Alpha & Omega Ministries Apologetics Blog
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Yesterday on the Dividing Line..
05/04/2012 - Rich Pierce
James reply's to Matthew Vines' "The Gay Debate: The Bible and Homosexuality" YouTube presentation and more.Here's the program
09:47:19 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
Nuisance Suits Now, But Fifteen, Twenty Years from Now?
07/09/2008 - James White
Lawsuit against Zondervan complains about Bible statements on homosexualityCASCADE TOWNSHIP -- A Canton man is suing Zondervan Publishing and a Tennessee-based publisher, claiming their versions of the Bible that refer to homosexuality as a sin violate his constitutional rights and has caused him emotional pain and mental instability.The hatred of rebels expressed against God's law knows no bounds, and it is a manifest sign of God's judgment when "the wicked strut about."
Bradley LaShawn Fowler, 39, is seeking $60 million from Zondervan, based in Cascade Township, and another $10 million from Thomas Nelson Publishing in the lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Fowler filed the suit against Zondervan on Monday, the same day U.S. District Judge Julian Abele Cook Jr. refused to appoint an attorney to represent him in his case against Thomas Nelson, a Tennessee publisher. Fowler filed a suit against Thomas Nelson in June. He is representing himself in both claims.
"The Court has some very genuine concerns about the nature and efficacy of these claims," the judge wrote.
Fowler alleges Zondervan's Bibles referring to homosexuality as a sin have made him an outcast from his family and contributed to physical discomfort and periods of "demoralization, chaos and bewilderment."
The intent of the publisher was to design a religious, sacred document to reflect an individual opinion or a group's conclusion to cause "me or anyone who is a homosexual to endure verbal abuse, discrimination, episodes of hate, and physical violence ... including murder," Fowler wrote.
Fowler's suit claims Zondervan's text revisions include and then delete the reference to homosexuality without informing the public of the changes.
The other suit, against Thomas Nelson and its New King James Bible, mirrors the allegations made against Zondervan for "manipulating" Scripture.
18:01:36 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
On Today's Dividing Line
05/15/2012 - James White
Today we had a jumbo sized DL (90 minutes) once again focusing upon the exploding discussion of homosexuality in Western culture. Started with a lengthy reading of, and response to, this article by Rachel Held Evans. Then responded briefly to a comment by Hugh Hewitt, then noted a statement in Barack Obama's book, The Audacity of Hope, wherein he identifies Paul's statement on homosexuality in Romans 1:26-27 as an "obscure line" that needs to be interpreted in light of the Sermon on the Mount, and finally examined Chris Matthew's outrageous behavior in an ostensible "interview" of Tony Perkins. Here's the program.And don't forget the WayBack Machine, streaming Dividing Lines from 1998 onward 24/7! You can listen on the Flash Player found here.
13:38:11 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
Homosexuality, Rick Warren, and the Pope!
12/23/2008 - James White
I love when I come up with a title that requires you to listen to figure it out! (Here's the program.22:01:57 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
When Liberals Attack Debate!
02/14/2007 - James White
It was one of the most humorous occurrences in my debates. The context was anything but humorous. I was debating noted liberal Barry Lynn on the subject, "Is Homosexuality Compatible with Biblical Christianity" on Long Island. This is the debate Lynn tried to suppress, threatening legal action if we distributed the tapes. During the cross-examination, as is so often the case, the wheels fell off my opponent's wagon. I was pressing him on his utterly untenable reading of Romans 1 and finally, he had to give in. See, Rev. Lynn (ordained minister in the United Church of Christ) had come to a debate on whether homosexuality is compatible with biblical Christianity without his biblical. Err, his Bible. So...he had to borrow mine. Unfortunately for him, I had the little shirt-pocket sized NASB, "the eye strain edition." The result is memorable.The DVD of this debate is available here (#521). We had some major sound problems toward the beginning of the debate, but it is still usable, and clears up before the cross-examination.
And by the way, it seems all liberals find the Bible an expendable asset at a debate on...the Bible. Here's an image of John Shelby Spong at the debate on the very same topic in November in Orlando. The only book on the table is my book on homosexuality that I gave him during the break. Absent is...the Bible. I suppose it could just mean that liberals have the Bible memorized. But, maybe not.
11:11:25 - Category: General Apologetics - Link to this article -
Homosexual Super Rights Movement Presses On
07/08/2005 - James White
Every day it is thrown in your face. A small minority group--extremely small, maybe 3% of the popoulation en toto, demanding that you not only allow for their sexual perversion, but, more so, that you abandon any way of thinking--- religious, moral, social---that would say that their perversion is anything but good and moral. Out of the half dozen examples of this in the news and e-mail this morning, I present my experience last night in going home and flipping on the TV while setting up my bike for a run on my trainer this morning. It happened to come on to the local NBC affiliate, and the very popular, long-running show "ER" was on. I've seen a number of episodes (I was a biology major in college, so I find it interesting), and know that one of the main characters is a lesbian. Over the years I have seen them openly promoting the justice of her "cause," but last night they went so far overboard, were so blatant in their bigotry against Christianity and in favor of homosexuality, that you would think they would have to pay for the time as a special interest group! The plot was that this doctor had been adopted, and that she finds her birth mother, who happens to be a conservative Christian (sings in a choir that is performing at a Baptist Church). She quotes the Bible frequently. Of course, by the end of the episode, the doctor informs her that she is a lesbian. Toward the very end the doctor confronts her mother. At one point (and I was not writing this down, of course, so I am approximating the quotes) the doctor says, "Don't you see that your problem is that your faith is not wide enough to accept me" or something along those lines, directly insisting that her mother must change the substance of her faith. Since the terminology was normally "your faith, my faith" (rather than the faith, i.e., God's truth revealed in Scripture), then changing the "faith" is just a matter of choosing to do so.Then, in the most amazing proclamation of the "in your face" demand for super-rights that marks the anti-Christian character of the homosexual movement, the mother says, "I will always love you." And the homosexual character replies, "If I don't have your acceptance, I don't want your love." There you go! "You must change your faith. I reject Christianity, I reject the Bible, and if I know that anywhere in your thinking you still believe that what I do is sinful, then I want nothing to do with you!" And she was portrayed as the victim, the open-minded, loving hero, as the program ended with her walking away from her mother's hotel room, sad, but unbowed in her homosexuality! It was truly an amazing display of the fact that homosexuality is not interested in equal rights. The movement wants uber-rights, supremacy, the suppression of anyone who would openly identify their behavior as a perversion of God's created norms. And Hollywood is their willing ally in their cause.
08:57:39 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
Another Heart, Mind, and Body Set Free
07/05/2007 - Mike Porter
A passage that is very familiar to those of us who strongly emphasize the depravity of man and the gravity of sin is Romans 1:18: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness."That word "suppress" is intriguing, for it presumes knowledge of the truth in order to suppress the truth. It is deliberate to the degree that the truth wishes to make itself known, or rather, as the passage indicates, is being made known, but the man does whatever is in his power to push it down. I have often likened this struggle with that of my son who has some toys that he tries to keep from floating to the top of the water when he swims. If he loses focus and stops keeping it under it begins to surface and he is forced to work even harder to keep the toy suppressed under the water. If he changes his position, his arms tire, or his Dad comes by and taps it a little (Dad can be a meany!) all is lost and it comes up anyway. The truth is revealed, but men seek to suppress the truth by any means necessary.
Recently, I read an article of a man who gives a testimony that he has been freed from homosexuality. But, this is not an ordinary man. He was a leader within the gay rights movement, founder of a homosexual magazine that targeted teens and young people, and was called upon to speak and defend homosexual lifestyles. As I read this article, I was impressed as to how many times he commented about how often he had to push the truth down so it would not reveal itself. He stated:
Homosexuality allows us to avoid digging deeper, through superficiality and lust-inspired attractions – at least, as long as it remains "accepted" by law. As a result, countless miss out on their truest self, their God-given Christ-self.and
God is regarded as an enemy by many in the grip of homosexuality or other lustful behavior, because He reminds them of who and what they truly are meant to be. People caught in the act would rather stay "blissfully ignorant" by silencing truth and those who speak it, through antagonism, condemnation and calling them words like "racist," "insensitive," "evil" and "discriminatory."Not only did he train himself to ignore God and even hate him, but he and others also trained their guns against others who objected to that lifestyle. Again, it is amazing how accurate the Scriptures are in describing the nature and power of sin for those who are mightily in love with it. They not only approve, but give hearty approval of the same.
