur in 1981"

Beter, my Friend, normally, this is something I would not say to another Forum member -- but, my Friend, what you have written is a complete lie. And, the Wikipedia source you show states this disclaimer: "The neutrality of this article is disputed."

While that article does not disclose the name of the author; it could be one or more of a number of different people who have been asked to leave Calvary Chapel. An example is John Wimber who began to turn heavily toward Pentecostalism and got involved in such heretical teachings as Holy Laughter and other non-Biblical teachings. Pastor Chuck asked him to leave Calvary Chapel and Wimber started the Vineyard Churches, some of which are extreme Pentecostal.

Calvary Chapel has over 1100 churches worldwide, it is non-denominational, and calls itself a "movement" and not a denomination. Yet, if one of the churches which wears the Calvary Chapel name begins to teach beliefs other than those held by Calvary Chapel -- they will be asked to leave, just as was John Wimber. Last year, in their Annual Pastor's Conference, Pastor Chuck presented a White Paper in which he denounced the Emergent Church movement.

He asked all Calvary Chapel churches that choose to continue to follow the teachings of the Emergent Church movement to please remove Calvary Chapel from their name and to leave the Calvary Chapel movement. I applaud Pastor Chuck for this move to protect the integrity of Calvary Chapel and to assure that the teachings of all Calvary Chapel churches adhere to the previously established Statement of Faith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.

By the way, I have absolutely no problem with the Statement of Beliefs of Calvary Chapel -- which mirrors my own personal Statement of Beliefs.

Yes, in leading a church movement for 45 years, a man will upset some and will make enemies. Obviously the person, or persons, who wrote this anonymous Wikipedia article is among that group. As I have always said -- if a pastor is not making some people uncomfortable with his messages and with his teachings -- he is obviously teaching a watered down, "feel good" Gospel. Pastor Chuck teaches the Gospel as it should be taught -- and, if that makes you uncomfortable -- you best look within yourself.

Now, Beter, let's look at the source of the statement you copy/pasted about Pastor Chuck Smith. This is the source, taken from a book written by Pastor Chuck Smith, that the anonymous author(s) used to write this untrue accusation:

This is from the References given for the Wikipedia article:

End Times: A Report on Future Survival, Chuck Smith, 1978 Smith, Chuck (1978). End Times: A Report on Future Survival. Maranatha House Publishers. pp. 35. ISBN 0-89337-011-8. "Jesus taught us that the generation which sees the 'budding of the fig tree,' the birth of the nation israel, will be the generation that sees the Lord's return. I believe that the generation of 1948 is the last generation. Since a generation of judgment is forty years and the Tribulation period lasts seven years, I believe the Lord could come back for His Church any time before the Tribulation starts, which would mean anytime before 1981. (1948+40+7=1981)"

In this article footnote you can see that Pastor Chuck has clearly written, "I believe the Lord could come back for His Church. . ." Notice that his says, "COULD come back" -- NOT "WOULD come back" -- as the anonymous writer(s) accused.

Beter, the statement you copy/pasted states: During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Chuck Smith wrote and published a prophetic timeline that predicted the Rapture would occur in 1981 Obviously the author of this article ignored his own footnote and changed "could" to "would." Are you willing to believe anything else this person will write?

Could Jesus Christ return and Rapture His church today? Absolutely! The return of Jesus Christ to rapture His church is imminent, meaning that it could happen at any moment -- or it may not happen for many years. We are told in Matthew 24:36-37, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah."

And, we are warned, in Matthew 24:44 and in Luke 12:40 to be ready, "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will."

So, yes, Jesus Christ could come today. He could come before I have a chance to post this writing. If you get to read this writing on the Religion Forum; then He has not come back yet. The Rapture has not occurred.

Or, He may not come in my lifetime. All I can do is to be ready to greet Him when He does come for all believers at the Rapture.

What Pastor Chuck Smith wrote in 1978, that He could come before 1981 -- was absolutely correct. The main prophecy gating His return is the nation of Israel being reestablished as a nation in their homeland -- which occurred in 1948. Like Pastor Chuck, I, too, believe the time may be near.

I have heard him refute people who teach a specific time for the return of Christ to Rapture His church. But, at no time have I ever heard him predict or give a date for the Rapture. That would be anathema to Pastor Chuck -- for he believes the Bible.

