John R. Houk, Blog Editor
© December
23, 2022
On December 18
I posted, “A
Sooooo Corrupt Society”. In the intro portions of that post I
shared the sad state of corruption afflicting the U.S. Government and American
Churches (sadly the full spectrum of Christianity in Roman Catholicism,
Eastern Rite [Orthodox] and Protestantism). Looking at the Church
aspect, Cultural Marxism is a devilish spiritual virus blinding Christians to
the Word (essentially the Will) of God and Biblical Morality. Here’s a
paragraph of note:
UNFORTUNATELY,
the same corruption diluting the U.S. Constitution has also began to sway
leadership in organized Christian Churches leading too many so-called Ministers
of the Gospel to question the efficacy and validity of God’s very Word leading
to such anti-God Marxism as Liberation
Theology among Catholics and among Protestants the tenets of
Critical Race Theory (HERE, HERE, HERE & HERE) and
Black Liberation Theology (HERE & HERE).
Much of which cancels the Plan of Salvation in Christ and Biblical Morality
leading only to forced acceptance of Humanist salvation and Humanist morality.
You might ask,
“Why the rehash?”
I became a
Christian in 1978. God knows I am not perfect and yet God also knows when I
missed His Mark I strive to correct my path. In case you haven’t noticed, there
are a lot of years between 1978 and 2022 (nearly 2023). I’ve had more
course corrections than I’d like to share in a divided and “Sooooo Corrupt
Society”. There are way too many “I’ll be the first to cast a stone” of
condemnation than I wish to deal with.
It's important
for me to share my personal journey has hit the ditch a few times over the
decades because I’m about to share a disappointment I have with a very public
Christian figure I have admired as an inspiration in those so early years of
my Born Again beginnings.
I have
discovered on the WND news service that Contemporary Christian artist Amy Grant
is allowing the performance of a same-sex wedding of her niece on the family
farm.
I understand
trying to find supportive bonds among family, but it is disappointing to view a
person of Grant’s stature choosing to ignore Biblical Morality in the name of
family or possibly worse, selecting an anti-God Secular Humanist moral
relativism as the justification for validating LGBTQ perversion. Amy Grant is
quoted using God’s love by twisting it mean acceptance of sin, or at least it
appears that way to me (quoted from WND):
When
Amy was interviewed by PrideSource.com, she said, "I know the
religious community has not been very welcoming … but with God everybody is
welcome. Everybody!"
On
Proud Radio she said, "It's so important to set a welcoming table … you're
loved. Gay. Straight. It doesn't matter. … It doesn't matter how we behave. It
doesn't matter how we're wired."
Amy
says, "God simply wants us to love Him and love each other."
Somewhere
along Grant’s journey she forgot or unlearned God’s Love brought God incarnated
as a human to the pay the price redeeming humanity from sin to restore the
God-human relationship in Believing in the Death, Burial and Resurrection of
Jesus. God’s Love is Restoration NOT acceptance of God-separating sin.
18 “He
who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned
already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of
God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the
light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light,
because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone
practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his
deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the
truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have
been done in God.” (Bold Emphasis Blog Editor’s) --John 3: 18-21 NKJV
Too often
people quote John
3: 16 failing to read what follows.
The Old Testament
penalty for the LGBTQ lifestyle is quite harsh and involves a death penalty.
The Redemptive work of Jesus the Son of God allows for Repentance and
Restoration blotting out the sin and the penalty for sin. Redemption makes the
Believer a New Creation in Christ Jesus. Your human spirit – my human spirit –
became newly created the old man (or old person to the pronoun addicts)
died and the new man or person is now a new human spirit. Romans 6: 6-7; 2
Corinthians 5: 17 NKJV:
Romans
6 knowing
this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the
body of sin might be [a]done away with, that we should no
longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died
has been [b]freed from sin.
new
Footnotes
a.
Romans 6:6 rendered inoperative
b.
Romans 6:7 cleared
2
Corinthians
17 Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have
become new.