Michael Glatze gives credit to God continuing to pursue him despite all that he had done and that finally he is freed from the slavery of homosexuality. And, with no uncertain terms he makes it clear that his entire lifestyle was a choice he made and gave no credence to the idea that he was biologically designed to sin in that fashion.
I cannot speak of his affiliation with church or any such thing, but taking his testimony at face value, it would be easy to conclude that Mr. Glatze is an example of what I have recently written about: The King subdues his subjects.
Claiming that it was God, Mr. Glatze rejoices in his liberation. I will take joy in that and I will remind myself the lesson here is that we may share the faith and preach the Gospel and feel we have failed to budge an ant hill. But it is the work of the Holy Spirit to move mountains.
01:00:00 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
Today on a Jumbo Edition of the Dividing Line
08/02/2012 - James White
Started off finishing up my response to Abdullah Kunde's article (since he's sort of "off line" for Ramadan, I kept it brief). Then I reviewed some comments on Jesus and homosexuality, and then interacted with Barnabas Piper's article on why going to Chick-fil-A on Wednesday was, in his view, a "bold mistake." I boldly disagreed. Then we moved into a section on Roman Catholicism, and in particular, the priesthood and the papacy. Three pretty divergent topics, to be sure, but that's what the DL is all about! Here's the program.17:34:47 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
God's Judgment on the Sin of Homosexuality Applied to Today's Situation
02/26/2012 - James White
19:27:48 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
The Dividing Line 4-30-2012
05/01/2013 - Micah Burke
James talks about his trip to Omaha and Tour de Apologia, Jason Collin's "coming out", a letter about homosexuality on a blog and even takes calls!
Here's the program!
15:16:55 - Category: Misc - Link to this article -
More on the Depravity of Western Culture
08/04/2010 - James White
It's a packing day…headed to New York for a weekend of ministry. I look forward to seeing the saints there, and I hope and pray my efforts will be useful to their edification.I almost wrote an article about the Proposition 8 case last night, but held off, knowing that it was most likely that a Federal Judge in San Francisco, of all places, would not uphold basic morality or a worldview that has any godliness to it. I wasn't disappointed, as the decision just came down. Of course, it will be appealed…to the 9th Circuit (oi vey), and then, obviously, to the Supreme Court. This is just one step in a long process of overthrowing our Christian heritage and setting our culture on an inevitable collision course with the wrath of a holy God. It will be hard to bear the rejoicing of the ungodly over this decision, but we should realize that we see the signs of the degradation of the West all around us.
I read with sadness this article last week. Once again the maxim that corrupt judges are part of God's wrath is seen with clarity. But what is more, these corrupt legal decisions flow from an even more corrupted cultural core, a core that seeks to express its hatred of the holiness of God, and especially His revealed law. The dogma of the West is now firmly opposed to any God-centered morality, and if you wish to possess the affirmation of the culture in the form of an educational degree, you need to bow to the supreme authority of the secular worldview, especially as it touches key elements, such as the moral goodness of homosexuality (in the perversity of this view). We have known for a long time that you cannot obtain the world's approbation for your work in certain fields of science without bowing to its holiest dogma (naturalistic materialism), and the same is becoming the case in other areas. These cases are becoming more and more frequent, and once legal precedent is established, we will need to have even more serious discussions concerning the role we must bear in nations and a culture under the judgment of God. Time to dust off that Old Testament and start looking at the "remnant" passages.
14:05:15 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
John Shelby Spong on Scholarship
04/05/2006 - James White
One of the issues that will take center stage in Orlando will be the nature of modern scholarship. As those of you know who have read The Same Sex Controversy, an entire body of "scholarship" has arisen over the past few decades in support of any number of competing (and often self-contradictory) theories regarding what the Bible "really teaches" about homosexuality. You can always cite "Dr. So-and-so" who says "this word doesn't have anything to do with homosexuality." And unless one can engage those assertions in the text itself (as Jeff Niell and I did, and as many others have done in other fine works on the subject) all you can do is trade barbs about your favorite scholars. And so today in a commentary Spong wrote,Neither evangelicals nor fundamentalists have yet discovered the critical biblical scholarship that has graced the western world for at least the last 200 years. When I last was on a television program with Albert Mohler, it was painfully obvious that he was not in touch with any of the contemporary biblical scholarship of the past century....Evangelicals and fundamentalists like to call themselves conservative Christians, as if there is something called conservative or liberal scholarship. There isn't. There is just competent and incompetent scholarship.
Now, I can assure Bishop Spong that Al Mohler is quite familiar with "contemporary biblical scholarship." In fact, I would be willing to bet Mohler knows a hundred fold more about Spong's favorite contemporary writers than Spong does about Mohler's. In fact, unless I'm just completely misreading his own statements, I can't imagine Spong investing much time reading anyone he would consider a "conservative" at all. His disdain for anything that remotely smacks of his "fundamentalist" upbringing is just too strong. But in any case, the only way we will be able to determine what is competent and non-competent scholarship in the debate will be simple: who can engage the texts consistently without overthrowing the entirety of the worldview of the authors themselves?
At the end of his article Spong writes, "I do not believe that any prepositional statement about God can be literally true." Something tells me we have spell-check theology here: I think he probably meant "propositional." If so, could a propositional statement about the impossibility of propositionally true statements about God be itself true? You truly wonder at times.
17:08:12 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
I've Been Saying This for Years Now...
05/02/2007 - James White
Homosexuals are suppressing the truth of God in their lives. It is a difficult thing to wrestle constantly with your conscience, to put out so much effort into convincing yourself that your sin is good, to call light darkness and darkness light. It is toilsome. Because of their state, homosexuals are particularly angered by anyone who would say "homosexuality is unnatural; it is directly opposed to God's creative order, it is sinful, life-destroying, and God demands you repent from it." And so, they are willing to lend their considerable financial (and hence politically powerful) support to any politician who will help them to suppress such speech, or to put it bluntly, to give them super-rights. They wish to be able to say, and do, anything at all: but, at the same time, they are willing to see the rights of others, especially their free-speech rights, denied.Now that the party that is most in support of homosexuality and its agenda is in (slight) control of the legislative branch of the US government, the laws that are being used to suppress the open and honest preaching of the Christian faith in Europe, Canada, and Australia, are being promoted here. Under the guise of "hate crimes legislation," HR-1592 is making its way through Congress, the next major step in criminalizing Christianity in the West. Robert Gagnon has the story here.
Our society's hatred of God's law is so deep, so pervasive, that I honestly see this not as something that will bring God's wrath--we are well beyond that point--but as evidence of God's wrath. If my generation passes away without facing the very same seizure of our property, denial of free speech rights, and even imprisonment, faced by our brothers and sisters at the hands of Muslims, Hindus, and Communists around the world, surely the next generation will face such hardships. May God grant us strength and insight to use our current freedoms to form for the next generations a solid foundation upon which they can stand against the fierce storm of the world's hatred.
12:08:06 - Category: General Apologetics - Link to this article -
UCC Can't Figure Out if Jesus is Lord
06/18/2005 - James White
The United Church of Christ, the denomination in which Barry Lynn is a minister (the same Barry Lynn I debated on the issue of homosexuality a few years ago), is currently debating, and will probably reject, a resolution simply stating that Jesus is the Lord. Here's a quick summary. There should be some means of burying the corpses of former Christian denominations, but there doesn't seem to be any truly effective means of doing so. Write "Ichabod" over the door and lock it up.09:50:45 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
Glenn Beck's PCness on Gay Marriage, and Liberty and Caner Turning a Blind Eye
09/29/2010 - Alan Kurschner
On August 11, Glenn Beck told Bill O'Reilly he has no problem with same-sex marriage:O'Reilly: "Do you believe that gay marriage is a threat to the country in any way?"With a position on gay marriage such as that, it is alarming that Liberty would invite him to speak at their commencement earlier this year and confer an honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree upon him---and Ergun Caner would be giddy about it:
Beck: "A threat to the country?"
O'Reilly: "Yeah, is it going to harm it in any way?"
Beck: (laughing) "No I don't. Will the gays come and get us?"
O'Reilly: "No, OK, is it going to harm the country in any way?"
