MALE HOMECOMING QUEEN AT NORTHERN IOWA UNIVERSITY
The Culture News blog reports at https://ratherexposethem.org/2013/10/male-homecoming-queen-at-univ-of.html about a male student becoming homecoming queen:
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The Culture News blog reports at https://ratherexposethem.org/2013/10/male-homecoming-queen-at-univ-of.html about a male student becoming homecoming queen:
From Lighthouse Trails Research is another article about Charles Stanley’s “In Touch” magazine promoting Catholic, ecumenical, interfaith and contemplative ministries and organizations. Complete article reprinted in full unedited below.
See: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletters/2013/newsletters20131028.htm.
“Charles Stanley’s In Touch Magazine has been the subject of several Lighthouse Trails articles because of the magazine’s continued propensity toward contemplative/emergent people. Just this past summer, our most recent article, “Sad News About Charles Stanley’sIn Touch Magazine,” reported how the August 2013 issue of In Touch featured Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove of the “New Monasticism” emerging church movement. Now in the November 2013 issue, In Touch magazine is featuring an article about an ecumenical interfaith organization that is largely Catholic influenced and was, in fact, the very organization where Henri Nouwen spent the last decade of his life. What’s the big deal about that? some may ask. Well, it is a big deal when you stop and consider the implications. Charles Stanley is seen as the quintessential evangelical Bible teacher by millions. He is trusted, respected, and looked to for understanding of the biblical Gospel. So when his organization starts down a path that promotes contemplative spirituality, the emerging church, and yes, Roman Catholicism – there is a big problem.
In the November 2013 issue is an article written by Benjamin Dolson titled “Our Table.” It is a story about L’Arche, an organization that began in the 60s to offer an alternative living style for intellectually-handicapped people. The work itself is certainly not what we contest as it has removed needy people out of institutions and into a more viable living situation. We are not here to condemn the work being done at the L’Arche communities from a humanitarian point of view. But why does an evangelical ministry feel the need to continually point its followers to organizations or people that do not line up with the biblical Gospel. As Lighthouse Trails has documented scripturally for several years, the contemplative prayer movement and Roman Catholicism are presenting a different “Gospel” than the one the Bible presents. The Roman Catholic “Gospel” is a justification by works gospel, and the contemplative prayer (i.e., Spiritual Formation) “Gospel” is one that has panentheistic and interspiritual roots. And we should mention that the Catholic church is utilizing the contemplative prayer movement to draw in converts to Catholicism (as Ray Yungen explains in his article “Contemplative Spirituality – the Source of the Catholic Church’s Expansion“).
For those who may not realize just how Catholic L’Arche is, here is a statement posted on the L’Arche international website:
L’Arche was founded in a village in France in the Roman Catholic tradition. Generally the communities reflect the predominant faith tradition or traditions of the local population. Thus, with the foundations of the communities of Daybreak in Canada and Asha Niketan in India, the Federation became first ecumenical and then interfaith. Most communities today consider themselves as Christian, some are ecumenical, some identify as Anglican or Protestant, and the majority are Catholic in their practice. The four communities in India and the project in Bangladesh have an interfaith character. All communities of the Federation welcome people of any or no faith and seek to respect and support members in their particular faith choice.1(emphasis added)
The award-winning In Touch magazine has inspired and motivated readers for more than 25 years with resources to invigorate their faith including daily devotionals, in-depth Bible studies, insightful teaching from Dr. Stanley, and much more.
Communities of faith, of God’s reign, bring together into oneness those who by culture and by education are far apart. This is the body of Christ. This is the church.
In reading our article here, some may feel we are being too nit-picky and critical. After all, In Touch is talking about helping the needy. But if that reasoning is legitimate, then basically, as Christians, we are to embrace an anything-goes mentality (i.e., the church should embrace all “faith communities” without any protection over the Christian message of redemption). But the Bible so clearly and so frequently warns of beliefs that are contrary to the truth of Scripture. In writing this article about In Touch and L’Arch ecumenical interfaith communities, we are reminded of something Henri Nouwen said in the last book he ever wrote. We’ve quoted it often over the years because it shows very succinctly the “fruit” of contemplative mysticism, which Nouwen fully adhered to and practiced:
Today I personally believe that while Jesus came to open the door to God’s house, all human beings can walk through that door, whether they know about Jesus or not. Today I see it as my call to help every person claim his or her own way to God. —From Sabbatical Journey, page 51, 1998 Hardcover Edition
It boils down to this: Christian organizations like In Touch Ministries have been presenting themselves to their readers and supporters for many years as having a solid biblical message. Yet now, many of them appear to be changing course. Isn’t it only right and fair for them to come forward and tell their followers that they are no longer adhering just to biblical Christianity?
Does Charles Stanley know what has happened to his magazine? some may ask. We have no idea as he has remained absolutely silent on the situation. We’ve sent books, made phone calls, and we know there are LT readers who have contacted his ministry. But to date, we have never heard of any response. At least Focus on the Family has come right out and admitted that they see nothing wrong with the contemplative tradition. With In Touch, we will just have to keep putting pieces of the puzzle together until a complete picture can be seen.”
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Some time ago, Ken Silva of www.apprising.org, before he became ill, claims to have coined the phrase “Slowly Becoming Catholic” when referring to the Southern Baptist Convention. That phrase might appropriately fit all the many and varied instances of the S.B.C. and its adoption of Catholic contemplative mysticism, lectio divina, gushing over the Pope, or Billy and Franklin Graham and other Southern Baptist affiliated pastors and churches aligning with Catholics in ministry endeavors.
It doesn’t fit quite so well when referring to the SBC’s equally frequent and varied ecumenical ministry endeavors, accords, conferences, and public displays of “common ground” with apostate, heretical denominations, and downright pagan religions such as the Mormons.
Then you have the associations with the alleged sexually abusing Sovereign Grace Ministries and C.J. Mahaney; and other continuationist neo-reformed personalities such as Wayne Grudem, John Piper, Mark Dever, Tim Keller, et al.
Add to that the commonplace fatalist and defeatist disengagement from the culture and politics justified by a unique eschatalogical interpretation of the biblical “end times”. Such is like wearing a traditional, conservative Christian dull gray suit of clothes to cover the naked liberalism infecting the SBC so as to portray a form of pseudo-conservatism which was long ago lost. So, while SBC pastors and leaders try to portray conservatism, they will tell you it is useless to vote for any political party or to actively engage the culture. The exception would be of course their affinity for contemporary rock worship styles and music, since their Arminianism requires them to become like the world to attract the unregenerate and unchurched hordes wanting to be fawned over and entertained by irreverent worship experiences devoid of the biblical gospel of repentance and grace. As with the Catholics, the SBC goes for salvation by grace and works.
As the SBC tries to hasten Christ’s return by disengagement, they will also demonstrate by their overeating, pot bellies, and double chins, that poor health will also get you to heaven quicker than someone in trim shape and good health who may wait in vain. That way, you can avoid the consequences of a spiritually degenerating nation, and not have to even waste years waiting for Christ’s return.
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TREATING MORMONS AS CHRISTIAN EQUALS:
For example, this recently from pastor Ralph Ovadal of Pilgrims Covenant Church, Monroe, Wisconsin at www.pccmonroe.org:
Albert Mohler’s other view about Mormonism:
Pennsylvania State Representative Rick Saccone has introduced House Bill 1728 and the press release is reprinted below in full unedited from
http://www.repsaccone.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=18752:
House Bill 1728 would direct school districts in the Commonwealth to display “In God We Trust” in all public school buildings. The purpose, according to Saccone, would be to promote patriotism through the display of the national motto and to educate children about an important but overlooked part of Pennsylvania’s heritage.
“James Pollock was a towering figure in Pennsylvania history, first serving in Congress and then becoming an extraordinarily influential governor in the 19th Century,” said Saccone. “Later, while serving as director of the United States Mint in Philadelphia, Pollock introduced the words ‘In God We Trust’ to our coins. They’ve been an important part of American culture and identity ever since.”
Francis Scott Key first made “In God We Trust” a statement of American patriotism when he included it in a stanza of the Star Spangled Banner in 1814, but it was Pollock who forever seared the motto into the nation’s conscience. The 150th anniversary of Pollock’s action will be celebrated in his hometown of Milton in Northumberland County early next year.
“In God We Trust” originally appeared on two-cent pieces and later was applied to other coins. Its placement on America’s money was somewhat sporadic until 1956, when President Dwight Eisenhower signed into law an act officially declaring it the motto of the United States and ordering the phrase to be placed on all coins and bills.
“‘In God We Trust’ is so woven into the American fabric that it is impossible to hear the phrase without stirring feelings of pride and allegiance to our country,” said Saccone. “Our youth need to hear the story of our heritage and learn from positive role models in a time of decaying values. The story of our national motto is a positive story and one that is uniquely Pennsylvanian.”
For more information, please visit www.RepSaccone.com
Representative Rick Saccone
39th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Ryan Travis, 717.260.6335
RepSaccone.com / Facebook.com/RepSaccone