Pastor Chuck has and will say that many of the signs for the return are evident today -- starting with the return of the nation Israel to their homeland. He will quote many prophecies which show signs of the coming Rapture. But, he has never played the "this is the day" game.

I have never attended Calvary Chapel; but, I have followed the teachings of Pastor Chuck Smith for the last 23 years -- and I have NEVER heard him teach anything such as you, or these writers, have accused him. There have been times when I have disagreed with his teaching; but, that does not mean that he is a heretical teacher as you would have people believe. As a matter of fact, I do not know any pastor or Bible teacher that I have not disagreed with at one time or another. That does not make them or me wrong -- it just makes us good Bereans.

Beter, I am not sure what hang-up you have; but, this time, my Friend, you have written and copy/pasted an accusation which is totally false. I am just curious. You come on the Religion Forum and blast the writings of everyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ -- are you a Christian believer? If so, what church (not the specific church, but the denomination, affiliation, etc.) do you attend? What Bible teacher do YOU trust to teach the truth?

Let's talk about Calvary Chapel and Pastor Chuck Smith. Pastor Chuck came to Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa in 1965. At that time they had only about 20 members. Since then, Calvary Chapel has grown to over 1100 churches worldwide; many of them large enough in membership to be called megachurches. Why has Calvary Chapel had such phenomenal growth?

From the beginning, Pastor Chuck has always used expository Bible teaching, i.e., teaching through the Bible starting from Genesis 1:1 and teaching, verse by verse, all the way to Revelation 22:21. And, then, he starts all over again -- teaching through the Bible. Occasionally, he will take a break for a topical message -- but, the normal messages are expository. In this way, their teachings, and their theology, builds upon the complete Bible; not just chosen verses or passages.

As a comparison, Dr. Robert Schuller started the Garden Grove Community Church (now the Crystal Cathedral) the same year, 1965. What has he built? A huge glass cathedral dedicated to the memory of Robert Schuller? Since 1965, to the best of my knowledge, Robert Schuller's church has planted only two other churches, one for his son and one for his close associate, Dr. Leetsma -- both in affluent Orange County.

While in the same time period Pastor Chuck Smith and Calvary Chapel has planted over 1100 churches worldwide. And, most of the Calvary Chapels have Christian schools for the K-12 level -- and, many have Bible Colleges for the adult believers and those preparing for a life of ministry.

Why the great difference between these two ministries, both begun in adjacent Orange County communities, the same year, 1965 -- but, with drastically different results?

My personal belief is that it is because Robert Schuller is Reform, i.e., Calvinist -- and apparently their approach is to build bigger and prettier cathedrals, but, with no emphasis on evangelism. I spent several years in Schuller's church and never, not even once, did I hear or see an altar call being given. Why? Because the Calvinists teach that God chose, before the Creation, who will be saved and who will be lost to hell. Thus, no real reason for an altar call or evangelism, and, no real growth except among the affluent of Orange County who want to hear "feel good" sermons. Three churches in 45 years!

On the other hand, Pastor Chuck Smith's whole ministry is built upon evangelism -- sharing the Word of God with the unsaved and the unchurched of the world. He truly follows the teachings of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15) to take the Gospel to the whole world. And, Calvary Chapel has seen extraordinary spiritual and numerical growth over the years. Over 1100 churches in 45 years!

Calvary Chapel has spawned other church groups, i.e., Horizon Christian Fellowship out of San Diego which has over 100 churches in its group -- and Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. We are all familiar with the Harvest Crusades which happen in cities all over America where millions have heard the Gospel taught by Pastor Greg Laurie. All of this started from the ministry of Pastor Chuck Smith who came to a church of 20 people in 1965. I would say that this man is indeed doing the work of God in sharing the Gospel to the world.

To learn more about Calvary Chapel and what they teach, visit this web site: http://www.calvarychapelcostamesa.com/

Visit Pastor Chuck's personal ministry web site: The Word For Today - http://www.twft.com/

Or, visit the web site of KWVE Christian Radio (107.9 FM): http://www.kwve.com/ You can listen to live broadcasts. I believe you will find the Pastor's Perspective Radio Talk Show very interesting. It is on from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, California time -- and you can call in on an 800 number to ask questions of Pastor Chuck and other pastors.

