Current Issues facing the Christian Church!
This information was taken from history books, newspaper articles, Wikipedia and of course the Bible. The article you are about to read has been researched, organized, and laid out using information that may be offensive to some people. These analysis were not gathered out of judgment, malice or grievance toward any group or individual. This article was intended for research and discovery purposes.
Issues, Impacting The Christian Church Today!
Of course, there are many major issues church goers wrestle with currently. One of these issues is…
Same-Sex Marriage!
Ideally, our personal opinions, involve much more then just our own limited thinking. Today our opinions stem from many socially acceptable standards, politically correct adaptations, and nondiscriminatory regulations. All conveniently packaged in an easily digestible conformist presentation.
On the surface, most people today graciously appease the different behaviors, lifestyles and religions of neighbors, co-workers and friends. They accept the reality, that we live in a world of different viewpoints, domestic circumstances, and social ideas. Because of this, we have learned to accept the viewpoints of multiple different ethnic groups learning to placate the beliefs and religions of the many people we happen to share our world with.
Separation Of Church and State!
However, when we share information from the ancient book of scriptures, titled simply, “The Bible,” which means “the Book,” in Latin, many issues have become less socially acceptable and more uncompromising. We cannot simply adjust what was written within the pages of ancient text to reflect the sentiments of new age thinkers. The multiple books contained within the Bible were written thousands of years ago (some of these scriptures being more then six thousand years old). Because they are so old, the instructions found within them, have become settled law to many of those who follow the book. This Means, the commands cannot be altered or changed to suit current ideas and opinions. If you believe in the book, then you agree to follow all of it’s rules and regulations, not just the ones that are convenient. GOD’s WORD is unwavering. It never changes. So, what is found in the Bible, remains the same as it was in the past. The laws continue now and forever.
Unfortunately, not all information found is scripture remains as it was originally written. Some words and laws, later fell victim to mis-translations, many for unscrupulous purposes. Yet, for the most part, the Bible amazingly continues to be a truthful and acceptable historic reference. The laws and ordinates found in the Bible, cannot be changed or manipulated to become more cosmopolitan or socially acceptable. It remains settled law and continues to be a credible source of ancient history and strong moral authority.
In this constant battle of truth verses fiction, we must try our best to understand the lessons and observances the Bible reveals. Continually implementing these explicit instructions in our own day-to-day lives.
In the Book of Matthew 19:4-6, Yehoshua responds, “‘Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?’ So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.’”
This seems to be pretty straight forward, but each reader articulates the meaning of this passage differently.
Matthew, the first book found in the New Testament Bible, wasn’t the only New Testament Book addressing Same-Sex marriage.
Did you know: A Sodomite – is a person who engages in sodomy, typically defined as anal intercourse.
Other New Testament scriptures such as, 1st Corinthians 6:9 and 1st Timothy 1:10 also mention same-sex relationships (predominantly between males). In both of these scriptures the English word first translated as “sodomite,” was originally extracted from the Greek word, ἀρσενοκοίτης (arsenokoites), which described – (a male) who lies with another male as with a female. This same word was later translated into English Bibles as homosexual.
A Homosexual – Is a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of their same sex.
In most Bible Dictionaries the word ar-sen-ok-oy’-tace; (arsenokoites) from G730 and G2845; is defined as a sodomite:
1st Corinthians 6:9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice (sodomy) homosexuality (G730),
Believe it or not, according to the Bible, the little horn was prophesied to become the major catalyst invoking the gay and lesbian sexual revolution. Keep reading and I will explain this further.
Revelation 13:12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.
Verse (14) tells us that Because of the Greek “semeion” (un-natural signs in English) it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth, ordering them to set up an image, “idol,” in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
It was the Bible that revealed, how the abomination of Idolatry, was one of the most egregious sins; yet this particular sin is routinely performed in the Christian Church every day and has been received wholeheartedly by Christian parishioners around the world. This ungodly behavior, according to the Bible, is what directly led to the conduct described in Greek as, “arsenokoites” or in English, “homosexuality.”
Romans 1 verse 25 say’s…
They exchanged the truth of GOD for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the CREATOR, who is blessed forever! Omein.
Creature- an animal or a man. In Greek the word translated as creature was ktisis, it means created thing, this can also refer to a building or an institution.
So, who exactly are, “they” spoken of in Romans chapter one?
“They,” seem to refer to the people of the world. They exchanged the truth about GOD for a falsehood, a lie!
Why would they do this? What is the Bible telling us?
Confirming that these people worshiped and served the creature, (the church, the pastor, and their idols) rather than the CREATOR, they exchanged the truth of GOD for a lie!
Again, according to verse (25)
They worshiped and served the creature rather than the CREATOR, who is blessed forever! Omein.
As we said earlier, “They,” refers to the people of the world. They exchanged the truth for a lie!
Why would they do this? What exactly is the Bible telling us?
What exactly were these created things?
Many believe this scripture is alluding to the people we cherish, such as celebrities, sport players, or musical performers?
Maybe? Yet, Even though you could say celebrities (people) were created, by GOD, it sounds as though this scripture is referring to inanimate objects. Things not made by GOD, but, created by human hands, such as wooden crosses, stained glass, painted pictures and marble statues.
Verse 26 clearly explains..
Because of this, GOD gave them (the people) over to shameful lusts.
Because- is a clause expressing an explanation or reason. The Bible clearly explains the reason people were given over to shameful lust.
It explains why they became prone to this atypical conduct. This brazenly, open worship of idols, an abomination which brought about the very act described as, “shameful lust,” has remained the standard custom in most Christian Churches for centuries!
Described as, “the worship of created things; which celebrities aside; include images of saints, doves, cupid, Mary, Jesus, fish, candles and yes, multiple images of the cross, remain the practice of Christians, in every Christian Church on earth.
Blurred beyond recognition!
Exodus 20:4-6 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them.
It would appear that the very distinctive line once separating male and female, today has been blurred beyond recognition. It would also seem, that currently there is no clear comprehension of male or female? Many powerful groups now challenge history’s definition of gender and it’s role in today’s society. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality; “some people have a gender that blends elements of being a man or a woman, or a gender that is different than either male or female. Some people don’t identify with any gender and some people’s gender changes over time.”
Okay, fine, but as these societal opinions change, does it in anyway change GOD’s Law?
No, it does not! No man has the power to change the Laws of GOD! GOD’s law will remain forever. So, Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. As well as the 2nd commandment which tells us no idols both remain constant, perpetual, enduring, lasting forever.
YEHUWAH’s WORD, HIS LAWS will never change, if you believe the book, then you should have no problem following it’s laws.
According to an article by Peter Smith, A quarter of U.S. congregations in the United Methodist Church have received permission to leave the denomination during a five-year window, which closed (December 2023),authorized departures for congregations were over disputes involving the church’s LGBTQ-related policies.
In (2023), 5,641 congregations received permission from their regional conferences to leave the denomination, according to an unofficial tally by United Methodist News. In total, 7,658 congregations have received permission since 2019.
The vast majority were conservative-leaning churches responding to what they saw as the United Methodists’ failure to enforce bans on same-sex marriage and the ordaining of openly LGBTQ persons.
The Bible Actually Explains Why Idolatry Is At The Center Of Many Of These Disagreements.
Many people aren’t aware why so many rules, instructions and laws were given to men. In the Bible, GOD confirms the result of disobedience, detailing how non-adherence to GOD’s laws, most surely leads to cataclysmic consequences and unnatural results. The Bible also explains how so many unfortunate situations emanate from the practice of sin which inherently manifests into iniquity. It is the Bible that clearly explains how the unholy practice of Idolatry introduced through the Pope, the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant Christianity has reaped horrifying results which continue to reverberate throughout the world today.
Let’s begin with…
False Prophets and False Teachers!
From the Biblia.com, 2nd Peter
2:1, But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
The Bible warned in many scriptures, how listening and adhering to false teachers would increase paganism causing irrevocable damage.
3, And through covetousness shall they with feigned (fabricated) words make merchandise (slaves) of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingered not, and their damnation slumbered not. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.
Covetousness – is an inordinate, excessive, or overwhelming desire to possess something, particularly wealth, material goods, or something that belongs to someone else.
Paul spoke about the twisting and contorting of GOD’s WORD and the under appreciation of HIS grace (forgiveness), by abandoning HIS laws. Romans 6:1, What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
Once you accept Yehoshua, you become a new creature, no longer bound to sin.
So, if Idolatry is sin, why do so many Christian’s continue to engage in it?
Unfortunately, the answer is found within the traditions of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Churches. Idolatry was indelibly woven throughout the foundation of this organization and as Christianity stemmed from Catholicism, it is riddled in this practice as well.
According to Wikipedia, Idolatry is the worship of an idol as though it were a deity.
This again acknowledges images such as the cross, Mary and Jesus. It is an established tradition taught for centuries and remains unchallenged in most capitalist, industrial countries.
Deuteronomy 4:15-18 So pay attention and watch yourselves carefully – for you did not see any form {of GOD} on the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb from the midst of the fire – so that you do not act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved or sculpted image {to worship} in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female.
It was estimated in the U.S. (in 2021), of a population of 332 million, about 63% were Christian (an approximation of roughly 210 million). That’s a lot of people. Proportionately more then half of the American population claim to follow Christianity (as church goers, or righteous people), yet murder, drug abuse, gun violence, sex trafficking, homelessness, poverty and hate rages throughout our streets in victory. None of this deplorable sin, is affected by the actions or prayers emanating from this predominant number of so called godly people.
Why is this?
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sow, this he will also reap. Galatians 6:7
Our Leaders have Failed us!!!
It appears that many of us continue to gather our fruits from a (poisonous) corrupted harvest. One fraught with unrighteousness and lies, not yielding at all to the truth!!!
2nd Peter 2:4 For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. 5 if HE did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly….
The WORDS of GOD remain crystal clear on many issues that we seem to waiver upon. In the end these were not suggestions, but laws, given and set in stone (the commandments) by the ONE TRUE GOD. Don’t get me wrong, it has always been your choice to follow GOD, or not. Believe in HIM, or not!
But, if you choose to reject the truth, with the intention of teaching these lies to others? This is not an option, this is a certain death you have placed upon yourselves as preachers, teachers, leaders and pastors.
Currently some Christian Churches have invited members of the LGBTQ community to commune with Them.
On the Human Rights Campaign website, Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ+ Issues: The Episcopal Church: boasts: With an estimated 2.3 million members, the Episcopal Church is open and welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community. Unlike the Worldwide Anglican Communion, of which it is a part, the Episcopal Church does not condemn homosexuality.
Currently Catholics, (estimated at 1.406 billion) recognize civil unions.
Even Pope Francis, the previous Pope, called for the recognition of civil union laws that would provide legal protection for same-sex couples.
Leviticus 18:22, (KJV) Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind, because it is an abomination.
1st Timothy 1:8-11, Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, en-slavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
Should scriptures such as these be ignored?
Have we as a people outgrown the teachings found within the pages of the Bible?
It would appear that politics and religion forces the simplest words into a complicated tug-of-war. For so many years, the average person has been confounded by attempting to decipher the truth found within the pages, of the ancient text!
Apparently Pope Francis, the Catholic Church, and many Christian followers, support Same-Sex Civil Unions.
As part of this recognition, Pope Francis emphasized that gay and lesbian people are “children of God and have a right to a family,” and that “nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it.”
He made the remarks in a documentary, “Francesco,” about his life and ministry.
The comments stop short of calling for marriage equality but are still likely to bolster movements seeking legal protections for same-sex couples, particularly in predominantly Catholic societies.
Currently, at least 29 countries extend the right to marry same-sex couples, while at least 14 provide civil unions that extend some degree of legal protection to same-sex relationships, ‘” according to an article written by Ryan Thoreson
The Pope Is Balancing On A Very Tight Rope!
In an (AP) article written by Nicole Winfield and David Crary, we gain even more confirmation on how “Pope Francis’, empathetic cries have formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples.
The Vatican have announced, a radical shift in policy which aims at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage.
But while the Vatican statement was heralded by some as a step toward breaking down discrimination in the Catholic Church, some LGBTQ+ advocates warned it underscored the church’s idea that gay couples remain inferior to heterosexual partnerships.
Notwithstanding of man’s fluctuating viewpoint. The instructions in the Bible remain steadfast. Remember the laws in the Bible is what godly people, not church people, continue to follow. Godly people were meant to follow godly instruction, not worldly comprehensions or social norms.
Romans 1:24 reads…
Therefore GOD gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.
This particular scripture, Romans chapter 1 verse 24, has been acknowledged by many Christian ministers and evangelical preachers, who openly rail against homosexuality.
(25) They exchanged the truth of GOD for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the CREATOR, who is blessed forever! Omein.
But how often do they mention Romans 1:25? How often do they acknowledge that it was their own idolatrous worship that contributed to these and other behaviors becoming so interwoven into our current societies.
Let’s return to verses 21 and 23 in the very same book and chapter?
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
Remember, that I told you earlier how in the Bible, it was revealed that homosexuality literally manifested from the practice of idolatry.
Even though people and angels are both created creatures, created by GOD HIMSELF!
This verse may be alluding to things created by man. Things created against GOD’s command and through human defiance!
Revelation 9:20 The rest of mankind who were killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood.
Things such as crosses, and idols literally found on, and in, every Christian Church today. These monuments were created in open defiance of GOD’s law!
This current phenomenon, the practice of idolatry, is a clear violation of GOD’s law and yet this abominable practice continues in every Christian Church around the world!
Let’s continue with verses 26 and 27…
(26) Because of this, GOD gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. (27) In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the penalty for their error.
The Christian Church; Is The Cause Blaming The Effect?
The Truth will always remain constant not because I said so, but because GOD SAID IT IN THE BIBLE!
Owr Bayit Shomer