The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum End of the Spear

Personally, I didn't find much there which I would consider "thoughtful". <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" /> However, what I did find thoughtful was Albert Mohler's comments, a link to which was found on that webpage and you can read here: What Were They Thinking? The Controversy Over [i]The End of the Spear.

In His grace,

That is what caught my attention.

I should have probably said something about Al Mohler's comments but the link was right there.

Dear Mr. K,

In posting my comment, I was attempting two things, one of which was to remind those of us who may not have contact on a regular basis with homosexuals that they are in fact people no different than you or I or any of the members of this board. Homosexuals exist in every strata of society and every state of the union, and I dare say there are homosexuals in every country on earth (yes, even the Vatican), and sometimes (as with Papist or "Catholics" or with any ethnic or social group) we can tend to be not just biased but hatefully judgemental to a nameless mass of people. I don't support the idea of homosexuality, it is clearly wrong and not condusive towards the calling of God and there are no examples of condoned homosexual activity in the Bible. That said, we need to love them. There are hundreds of activities which we can call sins, there are hundreds of things that aren't condoned (and hundreds of actions that aren't condemned) throughout scripture and we must be careful in how we deal with others actions and their sins. As a single male in college I've found it difficult myself to deal with the temptation of heterosexual relationships (as I think most men have) and yet, I have Christ. How much harder must it be to abstain from sins when the only nature one has known is sin and when one has no experienced concept of grace. I guess in some ways I empathize with homosexuals who are attempting to find truth and attempting to deal with whatever their issues are (which usually go beyond mere homosexuality). People, all people, need to know about their sins and that by Christ alone they can be free because it IS for freedom that Christ has set us free.

I feel it important to point out though that I am one of these crazy Augustianian/Calvinist/Reformed whatever-you-want-to-call-me Southern Baptist and I do believe that Christ forgives all the sins of the elect who He died for on the Cross and that those He saves He keeps and those He saves and forgives will persevere to the end. Once saved always saved brother.

If an elect brother lies with another man as with a woman, all I need do is to lovingly rebuke the sin and do what I can to restore my brother. I do believe we only hurt the church when we push away brothers for doing what comes naturally apart from Christ. Brothers shouldn't ostrasize each other for prejudices which God will judge. Family is family and family is with you for life.

Brother Luke


P. S. I meant to do this earlier in the week, but here's a shout out to J. Edwards who was really cool in his responses, GOD Bless You.

Boanerges,

Christians do indeed prove themselves bigots in the eyes of the homosexual community--and others--whenever they unscripturally externalize sin by acting as if God-ordained cultural activity (eating, drinking, working, learning, the arts, and the myriad expressions of "neighborly" life which are in themselves not manifestations of sin), in the company of the unredeemed, is intrinsically polluting.
More importantly, the Lord is dishonored by such an attitude:

Those who refuse to associate with an unbeliever in an activity not itself manifesting sin--as in this case, refusing to view the movie based on behavior never manifested or even hinted at in the movie--are in danger of violating this principle. To be consistent, they should also determine whether everyone with whom they associate--actor / boss / cashier / doctor / electrician / furniture salesman / gas station attendant / hairdresser / ISP / journalist / kids / librarian / mailman / neighbor / orthodontist / policeman / etc.--is guilty of any immorality before interacting with them.

We have now seen the movie, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. The missionaries are presented as both fully human and yet possessed of a Gospel-motivated, supernatural love. In a world prone to mock all things Christian, this movie goes far to demonstrate what the faith delivered to the saints can look like.

Paul,

To me, this is well thought out and beautifully done. Thanks for reminding me that as a Christian I am in this world but not of it. There is a huge difference between associating and approving.

It is my take on this, and aside from the truth in your comments, that what the homosexual community really wants is for everyone to approve without sanction (especially including Christians) their disgusting and damning lifestyle and "orientation". IMO, we should be very cautious of this as insidious new "discrimination" laws are now being put in place, that if left unchecked, will eventually allow our government to force the world's brand of "Love and Justice" into our own churches. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bash.gif" alt="" />

Let's not forget that when these "Gay" activists say that the Christian is bigoted, they are really saying that the Scripture is bigoted in its claim that homosexuality is an abominable sin.

There were "Gay" activists outside, just before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.


Denny

Romans 3:22-24

Paul I don't think that is the point of the various and sundry articles regarding this movie. And I'd like to point out that at no time did I ever suggest we should boycott the movie. Instead I brought it here for discussion. In fact the only thing I would argue for is better discernment with ETE regarding who they hire.

Paul, if you enjoyed the movie and recommend it then please feel free to promote it. I never intended to see the movie not from any controversy but from the fact that I don't enjoy going to movies much any more. I might see it once it comes to DVD but I think I am more inclined to push the various books about Jim Elliot than any film.

Boanerges,

Let me assure you that my response to your question


was not directed either at you or any individuals you referred to, but rather to one position--going ballistic--posed in your question. I knew you were not advocating such a position in any form, and intended my response to target the position rather than any specific person.

In retrospect, I see I might better have prefaced my remarks with, "In response to your question ...". If by not doing so it appears that I falsely charged you with holding that position, and then castigated you for the same, please forgive me.

Please Paul we all make mistakes in wording. I am probably just as guilty. Let us press on brother. BTW have you read this? Fifty Years Ago...Five Ordinary Fools. I sent this to some friends of mine and it really convicted them. I made it into a PDF so I could keep it handy. I especially like the crisis prayer that Jim Elliot prayed: