Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is not only openly Anti-Christian, but is also openly calling for Christians to be discriminated against, and even directing the city of Seattle to engage in it.
Recently, a Christian worship band, “Mayday USA,” officially requested and received a permit from the city of Seattle to perform down the street from Seattle’s city hall in the infamous Cal Anderson Park (location of the BLM & Antifa CHAZ/CHOP zone was located). Dozens of Christians, including Christian families with small children, were in attendance to worship Jesus and protest Harrell’s dismal performance as the city’s leader.
In response, and equal number (if not more) Antifa and Trantifa activists arrived and began a violent counter protest, verbally attacking the Christians, screaming at them, cursing at them, threatening them; and even closely surrounding at least one family with three small children (which included an infant), hemming them in and refusing to allow them to leave, while flailing their arms and fists and screaming obscenities at both the adults and the children. Police had to step in and rescue the family. At least 23 of the Antifa and Trantifa thugs were arrested.
After the protests settled down and the Christians had left the park, Mayor Harrell released a statement regarding the incident.

Harrell begins his statement by celebrating homosexuality, and stating that Seattle is welcoming of homosexuality. He then attacks the Christians by calling them “far-right,” and claiming the purpose for the band and the Christians who joined them was to “provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs opposed to our city’s values, in the heart of Seattle’s most prominent LGBTQ+ Neighborhood.” Never mind that the stated purpose of the concert was to protest Harrell’s failures as the city’s mayor. Never mind that the concert was in the park down the street from his office at city hall, and all they did was sing worship songs and dance. Hardly a “far-right” violent protest. The violence only started when Harrell’s supporters showed up. Their actions brought to light a clear demonstration of the violence of the Marxist left.
Harrell then blames the violence not only on the Christians, but on a mysterious unknown and unnamed group of “anarchists” who he claims “infiltrated” the Antifa/Trantifa group.
Then, after giving his obligatory nod to the First Amendment, Harrell states he is “directing the Parks Department to review all the circumstances” regarding the application approval and whether or not the Christians could have been shuffled away to some other location further away from his office. In other words, there are some public access areas that Christians are simply not allowed in.
He also states that the arrests of the Antifa/Trantifa thugs and any citations given will be reviewed. This is probably code for they will all get off without so much as a slap on the wrist.

Harrell finishes off with one last slam on the Christians, calling them “an extreme right-wing national effort to attack” homosexual communities; while puffing out his chest in celebration of homosexuality welcoming Seattle.
Seattle has fallen. How much longer will America last.

A letter from Divisional Leader Phlegmore to Slugwart, a demon under his supervision (with apologies to C.S. Lewis).

Greetings Slugwart!

I wanted to encourage you to continue in your earnest endeavor to turn humans away from following the King, the Lord Jesus Christ. In order to accomplish this goal, there are three forms of attack that can be used.
The first of these is the direct attack on on God. This is something you seem to be quite proficient at. Whether it is an attack on the existence of God (providing what appear at first glance to be rational and logical arguments for His non-existence); or, an attack on the attributes and character of God. One of my favorite tactics is the over emphasis on God’s attribute of love. I am especially impressed with your use of the “God is love” attack, getting people to focus only on the love of God to the exclusion of His other attributes; and, causing them to view God as some sort of benign grandfatherly type who winks and chuckles at their sin, and automatically forgiving them with a “children will be children” attitude. They have no idea how blasphemous they are being and I love it!
The second of these is an attack on the teachings of God. I personally saw our master use this in the Garden of Eden when he approached Eve and said to her, “Hath God really said?” thus causing her to doubt that God had commanded them to not eat the forbidden fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Of course humans have become a bit more discerning since then, and now require a more subtle approach, one that eases into the deception, taking a longer period of time to acclimate the humans to a false teaching. Often this requires the use of intellectuals who do not have a firm biblical foundation beneath them. Apostate “Christian” denominations such as the Anglican church, the Roman Catholic church, United Methodist church (UMC), Episcopal church, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), and others all have such easily manipulated “biblical scholars” (LOL!). Therefore, the introduction of unbiblical doctrines such as Critical Race Theory, Social Justice, LGBTQ+ Theory (or Queer Theory), etc.; and the twisting of biblical doctrines such as women forbidden to be in positions of authority over men, the stern prohibition against any form of homosexuality, divorce for any reason other than sexual immorality, etc., is easily advanced.
A quick note, one method you might try is having a progressive liberal pseudo-Christian group present themselves as conservative or reformed. This is a good way to throw off the true Christians, and especially those who are biblically illiterate. I absolutely love lazy pastors who try to be seeker sensitive and culturally relevant. They are so easily manipulated!
The third of these is an attack on godly pastors, preachers, and teachers. If they will frustratingly insist on soundly teaching the whole of God’s Holy Word – all 66 books, and doing so exegetically, expositionally, then this is the only attack that can work. It won’t stop them from being biblically accurate, but it will cause others, especially those immature in their faith, and biblically illiterate, to run away from them. To view them as “heretics” and “wolves” (even though they aren’t), and otherwise disparage them. I have personally found this to be a very satisfying pastime, and I am sure you will as well. This works on the well known and also the not so well known pastors, preachers, and teachers. One of the best outlets for this type of attack is the internet. Make use of social media. Find an easily manipulated internet personality such as a YouTube influencer or a blogger and use them to attack your target. Better yet, find an internet discernment ministry and use them. No not a real discernment ministry, but one of those “heresy hunters” that are eager to find heresy among the more well known pastors, preachers, and teachers so they can take then down a peg or two, yet have no real understanding of the Scripture, or even of Christianity itself. Quite often you will find they have been manipulated in the past and so are more susceptible to it now.
That’s all for now Slugwart, just be encouraged that we are all in this together, and we have no intention of stopping our attacks on the Triune God, on His Bible, and on His followers.
Your Divisional Leader,
Phlegmore

Homosexuality is Condemned by God in the Bible!

