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“It was the worst of times, Well, here we are – the 15th anniversary of this ministry, almost to the day. With Charles Dickens we can say that those 15 years have seen both the worst of times and the best of times. Our explosive first teaching pack, centred on the AIDS problem and written by myself as editor, proved to be decisive in changing my whole life, in ways I did not expect...and what happened should be a sobre warning to any Christian who thinks it is romantic to fight for the right. The situation is real, and there are real battles. I will not repeat the facts of those earlier years. Suffice to say, being a Christian in the UK is no hassle – unless you want to apply Christian principles, as given in scripture. That can lead to privation, loss of income and church. So, no – being in a battle is certainly not romantic. Yet, fighting on the Lord’s side is a privilege, even if we die. Alongside the fear and the trepidation, comes the courage only God can give. It spurs you on, through your fear and toward God and His reward. Often, the reward is simply the knowledge that He is with you night and day. That is reward enough, though as mere human beings we falter and think of rewards in physical terms. Yes, he will give physical rewards, but these are nothing compared to the reward of knowing God is with us, no matter what. This is all that kept me going for many years, as I fought against the injustices and errors found in our churches. I was not interested in opposing individuals, though that is how they took it. The only time I ever name names is when people have persistently and consistently taught error publicly, and when such error or bad practices lead others in to error. The fight against charismaticism is required of us, for charismaticism is rife and heresy, bringing occultism in to the churches through the back door. Our opposition to reformationism is also required, but for different reasons...the cleansing of the true churches of useless tradition and false doctrinal teaching. The first is against the unsaved masquerading as saved. The second is against the tainting of the Church by sin that has encroached upon us slowly. Throughout the 15 years we have maintained one aim – to present what scripture itself says, rather than the views of men. The task is also simple – to encourage true reformation, not just as an academic exercise looking back to the Reformers, but as a personal and continuing act of the will, mind, heart and spirit. Really, that is the essence of BTM’s work – to help build up the Church by teaching true doctrine and stripping away what is false or useless. There is much useful tradition within our churches, and some of it is peculiar to individual locations. There are many true pastors and many other real members. But, there is also much error, useless tradition and less than pure teaching, sometimes mingling with what is good. This can be easily proven just by sitting in a church and listening, or by asking simply questions of those who attend. We don’t wish to fight our reformed friends. Far from it. Our fight is not against them as people, but against the spirit of falsity that lurks and works its way in to the fabric of church life, weakening its resolve, beliefs and practices. We love the brethren, but not necessarily what they believe or do. In the 15 years from 1985 to now, we have known wonderful times and responses. We have also known heartache as Christians hit out at us without just cause, many of them not understanding why we exist and what we are really doing. They fear change, so they dislike BTM. That folk might better understand our task and heart, we are publishing a new SpiraBook entitled ‘Patchwork Quilt Theology’ in the new year. The book is not exhaustive, but it tells the story behind the work by describing why I founded BTM and what drives me, and others, to speak as we do. Hopefully, readers will find that we are not out to destroy the churches, but to reinforce and encourage continuing reform, so that individual Christians (and therefore their local churches) will grow in spiritual strength in days of dark heresy. Don’t YOU want to be spiritually strong and true? The words above are not much of a celebration, I know. No whoopee. No candles and clapping. No claims to ongoing success or growth. Just honesty. Our hope is that God will enlarge BTM’s work and scope only if He wishes to. We have had a long apprenticeship! He might decide to wind up BTM, in which case we will bow to His will and leave the scene. However, we observe what is going on in this world and wonder if this will occur. God loves His children and will not leave them alone without support or guidance. He works through His appointed ministers and ministries, when they faithfully preach and teach His word. Maybe He will cause others to rise up instead of us. We don’t know. Therefore, until and if