In Christ we
have a new human spirit residing in an unredeemed mortal body. It’s only by
constantly inputting God’s Word (His Will) does our new creation spirit
overcome the desires of our unredeemed bodies. In my case it was my measuring
stick to answer why I strayed into a ditch off the straight and narrow. How
does one get out of the ditch:
1 6 If we say
that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not
practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the
light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the
blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If
we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in
us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not
sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. --1 John 1: 6-10
NKJV
My disappointment
in Amy Grant is she has tossed decades of influential worship music to be
blinded by the demonic virus that promotes acceptance of the ungodly and
immoral LGBTQ lifestyle as if it is something God is okay with in the name of
love. The problem is that LGBTQ love is NOT the God-kind of love in His Holy
Word.
Below are two
WND posts from December 20
and 21
reporting from a Biblical perspective on Amy Grant hosting her LGBTQ niece’s
wedding on her farm.
JRH
12/23/22
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***********************
Amy Grant
to host gay wedding: Does this honor God?
Larry
Tomczak: 'One's music can inspire millions; one's example can mislead
multitudes'
.jpg)
December 20,
2022 7:12pm
"Honor
marriage and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and
husband." –
Hebrews 13:14 MSG
[Author's note
(Tomczak): I attempted to give this article to Amy prior to publishing. She
declined to read it, saying, "Even if I am misrepresented; even if I am in
the wrong, God knows my heart." Having reviewed the article first with
five senior leaders, including Dr. Michael Brown and one of Amy's original
pastors, we pray and entrust this to God.]
Months ago,
Joe Biden hosted a gathering with gay icon Elton John and 2,000 LGBTQ
celebrants on the White House lawn. If I had been invited, I would've attended
to evangelize just as I have at 20-plus gay pride events.
In situations
like this, it's extremely important to discern God's will. If I were a new
convert, knew there'd be nudity, drugs and revelry, struggled with same-sex
attraction or if I was younger and prohibited by my parents, I wouldn't go.
Apart from a
strategic LGBTQ outreach, could I envision ever hosting a homosexual/lesbian
event at my church or on my property? I wouldn't do it.
A news story
recently stated that Christian music legend Amy Grant was hosting a niece's gay
wedding at her farm. I believe she's doing this sincerely as a goodwill
gesture, but it's generating understandable concern about its appropriateness
and what it communicates. Having ministered with Amy in the past at "Jesus
Festival" events, I know she is a loving person.
What Would
Jesus Do?
Iconic
Christian leader Charles Spurgeon cautioned, "Discernment is not knowing
the difference between right and wrong. It's knowing the difference between
right and almost right."
The Bible
directs us to "examine all things, hold fast to that which is good"
(1 Thessalonians 5:21) and exhibit maturity, demonstrated by "discerning
between good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14).
God wants our
"love to abound more and more with knowledge and discernment so that we
may approve what is the best" (Philippians 1:9-10).
Amy said
recently, "There's many things I don't understand about God." Perhaps
the beauty of His holiness with His love is one of them.
The Back
Story
A young man
openly shared his sad story of being abused and later "coming out" as
a homosexual. On Proud Radio, he explained how a "counselor
told him it didn't matter how he got to being gay and that there wasn't a glory
spout to turn on to make him straight … so he left the church that didn't
accept his lifestyle and went out into the world to be gay. …'and to hear Amy
say that I am welcome at God's table as a gay man is so affirming.'"
The young man
with his new gay identity now prefers to refer to God as a female. "I call
God 'She' to fight the patriarchy."
When Amy was
interviewed by PrideSource.com, she said, "I know the
religious community has not been very welcoming … but with God everybody is
welcome. Everybody!"
On Proud Radio
she said, "It's so important to set a welcoming table … you're loved. Gay.
Straight. It doesn't matter. … It doesn't matter how we behave. It doesn't
matter how we're wired."
Amy says,
"God simply wants us to love Him and love each other."
The Basics
– ABC
A reasonable
question: "Is this another 'crossover' move, similar to when Amy crossed
over from "Contemporary Christian Music" (CCM) to a more "pop
culture" genre? Let's examine the situation from a purely biblical
worldview, resolving not to accommodate culture but align with sacred
Scripture.