I'm sure you've heard this from so-called "fundamentalists" for quite some time. But is it true? Let's take a look at Scripture and see what it really says about homosexuality.The normal expression of sexuality is between a biological male and a biological female. This is shown in Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9; and Ephesians 5:31. Any other expression of sexuality than that between a biological male and a biological female is an abnormal perversion. The Bible states that all sex outside of the normal standard is considered sexual immorality, and it is a sin that finds its roots in the sinfulness of man’s heart (Mark 7:1). The command given by God to Adam and Eve, and which extends to all biological men and biological women who are married according to the normal expression of marriage, is to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth (Genesis 1:28). It goes without saying that homosexuals cannot obey this command and procreate.
The Bible speaks very loudly and very clearly against the sin of homosexuality. In Genesis 19:1-29, we read that God completely destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, and it is clear that this was due to the rebellion of the inhabitants against God, as seen in their demand to have homosexual relations with men sin of homosexuality (see v.5 & v.13). Elsewhere, in Leviticus we see the following:
“22 And you shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.”
“13 If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them.” (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13 LSB)
“24 There were also male cult prostitutes in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which Yahweh dispossessed before the sons of Israel.” (1 Kings 14:24 LSB)
A point of contention brought up by the pro-homosexuality crowd is that we are calling for their death. They often follow this with something along the lines of “death, simply for loving someone.” Arguments such as this demonstrate their ignorance of the Bible. While God still views the sin of homosexuality as an abomination (His morals have not changed, nor will they ever), the penal aspect of this falls under the Levitical Civil Law, which applied only to the Israelites. Since the first century the Moral Law serves as an objective moral compass for mankind. The Ceremonial Law was fulfilled in Jesus, who was the final sacrifice for sin for all who believe in Him, and the Civil Law will be fulfilled in all those who reject Jesus and the salvation found only in Him, when they are cast into hell for all eternity.
Another common argument by the pro-homosexuality crowd is that Christians are being contradictory, picking and choosing or “cherry picking” (as based on their re-defining of the term), by wearing clothes made with a mixture of wool and linen, planting different seeds together, or eating lobster, crab, shrimp, and pork (Leviticus 11:9-12; 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:11). These arguments stem from their ignorance of Old Testament Jewish Law. The Old Testament laws condemning homosexuality as an abomination are part of God’s Moral Law, and are still in effect for all people everywhere. The Old Testament Laws condemning the wearing of wool and linen mixed fabric, the planting of different seeds together, and the eating of certain foods are all part of God’s Ceremonial Law which was established to keep men and women in a right standing with God (remaining ceremonially clean, etc); and were applicable only to the Jews, and only until the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus fulfilled the Ceremonial Law as the final propitiatory sacrifice for sin. While there were often Moral, Civil, and Ceremonial aspects to the various Old Testament Laws; God is unchanging*, and therefore His morality has never and will never change. It is part and parcel of who and what He is, inextricably tied to His attribute of absolute purity and goodness.

[*The Immutability (Unchangableness) of God: Numbers 23:19; Psalm 33:11; 102:27; Isaiah 40:8; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17]

The condemnation of homosexuality is not confined to the Old Testament. It also appears in the New Testament. In addition to those verses noted above where Jesus stated the normal expression of sexuality, we read in the Letter to the Romans, chapter 1, verses 18-32, God’s condemnation of those who engage in all manner of unrighteousness. Included in that list of unrighteous acts is homosexuality. In verses 26-27 we read: “26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the males abandoned the natural function of the female and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” (LSB)
Because these people openly reject God, and openly rebel against Him, God has given them what they want by giving them over to depravity. By specifically naming female homosexuality (verse 26) and male homosexuality (verse 27), God makes it clear that there are no exceptions. All homosexuality is considered “unnatural” and “indecent.” God goes even further by stating homosexuals receive in themselves the “due penalty” for their unnatural and indecent acts. The “due penalty” includes the numerous sexually transmitted diseases, broken lives, broken minds, and ultimately cast into hell for all eternity.
In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 we read, “9 do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” Again, God is very specific, naming both effeminate and homosexuals. The word effeminate is translated from the Greek word malacoi, which means catamites, males who are effeminate and submit their bodies to homosexual practices. The word homosexual is translated from the Greek word arsenokoitai, which refers to a sodomite, or a pederast. Biological males engaging in homosexual activity with other biological males, including biological male teenagers.
And finally, in 1 Timothy 1:9-10 we read, “9...law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and godless, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for sexually immoral persons, for homosexuals, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching” Here we see that homosexuals are equal to murderers, the sexually immoral, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and whomever else is engaging in sinful actions. God clearly states here that homosexuals are lawless, rebellious, ungodly, unholy, godless sinners. There is no mistaking the clear and literal words of Scripture in these passages. They simply say what they say, and the only way to make them say something else is to mistranslate, misapply, and otherwise twist them. But taken literally, with the clear and explicit meaning of the words – which is the natural and normal way to read these passages, then we easily and quickly understand them.
Fortunately, homosexuality is not an unforgivable sin. This is shown in 1 Corinthians 6:11, “11 And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” In this verse, after condemning a slew of sins, including homosexuality, God goes on to say that some of the people He has been writing to were lost in these various sins; but, they were washed, sanctified, and justified in and through Jesus Christ our Lord and in the Holy Spirit who seals us for the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13).
Often homosexuals and their supporters will claim that “Jesus never said a single word about homosexuality.” All Christians know that Jesus is God, He is Yahweh Almighty (as is the Father and the Holy Spirit). Since all 66 books of the Bible were breathed out by God, every passage noted herein was breathed out by Jesus Christ. So yes, Jesus said quite a bit about and against homosexuality.