that happens, we will continue, regardless of human results. Join with us, then, in supporting the ministry! It is God’s work. In this our 15th year we are looking at ways to expand knowledge of our ministry (see below) and will need volunteers in all parts of the UK. Preaching and teaching ministries are given to individuals whom God has called, but he also gives helping ministries to others, who support and assist in the spreading of the Gospel. We find precedence for this in the letters of Paul, for example. And, when financial help was needed, people in far away lands sent funds to Christians they did not know, thus fulfilling their own ‘ministries of helps’. The worst of times. The best of times. But, always God’s times! At BTM we thank God for both the heartaches and the rewards. All are His to command and will. A Ministry of Helps All Believers are given spiritual gifts. Salvation itself is a gift of God. For our local churches and to enable us all to live in this world, God ordains and gifts men to office – pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so on. These tend to present the whole of God’s word as the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is not just texts concerning personal salvation. Not everyone is called to these offices, which are solely male. But, everyone has a ministry. A ministry is defined in scripture as the actions of those who ‘minister’ to others. Though there are fewer pastors etc., than total church members, all members have a role to play in the wider Church as well as in their own local churches. The purpose of ministry of any kind is “that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1Peter 4:11). The text prior to this says “As every man hath received the gift, (even so) minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Every man. At BTM we sincerely pray that our own ministry is in compliance with scripture: “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” (1 Titus 4:6). What, of yourselves, dear readers? Are you also completing the ministries given to you by God? We hear of many who are unsure of what their ministry is, and they are anxious to find it. If so, please consider this request from us: The task of BTM is to help build up the Church of Jesus Christ by teaching sound doctrine and by fighting error. This we have done for the past 15 years as a public ministry and for over 30 years in our individual lives. However, in days of fast movement of people and information, helpers are needed. That is, we ask you to prayerfully consider fulfilling your own God-given ‘ministry of helps’ by assisting us in our task. “For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.” Stephanus and his entire household were “addicted...to the ministry of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 16:15). And, because they, like us, have received this ministry “we have received mercy, we faint not.” (2 Corinthians 4:1). Why do it? “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12). “...take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” (Colossians 4:17). “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” (2 Titus 4:11). Are you a Luke or a Mark? If you are a long standing reader you will know that this ministry has had its fair share of persecution and attacks. There is no personal glory to be had and no income. Even so, our ministry is vital. Our Publications’ List is growing and we are now acting worldwide on the internet. That is why we now need ministers to assist us in our work – by ‘ministers’ we mean it in the Biblical sense, as those who provide ‘helps’. Of course, those who wish to send donations are welcome to do so (Note that even those with large incomes can be ‘ministers’ by providing much needed capital, buildings, or other substantial resources, or even personal income for a man to engage in full-time ministry. Indeed, it is very likely that God has given large incomes for the purpose of doing this). We want your time, prayerfully committed to the Lord’s work as done through BTM. Unlike the usual ‘job ads’ we cannot say what we need or who should do the tasks. All we can do is present the case for your judgement. This ministry needs to expand, to reach far more folk than it does now. Word of mouth is of immense importance. So is money. But there may also be other ways in which we can reach Christians, so that they might read and use sound doctrine. If you believe you are called to stand by us as fellow ministers in the ministry, then please write and tell us your calling. How can we spread the word of this ministry? It may very well be that God has already chosen some to do this. We know that God has plans and that something is ‘in the air’ right now for BTM. Are you a part of that plan? If no responses are forthcoming, then we will know that this approach is not correct and we shall keep on waiting. These are interesting days! What about placing small A5 size