A. Affirm
God's Design
The entire
Bible unambiguously defines God's design for marriage to be one man and one
woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31).
"For the
time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit
their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to
say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from
the truth and turn aside to myths" (2 Timothy 4:3–4).
B. Believe
and Behave
A combination
of charity and clarity is essential in communicating that a homosexual
lifestyle is directly contradicting Scripture where there is not one verse that
endorses it. God's Word prohibits it plus conveys hope and transformation for
those struggling in it (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). God's help comes when those
struggling admit their problem. A homosexual man asked Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr., "What do I do with my problem?" He helped him to freedom because
"he admitted he had a problem." Only then could he help him with a
solution (see Bullseye Challenge, chapters 18-20).
Jesus Christ
stated unequivocally, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord and not do what I
say?" (Luke 6.46). Loving God and obeying His Word are nonnegotiable. The
Bible warns us of those who practice sinful homosexual/lesbian acts (Romans
1:25-28) and then "give hearty approval to those who practice them"
(verse 32).
Jesus engaged
compassionately with sinners but did not excuse sin (Samaritan woman, John
4:1-18, and the woman caught in adultery, John 8:1-11). He said, "Go and
sin no more." We're called to do likewise, conveying acceptance of the
person but not approving of his or her sin.
We affirm
God's unconditional acceptance (welcoming us into relationship when we
"repent and believe"), but there is no unconditional approval of
behavior contrary to what God prohibits. Jesus' directive to Paul was "to
open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the
dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins
and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me"
(Acts 26:18).
C. Consider
Example
"Be holy,
blameless and above reproach" (Colossians 1:22), not without sin but not
bringing shame on the Body of Christ or disgrace to the Name of Jesus.
"Whoever misleads one of these little ones who believe in Me, it would be
better for him to have a millstone hung about his neck and be drowned in the
depths of the sea" (Matthew 18:6).
"Not many
of you should become teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater
judgment" (James 3:1). This is serious stuff!
Billy Graham,
one of Amy's and my heroes, mentioned in his less mature years foolishly going
into an English pub (drinking a nonalcoholic beverage), then seeing a photo of
his visit prominently featured in England's newspapers to discredit his
reputation, impact the crusade plus possibly cause some to stumble.
Billy would
never be seen alone in public with another woman other than his wife. When
Hillary Clinton once requested a private meeting, he declined, asking her
understanding so as not to ever adversely influence others.
When King Saul
committed suicide, David lamented but took pains to handle the tragedy
discreetly, directing women not to report the scandal in public to avoid
bringing reproach on the Name of the Lord (2 Samuel 1:17-20).
We will give
an account if we influence others wrongly. One's music can inspire millions;
one's example can mislead multitudes. Youth are especially vulnerable to LGBTQ
propagandists who "promise freedom while they themselves are slaves to
depravity" (2 Peter 2:19).
Here's the
deal: As we humbly seek God's guidance, may the Good Shepherd "lead us in
paths of righteousness for His Name's sake" (Psalm 23:3).
SUPPORT TRUTHFUL JOURNALISM. MAKE A DONATION TO THE NONPROFIT
WND NEWS CENTER. THANK YOU!
Larry
Tomczak
is a cultural commentator with over 50 years in vocational ministry, an
Intercessors for America board member, bestselling author and a public policy
adviser with Liberty Counsel. His innovative video/book, "BULLSEYE,"
develops informed influencers in 30 days (see www.bullseyechallenge.com),
and he has a variety of resources on his website (see www.larrytomczak.com).
You can also hear his weekly podcast here.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Amy Grant
hosting same-sex wedding, now Christians schooling her on 'sin'
Pop star
coming under heavy fire from Franklin Graham, other believers
.jpg)
By Bob Unruh
December
21, 2022 3:12pm
Pop star Amy
Grant, whose early years in the music industry had her focus on Christian
music, recently announced that she is allowing a same-sex wedding, involving a
family member, on her farm.
Which prompted
noted evangelist Franklin Graham, the chief of the Billy Graham Evangelistic
Association and the worldwide Christian ministry Samaritan's Purse, to remind
her of something biblical.
"God
defines what is sin, not us; and His Word is clear that homosexuality is
sin," he said in a social-media statement. "We have all sinned, and
in order to have a relationship with God and spend eternity with Him in Heaven,
we must turn from our sin and put our faith in His Son, Jesus, Christ, who came
to earth to die for our sins."
Grant has
adopted the secular concept that love is love and all love is the same. [Blog
Editor Bold Emphasis: Example of anti-God Secular Humanist moral relativism.]
She said,
"Jesus, you just narrowed it down to two things: Love God & love each
other."
Amy Grant announced that she & her husband Vince Gill are going to host a same-sex wedding on their farm for her niece. Amy is quoted as saying, “Jesus you just narrowed it down to two things: love God & love each other.” https://t.co/SznCI3trDg
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) December 19, 2022
In a new WND
column, bestselling author Larry Tomczak said of the situation:
"We will give an account if we influence others wrongly. One's music can
inspire millions; one's example can mislead multitudes. Youth are especially
vulnerable to LGBTQ propagandists who 'promise freedom while they themselves
are slaves to depravity'" (2 Peter 2:19).
The Western Journal also delivered a Bible lesson
to Grant.
"God’s
Word admonishes us many times that one cannot serve both God and man. ... James
4:4 states, 'You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the
world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world
makes himself an enemy of God.'"
The commentary
charged, "Christian music icon Amy Grant should take this verse into
serious consideration as she continues to use her vast platform to support
godless perspectives."
It cited her
"announcement regarding her intent, along with her country music star
husband Vince Gill, to co-host the same-sex wedding of her niece…"
The Western
Journal noted, "According to ChurchLeaders.com, this is not the first time
Grant has openly supported homosexuality and the LGBT community. …
ChurchLeaders cited a 2013 interview Grant did with the pro-gay news site
'PrideSource,' in which she referred to Christians who abide by God’s Word with
regard to homosexuality as 'the religious community.'"
She said,
"I know that the religious community has not been very welcoming, but I
just want to stress that the journey of faith brings us into community, but
it’s really about one relationship. The journey of faith is just being willing
and open to have a relationship with God. And everybody is welcome.
Everybody."
And, the commentary
noted, "ChurchLeaders cited an even more disturbing interview that Grant
gave with 'Proud Radio' host Hunter Kelly in 2021. It 'doesn’t matter how we
behave. It doesn’t matter how we’re wired,' Grant said. 'We’re all our best
selves when we believe to our core, 'I’m loved.' And then our creativity
flourishes,' stated Grant."
The Western
Journal said, "Grant is heavily implying here that people are born gay in
how they are 'wired' and dangerously believes that our acts and behaviors have
no impact on our standing with God. She is also implying that those afflicted
with homosexual urges should not feel any kind of conviction to repent and turn
from their sin so long as they believe that they are 'loved.'"
The
publication, like Graham, warned Grant, "Indeed, we are loved by a God who
sent His only Son, while we were yet His enemies, to die for our sins so we
might be reconciled with the Father. But God cannot tolerate sin and its
deliberate practice under the twisted guise of 'love.'"
Graham added,
"If we love God, we will seek to obey His Word. Jesus told us, 'If you
love Me, keep My commandments' (John 14:15). … The Bible says, 'Repent, then,
and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,' (Acts 3:19). For me,
loving others also means caring about their souls and where they will spend
eternity. It means loving people enough to tell them the truth from the Word of
God. The authority of God’s Word is something we can never compromise on."
SUPPORT TRUTHFUL JOURNALISM. MAKE A DONATION TO THE NONPROFIT
WND NEWS CENTER. THANK YOU!
Bob Unruh joined WND in 2006 after nearly three
decades with the Associated Press, as well as several Upper Midwest newspapers,
where he covered everything from legislative battles and sports to tornadoes
and homicidal survivalists. He is also a photographer whose scenic work has
been used commercially.
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2022 WND