A Theological Popeye Point

by R.P. Tuttle

One of my favorite cartoon characters growing up was Popeye. I think I watched every Popeye cartoon ever made. One thing common to all the Popeye cartoons was the moment when the heroic sailor had suffered enough abuse – usually at the hand of his arch enemy Bluto, and he grabs a can of spinach, downs it, and suddenly he wallops the bad guy. When Popeye reaches that point where he can no longer tolerate Bluto's bullying, he utters one of his most recognizable phrases, “That's all I can stands, an' I can't stands n'more!”
We have all find ourselves in similar circumstances at one point or another in our lives, when our patience or tolerance has reached a breaking point. When we reach that point, and something inside us changes and we step up to the plate and confront whatever it is that has pushed us too far. That point, the moment when a person changes and there is no stopping what is about to happen, is known by psychologists as the “Popeye Point.” Yes, it is a real thing. I'm sure if you give it some thought, you will be able to identify a few of Popeye Points from your own life.
Since becoming a Christian, my own Popeye Points have become more infrequent; but to be sure, they do occasionally happen. Today I had a Popeye Point. It came when I was reading my email, and I came across one that contained an article by Dr. Albert Mohler. I like Dr. Mohler, I really do, but today I think he disengaged the analytical part of his brain, and turned on the politically correct part. The part that causes people to say things that are just plain stupid. Sorry Dr. Mohler, but it is what it is.

Dr. Mohler's article is titled, “Church History Made Before Our Eyes: United Methodists Make History, Affirm Biblical Standards of Sexuality.”  As soon as I read it, I groaned and executed a flawless 3-point face palm (turn, elbow to desk, face to palm). When I had recovered enough, I began reading the article. I wish I hadn't.