And, if you would like to find a Calvary Chapel near you, visit this web site: http://www.calvarychapel.com/

Beter, my Friend, you might do yourself a big favor if you will listen more closely to what Calvary Chapel and Pastor Chuck Smith teach. It could make an eternal difference in your life.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Is Baptism A Commandment - Is Baptism A Requirement For Salvation?

Often in discussions with our more legalistic brothers and sisters, and even with many non-believers, the question of baptism and the implied salvation through baptism is raised. How do we respond? We respond like we do with all theologies which are not 100% Bible based. Many people, many churches, build their theology upon one or more Scripture verses or passages -- even though there are other Scripture verses which contradict that teaching. Should we ignore parts of Scripture which contradicts our chosen theology -- or should we rework our theology to make it agree with ALL Scripture? Of course, you and I know that no theology, no Bible interpretation, is valid if even one Scripture verse contradicts that teaching.

This is why I have tried to show all sides of the "salvation through baptism" question. And, I have not arrived at any new understanding; but, have confirmed the belief that I have long had and confirmed the theology taught in our church.

I pray this dialogue is edifying for you and that you will choose to share it with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's keep sharing the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with all the world -- until He returns.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

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Hi to my Forum Friends,

In the discussion I began titled, "What Happens When A Believer Dies?" I wrote, "Until that last breath, a person can repent, ask Jesus Christ into his/her heart, and receive salvation through Jesus Christ. However, once a person has breathed his/her last breath in this mortal body -- his/her eternal fate is set in concrete."

And, my Forum Friend, TheMax, wrote, "Whatever happened to make you forget the words of Peter when he was asked "men and brethren what shall we do?" He didn't say let Christ come into your heart. He replied "Repent and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (salvation).

I responded, "Hi Max, Jesus Himself tells us, "He who believes HAS eternal life" (John 6:47). I will take His promise as valid."

To be more complete, I should have added, "You will notice that Peter tells the people in Jerusalem to 'Repent' -- which means turn from following the world and turn to follow Jesus Christ. When a person 'repents and believes' he is saved, he is a Christian believer. Then, Peter continues, '. . .be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"

Some may see this as Peter saying that repenting and baptism are the requirements for salvation, for receiving the Holy Spirit -- and I can see how one could interpret this Scripture verse in that way. However, when we stands this verse beside other Scripture passages, which we must do to have a complete theology, such as John 6:47, John 3:16, etc., which tell us that "he" and "whoever" believes HAS eternal life -- we must conclude that Peter meant that repenting and believing is the criterion for salvation, for receiving the Holy Spirit. And, then, one, in an act of obedience, follows Jesus Christ in baptism as a declaration to the world that this person HAS become a Christian believer.

Renowned Bible scholar and commentator, Matthew Henry, writes in his commentary on Acts 2:

"(1). . .Repent, repent; change your mind, change your way; admit an after-thought.'' (2.) Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ; that is, "firmly believe the doctrine of Christ, and submit to his grace and government; and make an open solemn profession of this, and come under an engagement to abide by it, by submitting to the ordinance of baptism;. . ."

And, in the Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Acts 2, David Brown writes:

"Acts 2:38. Repent -- The word denotes change of mind, and here includes the reception of the Gospel as the proper issue of that revolution of mind which they were then undergoing. (Be) baptized . . . for the remission of sins -- as the visible seal of that remission."

Max, you tells me, "If you believe, then keep his commandments. All of them, not just the ones that seem right to you."

And, I respond, "Hi Max, We do not live under the Law, for the Law could not save anyone (Romans 2:20). We have passed from the Law and, since the Day of Pentecost, have lived in the Dispensation of Grace. 'For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast' (Ephesians 2:8-9)."

You reply, "Bill, I didn't say anything about keeping the old Law. When Christ died on the cross, the veil of the temple was split, meaning we no longer have to go through a high priest to speak with the Lord."

I respond, "Then, it is not clear what you did mean -- if not the Law? There is no Old Law and New Law. There was the Law given to Moses in the Old Testament for the people of Israel. And, there is the Dispensation of Grace brought to us through Jesus Christ. And, that is what I was addressing. If you had something else in mind; please tell me."

You answer, "I said commandments. Is not baptism a commandment? Or are you going to pick and choose the ones that suit you?

Okay, now I see the misunderstanding. You are relating baptism to the Ten Commandments. No, baptism is not a commandment; it is an ordinance. Jesus Christ left us two ordinances, i.e., instructions, that we should do in remembrance of Him until He returns: baptism and communion.

After we have believed, been sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30), and have become saved, born again Christians by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ -- we are then instructed to follow Him in baptism showing to the world that we are His disciples and that we are Christ Followers.

And, we are instructed to remember Him spiritually through communion, in Luke 22:19-20, "And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood."

The full Ten Commandments are spelled out by God in Exodus 20:

Exodus 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before Me."
Exodus 20:4, "You shall not make for yourself an idol. . ."
Exodus 20:7, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain. . ."
Exodus 20:8, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and your mother. . ."
Exodus 20:13, "You shall not murder."
Exodus 20:14, "You shall not commit adultery.
Exodus 20:15, "You shall not steal."
Exodus 20:16, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
Exodus 20:17, "You shall not covet. . ."

Then, in Matthew 22, Jesus Christ addressed the Pharisees and condensed the Ten Commandments into two:

The first four of the Ten Commandments, our responsibility toward God, are found in Mat 22:37-38, ". . .You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment."

And, the last six of the Ten Commandments, our responsibility toward our fellow man, are found in Matthew 22:39, "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Then, Jesus summarized in Matthew 22:40, "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

These commandments all Christians are to honor and to follow; yet, we are not and cannot be saved through the Ten Commandments (Romans 3:20), nor through the ordinances of baptism and communion.

So, how are we saved? Good question. We are told in Romans 4:3-5, "For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' Now to him who works the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly his faith is accounted for righteousness."

Hebrews, chapter 11, also tells us of Abraham and many other Old Testament saints who were counted as righteous, i.e., attributed the righteousness of Jesus Christ -- through believing God.

You see, if we rely upon our own righteousness, our own works -- we are doomed to hell; for our righteousness is like filthy rags in the eyes of God (Isaiah 64:6). Yet, when we have the righteousness of Jesus Christ attributed, i.e., imputed, to us -- God does not see us, but, instead sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We are told in Isaiah 1:18-19 that, although our sins are as scarlet -- once we repent and believe, we are "as white as snow, like pure white wool."

The Old Testament saints had this righteousness because they believed God and believed in their promised Messiah.

And, under the Dispensation of Grace, i.e., the New Testament, given us by Jesus Christ -- we read in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."

So, Max, you see that all people, Old Testament saints and New Testament saints, have salvation ONLY through Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He is the only WAY to God the Father (John 14:6) -- for all mankind. In Him we have eternal life, and His promise of eternal life in the presence of God. Without Him, there is only the promise of eternal destruction, eternal condemnation in the presence of Satan.

This is why I urge ALL of our Forum Friends to choose wisely; for the "free will" choice we make in this mortal life, before that last breath -- WILL determine our eternal destination: heaven or hell. There are no other choices.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

What Happens When A Believer Dies?

Have you ever had to explain to others, believers or non-believers, the Biblical teaching of what happens when a Christian believer dies? While many Christian believers do not share my belief in a PreTribulation Rapture; others will also argue that the believer goes to a temporary place, or that believers stay in the grave until Christ resurrects us just before taking all believers into eternity. Surprisingly, even among Christian believers -- there is great disagreement about this very important issue: What happens when the believer dies?

My Religion Forum Friend, B50, recently told us that she is a New Age/Christian/Wiccan -- so, it is not surprising that she is confused. The New Age and Wiccan world religions are polar opposites of Christianity. A person accepting the teachings of these world religions most likely will not be mature in Biblical knowledge. Otherwise, he/she could not be lured into those religions.

However, her question has given me an opportunity to explain Biblically what happens at death -- and the difference between a believer dying now and a believer who lives to see the Rapture occur.

If you find this useful, please feel free to share this dialogue with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's keep sharing the Gospel with the world -- and by sharing, help all of us grow spiritually and, daily, become more mature in our knowledge of God's Word. Until He returns; share the Gospel.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

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Hi to my Forum Friends,

In an earlier discussion titled "VPLee123....Thank you!" -- I wrote, "We believe, from the Bible, that when a believer dies -- he/she is immediately in the presence of Jesus Christ and God the Father."

And, B50 asks me, "I thought you had to wait for the Rapture, Bill. So heaven immediately or not?"

Good question! Glad you asked. True, for all Christian believers, upon death, the next moment they are alive in the presence of Jesus Christ -- more alive than ever before. Our mortal bodies are in the grave; but, our spirit, the true essence of all people -- will have a great "Home Coming" celebration -- and all Christ believing loved ones and friends who have gone on before -- will be standing with Jesus Christ -- to greet us -- to welcome us home!

Yes, Jesus Christ is coming one day, a day no one knows. This is why we call it imminent, for it could happen at any moment -- or it might not happen for many years. We just have to be ready (Luke 12:40). His coming will be in the air, in the clouds, and He will call all Christian believers, His church, His Bride, to join Him in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). This is the Rapture.

For all believers who have died in Christ, i.e, died being believers in Jesus Christ -- their mortal bodies will be in the grave; but their spirits are with the Lord. For all non-believers, their mortal bodies are in the grave; but, their spirits are in the Torment side of Hades -- where they will stay until they are resurrected to stand before Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment.

These Christian believers whose bodies are in the grave will rise, be resurrected, first. Then, a split second later, we who are still alive will join them in the air to meet our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At this time, we all will receive our immortal bodies and will be like Him -- not divine, but in our immortal bodies (1 John 3:2).

Now this is a point where many people, believers and non-believers, will ask, "Bill, that works for those who died and were buried. But, what about people who were cremated? What about people who were eaten by animals, by sharks, etc. -- their bodies no longer exist. Their bodies are ashes or part of animal or fish waste. How can they be raised from the grave to be Raptured?"

That is a very valid question. Yet, we are told in Luke 12:6-7, "Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."

God created us; God knows every hair on our head (for some, just a memory); God knows every cell which makes up our bodies -- for He created those cells, those bodies -- so, I have no doubt that, in His omniscience, in His omnipotence -- He will have no trouble bringing together all the required elements to create our immortals bodies.

Jesus, when He ascended into heaven, was in His immortal body with the nail scars and the sword scar still evident. After His resurrection, but, before His ascension -- he was in His immortal body which closely resembled His older mortal body. This is why He could eat with His apostles after His resurrection (John 21:12-15). We believers will have such an immortal body also at the Rapture (1 John 3:2).

So, to clarify: For believers who have already died, their bodies are in the grave -- but, their essence, their spirit, is in heaven. When Christ returns to Rapture His church -- their bodies will rise from the grave, or wherever, and will become immortal bodies, once again reunited with their essence, their spirit.

Then, a brief moment later, we believers who are still alive when Christ returns in the air to Rapture His church will rise -- we will not taste death -- but, will go to meet Him in the air to gain our immortal bodies.

Is this described in the Bible? Yes, in 1 Corinthians 15:49-54 we learn that we, our bodies, will be changed in the twinkling of an eye -- pretty quick -- from mortal to immortal, i.e., our glorified bodies. We we be in our glorified bodies just like Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:49-54, "Just as we have borne the image of the earthy (mortal), we will also bear the image of the heavenly (immortal). Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory."

And, in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, we are told that we believers who are still alive, will be CAUGHT UP to meet Christ, our Lord, in the air. In the Greek language, the English phrase "will be caught up" is the word "harpazo" meaning: "to snatch out or away."

When the Pope commissioned Jerome to translate the Bible into Latin, the language favored by the Roman Catholic church, the Greek word "harpazo" became the Latin word "rapiemur" -- from which we get the English transliteration RAPTURE. So, yes, the word "Rapture" -- the prophecy of the Rapture -- and the description of the Rapture -- are all in the Bible.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."

Yes, B50, we have His, Jesus Christ's, promises of eternal life for all who believe (Matthew 19:29, John 3:15, John 3:16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 5:24, John 6:40, John 6:47, John 6:54, John 10:28).

And, the apostle John writes to us in John 20:30-31, "Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name."

So, yes, eternal life in Christ is assured, by Jesus Christ Himself, for ALL who, by grace, through faith, believe in Him and receive His "free gift" of eternal life. Based upon His promises, we have eternal security in Him -- and whether we die before He comes to Rapture His church, or whether we are still alive -- ALL believers will be Raptured to be with Him forever.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Are New Age, Wicca, And Christianity Compatible?

