Dear Xxxxx,
Several days ago I attempted to send you a birthday greeting. The email came back undeliverable and so I searched to see whether I might find another address for you. Having found this address I send you Birthday Greetings!
While looking for your email address I came upon your websites including: www xxxxxxx.html. And now knowing beyond doubt what I had suspected for a couple years, I feel compelled to write regarding these things.
I write as one who himself might have traveled the road you are on; as one who knows something of his own vulnerability and sinful humanness; As one who has received mercy and so extends mercy. “Grace AND TRUTH came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).
There are at least two things that are clear in the Bible: 1) God is a God of love and mercy, and, 2) Those who practice such things as you are practicing shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NKJV)
And yet there is room for repentance for the Scripture continues, “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 and by the Spirit of our God.”
There is no such thing as a “gay Christian”. “Gay” and “Christian” are antonyms. The two words do not go together. The Apostle says, “Do not be deceived.” All who carry the nomenclature “gay Christian” are indeed deceived, for there is no such thing. I could call myself a brown cat, but that does not make me so; and if I believed myself to be a brown cat it would be evidence of my being deceived, as also is the case with any who call themselves “Christian” while practicing that which will disinherit them from the Kingdom of God.
This is a painful letter for me to write (and no doubt painful for your to read), but I feel I must write, for in your website and no doubt in other ways, you “Display your sin like Sodom! You do not even conceal it!” (Isaiah 3:9). I could pile up passages that explicitly condemn homosexual activity of EVERY kind. I would be happy to send such Bible passages to you if you are interested.
Leave off the hypocrisy and admit that far from the Christian spirit of love to God and neighbor is the homosexual spirit which is shown with unveiled face in these passages: Judges 19:22-24; Genesis 19:4-9.
Every time you speak the name of Jesus joined to your lifestyle, you trample under foot the blood of the covenant by which you were sanctified (Heb. 10:29). “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has” done this! The Bible shows us where gay lifestyle and gay rights leads (Judges 19:22-24; Genesis 19:4-9). You apparently are pursuing gay rights for in the face of all that is reasonable and right you have had “ceremony”, thinking it your right to be joined in holy matrimony. The passage in Judges and in Genesis shows where such pursuit of these rights leads.
I seek to be an instrument of mercy; mercy/grace and TRUTH. “Such WERE (past tense) some of you!” Repentance is possible if you have not gone too far. I and my family and my friends are ready to help any seeking deliverance from the homosexual life. For God takes the chief of sinners and turns them into saints; a saint is a holy one, one who has been sanctified, and does not include any who “ARE” but only “such [as] WERE some of you.”
With concern I write!
Click here for a helpful document on homosexuality. You must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document; get it here.
Tags: do not be deceived, gay, gay christian, gay lifestyle, grace and truth, homosexual christian, homosexuality, sin like sodom
Thank you for asking hard questions last night when I was sharing with you the Postmillennial vision and understanding of the Bible. Let me first say that in order to embrace a doctrine as a faithful Christian all the Bible verses must work together. Secondly, whatever system of eschatology one embraces as a faithful Christian (and there are faithful Christians in all the millennial camps) there are hard questions to be answered. Each system must deal with verses that do not seem to fit their millennial view. Theology is no child’s game and yet the Bible is understandable to children. Augustine said that the Bible was shallow enough for a child to wade in and at the same time deep enough for an elephant to drown in.
So then I must answer as best I can the question of how the verse in Matthew fits in the Postmillennial view of things.
The verse you brought to our attention is:
Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV)
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
I will mention several points:
* On the surface it must be admitted that this verse looks like it is saying only a few will be saved by comparison with those lost.
* In the not too distant context (other verses surrounding the verses in question) we hear the same Jesus say this:
Matthew 8:11 (NKJV)
11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
This is in keeping with God’s promise to Abraham regarding his descendants:
Gen 22:17- blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.
By the way, the last phrase of this verse is in keeping with the Postmillennial understanding - “your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.” Jesus wins in history. The devil does not take over, but Jesus, through the preaching of the Gospel to all nations, wins the nations so that the nations, along with their kings come bowing before Him (Isaiah chapter 60 and chapter 2; see also Habakkuk 2:13,14).