Beck: "I believe that Thomas Jefferson said: 'If it neither breaks my leg nor picks my pocket what difference is it to me?'"
Ergun Caner on Twitter: "Glenn Beck at the LU Graduation! Love it! And I'm loving the snarking of the haters. LU folk: rejoice when they revile!" (Apr 23, 2010).In his insightful article, "Why conservatives are abandoning the 'gay' issue," David Kupelian provides an ominous analysis,
Very simply, most people in today's America, including conservatives, are afraid of "the gay issue." Although most know deep down there's something wrong with homosexuality, they don't want to be called "intolerant," "bigoted," "hateful" or "homophobic." Even though they don't really want open gays in the military, and disapprove of same-sex marriage, are repulsed by Obama's appointment of notorious gay activist Kevin Jennings as the nation's "safe schools" czar, and on and on – the "gay issue" no longer registers on their radar screen as one on which they should take a public stand.
In fact, much of "conservatism" has morphed in recent years into "libertarianism" – which is basically conservatism minus the moral, faith-based dimension.
There are many other examples, even among top conservatives. It seems most, if not all, are falling away from this jugular issue for the same reason: They're afraid, and the convenient slide from conservatism to libertarianism – invisible when the issue at hand is government spending, taxation and regulation – comes into full view when dealing with moral issues like homosexuality.
Why are they afraid? The gay activist movement relies heavily on intimidation (or "jamming," as their marketers label it) and no one likes to be mocked, marginalized, demonized, called ugly names, boycotted, persecuted, prosecuted for "hate crimes" (thought crimes, actually), fined or imprisoned....
The answer is: You better care, because once gay marriage is legalized in America – something for which there is virtually no precedent in the 5,000 years of Western Civilization – your schools will be required to teach your children that homosexuality is totally normal, your pastors and rabbis will fear preaching their faith's core moral values, and gender confusion and immorality will reign supreme in America.
(In addition, Mark Lamprecht shares some comments on Liberty University, Glenn Beck and the Gospel).
19:18:35 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
The Stonewall Riots and President Obama on the Dividing Line
01/22/2013 - James White
I started off playing a portion of President Obama's inaugural comments, focusing upon his promotion of homosexuality and the profaning of the divine institution of marriage. We when took a call from Jane up in the northwest asking how we can "respect authority" when that authority stands inalterably opposed to God's ways. We took two other calls, one on an amazingly facile argument for abortion (I didn't show it a whole lot of kindness!) and then we pushed the clutch in as far as we could go, produced a fair amount of mental smoke, and shifted gears to the subject of Amyraldianism and the atonement for the last call! Here's the program.11:24:18 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
Greetings from London
07/05/2006 - James White
A quick "hello" from downtown London. I'm actually finished speaking at the School of Theology, though there is one day left to go. Got caught in a downpour yesterday, got back to the Tabernacle only 15 minutes before speaking, looking like I swam in. But the Lord was merciful and I was able to put that out of my mind as I spoke on the fact that many evangelical churches today are functionally non-trinitarian. The fellowship has been wonderful with all of God's people here in the UK.For those in the Glasgow area I will be speaking on the issue of homosexuality Friday night there in Anniesland. I do not know how much longer we will be able to advertise such meetings here in the UK. Amazing developments in granting super-rights to the homosexual community, and don't be deceived, that is exactly what they want in the US as well.
23:53:01 - Category: Personal - Link to this article -
Equality Now Means "Believe As We Believe, Or Else"
03/01/2011 - James White
We knew it was coming. They called us "reactionaries" when we warned about it, but sure as clockwork, we were right. Homosexuals do not want equal rights. They do not simply want to silence those who believe their chosen behavior is evil and will bring God's judgment upon them. No, that's not enough. Now you cannot even think such thoughts! If you dare confess to holding beliefs counter to the "cultural norms," you will be punished, ostracized, and, we all know, eventually punished directly. Oh, surely, the proponents of these laws, these judges who hand them down, play lip service to "freedom," but you need to understand: freedom is a one way street in the secular West. You are free to abandon morality, ethics, virtue, and truth, but you are not free to move the other direction. The hero is the apostate, the hate monger is the faithful believer. This is the new world of the secular West.I am referring to this article in The Telegraph. Assuming its accuracy, it is yet another example of how there is nothing benign nor neutral about secularism. It hates God's law with a passion, and given time, will abandon any and all pretense to fairness. When it comes to our being the creation of God, under His sovereign law, there is no neutrality. So now, according to these judges, while it still might be acceptable to be a heterosexual couple (it will be hard for them to get rid of that: homosexuality only manifests itself in about 3% of the population), you can no longer be considered a fit foster parent if you think differently about homosexuality than the government-mandated "correct way of thinking." Tell me, how long until you are not considered a fit parent at all if you dare hold such radically horrific views as "marriage is the life-long union of a man and a woman, ordained by God"? We already know the radical atheists would love to preclude parents from instructing their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord---when will they attempt to enforce this by law?
You know what a good, and actually accurate, term would be for this attitude amongst secularists? Sure, we have already heard about Christophobia, the irrational fear and hatred of Christians and Christianity. But what is the source of this? In instances like this, is is theonomophobia, a fear of (due to guilt) and therefore hatred of, God's law (theos, God, nomos, law, hence the much debated term, "theonomy," is actually a perfectly valid concept that is present throughout the text of Scripture). Why is the secular West so intent upon self-destruction that it on the one hand persecutes those who remind it of its own past, while at the same time planting the seeds of its own destruction through political correctness and cultural suicide? I can see no other answer than the judgment of God. Justice is the foundation of God's throne (Psa. 89:14, 97:2), and a nation is dishonored by sin (Prov 14:34). So too God tells us that the "wicked strut about when that which is vile is honored amongst men (Psa. 12:8). Homosexuality is a vile passion, classed along with numerous other acts of rebellion against God's law, and it is a direct and unquestionable attack upon the Bible and the Christian faith to demand we reject this plain teaching and adopt the mindset of secularism.
We hope and pray God will mercifully overturn this obvious anti-Christian bigotry and injustice. But if He does not, we must not be silent. We must shine the light of truth upon the darkness of secularism and call all men and women, created in the image of God, to see it for what it is.
19:51:53 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
Today on the Dividing Line: Finishing Harry Knox, Calls on the Redefinition of Marriage
08/21/2012 - James White
Had not really intended it (was going to divide the program into two topics), but we ended up staying on one topic (even the three calls were on the same topic, mainly anyway), that being homosexuality, the redefinition of marriage, related cultural issues---even touching on abortion as well. Hopefully helpful as we seek to be light in the darkness. Here's the program.And don't forget the WayBack Machine, streaming Dividing Lines from 1998 onward 24/7! You can listen on the Flash Player found here.
16:19:43 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
Quick Note
07/01/2006 - James White
With the morning Bible Study and both services tomorrow, followed by a morning flight out, through Charlotte, to London, basically wiping Monday out, getting me in only hours before I speak at the School of Theology on Tuesday, I have a feeling I won't be blogging for a while. Lord willing I may--and I emphasize may--get a chance to put something up after my presentation on the deity of Christ on Wednesday, but we will see. For those in the Glasgow area, I'm speaking on the issue of homosexuality on Friday night in Anniesland, 7:30pm, Reformed Baptist Church, Herschell Street. I will also be speaking Sunday morning at the Edmonton Baptist Chapel as well. This will be a fairly quick trip, in comparison to those in the past, but I look forward to meeting with all my brothers and sisters who are able to make it to the School of Theology or wherever we may meet.16:25:03 - Category: Misc - Link to this article -
Excellent Insights
12/30/2005 - James White
This article by David Kupelian (hat tip: Nina) touches on some very important issues regarding the shameless propoganda coming out of Hollywood in the form of Brokeback Mountain. It is well worth the read. Add to this well written and insightful article the fact that most "evangelicals" could not explain the why of the Bible's prohibition of homosexuality (let alone the outrageous concept of "gay marriage" which is in and of itself as coherent a term as "dark light") and you can see we have a lot of hard work to do in the future. The day is coming when even this brief note I am posting right now will be considered "hate speech" and will be censured. Mark it down, it will happen---unless God grants repentance, or brings such utter judgment there is not enough left of the culture to worry about such arcane things as "free speech" to begin with.00:01:00 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
A World of Hypocrisy
07/29/2007 - Mike Porter
If defiling the "holy book" Qu'ran merits not only the charge of "Hate Crime" as well as an arrest as Dr. White mentioned earlier, then I wonder when Sir Ian McKellen will be under investigation for ripping sections of Leviticus that address homosexuality out of the Gideon Bibles in hotels he stays at."It's tricky for McKellen - ever the diplomat, yet on this issue fiercely passionate (he even rips Leviticus out of every Gideon bible in every hotel room he stays in)."
16:55:13 - Category: Simply Silly - Link to this article -
Today on The Dividing Line
03/13/2007 - James White
Spent the first fifteen minutes discussing the big story in the news today, the utter audacity of a leading military general in the United States---he has morals! We watch those who would deny us the right to say "homosexuality is wrong" writhing in anguish at the continued existence (by God's grace) of men and women in our society who still hold a biblically-grounded morality. We then played, and reviewed, the two video clips below from the tomb movie, took a call from Jeff (who had heard Karen King speak recently), and transitioned toward the end of the hour into a bit more of George Bryson. Here's the program (free/high quality).13:48:02 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
Today on the Dividing Line
01/15/2013 - James White
Spent the first 3/4 of the program on current developments primarily related to the use of homosexuality as a cultural bludgeon to silence Christians---focusing on the Giglio debacle from last week, and the Steve Chalke abandonment of biblical morality and ethics as well. Then we spent the last 15 minutes on some comments made by Ergun and Emir Caner in 2003 on the John Ankerberg Show, wondering if the same kinds of comments will appear in the 2013 edition. Still wondering about that Hadith 2425, too....Here's the program.
And don't forget the WayBack Machine, streaming Dividing Lines from 1998 onward 24/7! You can listen on the Flash Player found here.
12:03:13 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
A Voice of Reason Meets a Voice of Irrationality
02/18/2013 - James White
My friend Michael Brown is willing to try to speak the truth in contexts that most of us wouldn't even attempt. Here's today's example....Well, I was going to embed the video, but they designed it so that the snapshot is simply inappropriate for posting. Gotta love when they upload a snapshot of the video that they know will keep people from embedding it! Here's the direct link to the video.
Ironically, I will be reviewing a few sections of our debate from last Thursday tomorrow on the Dividing Line. I was really disappointed, not in our debate, but in the fact that though we wanted to work together and provide the "we can debate, and then work together" paradigm, all we ended up having was just our debate---we didn't even get to see each other at any other point the whole weekend in Charlotte. Well, let's hope for a future re-scheduling of what we had planned, and personally, what I would like to see, would be either finding another Muslim to join with Shadid Lewis so that Michael and I can debate together, or, see if we can arrange a debate on the homosexuality or marriage issue again where Michael and I could work together. That would be ideal.
17:45:51 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
YouTube Suppresses Political Speech in Favor of Homosexuality: Relents After Pressure
06/01/2012 - James White
The following video was posted by a 16 year old commenting on the vote on the nature of marriage in North Carolina. You will note it contains no profanity. It is reasoned and clear. And that, of course, is the problem. If this was a young homosexual ranting against Christianity using profanity, or even a middle aged one, like Dan Savage, well, YouTube's "Community Standards" would not have any problem with that at all. But YouTube pulled this over the weekend. Thankfully, news sources caught on, and lo and behold, those Community Standards got, uh, re-adjusted.The fact is, homosexual activists on line act in a "pack," hitting videos and presentations they do not like with complaints as a group. That is why they exercise a coercive power far beyond their actual numbers. We do not join with others based upon our sexual "preferences," so we do not have the same kind of power, even though we are by far more numerous.
15:43:03 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
Today on a Mega Edition of the Dividing Line
05/17/2012 - James White
Invested the first hour in continuing my response to Matthew Vines' presentation on homosexuality. We only have about 15 minutes left in his presentation, but, the last 15 minutes contain the most emotionally-charged materials, so I figure we still have a solid 45 minutes to an hour to go. I hope to finish the response next week. Then we will take that material and put it into a single file for download and distribution. The second hour was split between a brief discussion of George Bryson's "The Biblical Doctrines of Grace" presentation and a continuation, and possibly finishing up, my review of Adnan Rashid's debate with Jay Smith in Dublin. Here's the program.And don't forget the WayBack Machine, streaming Dividing Lines from 1998 onward 24/7! You can listen on the Flash Player found here.
18:00:26 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
Quick Note
07/30/2006 - James White
Preached on the view of God's Word regarding homosexuality and the pro-homosexual movement at PRBC both services Sunday. When the sermons are posted, they will be here.Pray for the safety of our offices. Someone smashed out my wife's passenger side window Thursday evening when she was here, right out in the parking lot. Left a six inch knife in her passenger seat. The police don't even bother showing up for that kind of thing anymore around here. We are looking at trying to obtain some security equipment to keep an eye on the parking lot.
Shamgar gave me this link in channel today, and it truly amazes me the power CAIR wields in our land. Truth lies wounded in the streets indeed. Western civilization seems completely intent upon self-destruction. Perhaps someone will finally start talking about the wrath of God?
21:15:31 - Category: Misc - Link to this article -
Big Announcements Made: Now to Work!
12/22/2005 - James White
We made both our big announcements today, filling folks in on the upcoming debate with Shabir Ally in May at Biola (date and specific thesis under discussion at the moment) and then spending a good bit of time laying out the November conference, cruise, and debate (see the information in the right hand column). Then we finally got around to ending the suspense and announcing that I will be debating the issue of homosexuality with the retired bishop of Newark in the Episcopalian Church, John Shelby Spong. This should be a very interesting debate, for the obvious reason that we have both written books on the subject, and this time, I expect my opponent will take the time to read what I've written (unlike Barry Lynn), and I can assure you, I've already obtained his materials on the subject. So the cross-examination should be in-depth and to the point.After making the announcement I moved on to deal some more with Bart Ehrman's NPR program. Here's today's DL.
19:09:36 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
Spong on the Apostle Paul
06/04/2007 - James White
I have often said that seeing folks saying these things has a different impact on us than just hearing it. So I am so thankful that the DVD of the debate with John Shelby Spong on homosexuality is now available. I posted a clip a few days ago, and here is a second. You can see how frustrating it was to try to get Spong to engage in meaningful cross-examination on the topic at hand, but I kept trying. Here Spong opines on the topic of the Apostle Paul. You could tell he did not want to go here, but since I was quoting his own writings, he did not have any choice. Of course, he hadn't read anything I had written on the topic, so he had no recourse.00:01:00 - Category: General Apologetics - Link to this article -
Last Word from the UK
07/09/2006 - James White
Heading home tomorrow morning (Lord willing, as with all air travel). Spoke at the Edmonton Baptist Chapel this morning, then had a little adventure trying to get downtown. We were providentially hindered from making it. Back last evening from Glasgow, where I spoke on homosexuality at the Reformed Baptist Church, pastor Jim Handyside. And yes, I ordered my kilt while I was there! Had a great time with Jim and his wife, despite his assertion that my Scottish accent sounds like a mixture of Pakistani and Italian.
Mr. Compston was kind enough to give me some clearer shots from the School of Theology. Since many have never seen the inside of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, I thought I'd provide this shot which gives you a much better perspective on how it is laid out. The barely visible orange you see in the tie there is the MacGregor Hunting tartan. Lord willing we will do the Dividing Line at its regular time on Tuesday, 11am MST, 2pm EDT. I cannot guarantee that I will be overly lively, I confess, but I leave that to the Lord.
09:02:58 - Category: Personal - Link to this article -
DL Schedule for the Week/Ministry Resource List
04/15/2013 - James White
Heading home late tonight (actually, early in the morning, at least AZ time, on the ol' red-eye flight) from here in Honolulu after a most enjoyable time with Shane Sowers and the folks at Central Baptist Church. Did a Q&A session last evening on a wildly wide variety of topics after having spoken on Islam, the Challenge of Homosexuality, Galatians 1 and the Gospel, and the reliability of the New Testament scriptures. Pastor Sowers has discussed some exciting possibilities for the future, and I hope the Lord opens those doors.As a result I will be getting into Phoenix around 8am Tuesday, so doing a DL straight from the airport would probably not be overly beneficial for anyone, including myself. So we will try to shift the schedule by a day, doing Wednesday and Friday, probably doing Wednesday at the afternoon time, and Friday at the morning time. Will confirm on Twitter and Facebook.