Dr. Mohler writes, “In St. Louis Missouri, the United Methodist Church met for a special General Conference to answer unavoidable questions central to the sexual revolution and the LGBTQ agenda. The United Methodist Church stands as the last mainline Protestant denomination that has not yet fully surrendered to the sexual revolution. The church has long agonized over this issue, with many in the church advocating for capitulation while a slim conservative majority still held to an orthodox teaching of marriage and sexuality.” He goes on to comment, saying United Methodist homosexuals “demand the ordination of openly gay clergy, the affirmation of same-sex marriage, and even electing homosexual bishops. But the liberals within the United Methodist Church have been thwarted in this effort – and the reason is illuminating.”
Dr. Mohler's words are, at best, a dishonest reporting of what actually occurred at the UMC General Conference. At worst they are total fiction, a departure from the truth, imaginative musings – I am doing my best to be generous and respectful here. I assume you get the point.
That the UMC General Conference was to answer questions regarding the homosexual agenda, is true. That the UMC is the last mainline Protestant denomination that has not fully surrendered to the sexual revolution, is not true. Unless, of course, one defines “mainline Protestant denomination” as UMC exclusively; but even then the statement is misleading since the UMC actually embraces sexual sin, and has for quite some time. “A slim conservative majority still held to an orthodox teaching of marriage and sexuality” – since when? Where did this “slim conservative majority” come from? And if it is “slim” is not a minority rather than a majority? But I digress.
United Methodist homosexuals “demand the ordination of openly gay clergy, the affirmation of same-sex marriage, and even electing homosexual bishops”! Sigh. Rest easy folks, the liberals have been thwarted in this effort according to Dr. Mohler. Double sigh. The demands of the homosexuals are nothing more than a desire to be in the spotlight, a means to satisfy their narcissistic desires. At the end of the day there is no need for them to “demand” these things, because they already have them. Already. As in right now. As in from before the General Conference, to during the General Conference, and including after the General Conference. They were not “thwarted in their effort,” not by a long shot.
Look at the facts folks, the United Methodist church currently has over 150 openly non-celibate homosexual clergy, as well as hundreds more that are either in the closet, or are supportive of the openly non-celibate homosexual clergy. It's been that way for years. It may be true the “slim conservative majority” (I'm still chuckling about that) has “banned” openly non-celibate homosexual clergy, but at the same time this is the same group of “conservatives” who have maintained the ban for decades on paper, but in practice their refusal to abide by that ban constitutes an acceptance of the openly non-celibate homosexual clergy that the conservatives keep ordaining! Most recently the “slim conservative majority” ordained its first non-binary transgendered person.
But the conservatives have managed to maintain the ban on same-sex marriage, right? Affirming that marriage is between a man and woman only, right? Well, yes, but again only on paper. There have been several homosexual marriages conducted in United Methodist church sanctuaries and by United Methodist clergy – both homosexual and straight. Again, the refusal of these “conservatives” to punish and or excommunicate those who perform these marriage profanations is a tacit approval by those same “conservatives.” And what about the election of homosexual bishops? Oh, you mean like UMC Bishop Karen Oliveto? The openly homosexual United Methodist bishop who rule over the Mountain Sky Conference which encompasses 400 churches in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Idaho? The one “married” to an openly homosexual woman who is also an ordained deaconess in the UMC? Do you mean that United Methodist Bishop? Yeah. That one.
It seems the United Methodist homosexuals are demanding to have that which the United Methodist church – the United Methodist church conservatives – already gave them years ago. But wait, don't go away yet, because there is more that needs to be said here about the United Methodist Church, the “last mainline Protestant denomination” to not surrender to the sexual revolution. Yeah, well, as we can see, they fully surrendered. But the sexual revolution is not the only thing the UMC has surrendered on. It has also surrendered to paganism.
Beginning in 1994, the United Methodist Church has been involved in occult practices; both explicitly and implicitly. It was in 1994 that the first “Reimagining” conference took place, hosted by the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church, USA. During this multi-day conference, participants “reimagined” the Church, Jesus Christ, and God Almighty. “Reimagined” in that they rejected the traditional, biblical views of all three. As a result, the participants embraced a new god, a goddess in fact, named Sophia. Throughout the conference chants and prayers and blessings could be heard being made to Sophia. On Sunday morning, in the church sanctuary, Sophia worshipers participated in a paganized version of Communion where they shared milk and honey rather than bread and wine, while a pornographic painting of a partially nude woman sat displayed nearby. One conference speaker, Delores Williams, taught, “I don't think we need a theory of atonement [in Christianity] at all. I think Jesus came for life and (to show us) how to live together, what life was all about."
Perhaps the greatest blasphemy to take place was the “Croning Ritual” – a witchcraft ritual, performed in the church sanctuary by United Methodist clergy. You would think with all of this worship of false gods, paganism, heresy, and blasphemy the United Methodist Church denomination might have something to say about all of this. Well, no. Not really. According to the UMC denomination headquarters they have nothing to say about the Reimagining conference, and no prohibition against witchcraft rituals in the church sanctuaries. The UMC denomination also noted that no United Methodist clergy or other participants were disciplined for engaging in these demonic practices. Not one. The “slim conservative majority” closed their eyes and gave them all a pass, thus giving their tacit approval of the whole sordid mess.
That was in 1994. The Reimagining conferences continued for another decade; the practices and teaching that take place in them continues to this day, as does the worship of the goddess Sophia in United Methodist Churches. On May 6, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church – Omaha, Dr. Jane Florence delivered a message titled, “Meeting Sophia,” which promoted not just the worship of Sophia, but actually the replacing of the One True God, the Great I AM, with the false god Sophia. In fact, her message concluded with a sojourner seeking divine enlightenment and meeting the goddess Sophia. “I am called Sophia” she tells him. “I'd like to talk again. Where do you live? Where can I find you?” he asks her. Her response should send chills down your spine and send you running for the holy water. She says to him, “Seek and you will find me. Knock and the door of your heart will open. Then you will know. I AM with you always.” [emphasis in original]. Note: the “slim conservative majority” is still, after more than a quarter century, continuing to allow all of this abhorrent, antichrist, anti-God behavior, beliefs, and practices.
So no, Dr. Mohler, no. The United Methodist Church is not a Christian denomination, not by any stretch of the imagination. The “slim conservative majority” has not thwarted any attempted liberal takeover of the denomination. If anything, it has encouraged the liberal homosexual agenda by capitulating to it decades ago. News articles similar to Dr. Mohler's have been plastered all over the internet since the completion of the UMC General Conference a few days ago, and one can not help but notice them. It was not that Dr. Mohler wrote his article in a substantially different way than any of the other articles, it was just that it was one more, and one more too many.
I stood all I can stands, and I can't stands n'more.
It was my Popeye Point.
The only question now is, when will the Church, the Body of Christ, have a Popeye Point, where they can stand no more blasphemy against our Creator and Savior?

I am having a difficult time wrapping my head around the fact that this is even an issue in the Christian Church. I really am. I have already resigned myself to the fact that the world has lost its ever-lovin' mind; but I have always believed – at least since becoming a Christian, that the one place we as Christians could always look to for sanity in an insane world, is the Church. The Christian Church, that is, not those ostensibly Christian churches which profess to be Christian while at the same time engaging in such practices as ordaining non-celibate homosexuals, condoning abortion, and allowing witchcraft rituals to be performed in the sanctuaries of their affilited churches (i.e. the Presbyterian Church, USA; the United Methodist Church; the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; the Episcopal Church of America; and the United Church of Christ). No, I mean the actual Christian Church. The Church who believes the Bible to be the actual, inerrant, infallible Holy Word of God. ] Apparently I was wrong, because now there is Revoice.
The Revoice Conference is a pro-LGBT conference designed to “revoice” (or “to update or refurbish with a new, fresh voice.” – according to their website) the “conversation” between heterosexual Christians and “celibate LGBT Christians,” and Christians who experience same-sex attraction. Do you sense a problem with this? Yeah, I thought so, and I sense it as well. The conference is being held next month in St. Louis, Missouri at Memorial Presbyterian Church (PCA). Yes, PCA. The Presbyterian Church in America. If the PCA denomination endorses this conference, then the problem is more widespread than I thought.
Same-sex attraction is a cleaned up, dressed up, politically correct term for homosexual attraction. Nothing more, nothing less. The problem I see with the concept behind Revoice is, that homosexuality is a sin. So, in reality Revoice is a conference that is centered around an examination of, and a discussion of, and an embracing of sin. In this case, the sin of homosexuality. Some are saying this conference is a bad idea, some say it is a good idea and long overdue as there are professing Christians who experience same-sex (homosexual) attraction
According to the Revoice Conference website, Revoice 2018 is designed around, “Supporting, encouraging, and empowering gay, lesbian, same-sex-attracted, and other LGBT Christians so they can flourish while observing the historic, Christian doctrine of marriage and sexuality” the conference bills itself as offering:

• New Community. “Gather together with other gender and sexual minorities and those who love them and experience a new kind of gospel community.”
  
• Better Conversation. “Listen to, learn from, and participate in conversations with speakers who bring a nuanced perspective to the table of discussion.”
  
• Diverse Collective. “Benefit from curated presentations on a wide variety of topics related to LGBT experience and the historic, Christian sexual ethic.”
  

The three keynote speakers (Wesley Hill, Eve Tushnet, and Nate Collins) all identify as “homosexual Christians.” Wesley Hill states he is celibate; Eve Tushnet states, “I really think the most important thing is, I really like being gay and I really like being Catholic” (thus demonstrating the ecumenical aspect of the conference); and Nate Collins states he is “a gay man in a mixed orientation marriage.” The conference worship leader, Gregory Coles is the author of “Single, Gay, Christian: A Personal Journey of Faith and Sexual Identity.” Of the 28 (and counting) workshop presenters, most of them identify as either “homosexual Christians,” or as being pro-LGBT, including one who is a good friend of a well known “drag queen.” The 20 conference “workshops” include:
Rekindling Hope as a Sexual Minority in the Church
How can we fight back against the temptation towards despair of being a sexual minority committed to historic Christian teachings on sex? How might we engage our longings as we await our King's return? Join me as we consider what it may look like to abound in hope, together
Journey to Embrace: A Conversation on Empowering the Church to Embrace the LGBT+ Community in Fresh Ways
How can we live in harmony with the historic Christian sexual ethic while also radically embracing the LGBT+ community?
Redeeming Queer Culture: An Adventure
For the sexual minority seeking to submit his or her life fully to Christ and to the historic Christian sexual ethic, queer culture presents a bit of a dilemma; rather than combing through and analyzing to find which parts are to be rejected, to be redeemed, or to be received with joy (Acts 17:16-34), Christians have often discarded the virtues of queer culture along with the vices, which leaves culturally connected Christian sexual minorities torn between two cultures, two histories, and two communities. So questions that have until now been largely unanswered remain: what does queer culture (and specifically, queer literature and theory) have to offer us who follow Christ? What queer treasure, honor, and glory will be brought into the New Jerusalem at the end of time (Revelation 21:24-26)?


What if, however, Revoice was about a sin other than the sin of homosexuality? Would it still be as attractive? Would people really want to be associated with such a thing? When you replace the sin of homosexuality with a different sin in the Revoice literature, the reality of what Revoice actually is (in spite of all the assurances given by its supporters) soon becomes clear. An acceptance of sin. So let's do that. What if Revoice was about liars? What happens if we revise the Revoice website to be a conference about “Christian liars?”


Revoice 2018
Supporting, encouraging, and empowering liars, those who lie, those attracted to lying, and other lying Christians so they can flourish while observing the historic, Christian doctrine of telling the truth.
New Community. Gather together with other liars and truth-challenged minorities and those who love them and experience a new kind of gospel community.
Better Conversation. Listen to, learn from, and participate in conversations with liars who bring a nuanced perspective to the table of discussion.
Diverse Collective. Benefit from curated presentations on a wide variety of topics related to the liar experience and the historic, Christian truth ethic.
Workshops
Rekindling Hope as a Truth-Challenged Minority in the Church
How can we fight back against the temptation towards despair of being a truth-challenged minority committed to historic Christian teachings on truth? How might we engage our longings as we await our King's return? Join me as we consider what it may look like to abound in hope, together.
Journey to Embrace: A Conversation on Empowering the Church to Embrace the Liar Community in Fresh Ways
How can we live in harmony with the historic Christian truth ethic while also radically embracing the liar community?
Redeeming Liar Culture: An Adventure
For the truth-challenged minority seeking to submit his or her life fully to Christ and to the historic Christian truth ethic, liar culture presents a bit of a dilemma; rather than combing through and analyzing to find which parts are to be rejected, to be redeemed, or to be received with joy (Acts 17:16-34), Christians have often discarded the virtues of the liar culture along with the vices, which leaves culturally connected Christian truth-challenged minorities torn between two cultures, two histories, and two communities. So questions that have until now been largely unanswered remain: what does the liar culture (and specifically, liar literature and theory) have to offer us who follow Christ? What liar treasure, honor, and glory will be brought into the New Jerusalem at the end of time (Revelation 21:24-26)?


Or, what if Revoice was about murderers? What happens if we revise the Revoice website to be a conference about “Christian murderers?”