So often, over the years, I have heard people say, "I'm a Christian, but, I see nothing wrong with psychics, astrology, and superstitions." That is basically what my Forum Friend was saying when she told us she is a New Age/Christian/Wiccan. Sorry, no way. New Age and Wiccan are the antithesis, the total opposite, of Christianity. One cannot be short and tall, one cannot be fat and skinny -- and one cannot be New Age or Wiccan and be a Christian believer. Yet, on the Religion Forum I am chastised for pointing this out to my misguided Friend.

Yet, we all know that when we share the Gospel, there will be many who will disagree, many who will attempt to discredit us and the Gospel. Jesus told us, in Luke 6:22, "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man." And, in 1 Peter 4:14, we are told that this brings us blessings. So, praise God -- I am blessed!

Please feel free to share this with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's all keep sharing the Word of God, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- until He returns.

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Hi to my Forum Friends,

In another discussion begun by O No titled "Why We Are Here" my Forum Friend, B50, wrote, "It was a humbling moment. So I guess God can work through a New Age/Christian/Wiccan."

And, I responded to her with, "Not that I want to burst your bubble -- but, there is NO WAY a person can be New Age and Wiccan -- and be a Christian believer. The two are totally polar opposites. If you think you can wear both coats -- you are only fooling yourself."

Then, O No tells me, "I truly do believe that Bill, wittingly or unwittingly, IS working for the other side. The way he slams people who he KNOWS are believers, the way he insults people and tries to denigrate them. We all KNOW that is not Christian behavior! Bill pushes people AWAY from Christ by his actions and his venomous words."

O No, my Friend, when B50 tells us that she follows the New Age religion, this is what is meant:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age

The New Age (also referred to as the New Age movement, New Age spirituality, and Cosmic Humanism) is a decentralized Western social and spiritual movement . . . It includes aspects of Occultism, astrology, esotericism, metaphysics, alternative medicine, music, collectivism, sustainability, and nature.

The New Age movement includes elements of older spiritual and religious traditions ranging from atheism and monotheism through classical pantheism, . . . New Age practices and philosophies sometimes draw inspiration from major world religions: Buddhism, Chinese folk religion, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism; with particularly strong influences from East Asian religions, Gnosticism, Neopaganism, New Thought, Spiritualism, Theosophy, Universalism, and Western esotericism.

When B50 tells us that she follows the Wiccan religion, this is what is meant:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca

Wicca is a Neopagan religion and a form of modern witchcraft. It is often referred to as Witchcraft or the Craft by its adherents, who are known as Wiccans or Witches. Its disputed origins lie in England in the early 20th century, though it was first popularized during the 1950s by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant, who at the time called it the "witch cult" and "witchcraft", and its adherents "the Wica." >From the 1960s the name of the religion was normalized to "Wicca."

Wicca is typically a duotheistic religion, worshipping a Goddess and a God, who are traditionally viewed as the Triple Goddess and Horned God. These two deities are often viewed as being facets of a greater pantheistic Godhead, and as manifesting themselves as various polytheistic deities. Nonetheless, there are also other theological positions within the Craft, ranging from monotheism to atheism.

So, anyone telling us that he/she can follow a New Age religion, can follow the Wiccan religion -- and still be a Christian believer -- has NO idea what it means to be a Christian believer. As I have said many times before, New Age/Wiccan and Christianity are polar opposites.

One cannot be both. That would be analogous to saying, "I am going to spend eternity in heaven and in hell." No. Not possible. Sorry, my Friend -- that is totally impossible. One has to make a choice between the two -- just as one HAS to make a choice between world religions and Christianity.

O No, if you consider what I write to be "venomous words" -- I must suggest that you confuse the Gospel with "venomous words." And, as the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. . ." The key words here are "everyone who believes" -- and one cannot believe in and follow Jesus Christ while following antiChristian world religions.

My Friend, you accuse me of serving the wrong side. Do you think that, maybe, by trying to hold hands with all sides; you may be doing just what you accuse me of doing?

Joshua 24:15, "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

If you still disagree with me, you might want to do more research on the New Age, Wiccan, and other world religions -- and their relationships with Christianity. And, just possibly, you might want to take an introspective look inside to see if it is Bill Gray with whom you disagree -- or God.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill