A Moment Of Charity

Frontline Missions

2011-11-12T13:37:00.011-05:00

Bob Jones University

2011-11-12T12:14:00.003-05:00

Friends

2011-11-12T12:08:00.004-05:00

Breaking Chains-Building Disciples Conference Nov. 8-10, 2011

2011-11-12T10:37:00.003-05:00

Camp Joy: Teen Camp July 2011

2011-07-25T14:06:00.005-04:00

Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette & Homosexuality

2011-05-17T17:30:00.005-04:00

Below is a link to an Opinion column which published Sunday, May 15, written by a staff writer for the newspaper. Her column was a very long opinion column promoting homosexual marriage. I wrote a response, sent the "letters" editor a copy, and the author of the opinion article a copy. I requested that if my response was too long for a "letter to the editor", then perhaps the newspaper could publish my article as a response opinion column out of fairness. Someone from the letters department called me the same day I sent my response, saying they would run my response as an edited letter. She did not mention my offer to run my response as a separate opinion column. When I suggested that a staff writer from the paper could write an opinion response, she evaded my suggestion. So below you will find a link to the Opinion column and the full version of my response.

http://www.jg.net/article/20110515/EDIT/305159971/1147/EDIT07

On Monday, May 23, the newspaper published an edited version of my letter in the print editon and the full version on their website.

My Unedited Response

Those who believe that homosexuals should be allowed to marry each other often use the practical components of the issue as a strategy to persuade people to accept their position. These practical arguments often include the economic benefits or consequences of allowing or not allowing same-sex marriage, the perception of tolerance which a community or state displays, the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage among young people, and the emotional hardships which homosexuals endure. Those who promote same-sex marriage also frequently allude to examples of hate speech by those opposed to homosexual marriage, the “close-minded” attitudes of those opposed to homosexual marriage, the exodus of talented homosexuals from a community or state, and warnings from “big business” of the consequences of prohibiting same-sex marriage.

Although those who advocate in favor of same-sex marriage are often eloquent in their debating, the arguments they use are irrelevant to the issue. If a particular behavior is immoral, then any argument in favor of allowing that behavior is a side issue and not the main issue. Side issues such as economics, tolerance, emotional hardship, the wrong behavior of those opposed to same-sex marriage, or the views of “big business” do not have any relevance to the final decision.

If a particular behavior is immoral, then that behavior should not be made legal. The entire homosexual debate is ultimately about whether homosexuality is immoral or not. This is not a “rights” issue but a moral issue. Those who wish to prohibit homosexual marriage believe that homosexuality is immoral and should not be legitimized through the legal code. Those who wish to allow homosexual marriage believe that homosexuality is just as moral as heterosexuality and therefore society should allow homosexual marriage.

I am opposed to same-sex marriage because I believe homosexuality is immoral. Therefore I believe that allowing homosexuals to marry is wrong. My decision is not based on hate, anger, or the common perceptions of narrow-mindedness. I am narrow-minded only in the sense that if certain behavior is wrong, then that behavior should never be allowed. If that makes me narrow-minded or close-minded, then I accept those labels. My mind is “closed” to the possibility of allowing same-sex marriage because I believe the arguments against homosexuality are insurmountable.

Let's be honest here. The reason “big business” does not oppose same-sex marriage is a business decision, not a moral decision. Those in business see the increasing acceptance of homosexuality in our society and therefore do not want to alienate customers and consequently lose profits. But if homosexuality is morally wrong, then neither profits nor any other practical consideration should be a factor in making a decision.

Are we as a society willing to maintain moral standards even if a large segment of society is alienated and angry about those standards? Apparently, more and more people are not willing to do so. And the reason has nothing to do with morality, but just plain greed and moral compromise.

Emotional appeals by those in favor of same-sex marriage are an attempt to reach the soft hearts of many people, persuading them to make an emotional decision rather than a reasoned decision. Arguments suggesting a mass exodus of people are a scare tactic. The fact that young people are more open to the idea of same-sex marriage indicates more the collapse of moral values in our country rather than the wisdom of younger generations.

Homosexuality and same-sex marriage are some of the significant moral problems of our time. Tragically, we are seeing growing numbers of people openly accept the legitimacy of homosexuality for reasons of self-interest or, even worse, too scared to say what they really think.

Comstock Family: New Zealand

2011-04-11T10:29:00.005-04:00

Couples Retreat: Camp Joy

2011-02-23T09:30:00.007-05:00

Christmas Banquet: Friday, December 17, 2010

2010-12-18T11:23:00.015-05:00

Creation Museum: August 2, 1010

2010-08-03T12:13:00.005-04:00

Academy of the Arts: Friday, July 9, 2010

2010-07-10T12:53:00.006-04:00

Jennifer Jones & Danny Payne Wedding--Sat., July 3, 2010

2010-07-05T10:05:00.013-04:00

VBS--Sunday, June 27

2010-06-30T11:14:00.006-04:00

Big Catfish !

2010-06-25T09:14:00.004-04:00

Tony from Ft. Wayne caught this BIG catfish last Saturday at the lake by our church. Just looking at that fish makes me hungry!

Bethany Jones: High School Graduation

2010-06-21T07:38:00.018-04:00

Before The Wedding & After The Wedding

2010-05-25T19:32:00.005-04:00

Before The Wedding

2010-05-25T12:41:00.014-04:00

Rehearsal & Rehearsal Dinner [Friday] Chicken Cookout [Thursday]

2010-05-25T10:14:00.010-04:00

Creation Museum: March 18-19, 2010

2010-03-23T10:02:00.008-04:00

Creation Museum: March 18-19, 2010

2010-03-20T15:09:00.004-04:00

Creation Museum: March 18-19, 2010--Video Clips--3

2010-03-20T14:40:00.003-04:00

Creation Museum: March 18-19, 2010--Video Clips--2

2010-03-20T11:34:00.002-04:00

Creation Museum: March 18-19, 2010--Video Clips

2010-03-20T08:51:00.003-04:00

Creation Museum: March 18-19, 2010

2010-03-20T08:12:00.006-04:00

Preliminary Church Design

2010-03-09T12:16:00.005-05:00

This is a rough sketch of the remodeled front of our church. We have made several changes to this design already, such as adding a covered entrance to protect from weather. The roof will also have a higher pitch. The Building Committee is researching different materials to use for the front, such as wood, stone, brick, or combination.

Church Christmas Tree

2009-11-28T12:28:00.007-05:00

Teen-Sponsored Cookout & Games: Sat., Nov. 14

2009-11-16T10:56:00.027-05:00

Nathan Phenicie--Shepherds Ministries, Union Grove, WI

2009-10-31T11:56:00.007-04:00

"Hi!"

2009-10-22T08:36:00.002-04:00

Men's Retreat: Camp Joy, Whitewater, WI--Oct. 16-17, 2009

2009-10-19T08:03:00.021-04:00

Jim Schettler, speaker for the Retreat,
is pastor of First Baptist Church of Santa Maria, California.

BJU Music Ministry Team & Chili Supper: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009

2009-10-01T10:39:00.021-04:00

Zane Bachman Family: Sunday, August 2, 2009

2009-08-03T09:39:00.005-04:00

Zane & Pam Bachman and their children are missionaries to northern Cameroon, primarily working in evangelism and discipleship of Muslims and others.

Elmer Cox Family: Sunday, August 2, 2009

2009-08-03T09:12:00.007-04:00

Rev. Cox & his family came Sunday night to give us the opportunity to help 1 of their daughters with her college expenses and to encourage us with their multiple musical gifts.

Basement Repair--5

2009-07-26T09:15:00.005-04:00

Flowers

2009-07-21T12:11:00.003-04:00

Basement Repair--4

2009-07-21T08:06:00.004-04:00

Breaking up concrete in order to pour another wall

The picture above is one of the new, reinforced basement walls.

Now workers climb in & out by the ladder.
The old steps were removed in order to build a new wall on this side of the basement.

Basement Repair--3---Pouring Concrete Wall

2009-07-17T11:18:00.004-04:00

Basement Repair--2

2009-07-17T08:14:00.006-04:00

Basement Repair--1

2009-07-16T07:55:00.006-04:00

Charity Baptist 20th Anniversary Sunday: May 17, 2009

2009-05-18T09:31:00.009-04:00

Dr. Tony Slutz and his wife, Ellen.
Dr. Slutz is past president of the IFBF and our speaker for the day.