Abraham is to have not a few descendants but so many that they cannot be counted, so many that they must be compared, not to the grains of wheat in a massively large wheat field, but with something truly innumerable, the sand and the stars.
The book of Revelation displays God’s promise to Abraham as fulfilled:
Revelation 7:9-10 (NKJV) - 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Since we know that the Bible does not contradict itself we must attempt to discover how the verse you presented fits into the overwhelming biblical evidence that there are not a few who will be saved, but an innumerable company.
- At this point I want to quote from a book which I highly recommend if you would like to do further study in Postmillennialism, He Shall Have Dominion by Kenneth Gentry. Dr. Gentry writes:
“The resolution to the matter is to realize “our Lord’s purpose is rather ethical impression than prophetic disclosure.” That is, He is urging His disciples to consider the present situation they witness round about them. They are to look around them and see that so many souls are presently perishing, so few men are seeking righteousness and salvation. What will they do about this sad predicament? Do they love Him enough to seek its reversal? Christ’s challenge to them is ethical.
In John 4:35, He urges the dim-eyed disciples to see that there was much work to be done: “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” In Matthew 7, He warns against false prophets that will arise among the people (Matt. 7:15-20). Then, He warns that a man must hear and act upon His words (Matt. 7:21-27). His disciples must feel the horror of the present vastness of the multitude entering the broad way to destruction.
Certainly the gate is narrow: only He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). But His statement in Matthew 7:13-14 does not imply that it will always and forever be the case that few will be saved in every era of history…”
I hope these things are helpful to you. There is certainly more that can be said, and I am happy to answer questions you might have. Again, a very helpful book, if you desire to pursue understanding Postmillennialism is He Shall Have Dominion. You can get He Shall Have Dominion here: http://www.nordskogpublishing.com/bookshelf.shtml
May the Lord bless you two hungry hearts and make you a blessing to many!
573-226-1312
Email: Eugene@4HisName.com
Sites: www GranolaDelights.com - Very good granola
www ClingmanFarm.com - Grass fed poultry meats
www 4HisName.com - About Jesus & us
Blog: www Blog.GranolaDelights.com
Tags: broad way, eugene clingman, granola delights, habakkuk 2:13-14, Isaiah 60, narrow way, Postmillennialism
2 Samuel 22 (Psalm 18)
Thesis:
Jesus is called by theologians the “Greater David”, indeed He is the Son of David to whom the promises are ultimately and fully given. What David accomplished was but a foretaste and foreshadow of what would be done by the Greater David. God intervened on David’s behalf with supernatural interventions. If, or rather, since he did so for David, surely we can expect God’s supernatural intervention during Greater David’s reign. David was enabled to subdue his enemies and put them under his feet (39, 40, 44, 45, 48). This subjugation took place in history. God promised Greater David that His enemies would be put under His feet (Psalm 110:1-2). It is now the season in which God is making Christ’s enemies His footstool; this has been going on since God exalted Him to His right hand (Heb. 10:12, 13). That is, this subjugation of Christ’s enemies has been progressing since Christ returned to heaven after His resurrection (Mark 16:19). Jesus will remain in heaven until the subjugation is accomplished (Acts 3:21). Christ is now reigning (1 Cor. 15:25) and will do so until all enemies are made a footstool for His feet (Heb. 10:12, 13). This “mode of operation” will continue until all enemies are subdued; the last enemy to be subdued is death (1 Cor. 15:26), which is synonymous with the resurrection. After the resurrection (conquering of the last enemy, Death) Christ “delivers the kingdom to God the father” (1 Cor. 15:24).
In short, if God so helped David in the foreshadowed kingdom to subdue his enemies, how much more now, in this, Kingdom of the Greater David! Jesus even now rides forth on a white horse and the armies of heaven follow him also riding on white horses (Rev. 19:11-16). “In righteousness He judges and makes war”! How? “Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations”! Guns and bombs are not His weaponry as suggested by Dispensationalists. Rather a sword, not a sword of steal (as Muslims) but a sword that comes out of His mouth, a sword of righteousness and judgment (Psa. 45:2-7), a sword of healing and helpful words (Rev. 1:16-18). (Other verses about sword and mouth: Job 5:15; Psalm 149:6; Psalm 49:2; Rev. 2:16; 19:21).