Revoice 2018
Supporting, encouraging, and empowering murderers, those who murder, those attracted to murder, and other murdering Christians so they can flourish while observing the historic, Christian doctrine of the sanctity of life.
New Community. Gather together with other murderers and murder-oriented minorities and those who love them and experience a new kind of gospel community.
Better Conversation. Listen to, learn from, and participate in conversations with murderers who bring a nuanced perspective to the table of discussion.
Diverse Collective. Benefit from curated presentations on a wide variety of topics related to the murder experience and the historic, Christian sanctity of life ethic.
Workshops
Rekindling Hope as a Murder-Oriented Minority in the Church
How can we fight back against the temptation towards despair of being a murder-oriented minority committed to historic Christian teachings on the sanctity of life? How might we engage our longings as we await our King's return? Join me as we consider what it may look like to abound in hope, together.
Journey to Embrace: A Conversation on Empowering the Church to Embrace the Murder Community in Fresh Ways
How can we live in harmony with the historic Christian sanctity of life ethic while also radically embracing the murderer community?
Redeeming Murderer Culture: An Adventure
For the murder-oriented minority seeking to submit his or her life fully to Christ and to the historic Christian sanctity of life ethic, murderer culture presents a bit of a dilemma; rather than combing through and analyzing to find which parts are to be rejected, to be redeemed, or to be received with joy (Acts 17:16-34), Christians have often discarded the virtues of the murderer culture along with the vices, which leaves culturally connected Christian murder-oriented minorities torn between two cultures, two histories, and two communities. So questions that have until now been largely unanswered remain: what does the murderer culture (and specifically, murderer literature and theory) have to offer us who follow Christ? What murderer treasure, honor, and glory will be brought into the New Jerusalem at the end of time (Revelation 21:24-26)?


And just one more. Since Revoice is about a sexually immoral sin, let's change that sin to a different sexually immoral sin. What if Revoice was about pedophiles? What happens if we revise the Revoice website to be a conference about “Christian pedophiles?”


Revoice 2018
Supporting, encouraging, and empowering pedophiles, those who engage in pedophilia, those attracted to pedophilia, and other pedophilic Christians so they can flourish while observing the historic, Christian doctrine of marriage and sexuality.
New Community. Gather together with other pedophiles and sexual deviant minorities and those who love them and experience a new kind of gospel community.
Better Conversation. Listen to, learn from, and participate in conversations with pedophiles who bring a nuanced perspective to the table of discussion.
Diverse Collective. Benefit from curated presentations on a wide variety of topics related to the pedophilia experience and the historic, Christian truth ethic.
Workshops
Rekindling Hope as a Sexual Deviant Minority in the Church
How can we fight back against the temptation towards despair of being a sexual deviant minority committed to historic Christian teachings on marriage and sexuality? How might we engage our longings as we await our King's return? Join me as we consider what it may look like to abound in hope, together.
Journey to Embrace: A Conversation on Empowering the Church to Embrace the Pedophilic Community in Fresh Ways
How can we live in harmony with the historic Christian marriage and sexuality ethic while also radically embracing the pedophile community?
Redeeming Pedophile Culture: An Adventure
For the sexual deviant minority seeking to submit his or her life fully to Christ and to the historic Christian marriage and sexuality ethic, pedophile culture presents a bit of a dilemma; rather than combing through and analyzing to find which parts are to be rejected, to be redeemed, or to be received with joy (Acts 17:16-34), Christians have often discarded the virtues of the pedophile culture along with the vices, which leaves culturally connected Christian pedophile minorities torn between two cultures, two histories, and two communities. So questions that have until now been largely unanswered remain: what does the pedophile culture (and specifically, pedophile literature and theory) have to offer us who follow Christ? What pedophile treasure, honor, and glory will be brought into the New Jerusalem at the end of time (Revelation 21:24-26)?

Now, I am not saying that homosexuals or those experiencing homosexual attraction are liars, murderers or pedophiles. Not by a long shot. Nor do I believe that they are. Again, not by a long shot. I trust, however, that by changing the topic of the conference from one sin to another you can see the anti-biblical, anti-Christian reality of the Revoice Conference. Do Christians who struggle with homosexual attraction/temptation need and deserve our understanding, our love, our compassion, our prayer, our fellowship? Absolutely. By the same token, Christians who struggle with the temptation to lie, steal, commit adultery, fornicate, murder, etc., also need the same level of love, compassion, prayer, fellowship, etc. What Christians who struggle with homosexual attraction/temptation do not need is a conference that tells them its okay to experience homosexual attraction/temptation. They do not need to be told that one can be both homosexual and a Christian; because the simple fact is, there is no such thing as a “gay Christian,” or a “lesbian Christian.” There are no “LGBT Christians.” The entire LGBT ethos is antithetical to God, to Scripture, and to Christianity.