ads in local shop windows, asking if folk want sound doctrinal material? We can supply the number of ads required. Maybe there are other places one can place such ads...libraries, for example? These are all ministries of helps. We leave it to you! (Personally, at the end of last year, I had the strong leading to leave the employment I then had. As it turned out, ‘circumstances’ helped me accept that decision! I joined my present employer knowing that it had to be temporary...but did not know why, or what was to come next. All I knew was, that God was telling me to leave and to be available for a change this year. I cannot tell what that change will be, especially as the year is almost over. But, as with expansion of this ministry, I must wait patiently! To do the ministry full-time is my desire – but time will show me if this is also God’s desire. For anyone led to pray, or to provide resources and/or finance for my proposed full time ministry, there is a special newsletter, giving my summation of the situation and how I believe things are going. It will only be sent out to folk seriously considering providing a ‘ministry of helps’ to BTM, because they believe they have been called of God to do so). Toy Occultism In my place of work we have folk who bring around a variety of sample goods and books, and employees can then place an order. Amongst the latest offerings was something called ‘The Mystical Orb’. Basically, it was nothing but a revamped version of the Ouija board! Round and purple, it had a small window at the bottom and was filled with some kind of murky liquid. Ask it a question, turn it upside down, and small flat plates float to the window to give an answer – yes, no, maybe, not sure: try later, and so on. If you see such a device, remember it is just as deadly as the ouija boards children are now using, a device of evil. Assistance Wanted Wayne Rapley of Consett, Durham, UK, is asking for some assistance and we think his request ought to be given as much support as possible. He has tried to get his local school (which his daughter attends) to stop ‘celebrating’ Halloween. He has approached the headmistress about it and though she claims to be a Christian, she seems blissfully unaware of the way her festivities are putting the children in great danger. To her, the activities are just a bit of fun. If you are a schoolteacher or minister, or anyone with sufficient Biblical knowledge and/or actual experience, and are willing to assist, please do so. Wayne is asking all who wish to help, to write to him personally expressing their Biblical views and urging people to stop taking part in Hallowe’en festivities. He can be contacted through BTM. Hopefully, at least this one head teacher will reconsider what she is doing as a result. Thanks!
The Potter versus Harry Potter I have read with disbelief good reviews by Christians of the Harry Potter stories! These stories, just in case you are unaware, have been a phenomenal success with children especially and the latest book has sold more copies than any other book in the world. The stories are about a boy who attends a school for witchcraft, and they tell children how to conduct a wide variety of occult practices, including seances and ouija board. And children being children, they copy what they read. In the USA there are reports that over 14 million children have asked to join local witch covens, specifically because they have been enthused by the books. They have been drawn softly in to the occult realm, and enjoy the idea of gaining ‘power’ to wield over others. Add to this the now entrenched Halloween festivities and you can see how this generation will be well and truly ensnared by Satan. Many children today are already violent and abusive. I dread to think what is going to happen when they are involved in witchcraft! Friends, don’t let your children take part in Halloween activities. Don’t let them watch TV or video programmes that contain occult material, not even in cartoons. And don’t let them read Harry Potter books. Any of these things can propel them, inadvertently and possibly irreversibly, in to the evil realm of the occult. (The BBC plans to read the entire new novel, non-stop, on radio this Christmas – it will take about 8 hours!). We will produce a full article on the USA and its response to this world-wide phenomenon, for our Publications’ List. Remember – The Potter accepts no other god and no false theologies, even in children’s books! Benny Hinn and Necromancy We have previously reported the bogus ministry of Benny Hinn and his unhealthy regard for the grave of Kathryn Kullman, a ‘spiritual healer’ (‘spiritualist’ is closer to the truth). It has been reported that his regard has become far stronger, as he now visits the grave-side to gain power from her, through being by the grave. This is not just unhealthy; it shows us where he gets his ‘power’ from – demons. It has been said before, that his