And what sort of help did David receive? He watched God intervene from heaven. God, from heaven supernaturally dealt with the enemies of David:
Supernatural interventions in 2 Samuel 22 (Psalm 18):
• The earth shook and trembled, foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because hHe was angry (8)
• The LORD thundered from heaven, uttered voice (14)
• Sent out arrows and scattered them (15)
• Lightning bolts and vanquished them
• Channels of the sea were seen (16)
• Foundations of world uncovered
• Delivered me from my strong enemy, those who hated me, too strong for me (18)
• The LORD was my support (19)
• Delivered me because he delighted in me (20)
• You will save the humble people (28)
• Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.
• The LORD shall enlighten my darkness (29)
• By You I can run against a troop, leap over a wall (30)
• A shield to all who trust in Him (31)
• Makes my feet like deer feet (34)
• Teaches my hands to make war, strengthens (35)
• You have given me the shield of Your salvation, yYour gentleness has made me great (36)
• Enlarged my path under me, my feet did not slip (37)
• Given me the necks of my enemies (41)
• Delivered me from the strivings of my people, kept me as head of nations (44)
• Subdues the peoples under me (48)
• Lifts me above those who rise against me (49)
• Delivers me from my enemies, from the violent man
David was Enabled to:
• I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, they were destroyed (38)
• Enemies under my feet (39)
• Subdued under me those who rose against me (40)
• I destroyed those who hated me (41)
• I beat them fine as the dust, trod them like dirt in the streets, I spread them out (43)
• A people I have not known shall serve me (44)
• Foreigners submit to me, they obey me (45)
• Foreigners fade away, come frightened from their hideouts (46)
Passages showing the Church’s mission of dominion
Romans 16:20 (NKJV)
And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Psalm 149:5-9 (NKJV)
Let the saints be joyful in glory;
Let them sing aloud on their beds.
[6] Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
[7] To execute vengeance on the nations,
And punishments on the peoples;
[8] To bind their kings with chains,
And their nobles with fetters of iron;
[9] To execute on them the written judgment–
This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!
Micah 5:5-9 (NKJV)
And this One shall be peace.
When the Assyrian comes into our land,
And when he treads in our palaces,
Then we will raise against him
Seven shepherds and eight princely men.
[6] They shall waste with the sword the land of Assyria,
And the land of Nimrod at its entrances;
Thus He shall deliver us from the Assyrian,
When he comes into our land
And when he treads within our borders.
[7] Then the remnant of Jacob
Shall be in the midst of many peoples,
Like dew from the Lord,
Like showers on the grass,
That tarry for no man
Nor wait for the sons of men.
[8] And the remnant of Jacob
Shall be among the Gentiles,
In the midst of many peoples,
Like a lion among the beasts of the forest,
Like a young lion among flocks of sheep,
Who, if he passes through,
Both treads down and tears in pieces,
And none can deliver.
[9] Your hand shall be lifted against your adversaries,
And all your enemies shall be cut off.
Luke 10:19 (NKJV)
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Deut. 8:15 (NKJV)
who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock;
Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Psalm 110:1-3 (NKJV)
A Psalm of David.
The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
[2] The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
[3] Your people shall be volunteers
In the day of Your power;
In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,
You have the dew of Your youth.
1 Cor. 6:3 (NKJV)
Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
Romans 4:13 (NKJV)
For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Rev. 1:6 (NKJV)
and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Rev. 5:10 (NKJV)
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”
Isaiah 60:10-12 (NKJV)
“The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls,
And their kings shall minister to you;
For in My wrath I struck you,
But in My favor I have had mercy on you.
[11] Therefore your gates shall be open continually;
They shall not be shut day or night,
That men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles,
And their kings in procession.
[12] For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish,
And those nations shall be utterly ruined.
Isaiah 2:2-4 (NKJV)
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the Lord’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And all nations shall flow to it.
[3] Many people shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
[4] He shall judge between the nations,
And rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.
by Eugene Clingman
We invite you to visit our webstore - Granola Delights
Tags: 2 samuel 22, christ reigns, christ's enemies a footstool, christian victory, dispensationalism, greater david, isaiah 2, Isaiah 60, kingdom of christ, psalm 110, psalm 18, psalm 2, son of david
Some hold it as a doctrine while others have simply absorbed the assumption that the Law of God was for another day and does not apply today. Some believe the Law of God is for the Christian only and that it does not apply to the unbeliever or to the social order. Many believe that a “pluralistic” society should not be tied to one or another law standard but rather be a mix of the opinions within the society. Others say that the social order should be determined by what is commonly called “natural law”.
We believe the Law of God* applies to the Christian, to the unbeliever, and to the social order. The Law of God applies to the Christian, not as a basis for justification, but as the standard that the justified-by-faith-Christian lives within when he lives in love, for “love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10). The law of God applies to the unbeliever as the continuing standard of morality because the Law reflects God’s own unchanging moral character and all of Adam’s descendents, Christian and non-Christian have the Law of God written upon their hearts - Romans 2:14. The Law of God is the required standard for the societies and cultures of every nation because that Law is the requirement for each individual as Romans 2:14 states. In other words, since the law of God is the moral requirement for each and every individual person everywhere all the time, how could there be a different moral requirement for the social order in which those individuals live?
It is the ambition of the International Church Council Project to create a succinct theological document that will clearly demonstrate the necessity of the Law of God for all men and all societies. Please pray for us as we take steps toward this goal.
* The Law of God being referred to is the moral law set forth in the Ten Commandments and includes the explanations or expansions of the law commonly called “case laws” in which the Ten Commandments are explained. An example of this is the commandment, “You shall not murder.” The case laws define murder as being neither an accidental killing nor capital punishment (Deut. 19:4-6; 19:11-13).
by Eugene Clingman
Try our Granola Delights!
Tags: case law, Deut. 19:11-13, Deut. 19:4-6, eugene clingman, granola, Law of God, natural law, Pluralism, pluralistic society, Romans 13:10, Romans 2:14, ten commandments
Religion and politics are the two topics to be avoided in polite company. Why? - Because as a man’s heart is, so are his politics and so is his religion. These two unveil the hearts of men.
David was a faithful servant in the kingdom of Israel under Saul - “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, who goes at your bidding, and is honorable in your house?” (I Sam. 22:14). Yet after Saul attempted on two occasions to murder David and David escaped into the wilderness, opinions about David became divided in Israel. Nabal and Abigail display this division in the macrocosm of a single family (1 Samuel 25). Nabal held that David was a runaway slave and claimed ignorance of David’s plight in his flight from Saul. Abigail, Nabal’s wife on the other hand:
- Saw Nabal’s opinion of David as deserving God’s judgment (1 Sam. 25:14-17).
- David’s house would endure but his enemies and those who pursue him (Saul) would be cast from the presence of God as a stone is cast from a sling (1 Sam. 25:28-29).
- David was fighting the Lord’s battles (1 Sam. 25:28).
- No evil was in David (1 Sam. 25:28).
- Saul was wickedly pursuing David (contrary to Nabal who said David was an escaped slave (1 Sam. 25:29).
- David was destined for the throne and would be preserved to that end while his enemies would be rejected and cast as from a sling.
The difference between the political opinions of Nabal and his wife are poles apart. God himself demonstrated which opinion was right when Nabal was struck dead by God. May God vindicate the right in this our day! May God display and defend the right and show folly for what it is!
by Eugene Clingman
Try our Granola Delights
Tags: eugene clingman, granola, granola delights, political opinion, righteous politics, wicked politics
Thy Kingdom Come
by Eugene Clingman
(To the tune of For All the Saints)
O Glorious Son You asked the Father true
Give Me the nations in justice to subdue[1]
So will all peoples bow and worship You[2]
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Then said the Father to incarnate Son
Sit at my right hand as My will is done[3]
Til every nation by My zeal is won[4]
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Lord Jesus Christ you are the Sovereign God[5]
You reign from heaven or’ this earthly sod[6]
Breaking the nations with your iron rod[7]
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The nations raging, rulers now devise
Cast off those cords of Him who reigns on high
God sits in the heavens laughs and then derides[8]
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Hear now my people all authority
This from My Father has empowered Me
Go to the nations beg to bow the knee[9]
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The nations toil for fire and in vain
Yet shall the peoples see your glorious fame
Knowledge of God or’ all the earth pervade[10]
Alleluia, Alleluia!
From east to west and over all the sea
Praise and worship like incense rise to Thee[11]
And Your salvation in all nations be[12]
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Thy kingdom come you taught us Lord to pray
Thy will be done on earth in each new day
Thou for Thy kingdom, power, glory we praise[13]
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And now our tears, our labor, and our pain
In you we trust shall never be in vain[14]
In these light afflictions good you have ordained[15]
Alleluia, Alleluia!
by Eugene Clingman
Try our Granola Delights.
[1] Psalm 2:8-9
[2] Psalm 22:27-28
[3] Psalm 110:1-2
[4] Isaiah 9:7
[5] Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1
[6] I Corinthians 15:25-26
[7] Psalm 2:8-9
[8] Psalm 2:1-4
[9] Matthew 28:18-20
[10] Habakkuk 2:13-14
[11] Malachi 1:11
[12] Isaiah 52:7-10
[13] Matthew 6:9-13
[14] I Corinthians 15:58
[15] 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Try our Granola Delights.
Tags: eugene clingman, for all the saints, granola, granola delights, Postmillennialism, thy kingdom come, victorious christianity
What is the primary need for the nations of the world and for our own nation? Is it righteous political leaders? I pray that we and each nation may have righteous leaders, and indeed we should seek such to rule us for, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan (Proverbs 29:2 (NKJV)). Many of us are groaning this very moment! I am in favor of all the righteous leaders we can get. But righteous leaders without a righteous population will be short lived. The real need of the world is transformation by the Gospel and governing by the Law of God – The Gospel to save and the Law of God to give shape and form to the nation.
Law cannot transform society – the Gospel must do that. Yet there is a righteous use of the law – “…we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust” (1 Tim. 1:8-11 (NKJV)).
Every society and culture is governed by law. On what should societal law be based? Should law be pulled out of thin air by legislators as is happening and has been happening in our nation for decades? Or should societal law be based on the Law of God as it was in early America? (God’s Law always renders a just recompense for crimes committed (Hebrews 2:2)). Because you are a Bible believer the answer should be clear. God’s Law is that which ought to govern society, every society.
Eugene Clingman
Try our Granola Delights for snack or breakfast.
Tags: antimomian society, antinomian, biblical law, early american law, eugene clingman, god's law, granola, granola delights, righteous rule, wicked rule
Dear xxxxxxxxx,
(the people addressed are being removed in order to share the principles without revealing to whom they were addressed)
Warm Christian Greetings!
I appreciate the good work you and xxxxxxxxxx and your other associates are doing. I am grateful for you men. Thank you for the bold message you are delivering to the Body of Christ and for the righteous influence of your efforts and actions. You are a blessing!
I just received your newsletter in the mail titled “Please Join in the xxxxxxxx”. It is the one that has on the reverse side “Gathering of Patriots xxxxxxxxxx Meeting!” In that invitation to the Patriots xxxxxxxx Meeting I noticed you are calling “All God-fearing Patriotic Americans” and “God-Fearing Americans Only” to participate. I also noticed the words “NO POLITICIANS INVITED”. So I have to ask you, are there no “patriotic Americans” who are politicians? Are there no “God-fearing Americans” who are politicians? Perhaps this purposeful exclusion of “politicians” was a slip in your thought processes. On the other hand, perhaps it is an ingrained part of your thinking – perhaps you have drunk deeply of the pervasive Evangelical idea that politics is outside the realm of godly activity or that such involvement sets itself against the reality expressed in your invitation that “Jesus is the only answer to America’s problems”. If it is the second rather than the first (that is, if it was not a slip in your though processes), you are perpetuating the very thing you are fighting against - that is you are setting yourself against the very culture changing power of the Gospel you seek to proclaim. For 160+ years the Church has neglected the political and social realm, and absorbed the idea that involvement in politics is involvement in an ungodly or unclean realm and that Christians should not be involved there, and that Christians who are involved should be looked upon with suspicion. I say you are setting yourself against the very culture changing power of the Gospel you seek to proclaim – do you not know, or do you not remember that those who founded our country upon principles of godliness and wrote into our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, and our founding laws were themselves (many of them) godly men seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness? Do you not remember, or perhaps you did not know that the freedoms we have enjoyed as a nation (which are rapidly evaporating under the judgment of God against this backslidden America), do you not know that these freedoms were secured for us with the sweat and blood of godly men, many of who fought for us (and some still do) in the halls of Congress? Or let’s go back before the Declaration of Independence. Do you not remember, or did you not know that godly men came to this country, making covenant together in the Mayflower Compact (a very political action), and elected officers, and elected William Bradford, a godly man (if ever there was one) as governor? It is not true that godly involvement in politics is essential, and that the righteous ought to be those governing?