I have also added a few items to the Ministry Resource List, which has been empty for a few days (many thanks again to those who keep an eye on that list) that would be of great benefit especially with the intense travel season I have ahead.
10:31:33 - Category: Misc - Link to this article -
President Obama's Promotion of Homosexuality on Today's Dividing Line and Iron Sharpens Iron
10/13/2009 - James White
I will be addressing clips from Barack Obama's Saturday speech to the Human Rights Campaign, a radical group promoting super rights based upon sexual behavior, on both the Dividing Line and then immediately afterward, Iron Sharpens Iron. I will share here the one line that, as I listened to the speech on Saturday evening, caused me to stop the recording and roll it back to make sure I heard it correctly. And though it has gotten next to no commentary (Dr. Mohler likewise saw it as the most important statement), it is without a doubt the most important part of the speech:You will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women as just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman. (Applause.) --- President Barack Obama, October 10, 2009
To which I respond:
The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men. (Psalm 12:8, God)
08:55:42 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
The President's Views on Social Issues
11/02/2012 - Jeff Downs
Don't you love titles that capture your attention? Well, now that I have your attention, let me point you to an audio program that featured the president. No, not Obama, but the president of Greenville Seminary, Dr. Joseph Pipa. On the latest Confession Our Hope, Mr. William Hill and Dr. Pipa discussed social issues such as homosexuality, women’s ordination, head coverings and other such issues in light of a properly understood, biblical hermeneutic. To listen click here.Speaking of social issues and cultural engagement, you may want to check out this new book. Sample chapter is located here and Table of Contents is a sample chapter and the here.
16:30:35 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
Steve Ray on Tony Blair
04/08/2009 - James White
As Tur8inFan noted a clear example of Ray's double standards earlier today, I just ran across another example here. Ray notes that Tony Blair, who converted to Rome in 2007, has criticized Rome's teachings on homosexuality. He opines, "We want more Protest-ants to convert and join us, but not if they bring their 'protest' with them. Leave it behind or go back where it is welcome!"But wait! Isn't this the same Steve Ray who has assured us that the source of disagreement and dispute is sola scriptura? This is the same Steve Ray who, even after full documentation of the dishonesty of the "33,000 denominations produced by sola scriptura" fraud, continued to defend it? So, how can Tony Blair, a Roman Catholic, not be in perfect harmony with Rome's teachings? Is it possible that despite the clarity of Rome's position on the topic, he still chooses to disagree? But wait, that would render Rome's entire magisterium invalid on Ray's own principles, for he has said it is sola scriptura that is to blame for all those differences amongst Protestants! Of course, that won't work, and what you will get will be the "We have one standard in support of Mother Church, and another for...the rest of you" defense. Ah, the glory of Rome!
21:08:31 - Category: Roman Catholicism - Link to this article -
A Picture of Child Abuse
06/30/2008 - James White
I was directed to this article about "Gay Marriages" (marriage, being defined by God, cannot be redefined by man, hence, these are not marriages at all, but celebrations of rebellion) and as I scanned down the page I encountered the picture found here. The AP picture by Tony Avelar carries the following caption:Jennifer Kozumplik, left, and her partner of 17 years Nicole Webber, right, from Sacramento, Calif., hold their 18 month-old daughter Sophie as they pose for a photo after receiving their marriage license on the first day of same sex marriages at City Hall in San Francisco.As I stared at the picture I could not help but see only one thing: the selfish, self-centered abuse of a beautiful little child by two people committed to the fulfillment of their own desires. I once again immediately thought of the comments of Rosie O'Donnell. She was asked about her "son," and she said he has asked about where his daddy is. O'Donnell's response is the very essence of self-centeredness: "I tell him Mommy only likes other Mommies."
It is a measure of the decay of Western culture that self-deception is the activity of the day. We constantly cry, "for the children, for the children!" while abusing them to no end in the service of ourselves. It is purposefully abusive of a child to consciously deny to them a mother and a father. It is even worse to warp them, from the start, by providing two mothers or two fathers, neither of which is actually a mother or a father, since, by definition, those terms are defined by the other. None of these abused children actually have a true father or a true mother. A father is a man who heads the household and loves his wife as himself; a mother is a female who bears the children and nurtures them, honoring and loving her husband. These role models are never perfect even in the best situations, but the fact that there is failure in true marriage is no excuse for the creation of faux-marriages.
A further measure of the decay of our culture is the fact that men like myself will not long be allowed to deny the validity of these unions born of rebellion against God. Oh, I know, for the moment we are assured that we will not be forced to acknowledge these abominations before God, but let's be serious. Look north. Look at Canada. Look to Europe. Homosexual activists, and the foolish politicians who pander to them, are not content with "equality." They want uber-rights. They want to silence any reminder of their sin and rebellion. They will not stop until we are silenced or, in God's grace, repentance comes to a nation, bringing His law back into the consciousness of the populace, resulting in homosexuality once again being seen for what it is: a shameful distortion and perversion of human sexuality. Of course, God may not grant repentance to that nation: He may well replace that nation with one that will hear His law. But in any case, anyone who trusts in the promises of the politicians that the "religious" will not be forced to acknowledge these "unions" should consider buying stock in companies catering to the Y2K problem.
But while I still have the freedom to say it, I will, and clearly: it is nothing short of child abuse to subject a little one to constant exposure to homosexuality and its perversion of human relationships. Homosexuals cannot reproduce naturally, of course, so they must do so through the perversion of the minds and morals of others. And they have found willing allies in politicians of all kinds who are willing to trade their souls for cash and votes. May God have mercy and bring true repentance!
18:48:08 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
Has God Removed His Hand of Restraint Even More?
11/12/2008 - James White
Hatred toward the Christian faith is growing in response to the elections of November 4th. Here is an incredible video that shows you the mindless hatred of the supporters of homosexuality toward a little Christian woman. Watch toward the end as the stomp on the cross they have ripped out of her hands. Remind you of Romans 1? It should. You can't tell me these people are not God haters. It is written across their faces.
Also, did you notice the chant, "Shame on you!" What incredible hypocrisy! Those proposing the overthrow of morality, the violation of marriage, the destruction of a divine institution, have the audacity to speak thusly? Surely it has come true:
12:53:45 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
Last Thursday on the Dividing Line -- and Other Stuff
01/29/2013 - James White
Sorry to have neglected to blog last Thursday's DL. At the start we mentioned the prayer offered at the Inauguration and its seeking God's blessing on homosexuality; then I updated folks on the fact that, so far, John Ankerberg has followed the Norman Geisler line: ignore the actual facts of the Caner scandal, in this case, by the ignoring of my open letter, posted last week. Then we started taking calls on such subjects as how to handle an opportunity to bear witness in conversation at a mosque; a call on the Caner debacle, and a few others. Here's the program.Today on the DL I will be analyzing and responding to the recent discussion of Mormonism held at the Eerdman's book store between Richard Mouw and Robert Millett. Hearing a noted "evangelical" leader functioning as a full-blown apologist for Mormonism is tremendously troubling. On Thursday David Ould will join us, Lord willing. After our conversation we will be responding to an MSNBC anchor's comments on the propriety of abortion.
Finally, I've added a few items to the Ministry Resource List, here. Your assistance is always appreciated!
05:14:44 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
Today on the Dividing Line: Reply to FaceBook Critic, Conclusion of Wajdi Akkari Response
02/28/2012 - James White
Started off responding to comments by a British fellow on FaceBook regarding my sermons this past week, all of which were on the topic of, or touched upon, homosexuality. Then I read Michael Brown's excellent article on the heartbreaking results of artificial insemination on the lives of those who are born of the procedure, including a poem that truly communicates the heartbreak born of mankind's foolish rejection of God's divine wisdom. Then I concluded my response to Wajdi Akkari to finish up the program. Right after the DL I was on Janet Mefferd's program to talk about how Christians and Muslims can build true bridges, not the kinds where you sacrifice truth and the gospel. Here's the program. On Thursday we will get back to the Wallace/Ehrman debate, unless, of course, something happens in between time that demands our attention!And don't forget the WayBack Machine, streaming Dividing Lines from 1998 onward 24/7! You can listen on the Flash Player found here.