current fascination and reliance on this dead spiritualist is a definite occult activity – one that he then passes on to his audiences worldwide. As a ‘big name player’ during the Toronto phase he could cause row upon row of people to fall backward, just by waving his hand or coat over them, or by blowing on them. It is rather obvious that God does not play these games, and that Satan is Hinn’s guide and mentor. When will charismatics grow up and see Hinn for what he really is? A Burning Issue We have just gone through another Guy Fawkes Day. Bonfires with resident stuffed dummies lit the land and fireworks lit the sky. Christians and churches joined the festivities, sparklers in hands and baked potatoes in stomachs. But, what of the issue behind this annual national novelty? Perhaps Christians ought to remember! The Queen has once again sold our country to the devil by visiting the Pope and wearing a black dress and veil in deference to the ‘papa’ of the church! ‘Remember, remember, the fifth of November...’? Guy Fawkes was one of a long line of would-be assassins, sent by Roman Catholic overlords to kill a Protestant monarch. They have tried, on and off, for hundreds of years, to murder Protestant kings and queens. We must remember what is behind opposition to the Roman cult, as it plans to overtake us by stealth and deceptive goodwill. Rome does not change. The office of the Inquisitor has not gone away – it has only changed its title! We are moving with incredible speed toward total capitulation to Rome, as the E.C. drives us onward like a great dictatorial vanguard of anti-Christ motives. Read again the front page article of the last Beacon. See how the Roman church is patiently putting priests in every part of the country. Then think again about Guy Fawkes. But, this time, I doubt if Rome will need the treasonous acts of Fawkes. All they need do is wait and keep Romanising the people via Tony and Cherie Blair, prince Charles, the Queen, and even those who claim to be ministers of the church. Another Alpha Critique Cecil Andrews, of Take Heed Ministries, went to hear Nicky Gumbel, author of the Alpha course, when he visited Belfast, UK, to lead an Alpha team. Nationally billed as an opportunity to ‘explore the meaning of life’, it was anything but! Cecil concludes (in an Evangelical Times article), that “This is not God’s ordained way” and “This meeting does not truly evangelise people”. In his final paragraph, Cecil adds, “...the Alpha movement does not present the answer to the meaning of life, because it fails to identify man’s condition before God. Likewise, in the light of Biblical truth, it fails to proclaim the actual Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This is exactly the assessment made by BTM. As such, then, Alpha is not merely off the mark. With God, a ministry is either of and for Him or it is not. Anything that detracts from or distorts scripture and the Gospel, is clearly not of God and does not have His blessing. That is why we can firmly say that Alpha is not of God and must be shunned. I don’t care if a million folk claim to be ‘saved’ by the course – God does not work through heretics to bring about His kingdom! We have reproduced Cecil’s critique as an Outline (O-00107) and on our web-site, if you wish to read it. Abuse Doesn’t Equate! On rare occasions I receive letters of an abusive nature from those who claim to be my brethren. May I say that they are welcome to write and to express their opinion, but that abuse is beyond acceptance. You might reject and oppose something I have to say, but if you cannot say it without being abusive, then it is best to refrain. Why? Because being abusive is not a scriptural or Christian thing to do. Simple as that. One can be truthful and frank without being abusive. And, if necessary, we have to just let a matter drop, rather than become nasty or harsh. Chocolate Soldiers At BTM we unashamedly call on Believers to be soldiers in an active and ongoing battle. Other pastors and teachers say the same thing. But this kind of talk has been given the thumbs down by certain folk in the USA. 31 ‘Christian’ groups signed a statement banning use of words that refer to warfare, such as ‘crusade’, ‘conquer’, and ‘enemy’. So, as Muslims especially use the same kinds of language to urge their members to kill Christians, we are being told by our own fellow Believers (?) to shut up and soft-pedal, in case we offend. What will these people do with texts that use the language of warfare, and references to being soldiers of Christ, etc.? What about the whole armour of God, the sword, and ‘dividing asunder’? What a farce! As the church I pastor is taken through 2 Samuel we have become acutely aware of how tough a man David was, and yet how sensitive and kind. He was a ‘man’s man’, and yet the ‘apple’ of God’s eye. Today, Christians tend to be very foppish expressing a false love that doesn’t hold water. Have YOU Changed? Spencer Cunnah, a Swansea, UK, pastor, asks: “Has the Holy Spirit brought about a lasting change in your character, by reproducing the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ in your life, since you believed upon the Saviour? Have you become unresponsive to the pressures, demands and attractions of your previous, sinful way of life because you have died with Christ? Do you find yourself wanting to serve God now that you are alive to Him, because you have been raised up with the Lord Jesus Christ?” Mr Cunnah adds that “It is evidence of this sort that marks someone who has become a new creation in Christ...” (‘Man in Christ’, Evangelical Magazine of Wales, October 2000). He is right to ask these questions, for around us today we see many who claim salvation, but whose lives have not changed one little bit. Christ must bring a change! With Mr Cunnah I would ask all who claim Christ (including myself), to prove it, by the way we live, speak and act. Jesus Himself said that the proof of loving Him is found in obedience to His commands. Do you obey? Are you proving it? Am I? Really? Finding the Holy Spirit? A lot of people believe R.T. Kendall is a theologian to be avidly read. I don’t think the same way. Kendall advocated and taught the legitimacy of the Toronto Blessing and never recanted. That, alone, is a good reason to be suspicious of his work, no matter how good he might have been prior to the movement. In a new book, ‘The Sensitivity of the Spirit’, he speaks of ‘losing’ the Holy Spirit and then ‘finding’ Him again. But he confuses this with losing and finding Jesus. Jesus Himself told His disciples that He would no longer be with us, but that He would send the Holy Spirit. Kendall’s words are typically charismatic and Arminian. We do not ‘find’ either Jesus or the Holy Spirit – they find us! And we don’t get to know them by looking and ‘doing’...we simply have to live the lives God demands. How contrived and complex folk make things out to be!! Oh Dear – Everything’s Okay! The internet is crammed with information. A lot of it is weird. And that goes for Christian web sites, too! On one site, sponsored by a group of Kansas, USA, churches, there is a section containing material that questions your life if things go well...the theory is that if everything is going well in your Christian life, then you must have ‘overlooked something’! I find this a very negative way to view our Christian lives, and it gives a false picture of the way God provides for His children. How many Christians think that the Christian life must, of necessity, be full of woes and troubles, because if we do not suffer, we must be sinning? If we read scripture we find that the Christian life is to be enjoyed, in the light of God’s presence. God says that He will give us peace and joy (and happiness, too) if we simply obey Him and make Him first in our hearts and minds. When things go ‘wrong’ in our lives or when we cannot understand what is happening (I can relate to that one!), it doesn’t always mean things ARE ‘going wrong’. It might just mean that God is taking us through an experience to purify us; He is testing us to prove our faith. In human terms, maybe, things appear to be ‘going wrong’ – but in God’s eyes, He is preparing us for something far better. Thus, things are actually going RIGHT. So, don’t feel guilty or somehow inferior because things are going okay. God often gives us respite from the troubles of this world, and we know happiness as well as joy. God isn’t a killjoy! Go on – enjoy your life!
Want More? As an experiment we will be sending out The Beacon once a month for six months, starting with the January 2001 edition. Hopefully this will help many who have come to value regular contact with us for doctrinal teaching. Perhaps twice as many Beacons in the year might do it! Obviously, this will double our costs, but we will go with the venture nevertheless...God will provide through His people if this is to be His will! So, let us know what you think – our ministry is called to help build the Body of Christ, the Church. The Beacon exists to introduce Christians to proper Christian thinking founded on a real and practical understanding of what God says in His word. That’s what the news items are all about, for example. In June we will look at the matter again, and if the impact is nil, or our running costs cannot sustain the idea, we will reduce copies back down to one every two months again. Hope this sounds okay to our readers? It’s That Time Again!! Subscription time is here again ! (This applies to hardcopy readers only, not to the web site) As usual we are asking you to fill in the enclosed form, to show us if you wish to remain on our mailing list, or not. To explain to new readers, we do this so that folk don’t receive material they no longer want. This helps to reduce our costs, too. The exercise also helps readers to think again about what is important in their lives - reading BTM publications is not just a mere jaunt through the usual bland stuff – articles are heart-felt and meant. They seek to teach sound doctrine to fellow Believers. And they tend to urge readers to put what they learn in to action, by being challenging and forthright. So, if these things really are important to you, please renew your subscription. Remember that we do not demand donations or gifts – these are left to your own discretion, as the Lord prompts. Obviously, like any ministry, our operating costs must be met, so donations and gifts are very welcome (as are stamps). But if you are unable to offer any, don’t worry – we will send The Beacon anyway, as funds allow. We do not discriminate. (We cannot send to overseas addresses, though, unless costs of postage are met). We hope to welcome you all back again in 2001...and maybe you can introduce us to your friends, or to other contacts and churches, etc! The EEC The EEC (European Economic Union) was foisted on Britain by a Conservative Prime Minister who shamefully duped the people. The EEC slowly became the EC – the European community, with draconian laws over-riding British laws. Now, as things move faster and faster, we are becoming part of the EU – the European union, a massive single country idea with a combined army, money and legal system! In the news recently, it was made clear that Tony Blair is more than willing to sell out Britain’s heritage and sovereignty to a very fickle and dictatorial Romanist Union. And, all the while countries such as France kick Britain in the belly and demand our total submission, France has been foremost in disobeying the laws that it expects us to obey! This month, France will try to browbeat Blair in to giving up Britain’s veto on vital topics. Yet, it is the worst law-breaker in the EU! It has received 89 formal warnings from Brussels for refusing to obey its directives. But France insists that Britain obeys every jot and title of Brussel’s overbearing Emperors. Can’t Blair see what is going on? Germany has had 66 warnings and it, too, is trying to bulldoze Britain in to submission. Italy is not much better. By contrast, Britain has had only 34 warnings. (Frankly, I hope we get many more for refusing to give in to Romanist. Humanist laws!). Thus far, Brussels has issued 1,459 directives, many of which abuse British law and demand total obedience. At least the current Tory party in Britain pledges to halt this slide in to national obscurity as election year looms closer. But, before that time comes, we have the December meetings in Nice, where it looks like Blair will roll over in submission and hand sovereignty on a plate to Rome’s allies, bringing in hefty tax and other changes. The present UK government claims that it will not change its policies. But, as we have already shown, Blair is under the mentorship of Catholic leader, Hans Kung, and is himself close to Rome. Therefore, any idea that he will retain UK tradition and ways is frankly hot air. (For a more detailed examination of the EU position and its Romanist roots, see the Nov/Dec. issue of The Common Salvation, edited and very well-written by Derek Owers. He’s done his homework! Good stuff! He can be contacted through BTM. Kiddy-Com The hype about hi-tech computers tells us that computers are good for kids. But research by educational psychologist Dr Karen Murphy, warns that computers can actually slow down and disrupt learning! So much for Labour’s plan to make every child computer-literate, at a cost to our taxes of £300 million! Basically, the problem arises because computer-screen text is harder to take in than printed matter. Children find computer image text harder to learn and assimilate. It seems that computer text is okay for broad information. but that paper is best for study purposes. I must agree with these findings as I read plenty on a computer screen, but need to print it out on paper before I can deal with it! computers can certainly bring us information faster and from a wider range of sources. But perhaps actual books are still the best way to learn. Blair and Gays Once again Tony Blair has ridden rough-shod over proper means of discussion and law-making, by invoking a little used loop-hole in the law, the Parliament Act, in order to push through the reduction of homosexual sex to age 16. When we see how ministers of the Crown are so sexually deviant and devious, it is no wonder that Parliament is in such a moral mess, and is determined to lead us all down the same path. Many hardened political observers find it incomprehensible that Blair is so intense in his grim determination to make sodomy even more accessible. He has used every trick in the book to get Parliament to bring in softer laws for homosexuals. He tried to bully the House of Lords and then changed the law to make its decisions less effective. Then, he made a gaggle of knights so that the new aristocracy, all