Rev. Roger Bixler and his wife, Mary Jane.
Rev. Bixler has preached for me when I have been away.

Dr. Slutz, Pastor Morris, & Greg Vogel [deacon].
The plaque, from the IFBF, commemorates our 20th Anniversary.

Alcohol and Sunday

2009-05-06T11:11:00.001-04:00

Note: The following is the original, unedited version of the article which appeared in last Sunday's Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette.

When I was in seminary in South Carolina, I worked full-time for a large retail store and went to school part-time. When I began working for this store (1981), the store was not open on Sunday due to the “Blue Laws” which prohibited most retail sales on Sunday. They were called “Blue Laws” because the original legislation was printed on blue paper. Although some stores were allowed to open for business, most stores remained closed. But within about 3 years, the laws were changed, and stores began to open on Sunday afternoon, then eventually all day. At first, Sunday sales did not have much impact on total sales since sales on Sunday seemed to diminish sales on Monday. However, eventually Sunday became a major day for retail sales on its own merit.

The history of restricting business activity on Sunday in America goes back to 17^th century England and the influence of the Puritans. British settlers in America brought these beliefs and practices with them. What is interesting is that, even after Puritan influence in England had ceased, the English people still chose to treat Sunday differently from other days for another 200 years.

Restricting business and other activities on Sunday is directly due to the influence of Christianity on society and society's respect for Christianity. The almost total freedom today which businesses have for Sunday sales and work is in direct proportion to the decline of Christianity's influence on American society and, to some degree, society's lessening respect for Christianity. Since I have a political science degree, I have to admit that, Constitutionally, it is difficult to maintain restrictions on Sunday sales. Restricting any sales of any product on any day cannot be based on any preference for any religion, no matter how much I might personally wish sales of certain products to be restricted or even eliminated. Any restrictions which remain in place are due to the lingering influence of Christianity on our society. As this influence is waning, we see these restrictions eliminated as people become more comfortable in changing them.

America began with strong influence from Christian churches and the Bible. Some may not like this fact, but it is nevertheless true. America's beginnings were not influenced by Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, or any other religion except Christianity. As our country becomes more religiously diverse and, in some cases, antagonistic to Christianity, those remaining laws in the legal code which give subtle preference to Christianity will probably disappear. For example, most businesses are still officially closed on Sunday. Why is this? The traditional reason is so that people may go to church. As more people abandon Sunday church, keeping businesses closed on Sunday have more to do with personal rest and recreation than worship of the Lord God.

For the record, I support restricting alcohol sales on Sunday. Actually, I wish we could eliminate the scourge of alcohol completely. Alcoholic beverages are a dangerous product which ruins families and is responsible for many deaths and accidents. In our community, I see the trucks filled with alcoholic poison drive by our church taking their deadly product to its weak victims. I find it interesting that when a dog attacks and kills someone, that dog is almost always destroyed. Although alcohol kills many people, it continues to be promoted and accepted. The most our society does is to prohibit alcohol's sale to certain ages (which practically doesn't work that well), to tax the product for revenue, to limit its advertising, and to prohibit drinking and driving a motorized vehicle.

Contrary to what some believe, the alcohol Jesus drank was not anything like today's alcoholic beverages. The wine of NT times had far less alcoholic content and was always mixed with water to dilute the wine and purify the water. To use Christ's example to support the consumption of modern alcoholic beverages is historically inaccurate. If someone insists on using the Bible to support the consumption of modern alcoholic beverages, then he should also follow their practice and use the same kind of wine diluted with water. Those who resist doing so reveal more about their heart attitude than they realize.

However I accept that restricting alcohol sales on Sunday is probably a lost cause and legally questionable in today's cultural and legal environment. The movement to legalize alcohol sales on Sunday is another indication of the post-Christian atmosphere in our country. The solution is to give people the gospel, one person at a time, and for those pastors who still believe the Bible to preach God's moral law to an increasingly deaf society.

Video & Pictures From Sunday, March 29, 2009

2009-03-31T09:22:00.009-04:00

Jim Wright: Missionary to Cameroon March 29, 2009

2009-03-30T08:33:00.002-04:00

America Is Becoming Socialist

2009-03-20T09:45:00.003-04:00

The following letter was sent to the Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette in response to an opinion article by the editorial page editor. The Journal-Gazette did not publish my letter in either their print edition or web editions, even though I received an email suggesting that they might.

As a pastor, I like words. I study words because I use words. The right word is essential to effective and accurate communication. Over time, words change meaning. This change is inevitable and unstoppable. One word which many people are using today is the word “socialism”.

My undergrad major was political science, and I intended to go to law school. However, as an undergrad, I decided to pursue another type of Law which more effectively solves people's problems (but that is another story). For my undergrad degree, I took two classes in communism and also political theory classes. Two of the classes I took were taught by Dr. Gary Bertsch, an expert on Eastern Europe. To be accurate, socialism is an economic theory, not a political theory. Yet socialism has fingers which reach into politics as well as economics.

I read Tracy Warner's article, “Obama's Policies Are Not Socialist”, and noticed that most of his argument seemed to highlight that others before Obama enacted similar policies, yet few called those policies “socialist”. That is like a child stealing candy, then pointing out that others steal candy too.

To be honest, Mr. Warner is right about one point: President Obama is continuing and enlarging what President Bush started last Fall. However, as much as I like President Bush, the policies he proposed were socialistic. When President Bush's father was President, he too engaged in socialist policies with the government bailout of some savings and loan institutions. As Mr. Warner points out, farm subsidies are indeed a form of socialism, which tends to reveal that once a socialistic program becomes entrenched in a society, that program is there to stay. Government funded prescriptions and health care are two more socialistic programs which, once begun, will never end. Why do politicians, whom you assume would reject socialist programs, enact socialist programs? Because they are politicians who want to get re-elected. And a politician cannot get re-elected if he makes too many people mad.

Are President Obama's policies socialistic? To answer that question, consider the Fabian Society. Started in 1884 in Britain by George Bernard Shaw, the Fabians taught that government should achieve socialism gradually through minimum wage laws, government subsidized agriculture, restrictions on private property (even to the point of eliminating private property), government control of education, and other policies.

Based upon the definition of socialism which Mr. Warner's article used, it seems obvious to me that, yes, the policies of the federal government are a form of socialism. He admits near the end of his article that our government is assuming ownership of “a handful of companies”. Yet these companies are some of the largest and influential companies in America. If these “staunchest Republican capitalists” which he refers to aren't complaining too loudly about socialism, that does not prove that it isn't socialism. Their silence only proves that they are silent.

President Obama is simply continuing what many other Presidents have started. To say that other Presidents have enacted similar policies and therefore his policies cannot be socialism begs the question and does not prove anything except that others have done it too.

The move toward socialism in America began many decades ago. What we are seeing today is the result of patient waiting by those who wish America to be more socialistic.

"Invest In Your Marriage" Banquet: Febraury 6, 2009

2009-02-07T10:50:00.011-05:00

Our Special Speaker: Dr. Gary Vaughn & his wife, Debra

Alice--Special Thanks To Her

Annual Thanksgiving Meal: Nov. 23, 2008

2008-11-28T09:23:00.012-05:00

Studdard Family: Missionaries to Cameroon [Nov. 23, 2008]

2008-11-24T10:42:00.004-05:00

First Snow: Sunday, November 16, 2008

2008-11-17T08:52:00.003-05:00

Pastors & Wives Retreat

2008-11-07T08:34:00.014-05:00

Below are pictures & video from Camp Joy, November 3-6, 2008

Prophecy, Fear, & Freedom

2008-10-21T10:34:00.006-04:00

When I was a student at the University of Georgia, I was involved in student government. Just exactly what is it that student government does? Basically one thing: distribute money collected from student activity fees to various student groups. Very quickly, I learned the real reason some get involved in government: Power. Control of money is power. The one who controls the money is the one who has the power. Multiply this by billions of dollars and you have incredible power.

Revelation 13:16-17 describe this kind of power. These verses describe a person who has the power to control all aspects of buying and selling (i.e. the entire economy). Many have read these verses and, for 2,000 years, have wondered how someone would obtain this kind of power. Answer: FEAR. Just look at the fear today. People angry and scared about their money, jobs, and homes. Over the last few weeks, this fear has motivated people to give government extensive power over the economy. One thing I learned in history is that government often uses a crisis to obtain more power and gives this power back only when it is forced to do so. Pre-WW2 Germany would be a good example.

