16 May 2007

Ecumenical Spines (Now that's an oxymoron!)

With the passing of Jerry Fallwell (JF), we are seeing a resurgence of those who vehemently disagreed with him. Why? Besides being a Christian? Was it more than that?

Of course it was. Whether you liked him or not, he almost never backed down. He did say some things that were probably best said from the campaign trail rather than the pulpit. Putting that aside, his ability to stand firm is what many so-called 'Christians' were, and are, afraid to do.

Gutless Christians

America is filled with luke-warm Christians. Ecumenical Christians. Those willing to sell out. Their fruit is rotten, their faith built on straw and hay. We know what the 'Master' did to those- he cut them off and cast them into the fire. After 9-11 we were filled with TV images of "Evangelicals" praying with Imams, Priests, Bishops, etc. Anyone who questions those on stage were labelled as intolerant and narrow-minded.

I am just as guilty a lot of the time. I'll be the first to admit that I sometimes don't speak up when I should. I fall short many times. However, I am blessed to have a pastor who refuses to 'do the ecumenical thing'. He sets the example for the rest of us and does it Biblically. He has stood firm aligning with Scriptural Integrity.

JF stood firm in many issues. He took the heat because so many of us backed down and slinked back into our holes. Like him or despise him. Agree with the methods of the Moral Majority or not. He stood firm for his Christian beliefs. Provided young people an education at an institution that espoused Scriptural Doctrines instead of the scientific/philosophical garbage of evolution, secular humanism, etc.

People, John tells us in Revelation that it is only going to eventually get worse. We just don't know when. We need to speak the truth. Firmly and in love. Peter, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says it perfectly (of course it is, it is inspired!)

1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence,"

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