14:55:18 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
Cultural Collapse Report from Denver
05/03/2010 - James White
Greetings from the Mile High City. About to grab a ride with some brothers here in the area, and as I'm preparing I have had the Today Show on. Two items from the media, and one other story that has been sent to me a number of times that illustrates how twisted Western Culture is becoming in its hatred of godliness.First, Today had a report on the "runaway mom," Tiffany Tehan (I'm sorry, but "mom" is a title she no longer deserves). Tehan abandoned her husband and baby daughter, faked her own abduction, and allowed volunteers to invest thousands of hours searching for her while she ran off with her new lover in an adulterous relationship. But if you listen to the language, no one can even utter words like evil, sin, or shame, let alone "adultery" or the like.
Next, they interviewed Michael Douglas on his son's conviction for drug dealing. The ever present "he has a disease" excuse was everywhere. The man was a drug dealer. He made money from destroying the lives of others. No shame, no guilt, no sin. Excuses, excuses, excuses.
Finally, everyone needs to read this article. When you give to the government the power to regulate, well, everything, this is what eventually happens. As British Society becomes ever more deeply infected with the mutating virus of humanistic naturalism and its inevitable secularism, the mere public expression of godly convictions must be punished. There is only one solution: repentance, and only one source: God's Spirit.
07:26:16 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
Dembski and the Book of Daniel
01/07/2006 - James White
William Dembski posted this parody on his blog. I found it very fitting on the morning after seeing the second hour of The Book of Daniel last night. I had not intended to watch it, though I had heard all about the furor over it. I simply do not watch a lot of television. But someone in channel mentioned that the Suns were tromping all over the Heat, so I turned it on, and it happened to be on NBC, so, since I was doing the "Please, please, let me get this Bluetooth stuff installed" thing anyway, I kept it on. It was pretty much what I expected. Though I refuse to poison my mind with the graphic scenes in Brokeback Mountain, in reading in-depth reviews I gather Hollywood has invested its best in creating a focused apologetic for homosexuality--one that keeps your attention tightly centered on the emotional hot-buttons they are using to keep you from either seeing the big picture or thinking clearly about all the other relationships being destroyed by the perverted selfishness of two individuals. So I was hardly surprised to find Daniel well written, well paced, and witty. Of course, the Jesus figure in the show is simply laughable, but accurately portrays the 1960s style hippy Jesus the left can be comfortble with: nothing divine, nothing sovereign, nothing challenging about this bearded, effeminate figure standing across the room practicing his golf swing (yes, that's what they had him doing in one scene). But the rest of the cast is perfectly suited to the task of promoting an empty-headed religiosity to a postmodern culture. Immorality runs rampant with every form of homosexuality, adultery and fornication, theft, dishonesty---it's just your regular ol' American story, or so someone wants us to believe. The male homosexual character is soon to graduate as a doctor--he isn't the kind of homosexual you see in gay pride marches dancing down the road in a thong. No, Hollywood knows better than that.Just one glaring example of the "overwhelm the emotions, end critical thinking, create lasting (if irrational) impact in muddled postmodern minds" methodology against which most are utterly without defense these days: the minister's father, a bishop, is blissfully unaware that his grandson has chosen to be a homosexual. The bishop's wife has Alzheimers. With the best of the videographer's skills, you are drawn into the tragedy of Alzheimers as you see her for a moment knowing who he is, and the next slapping him for touching her. If you are human, you are drawn into his pain. Then...a few moments later...he is putting on his shirt after committing adultery with a woman from the leadership of the church---and they stand there talking about how tragic her condition is, and how he should not feel guilty. You feel for him---so, right as that emotion sets in, *smack* show him committing adultery and excusing himself in the process. See, it isn't that bad! Covenants mean nothing! Gotta get your gratification you know, even in your mid sixties! He has needs! Those needs obviously outweigh solemn vows! I mean, it is obvious his whole church mocks the idea of marriage to begin with--it is just a convenience, so why worry about it? Probably one of the saddest things about the presentation is that it is so accurate to so much of modern Episcopalianism.
And so returning to the parody Dembski posted above...the man is saying, "I need a belief system that serves my needs right away." Bingo. Exactly. Man-centered religion. A Jesus without power, authority, purpose, or truth. That's The Book of Daniel and that is the face of the modern "mainstream" denominations that continue to morph into whatever a God-hating society wants them to be. Thankfully, God is still in the business of changing hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, opening blind eyes, and drawing His people unto Himself. And so we press on, seeking to be faithful.
10:29:32 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
Yesterday on the Dividing Line: Mega DL Continuing Response to Matthew Vines
05/09/2012 - James White
I was only going to discuss Matthew Vine's "Gay Christian" presentation for the first hour, but since we were in the middle of the biblical discussion, I went ahead and continued, so we did a full two hours on the subject, covering Genesis 19, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, and starting into Romans 1. I am hearing from a lot of folks that these programs are helping them in the discussions that are inevitably arising due to the discussion of homosexuality, the redefinition of marriage, etc., in Western culture. Here's the program.Speaking of which, I am sure everyone is noticing that "he who frames the debate wins the debate" being fulfilled this very morning in the media in the US. The passing of Amendment 1 in North Carolina (don't worry, the Federal government will over-turn all these silly, backwards states over time), which affirms and defines marriage in the only logical, rational, historical, moral, ethical, biological, and, of course, Christian way, as the union of one man and one woman, is almost universally being identified as a "banning of gay marriage." Instead of the positive affirmation of serious and thoughtful morality and ethics that is rooted deeply in our history and culture, the main stream media in general has identified the amendment as anti-gay bigotry, etc., never, ever considering the deep bigotry and bias that is inherent in the homosexual movement. The issue is almost always framed in such a way as to paint the moral stance as negative and bigoted, and to put those who would resist the redefinition of marriage on the defensive. It is so obvious and yet the majority of our fellow citizens seem to ignore the reality.
06:58:28 - Category: The Dividing Line - Link to this article -
Odds and Ends
09/06/2006 - James White
First, an "I told you so" that is not much of one. I have said many times that homosexual activists cannot allow freedom of speech or expression. Their ultimate goal is to silence anyone who would even whisper God's standards. They do not want equal rights, they want super-rights, all based upon sexual behavior. And as long as they have deep pockets and politicians can "use" them and be used by them, they will continue racking up success in their campaign. So I have repeatedly said the days are coming, and indeed, are here, where open and honest discussion of what the Bible itself says about homosexuality will be limited and in fact will put one in danger of the authorities. Here is a story illustrating this very thing from the UK. Note that this special "police unit" exists not to protect British citizens from criminals, but instead is there to support homosexuals! And note especially the admission that the arrest was based simply upon the leaflets containing relevant biblical citations! You have to wonder where all the proponents of "free speech" are hiding these days. Hat tip to PC.Next, I have been informed by eyewitnesses that Jerry Falwell, in announcing the upcoming debate at the Thomas Road Baptist Church, referred to myself and Tom Ascol as "hyper Calvinists." This is most disappointing. For one thing, I'm sure the real hypers are truly upset that we are taking over their turf and illegitimately at that! They sure know we are anything but hyper-Calvinists. But I had hoped for better from Dr. Falwell, who should know that there are historical definitions of these terms and that it is inaccurate to use the phrase of myself or Dr. Ascol. I will have to write and correct his misapprehension. We wouldn't want too many flaming straw men in that fine new sanctuary! The fire marshal would not like it!
11:41:23 - Category: Misc - Link to this article -
The State vs. Christians: Canada Joins those Nations that Prohibit Free Speech and Gospel Preaching
06/09/2008 - James White
The speed at which the governments of the secular West are turning on the Christians living within their borders is a sure sign of the judgment of God coming upon this culture. It truly has come to the point where I question the wisdom of my ever going north of the border again, given that it is without a question true that I could be charged with a "hate crime" in Canada this very day. My debates with Lynn and Spong, my book on the topic, my preaching, would all now expose me---and more importantly, all believing Christians in Canada today---to the rebuke of the "law" in Canada. Free speech? Forget it! Homosexuals now have super-rights! You can't even express opposition to their sexual deviancy!I am referring to the decision handed down by the Alberta Human Rights Commission Friday against pastor Stephen Boissoin and The Concerned Christian Coalition Inc. I will not repeat an overview of the case, as it is found here and here, only to note that this has to do with the outrageous action of Boissoin in sending a letter to the newspaper that was published voicing opposition to homosexuality and its impact on society. Here is a sample of the terrible things Boissoin said:
Children as young as five and six years of age are being subjected to psychologically and physiologically damaging pro-homosexual literature and guidance in the public school system; all under the fraudulent guise of equal rights.This basic expression of a logical, rational, perfectly consistent and Christian viewpoint is now officially illegal in Canada. Dr. Darren Lund, a homosexual activist, filed a complaint, and now gets $5,000 for the "suffering" he has experienced by the bare expression of Boissoin's words! Sound completely impossible? It isn't. Free speech is gone in Canada, and the secularists have taken over the key positions in government so that from those positions they can do exactly what they are now doing: silence Christians and the proclamation of the Gospel.