Just in the last few days, European leaders haved asked for more “global coordination” of the world's financial system. Until our own time, the technology did not exist for this kind of control. Now that debit cards, electronic transfers, and online banking are common, it is now easier than ever for a few people to control the world's financial system. And with more people depending on government programs for much of their life, the government can “persuade” people to accept its policies or risk losing benefits. For example, if Americans depend on government for health care and prescriptions, then you accept the government's policies or lose your medication. I suspect most people will choose to stay alive. As the American population ages, more people than ever before will depend on social security checks. Accept the government's policies or starve. I suspect most people would rather live with growling government than growling stomachs.

Although the book of Revelation is notoriously difficult to interpret due to the symbolic language, these verses in Revelation 13 seem straightforward. In a world governed by a few, power and money are a dangerous combination. Socialism is the tool that will be used to bring America, the last bastion of freedom, into the political and economic structure for the fulfillment of prophecy. My wife and I will be out of town on Election Day, so we are voting early. I hope we all choose wisely.

Lake By Our Church

2008-10-20T09:20:00.004-04:00

Harvest Cookout: October 18, 2008

2008-10-19T17:53:00.008-04:00

Mini-Vacation: South Haven, Michigan

2008-10-18T13:22:00.004-04:00

BJU Drama Team---Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008

2008-09-26T10:38:00.020-04:00

Old-Fashioned Sunday--Sept. 14, 2008

2008-09-15T08:27:00.026-04:00

5th Sunday Testimonies & Snacks

2008-09-01T10:18:00.007-04:00

Church Family Picnic: Saturday, August 23, 2008 [Part 3]

2008-09-01T09:31:00.006-04:00

Church Family Picnic: Saturday, August 23, 2008 [Part 2]

2008-08-26T17:51:00.005-04:00

Church Family Picnic: Saturday, August 23, 2008

2008-08-24T17:45:00.004-04:00

Ministry To College Campuses--Sun., Aug. 3, 2008

2008-08-04T13:08:00.004-04:00

Men's Work Day--Sat., Aug. 2, 2008

2008-08-04T12:25:00.007-04:00

Birthday Party: July 13, 2008

2008-07-13T20:12:00.004-04:00

Youth Horseback Riding: July 11, 2008

2008-07-12T11:35:00.007-04:00

American Independence Day Recognition

2008-06-29T23:21:00.005-04:00

Mother-Daughter Banquet: May 17, 2008

2008-05-20T19:08:00.008-04:00

Graduation Day !

2008-05-05T10:49:00.019-04:00

The back of the robe has BJU's colors and a very wide scarlet velvet trim signifying the doctoral degree.

Susan earned the degree too!!

All 3 of us!!

Leon & Mable Godwin, my uncle & aunt from Gainesville, FL. Aunt Mable is my mother's sister.

They came for Katie's graduation as well.

Mrs. Pat Berg, a good friend of Katie's

Dr. Steve Hankins, Dean of the BJU Seminary

Randy & Bonnie Studdard, with their children Joe, Grace, & Hannah, missionaries to Cameroon, Africa, whom we visited in Fall 2007.

Dr. Stewart Custer, retired Professor of New Testament
Dr. Custer was our Pastor and a good friend.

Dr. Bob Bell, Professor of Old Testsment

I took more classes from Dr. Bell than any other Professor.

Rev. & Mrs. Roger Bixler, GFA Missions

Don, Debbie, & Delores Wilson, friends from Huntington

Dr. Alan Patterson, GFA Missions

Dr. Royce Short, Dean of the School of Religion

Dr. Ward Andersen, Professor of New Testament

Scholarship---Et tu, Brute?

2008-03-14T14:15:00.001-04:00

Within Fundamentalism an ongoing debate centers on the idea of “scholarship”. Although some within the broad spectrum of Fundamentalism equate ignorance with spirituality, that “some” is a small group. Most Fundamentalists with whom I am familiar understand the importance of study, learning, research, teaching, and writing. And I appreciate the writings and ministry of many involved in this debate. But we must be very careful.

Why is it necessary to obtain advanced theological degrees from nonFundamentalist schools? (Notice my emphasis is on nonFundamentalist schools. A person seeking training at various Fundamentalist schools is not my issue.) Some promote this practice without explanation, assuming that the reasons are obvious. Well, they aren't obvious to me. I don't see the need nor the point, except for necessary and specialized training in language skills or some other discipline which is available only at a few schools. But to go to Evangelical or liberal schools just for the purpose of scholarship or acceptability seems self-defeating and perhaps ego-building. In theory, if Fundmentalists should go to Evangelical seminaries, then shouldn't Evangelicals go to Fundamentalist seminaries? The argument for advanced degrees from nonFundamentalist schools implies that those schools are better than Fundamentalist schools. Is that what some are really saying? And if those schools aren't better, then is recognition and acceptance the reason for attending those schools? If that is true, then recognition and acceptance by whom? And why is that important? Or is it the accrediting agencies that are driving this emphasis?

Why is it necessary for Fundamentalists to publish in Evangelical journals and even in journals which openly deny the Bible? Isn't there a separation issue here? Pursuit of scholarship doesn't get an exemption from the principle of separation.

Why do Fundamentalists need to be members of ETS? Some Evangelicals are leaving ETS because of its theological compromise and doctrinal vagueness. So why do Fundamentalists believe they must participate in ETS in order to be “scholarly”? Perhaps some Evangelicals understand the issues better than some Fundamentalists.

For example, a few years ago the ETS was divided over what to do about some of its members who advocated open theism. Dr. John Sanders, one of the subjects of the ETS open theism debate, taught in my town at the local Christian college. Before the controversy in ETS had flared up, I took Dr. Sanders to lunch to find out more about him and the reasons for his beliefs. Although a very likable, personable, and apparently sincere person, I do not want to be part of any theological society which allows someone with his views to be a member nor part of a society which can't figure out what to do about someone with his views. The ETS is not worthy of Fundamentalist involvement or support.

I wonder if we know our heart on this issue. Since the heart is so deceptive and since self-deception is so real, I wonder if those who obtain graduate degrees at nonFundamentalist schools and obtain membership in ETS, SBL, etc. are sure of their motives. Obviously I can't know another person's heart, and occasionally we become aware of another person's motives. But are we sure what our motives are?

One reason Fundamentalism developed and grew was because of its Biblical position and its gifted preachers and teachers (on all levels—elementary, high school, college, Sunday School). Because we live in a world where a variety of information is immediately available, Fundamentalists of all ages can now easily access the writings and preaching/teaching of many theological flavors. Therefore more Fundamentalists are beginning to expand their writing and influence. The charge that Fundamentalists have not been writing is erroneous since Fundamentalists have been writing school textbooks for over 30 years, focusing their energy on what was more important and necessary at the time. In fact, the strategy of writing for elementary and high school venues is actually quite brilliant in that those books reach and influence a younger audience in their formative years.

Over fifty years ago, those dissatisfied with Fundamentalism used reasoning similar to the reasoning some Fundamentalists are using today to justify participation in nonFundamentalist schools and organizations. Although academic integrity and scholarship are worthy and necessary goals and those advocating these beliefs seem to sincerely desire to honor Jesus Christ, the day any Fundamentalist seminary becomes concerned with producing scholars and scholarship in order to be accepted and recognized in the “conversation” is the day that seminary has become like Caesar's Brutus, a friend who eventually killed us.

[Please Note: I am finishing the corrections for my dissertation and will not be able to respond too quickly to any comments. Thanks!]

Dissertation Approval

2008-03-07T16:47:00.008-05:00

Dr. Steve Hankins, Dean of the Seminary, and Dr. Ward Andersen, Professor of NT, signing my approval pages. I gave them 10 copies to sign!

Dr. Royce Short, Dean of the Scool of Religion, and myself. Dr. Short had to leave the defense early due to a dentist appointment, so I took this picture the next day.

Mortgage Burning--Sun., Feb. 17, 2008

2008-02-20T09:41:00.002-05:00

Church Bowling--Sat, Feb, 16, 2008

2008-02-19T12:49:00.014-05:00