Today’s Omnibus assignment September 17, 2007
Posted by Anya in : Uncategorized , 1 comment so farEvaluate Biblically the following suggesting that The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) gives for eliminating prejudice from your “House of Worship”:
74 Urge your leaders to use the pulpit to condemn all forms of bigotry.
The use of the pulpit is not supposed to be for political purposes. Rather, those who preach are to “preach the Word; to be ready in season and out of season”. (II Tim 4:1) They are to preach the good news, as Paul often spoke of. Part of this good news is that all humans are made in the image of God (Gen 9:6) and should therefore be treated with dignity, but another part is that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father and to salvation. (John 14:6, Acts 4:11-12) Any other claims of ways of salvation are unequivocally false.
75 Encourage friends of other faiths to visit your religious services and share your religious knowledge with them. This is a perfectly sensible suggestion, since we have been commanded to “make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that [Christ] has commanded [us]”. (Matt 28:18-20) We are the ambassadors of God on earth to be used by Him to bring people from death to life, from darkness into light. (Acts 26:16-18.)
76 Invite clergy representing religions different from your own to participate in services and deliver the sermon. Rotten idea. Paul condemns the preaching of any other gospel than the one which he had preached, which God had set forth, in Galatians 1:6-9. Having so strongly declared the condemnation of anyone who preaches a different gospel in his absence, we can logically conclude that God would certainly not countenance inviting unbelievers to preach their lies as truth. This is a hideous example of falsehood masquerading as truth, and that is extremely dangerous. God blazingly condemned false shepherds and promises to care for His people Himself in Jeremiah 23:1-4. 77 Host a tour for elected and appointed city/town officials to learn more about your religion and the programs and activities your religious community offers. That’s an interesting idea… but our purpose as a church is to worship God, not please men (Gal 1:10) by offering “programs and activities”. 78 Ensure that all faiths are represented accurately in existing library materials and religious school curricula This is a good suggestion. If they truly mean this, they must support Christianity since any “faith” other than faith in Christ quickly is proven to be straw and rubble when it is tested. (I Cor 3:11-15) 79 Reach out to diverse religious communities to cosponsor festivals and holiday observances, such as ADL’s Interfaith Seders, that highlight and celebrate our common humanity. This is a bit odd, and I don’t quite understand what the point is, other than to show that all religions are equal. They are not. There are plenty of chances to celebrate “our common humanity”, such as the 4th of July, Arts Festivals, the fair, and so forth. However, to truly celebrate a holiday, we need to know why it is holy. 80 Be respectful of everyone who attends your religious services whether they are members of or visitors to your congregation. This is hardly an original idea. James gives more detail on this practice in James 2:1-13. Christians are to be conformed to Christ, which involves treating people with humanity and respect – but not compromising when they would degrade God. (Matt 23) It is not respectful to allow people to continue in damnable errors. However, it is not always a good idea to be as abrasive as Jesus was, because we do not know exactly what is in a person’s heart, rather, we have been commanded “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” (I Peter 3:14-16)
81 Turn one bulletin board into a display space where newspaper/magazine clippings depicting current events related to anti-Semitism and other forms of religious persecution, or human rights violations, can be posted for all to read. This is overlooking the real purpose of the church. We are not a civil rights group.
82 Organize an interfaith retreat for young people to increase understanding of each other’s beliefs and build lasting friendships This is an idea which is potentially dangerous. We are to be in the world, but we aren’t supposed to try to make ourselves part of the world, because we aren’t. As Paul asked in II Corinthians 6:14, “What partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” While we are to treat all people with integrity, we cannot have the sort of fellowship with them that we have with others whom Christ has redeemed, and we are not to flirt with other gods. 83 Plan an interfaith youth group trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in
Washington, DC. Raise funds to cover travel expenses with a community bake sale, car wash, service auction or other activity. Again, that’s a bit odd, and I really cannot see any good coming out of it; only contention and (at best) hurt feelings. We are not to aspire to be part of the world; rather, the world should see our light and aspire to become like us, and like Christ. (I John 2:15, Matt 5:16) In Philippians 2:14-16, Paul writes, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe, as you hold out the word of life”. We shine not because we are so tolerant of other religions, but because we have and hold out what they do not have and cannot hope to have apart from Christ – the Word of life. (John 6:63, 68-69)
So yes… I’m apparently quite intolerant. MercyMe summed it up well…
I’m a one trick pony, if you will
I got a one track mind with a heart that’s real
And don’t forget I’ve got tunnel vision
For something much bigger than superstition
Call me hard headed for the One that changed me
Say what you will, it will not phase me
No need for anything up my sleeve
There’s just one thing that I’ll ever needYou are my One and Only
You are my One and Only
Oh, I’m a one trick ponyIf I hear just one more time
That I should try and be more open-minded
I think I just might scream
The world says this is all there is
Yet I believe the One who says there’s life after this
Now tell me how much more open can my mind be?