The bottom line is this, homosexuality is a sin. It is an abomination to God. Scripture clearly and explicitly teaches this. And having a conference replete with discussions, lectures and workshops all centered around how to embrace sin, accept sin, look for the good in sin; and to support, encourage and empower those who are struggling with the temptation to sin “so they can flourish” in the Church is unbiblical to the Nth degree.
All Christians struggle with the temptation to sin. It's part of being human. It's caused by living in a corrupt human body, made corrupt by the sin of Adam; and the only – THE ONLY – way to overcome those temptations is to follow the God prescribed treatment plan set forth in Scripture:
1. Recognize your sin for what it is: SIN, and it is an affront to the holy and righteous God whom we serve.
2. Recognize that sin is endemic to all mankind. We are all infected with it, both believer and unbeliever alike. The difference between the two is, however, that while unbelievers are enslaved to their sin, chained, shackled, and controlled by their sin; the Christian is not. The Christian has the ability, through Christ, to be victorious over their sin nature. Not completely free from sin (which will only happen when we receive our glorified bodies), but no longer chained to and controlled by our sin.
3. Confess your sin to God, sincerely repent of your sin, and God, who is faithful and true will forgive your sin. Do this every time you sin, whether physically sin, or sin in your heart and mind. Confess it, repent of it, in all truth and sincerity. Every. Single. Time.
4. Understand the purpose of trials and temptations. They are not arbitrary. They do not randomly happen to Christians; and they do serve a purpose. They not only teach us to be patient in waiting on the Lord for our deliverance; they not only teach us to stand strong in the Lord; they not only teach us to be dependent on the Lord; but through the grace, mercy and strength of the Lord, they actually enable us to do these things. This is what can be referred to as the maturation aspect of sanctification. When you were born again in Christ, you became a new creation; and, like any new born, growth takes time and is not without its share of skinned knees and stubbed toes. It is a process of growth that helps us grow in Christ likeness, in holiness, in Christian maturity. The Bible refers to this process as being transformed by the renewing our our mind and the mortification of the flesh.
4. Ensure you are in His word daily. And I am not talking about a quick five minute devotional reading. I am talking about taking your time – serious time, and studying His word. Give up an hour or two of television watching if you have to, and give that time to the One who died for you.
5. Spend time, again, serious time, in prayer. Real prayer. Confessional, supplicatory, worshipful, sincere prayer. At least once a day, but more often if possible.
6. Surround yourself with God's people. Corporate worship, corporate prayer, fellowship. The love and encouragement that is shared among true believers in God is unequaled in any other environment.
7. Trust God. No, I mean sincerely trust God. If you believe in Him, if you believe in Jesus Christ, then really believe in Him. Love Him with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul. With all that you are and with all that you have. Follow Him without hesitation. Obey Him without question. Live for Him without condition.
There you have it. Seven steps to biblically dealing with same-sex (homosexual) attraction; or any attraction to sin and the temptation to sin. No conference necessary, because God does not need a conference, nor can He be replaced by one regardless of how well meaning they may ostensibly be.
A final word for Christians struggling with same-sex (homosexual) attraction, or attraction to any sin and/or the temptation to sin. A brief lesson to remember and to constantly remind yourself of. We have three enemies in life. No, not the office bully, or unbearable neighbor, or some other human enemy; but three real enemies who are equally deceitful, dangerous, and damaging. They are our outer enemy: The World; our inner enemy: The Flesh; and our arch-enemy: Satan. Each one will cajole, coerce, lure with attractive bait, deceive, lie, damage and destroy. The World will use peer pressure, advertising, entertainment, so-called “societal norms,” threats, legislation, litigation and more all in a concerted effort to get you to sin, to accept sin, to condone sin, and to deny your faith in one way or another. The Flesh will also cajole, coerce and lure you to sin. It will tell you, “It's okay. It's not really sin to just fantasize about it. Come on, everyone is doing it. You want people to like you don't you? You don't want to stand out like a sore thumb. You don't want to be arrested do you?” The Flesh will use many of the same tactics the World does, but on a more personal level. And Satan, the dragon, the deceiver, the father of lies, the prince of the power of the air. He will utilize all of these tactics, and more, and on an industrial scale. Not only will he attack us, but he has an army of demonic minions at his beck and call to do his dirty bidding in attacking us. But that's okay. As our Lord Jesus has said, “...in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

Can A Christian Reject God and Still Be A Christian?
There are those who really believe they can!

Excellent sermon last Sunday, as pastor spoke on church growth. The basics of the sermon were that there are two types of church growth, numerical and spiritual, and one does not necessarily guarantee the other. In fact, if a church experiences numerical growth but not spiritual growth, then what results is a church full of “tares,” or false Christians. [see Matthew 13:24-30 for a fuller explanation of tares or weeds]. As pastor pointed out in today's sermon, one of the marks of a true Christian as opposed to a “tare” or false Christian, is that the true Christian stands steadfast in purity of doctrine and purity of behavior – something the false Christian cannot do, or at least can only mimic for a relatively short period of time.

Conversations I have had this past week, many with “professing Christians,” have caused this sermon to stand out more prominently than many of pastor's sermons do, and has caused me to ask myself some important questions – in fact, three important questions. They are:
1. Can a person reject God and still be a Christian?
2. Can a person disregard God and still be a Christian?
3. Can a person live a life of willful and habitual disobedience to God and still be a Christian?

Can A Person Reject God and Still Be A Christian?
The key word here is “reject.” What exactly is meant by “reject”?

The term reject is defined as, 1. a verb, “to dismiss as inadequate, inappropriate, or not to one's taste.” 2. a noun, “a person or thing dismissed as failing to meet standards or satisfy tastes.” So can a person dismiss God as inadequate or inappropriate or not to one's taste” and still be a Christian; or, perhaps identifying God as “failing to meet standards or satisfy tastes”? I believe that for some professing Christians, the answer is yes, and I would point to those conversations I have had this past week as examples of this.

In a conversation I had with a professing Christian, I was told by this person that they felt their ability to separate their faith life from their public life was an admirable attribute. They felt that not only did God not belong in the workplace and even more so through them, but that mankind and man's law were actually higher than and more authoritative than God and God's law. Is this person rejecting God? According to the above definition, yes. They have decided that God law did not meet the standard but that man's law did. They have decided that God does not satisfy the tastes of others in the workplace or public life, and apparently not even their own taste when in the workplace or in public. And yet, they still insist that they are a Christian.

Jesus, however, had something else to say about those who insisted they were truly God's children, while placing man above God when it came to which had more authority. He said in Mark 7:6-8, “And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

Jesus condemned those who did this, and it is highly doubtful that He would consider as His true followers, those who reject God. I think Charles Spurgeon explained it well when he said,

Can a person disregard God and still be a Christian?
In another conversation, with a different “professing Christian,” I was told that those who condemn homosexual relationships will have to answer to God for their hate and bigotry, while the loving couples who are involved in committed homosexual relationships are virtually guaranteed entrance into heaven.

I have to admit that I was somewhat shocked that these words would come out of the mouth of a person who professed to be a follower of Jesus Christ, especially in light of God's own words concerning His moral law. God repeatedly condemns homosexuality, whether male homosexuality or female homosexuality, as an abominable sin. Repeatedly.

“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22)

“If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination;” (Leviticus 20:13a)

“For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” (Romans 1:26-28)

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
[with regard to who will not enter heaven] “the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,” (1 Timothy 1:10)

And God is equally clear regarding the definition of marriage – it involves one man and one woman.

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:6-9)
and
But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. (1 Corinthians 7:2)

Now, while I do understand that the United States Supreme Court has ruled that homosexuals have the right to get married, what the United States Supreme Court, and a great many people in the United States do not understand (and this includes some professing “Christians”), and have an even greater difficulty grasping, is that the United States Supreme Court does not have the power or the authority to over rule God. They are not higher than God, they are not greater than God, and it is the height of arrogance for anyone to believe that they are. They (the Supreme Court and others who look to them as the absolute ultimate law) should also not be surprised when God's people refuse to obey them, or any law or rule or rule maker or enforcer, when they are acting and ruling contrary to God. Acts 5:27-31 provides the true Christian with a pure and reasonable course of action when faced with a situation contrary to God,

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. (emphasis mine)

So, again, the question is asked, can a person disregard God and still be a Christian, especially when one disregards the very word of God? Again we turn to the definition of the word to discover its meaning. Disregard is defined as 1. a verb, pay no attention to, ignore, pay no attention/heed to, to disobey; and 2. a noun, disregard; the action or state of disregarding or ignoring something. Indifference, nonobservance, inattention, disobedience. Given the definition of the word disregard, and looking at 1 John 3:4, which says, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” [Note: The Greek word used here to translate “lawlessness' (anomia) is also used to translate the words disobedience and sin], it is clear that one cannot live a life of disobedience to God and still be a Christian.

Can a person live a life of willful and habitual disobedience to God and still be a Christian?
The Bible is God's word to man. It does not merely “contain” the word of God, as some think, but it actually IS the word of God; and a Christian accepts the Bible for what it is, and lives according to what God teaches in the Bible.

A brief side note to those who like to cherry pick passages from the Bible to use as (what they think are) arguments against the Bible. To those I say, before you attempt to do this, read the Bible so you can understand the context of those passages, and take a class in Bibliology so you can understand the difference between civil law, ceremonial law, and moral law. After you do that, we'll talk. Now back to the subject at hand.

We know the Bible is the word of God, quite frankly, because it says so. There is, of course, much more to it, but the basic understanding is here. The Bible states multiple times, “Thus says the Lord,” and “God said,” and “God spoke.” Jesus said to His followers in Luke 24:44-45, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (emphasis mine); and He said in Mark 13:31, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” The words of Jesus are Scripture, they are God's words.

2 Timothy 3:15–17 says, “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

All Scripture, each of the 39 books of the Old Testament and each of the 27 books of the New Testament, are God's word. Each word was “breathed out by God.” Each word is useful for equipping Christians for every good work. We need nothing more to live our lives for God. There are those who, for one reason or another, believe that Christians should, and should be required to leave their faith at home or in the church. They believe, for one reason or another, that when a conflict exists between the laws of man and law of God, that man must be obeyed and God must be ignored. They believe, for one reason or another, that God belongs only inside a church building, or inside a private residence, or inside the private thoughts of Christians; but must never be allowed into the public square. I say that

it is the height of arrogance for anyone to think they are higher than God, or that they have more authority than God, or that their laws or rules supersede those of God; and when those who believe these things profess with their mouths that they are Christians, then I say, “what does the word of God say about their viewpoints?”

Disobedience to God is sin. Continued, habitual disobedience to God is, well, I'll let God Himself say it. “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that He [Jesus] appeared in order to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him [Jesus] keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as He is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:4-10)

If you are going to life a life of continual habitual sin, then you are not a Christian. It doesn't matter what anyone here on earth tells you, because God is the highest authority. He is the Creator, and the creation does not dictate to the Creator. If you come to God, it must be on God's terms, otherwise you are deceived, and if you remain deceived and in your sin – enslaved to your sin, you will face God to give an account for your sin, and you will be judged. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 gives a vivid description of the judgment that will befall those who continue to reject, ignore, disregard and disobey God. They will be “afflicted” when “the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.”

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31)

There is hope, however, for those who with a remorseful heart turn away from their sin and turn to God, through Jesus, to seek forgiveness for their sin, as He will be true to His word and will embrace you and forgive you your sins. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)


All Scripture quoted is from the English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers unless otherwise noted.