I downloaded the pdf of the "decision" of these anti-Christian secularists. Note the following:
14. The Panel finds, and the Panel orders as follows:Now keep in mind, the entirety of the Christian proclamation is "offensive" to many, hence, "disparaging remarks" can be, well, anything. So, this is a legal demand that Pastor Boissoin cease saying anything in any forum whatsoever about homosexuality. Period. Shut up. And since I am sure the preaching of the Bible constitutes "in public speeches" in Canada, this is an open unadulterated attack upon Christianity by a legal governmental agency. To call it anything else is to have one's head way, way too far down in the sand.
a. That Mr. Boissoin and The Concerned Christian Coalition Inc. shall cease publishing in newspapers, by email, on the radio, in public speeches, or on the internet, in future, disparaging remarks about gays and homosexuals. Further, they shall not and are prohibited from making disparaging remarks in the future about Dr. Lund or Dr. Lund's witnesses relating to their involvement in this complaint. Further, all disparaging remarks versus homosexuals are directed to be removed from current web sites and publications of Mr. Boissoin and The Concerned Christian Coalition Inc.
The entire document is simply frightening in its mindless secularism. Boissoin is told he must apologize publicly for holding the historical Christian position! What an audacious demand! Can you imagine! Orwell was off by only 24 years, to be sure. But what is truly sickening is the fact that the decision is plainly intended to function as a chilling influence upon all other Christians. By prosecuting this one pastor the intended effect is to silence all Christians in general. I quote:
8. The Panel agrees also with Dr. Lund's submission that hate propaganda remedies should have a symbolic and educational value as stated in the Citron case:Do you see that? "We will come after you and we will prosecute you if you dare give voice to Christian beliefs on homosexuality in Canada." I cannot possibly see how the Bible itself can long remain on the shelf in Canada in light of such judicial activism and anti-Christian bigotry. The irony is, this kind of decision is purposefully designed to inculcate--hatred of the Christian faith. And never forget it.
Any remedy awarded by this, or any Tribunal, will inevitably serve a number of purposes: prevention and elimination of discriminatory practices is only one of the outcomes flowing from an Order issued as a consequence of these proceedings. There is also a significant symbolic value in the public denunciation of the actions that are the subject of this complaint. Similarly, there is the potential educative and ultimately larger preventative benefit that can be achieved by open discussion of the principles enunciated in this or any Tribunal decision."
Boissoin endured six years of persecution at the hands of the High Priests of Secularism in Canada. You cannot debate these people: they know they cannot win in that venue. They seek to silence the other side by force of "law." The militant jihadi does the same thing. Both have the same goal in mind: silencing those who would dare to point out that their arguments are without merit. Their methods are quite different, but their ends are the same: the suppression of truth.
Should you watch these things and experience temptation to fear and distrust, remember: many have been the nations and cultures that have passed from the scene over the centuries due to their hatred of God's law. Justice will be done in the end, thankfully. Unrighteous judges should read the many warnings directed to them in Scripture. Meanwhile, Christians must pray for strength to stand firm in the face of those who would instruct them to be silent about the Gospel. "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20).
18:54:21 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
Romans 1:26-27 and Homosexuality
05/17/2005 - James White
[26] For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,
[27] and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
These verses form a single sentence, connected directly to the preceding words by for this reason. Paul does not depart from his theme at this point. These verses are not some separated, a-contextual leap into another subject. The theme continues without a break. But here Paul teaches that because of the idolatry of mankind God gives men over to degrading passions (NASB), shameful lusts (NIV), vile passions (NKJV). However the phrase is translated, it is obviously referring to desires and passions that are dishonorable and indicative of Gods judgmentupon those who indulge in selfish, lustful behavior.
Paul then gives a particularly fitting example of these degrading passions, one that illustrates twistednessat the very core of human identity. He first mentions lesbianism, describing, clearly, adult, mutual lesbian activity. This is seen in the description given in both verses 26 and 27, for verse 27 begins with and in the same way,indicating that the description of male homosexual activity in that verse is parallel to the lesbian activity in verse 26. Hence, the description of lesbianism as against naturein verse 26 would apply to male homosexuality as well, and the description of mutuality and indecent acts in verse 27 would apply to lesbian activity as well.
There is a note of sadness in Pauls words, "for even their women...." The female, as a result of the twistedness of sin, exchanges the natural sexual function (the most basic meaning of the words Paul uses) for that which is against nature. This is a voluntary act. These women exchangethe natural function for that which is against nature. There is choice involved here, a choice that expresses the twistedness of the rebellion against the Creator that Paul is illustrating. The natural sexual functionis still known to these women, but they choose to exchange it. Paul uses the very same term he had used in the preceding verse, "exchanging the truth of God for the lie," so obviously this exchange carries the same negative character: the exchange of Gods truth for a lie is the same as exchanging the natural sexual use for the unnatural. The choice is purposeful in the first, and it is in the second as well. ...
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02:00:00 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
Checking the Cultural Barometer
07/13/2011 - Colin Smith
Some of you might be aware of the show "Sister Wives" that runs on the cable station TLC. If you don't, it is a reality show centered around a polygamous household. I believe they either belong to an off-shoot of the LDS Church, or they are not affiliated with any particular LDS Church but follow the beliefs of the original founders. In any case, the man is a practicing polygamist, has children by each of his four "wives," and has chosen to use reality TV as a vehicle to show that polygamous relationships can "work," and the children raised within that environment can be just as healthy and happy as children raised in a "traditional" home. Sound familiar? Well, it seems the man is now going to court to try to have polygamy tolerated. He's not seeking to have polygamy legalized--he just wants the government to leave them alone to live their lives according to their beliefs.
According to the article on CNN (linked below):
One case that could figure as important in the case is the Lawrence v. Texas case in 2003, when the majority of the Supreme Court struck down laws banning consensual sex between same-sex couples. That case involved two consenting adults who didn't seek recognition of their relationship, were not involved in any crimes and whose behavior was private, Turley [his attorney] said.
If you have heard Dr. White address homosexuality, and in particular if you listened to his dialog with Dr. Michael Brown on the subject of "gay marriage" and the homosexual agenda, you will know that he and others have drawn parallels between the arguments used by "gay rights" activists to legitimize their behavior, and the arguments used by others (polygamists, pedophiles, etc.) to justify their behavior, for a while. Now we have a legal challenge to polygamy law that is in part based upon the freedom allowed to same-sex couples. If this challenge succeeds, hold on to your seats. You know where this will go.
May the Lord have mercy on us.
Here's the CNN article: Reality TV Sister Wives to Challenge Utah Anti-Polygamy Law.
08:41:36 - Category: Misc - Link to this article -
How to Study for a Debate on Homosexuality---My Way!
05/11/2013 - James White
1) Load your iPod with the third time you've listened to your opponent's book...all the way through the endnotes and publisher's materials---and third time you've listened to two of his public presentations.2) Load a bunch of Rob Gagnon lectures, which you listened to a few years ago, but need to refresh.
3) Load the Indiana University lecture Doug Wilson gave and prepare to scream alone in your car at the lunacy of university students.
4) Drive down to Tucson---twice in two days, and get turned back halfway through your first attempt on Friday by a nice big thunderstorm. Go home, repeat on Saturday.
5) Do your first solo (unsupported) climb to the very, very top of Lemmon---that is, up to UofA's Sky Center, a mere 9,052 ft. above sea level. Touch the gate. It's official. Pass a guy right at the top who is young enough to be your son. Feel good about that. (Total ride: 56.83 miles, 7,779 ft. of ascent. Here's the Garmin Connect readout).