Is it not true that “kings (political people) [will come] to the brightness of your rising”? (Isaiah 60:3). And is it not true that “when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan”? (Proverbs 29:2). Will you then give over the political realm to the wicked by teaching that politicians are outside the realm of “god-fearing” or ‘patriotic Americans”? You are probably saying to yourself, “No!” But isn’t that what you are doing when you declare that “God-fearing” people are invited, but “NO POLITICIANS INVITED”?
Again, perhaps this purposeful exclusion of “politicians” was a slip in your thought processes. I hope so. But if it was not, and if it is part of your thinking, I encourage you to cry out mightily to God to deliver you from the Evangelical idea that politics is somehow outside the realm in which God-fearing people ought to operate. If you perpetuate the idea I am herein refuting, you yourself fight against the Kingdom of God.
With sincere appreciation for you and the other men of xxxxxxxxx,
Eugene Clingman
Tags: eugene clingman, god's law, mayflower compact, patriots meeting, politicians and the kingdom of god, politics and the kingdom of god, righteous rule, william bradford
The Myth of Pluralism
Before the Civil War the worldview of our nation was overwhelmingly Christian. Since that time the guiding principles upon which our founding fathers established our country have been eroding. In the early 1900’s American society was introduced to the idea of “pluralism.” Pluralism is – the belief that many ideas and beliefs should be used to form one’s own thinking and society in general. Pluralism is the belief that many ideas, even conflicting ideas should be embraced and delighted in and made part of the structure of one’s life and society.
William James (1843-1910), author and philosopher coined the word “pluralism.” According to Mr. James, on the pluralistic view things are “with one another in many ways, but nothing includes everything, or dominates over everything…pluralism is the belief that many groups comprise the polity, and the best government is one which accommodates many different interests in society…pluralism is the situation in which many different cultural practices coexist in a society, often interacting to create new practices…pluralism is the belief that there are many ways to express faith.”
The American mind has been led into this form of thinking and to a great extent even the Church. So let’s look at these statements by William James one by one and compare them to the Christian view of things (worldview):
• “…nothing includes everything, or dominates over everything…”
Christian view – The Christian God, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself claims to dominate everything. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth are given to Me!” He is King of kings and Lord of lords, the Ruler of the kings of the earth who requires submission and loyalty of all humans so much so that even the thought-life of the individual is to be in submission to Him. We see then that according to the Christian worldview, the rule of Christ “includes everything” and “dominates over everything.” (Mat. 28:18-20; Psalm 2:10-12; Rev. 1:5; Philippians 2:9-11; 2 Cor. 10:5; Mat. 5:28).
• “…pluralism is the belief that many groups comprise the polity, and the best government is one which accommodates many different inter
ests in society…”
Christian view – I believe that on the surface the statement is true. However, because of the sinfulness of man, no government can be erected by humanistic man that will truly be concerned for the best interests of the “many groups [that] comprise the polity.” The only government that will strive for such justice and righteousness is that which rests upon the shoulders of Jesus Christ (Isa. 9:6; Heb. 10:12, 13). Such a government on earth can only be fashioned as man in submission to Jesus Christ becomes progressively obedient to His Law-Word. Jesus taught us to seek this when He said pray daily, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, ON EARTH as it is in heaven.”
• “…pluralism is the situation in which many different cultural practices coexist in a society, often interacting to create new practices…”
Christian view – At the dispersion of the Tower of Babel God gave opportunity for the various cultures to arise; the peoples were separated into groups and those people groups spread around the globe. In heaven there will be people from every people, tribe and tongue. Though ethnic indicators may follow us to heaven, everything of culture will be made holy. In the meantime, here on planet earth, we are to seek sanctification individually and in our cultures; until Christ returns we daily work and pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, ON EARTH as it is in heaven!” (see Zechariah 14:20, 21)
• “…pluralism is the belief that there are many ways to express faith…”
Christian view – It is obvious (from the assumption of pluralism) that the above statement means there are many religions (Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, etc.) by which it is good to express faith. The entire Bible nullifies this assumption. In the beginning God created. In the fullness of time this Creator God sent Jesus Christ, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world to redeem a people for Himself. This same Jesus declares, “I am the First and the Last; the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Religious pluralism is polytheism.
Pluralism permeates American thinking, and much so in the Church. The question should be asked – Since we are a democratic nation, should pluralism be the modus operandi of our society? Should every idea or standard be an option for guiding the United States, or is there a single standard and morality which should be sought? In pluralism according to William James, “…nothing… dominates over everything.” This means that according to pluralism any set of ideas may be acceptable as the governing criteria for society; all should be considered, taken into account, and given a seat at the table. We can test the validity of pluralism by considering the homosexual’s belief that homosexual standards and ideas have as much legitimacy as other ideas and standards. Analyze with me for a moment where the “homosexual rights” campaign is headed. The demand for homosexual rights is not new. This campaign has also been waged in ancient times as seen in the homosexual confrontation with Lot – “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” Genesis 19:5. These same demands were made in the only other passage in the Bible where homosexuals are seen in action – “…certain men of the city, perverted men, surrounded the house and beat on the door. They spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, “Bring out the man who came to your house, that we may know him carnally!” Judges 19:22 A significant insight ought to be gained here. That insight is this – The fact that these are the only two passages in the Bible where homosexuals are shown in action should inform us that this is exactly where “homosexual rights” will lead. The homosexual spirit has no limits on its demands for “rights.” There is no governing principle to say, “Thus far and no further!” So then, the question should be asked, can the homosexual worldview exist pluralistically with other worldviews as a governing factor in a society? It is evident that homosexual ideas (in their matured form as seen in the Bible) are not able to exist peaceably with most worldviews and morality standards because those who believe it is acceptable for a gang of men to come to one’s home and demand the right to molest those on the inside are few and far between! It is obvious then that pluralism is a myth. Every idea and standard cannot have equal opportunity and sway in a society, or be successfully included in a homogenized mix of ideas and standards. Standards of morality compete for preeminence and it is a fight to the death. One single idea or standard will eventually emerge as the directing standard. Even when pluralism is attempted, someone or some group sorts through the plurality of ideas and decides which ones will be the governing principles; this in turn means it is no longer pluralism, but whatever those who are in control decide. The idea of pluralism is but a fog over the minds of those duped into conformity to a non-pluralistic standard.
It has taken several generations for our nation to deteriorate from one of Christian standards to a pluralistic society. King Solomon however accomplished it in one generation. Solomon created for himself a pluralist household which in turn transferred to his kingdom so that the society also became pluralist; God’s standard was no longer the governing assumption. The result was multiplied confusion in his kingdom which lasted hundreds of years until Judah was finally exiled to Babylon. Solomon had many foreign wives, and “…it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.” 1 Kings 11:4-8. Under King David, Solomon’s father, the standard was the Word and fear of God; one standard. Solomon introduced polytheism which meant the introduction of and royal approval of a mix of standards; confusion!
Ultimately there will be one standard that will rule. “One ring to rule them all!” That rule or standard could be imposed by a dictator, or it could be imposed by a democratic majority. Either way, someone or some group is going to set the standard by which society is governed. What standard should the Christian pray for and (in our democratic republic) work toward as we seek to see His kingdom come and His will done on earth as it is in heaven as much as is possible prior to the coming of Jesus? The parable of the wheat and tares tells us that plurality is in the world and will be until the end. On the other hand Jesus’ command to teach the nations to obey Him shows us pluralism is not a legitimate option for the Christian (Prov. 31:9; Jeremiah 5:28, etc.). It is evident that there is but one legitimate standard for all people. That standard is found in submission to Jesus Christ and His Law-Word, the Bible.