6) Stop and smell the roses...or, in this case, take some really cool pictures of the incredible scenery you get to see from the vistas on the climb up Mt. Lemmon, such as this one right at 9,000 ft. above sea level, looking out over the Tucson valley.7) Get stuck in a HUGE freeway closure on the way home (fatal roll-over accident 8 miles up the road); discover you have MORE Rob Gagnon lectures hidden in your podcast section on your iPod, listen.
8) Given you've burned a minimum of 4,000 calories on the ride, enjoy some yummy Nutella when you get home.9) Thank God for the health to be able to enjoy His creation in this way at 50 years of age, always recognizing---every ride could be my last, and someday, I will get off the bike for the last time.
10) Sleep very, very well.
19:28:16 - Category: Personal - Link to this article -
An Unwitting Admission
08/12/2006 - James White
I was looking over the August, 2006 "Soulforce Alert" which was reporting on the "1000 Watt March, Vigil and Concert" up in Colorado protesting Focus on the Family. One interesting paragraph I read said:In interviews with the two activists, one difference stood out. Chad Allen [who was chosen to play a lead role in End of the Spear even though he is a pro-homosexual activist] believes GLBT [Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender] people and anti-gay Christians can find common ground if they focus on their humanness. Judy Shepard does not believe that it's possible to find common ground with folks like Dobson. "Their view is askew, so I don't believe it's possible. A lot of this is about power and money. It will take many brave ministers to say it's okay to be Gay and Christian---and these ministers have jobs, pensions, and families to think about...they have a lot to lose. So we must talk to the people in congregations and humanize what's happening."
Did you catch that? While the two pro-homosexual activists disagree in one aspect, in reality, in a way the writer surely could not comprehend, they actually agree. What is the way for "unity" for Chad Allen? Focusing on our "humanness." And for Shepard? To "humanize" what is happening. See, they really agree! What has to be lost is the supernatural element of Christianity. God cannot be Creator. We cannot be created. That means God gets to define human sexuality and define its proper bounds. He even gets to define certain behaviors as sinful. And, of course, that is the very statement these folks want to preclude anyone from even thinking, let alone stating out loud. So the only way around that is to turn Christianity into a human social club and nothing more. Shepard wants to by-pass the God-ordained structure and seek to create rebellion in the ranks. Neither of them want to obey God's Word.
Over the past two Lord's days I've spoken on the subject of the Bible's teaching on homosexuality. You can find those sermons listed here under the topic "Pulpit Crimes."
03:00:00 - Category: Christian Worldview - Link to this article -
More Hatred of Christianity
10/10/2007 - James White
I have added a new category here on the blog: persecution. We all know that our brothers and sisters are persecuted around the world by repressive regimes, whether they be atheistic/communistic (North Korea, for example), or religious (Islamic, Hindu). But it is no longer any secret at all that secularists want to silence Christians, whether they be of the dogmatic Darwinist sort (Dawkins) or others, such as the homosexual lobby.We saw just recently that the Council of Europe (part of the EU) put forward document 11375 (17/9/2007 -- in European date order, which makes more sense, in this case, than the standard US format) titled "The dangers of creationism in education." The document can be found here. There is no room for debate, no room for discussion or dispute, as the document begins with its summary, "Creationism in any of its forms, such as 'intelligent design', is not based on facts, does not use any scientific reasoning and its contents are definitely inappropriate for science classes." Well there you go! That settles it! Just as Rome attempted to silence criticism of its own misunderstandings centuries ago in Europe, no one seems to have learned a thing during the intervening centuries. While once it was religious bigotry that stifled the very ability of man to speak and debate and argue and disagree, now the secularist bigots have taken control, and they are just as intent upon stifling free speech and the expression of opposing viewpoints as ever their religious ancestors did. Dogmatically committed to Darwinism with a fervor of faith beyond almost anything known today in European "Christianity," the Secular Kingdom of Europe has firmly established its credentials as hating God's law, hating God's Word, and hating God's truth. You will love homosexuality, abortion, and everything else that eats at the soul of man, or you will be an outcast, and feel the brunt of the heel of the kingdom's boot. Of course, secularist Europe cannot withstand the onslaught of Islam, for the secularist is concerned only about himself or herself, and hence simply does not reproduce. So this monument to man's hatred of God will be washed away in short order by the natural reproduction rates of the immigrant Islamic populations, and the work of persecuting Christians, begun by the secularist regimes, will fall to those with far more experience in that field.
There are so many contradictions and absurdities in the Council of Europe document that it takes one's breath away. It is a monument to dogmatic secularistic fundamentalism. It does not even show a passing familiarity with the key issues in the debate, but, how could it? Darwinists do not want their theory debated. They want it obeyed. Period.
So today I was pointed to another indication of the incessant bent of the Western Rebel toward hatred of God. Here is another move to shut the mouths of those who would speak God's Word in the UK. I have documented numerous times on this blog the push to establish "gay super rights." Homosexuals, constantly suppressing the voice of conscience, want no one adding to that monumental effort by speaking the truth they are working so hard to suppress. So they seek to silence those who would say homosexuality is a life-destroying, culture damaging addiction by force of law. "Hate crimes" legislation is nothing more than a means of giving the government the right to peer into the hearts and minds on the basis of its own prejudice. It is a mechanism to suppress expression of "politically incorrect" views. We watched the old Soviet Union use these kinds of laws for decades as a basis for its brutal suppression of free thought, and now the West is mimicking its vanquished foe. While it will take longer for these laws to come to full effect in the US, the process has already begun. Free speech is now only for those who wish to promote godlessness thereby.
In a wonderful display of irony, I paged down to find one Dan from Sheffield making a comment on the news story. He concluded his comments with, "laws against incitement to hatred allready exist for other things, this just extends that legal standard, and shoudl extend equally , to everyone, whatever sky pixie they happen to belive in." Why shouldn't Dan's description of my God as a "sky pixie" fall under the very same prohibitions of "hate speech"? No one can answer that question, since logic and reason are not relevant to those who promote this kind of mindless "political correctness."
The days of our freedom to speak are numbered in the West, my friends. We must take advantage of them while we can! It will not be long before "counting the cost" will finally have meaning for those of us who have been blessed with unlimited freedom for a very long time.
00:01:00 - Category: Persecution - Link to this article -
Greetings from Grand Cayman
11/06/2006 - James White
Yeah, I'm the world traveler alright. Most everyone is off the ship right now doing...what you do at places like this. I have a load of laundry going, Beethoven playing on my iPod, and I'm playing chess against...my computer. Yeah, I am truly the party animal!
Now, for those of you who wondered if I would indeed do what I promised to do, and in fact, had been looking forward to do, well, here is photographic proof. Since everyone in my group was grabbing cameras last night and saying they were going to post the pics on line, I figure I might as well beat them all to the punch, since I happen to be proud of my Scottish heritage. Here is my lovely wife and I after the formal dinner on board last night. My thanks to Pastor Brazier and Mrs. Handyside! Look out, Jim! The pictures are being taken! (A little inside stuff there). So far I have spoken on the "Clobber Passages" (as soon as we got on ship), I did a theology talk wherein I basically went back over the Spong debate but also discussed parallels to my previous debates on other subjects, and then yesterday afternoon spoke on "What is at Stake," taken mainly from the chapter of the same name in Pulpit Crimes. This morning I had the pleasure of listening to one of our group witnessing to an elderly Roman Catholic man in the Lido restaurant. It was a real blessing to get to hear someone else bearing witness!
I was truly struck by something else that took place during the debate Friday night. During the audience questions Spong kept responding to my statement by saying, "I keep hearing guilt and judgment in what Dr. White is saying." To which I replied, "Yes, Bishop Spong does hear guilt and judgment, because without judgment of sin there is no need for a Savior! As a guilty sinner, I need a perfect Savior!" The contrast could not have been any stronger.
Also, I wanted to once again thank all of those who worked so diligently at the conference for all their hard work, and especially wish to thank Rich Pierce for making it all possible. Here is a shot of our book table the night of the debate. I think I saw some of Bishop Spong's supporters picking up my book on homosexuality (oh that he had bothered to read it himself before the debate!), so pray that the materials distributed will be of assistance to those who obtained them.
08:28:35 - Category: Personal - Link to this article -