Plurality in our world is a reality God created at the tower of Babel. Plurality is a reality that diminishes day by day as person by person, people group by people group, turn into the Kingdom of God and acknowledge by word and thought, religion and worship, and a progressively sanctified culture that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. “For the nation or kingdom which will not serve you will perish…” Isaiah 60:12. Praise be to His glorious name!
Think about this – Pluralism is self-negating for it is the governing assumption that there should be no governing assumption.
by Eugene Clingman
Please visit our Granola Delights Store…
Tags: 2 Cor. 10:5, christian view, christian worldview, different cultural practices, eugene clingman, granola delights, Isaiah 60:12, Jeremiah 5:28, Mat. 28:18-20, Mat. 5:28, one governing assumption, One ring to rule them all!, one standard will rule, Philippians 2:9-11, Pluralism, plurality, Prov. 31:9, Psalm 2:10-12, religious pluralism, Rev. 1:5, The Christian God, thy kingdom come, William James
The Bible is rife with evidence of a good God who provides for His people and who opens His hand and satisfies “the desire of every living thing.” He does provide and desires to provide abundantly. Lack for mankind is not a problem with God, but a problem in man as I will discuss after the following Scripture passages.
Psalm 145:9-16 (NKJV)
The Lord is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works.
[10] All Your works shall praise You, O Lord,
And Your saints shall bless You.
[11] They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
And talk of Your power,
[12] To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
[13] Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
[14] The Lord upholds all who fall,
And raises up all who are bowed down.
[15] The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
And You give them their food in due season.
[16] You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Psalm 72:16 (NKJV)
There will be an abundance of grain in the earth,
On the top of the mountains;
Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon;
And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
Matthew 6:32 (NKJV)
For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Luke 12:32 (NKJV)
Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Philip. 4:19 (NKJV)
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
The problem of lack for mankind is not due to an unwillingness in God to give and provide. The problem is in man. The problem goes like this:
1) Man becomes needy and cries out to God in distress –
Psalm 107:4-9 (NKJV)
They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;
They found no city to dwell in.
[5] Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted in them.
[6] Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He delivered them out of their distresses.
[7] And He led them forth by the right way,
That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
[8] Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
[9] For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
2) They receive God’s blessing and soon forget where it came from, they become ungrateful, self-satisfied, and proud, thinking that their own craft and ingenuity have brought them the abundance and blessing they experience. They forget God.
Deut. 6:10-12 (NKJV)
“So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, [11] houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant–when you have eaten and are full– [12] then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
3) When they forsake God, God cannot continue to bless and provide, for they have forgotten the source of the blessing. Further blessing will only result in further pride and self-satisfaction and arrogance. The result of forgetting is judgment.
Hosea 2:12-13 (NKJV)
“And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees,
Of which she has said,
‘These are my wages that my lovers have given me.’
So I will make them a forest,
And the beasts of the field shall eat them.
[13] I will punish her
For the days of the Baals to which she burned incense.
She decked herself with her earrings and jewelry,
And went after her lovers;
But Me she forgot,” says the Lord.
4) God judges by removing the blessings He gave in order that they might realize their need of Him and return to Him. He then in His goodness blesses again with provision and abundance. Then the cycle repeats itself.
We should study this cycle and be careful ourselves to remember always. We should teach our children and grandchildren the truth of the cycle and warn ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren of the danger of forgetting which leads to ungratefulness, which leads to judgment. O God, help us to remember!
We invite you to visit our Granola Delights store!
Tags: 1 Peter 5:7, abundance of God, Deut. 6:10-12, eugene clingman, God is good all the time, God's goodness, God's provision, granola, granola delights, Hosea 2:12-13, kindness of God, Matthew 6:32. Luke 12:32, Philip. 4:19, Psalm 107:4-9, Psalm 145:9-16, Psalm 72:16