Labour, could overturn the peers who dared to oppose him. Now that this has not worked, he simply gets rid of true choice by being what he already is – a dictator. Is he just trying to win the gay vote? That’s exactly what it looks like. Or is it something far more sinister, given his own wife’s legal support for gay activity? Obviously, this means that whenever Labour cannot get its own way, it will invoke this same law to its own ends. Time and again we have warned folk of the true nature of the Labour Party, because for many years it has vowed to get rid of all Christian influence in the country. We find it hard to understand why Christians should vote in a government with such a devastating effect on their own Christian faith! The Parliament Act was introduced as a final arbiter in matters of urgent and extremely important issues. Baroness Young, who led the fight against lowering the age of consent, is angry at the move, for, as she rightly says, the Act was not made for vested interests to vaunt gay rights which are, really, trivial by political nature As a matter of interest, this wicked reduction in the age consent has resulted in an immediate call by gay leaders to reduce it even more to the age of 14! BTM predicted this kind of thing some years ago as we urged all Christians to write to their MP’s to express their concern and outrage! Such a move was rather obvious. The call, made by blatant homosexual Peter Tatchell, was condemned by campaigners who call the new law a ‘charter for paedophiles’ – which is the truth – and shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe refers to the change in law as a “slippery slope...where will it end?” Campaigner Victoria Gillick puts her finger on the right spot when she identifies the real reason for the new law: “All the pressure is coming from adult men and it’s not hard to see why. They want young boys who are not (yet) infected with HIV. The fact is that for homosexual pedophiles, so age of consent is low enough.” We have said it before – and this is echoed by historians – that one major sign of the decline of a country is its acceptance and promotion of homosexuality and other sexual aberrations. God help us all as the present UK government recklessly and willingly drives us all in to areas of evil previously shunned by right thinking people everywhere. Young (but willing) Slaves In a long article (Daily Mail, 2nd December) it was shown how young men are being driven to work extremely long hours in intensely-charged offices in return for high wages, some up to £125,000 a year. The writer concluded that as things start to change, the lower achievers will get sacked, but those left will have to work even harder to maintain their lifestyles, because they will have to chase even less business. He sees this as part of a ‘knowledge-based culture’ in which only those with particular knowledge will succeed and earn massive salaries, whilst the rest are driven lower in their incomes, increasing poverty and opportunities. Scripture refers to all this as greed, sin and a disregard for what is decent and right. As one interviewee on a very high salary commented, “They want your soul, but at least they are prepared to pay for it.” Can a Christian ever morally be part of such a sub-culture? I think not. Infertility isn’t an Illness! As our country goes to the dogs and can hardly pay for legitimate services to the people, we are now getting a call for infertility treatment to be paid for by the NHS – that is, by our taxes! Being unable to have a baby is not the end of the world unless we wish to torture ourselves. It is not an illness. The health service was not developed to give people their every wish - it is there to treat people who are ill. Already, many ‘illegitimate’ items are paid for (and dearly) out of taxes – such as long treatment for gays who have AIDS, smokers who refuse to give up and then have lung damage, sportsmen who are maimed by being foolish, young mothers who have several babies without getting married, and so on. These expenses mean those who really need help don’t get it – the elderly, the poor, and so on. Christians must oppose such waste of resources and must call for moral backbone, because most of these follies are also anti-God. Though he made lots of mistakes (as do we all), Calvin was not afraid to be a political leader! Alternatives Not So Good? Talking about health issues – how many Christians take ‘alternative’ medicines? Doctors have shown that vegetarianism is not healthy, because the diet is not balanced. Yet many Christians think they do well to be vegetarian. When we examine why they reject meat, it is usually for non-Biblical reasons (e.g. it is ‘wrong’ to kill animals to eat them. But, in scripture, we find that animals are on this earth for our disposal and use, including for food). What of alternatives to ordinary medicine? Personally, I have no problem with taking herbs for healing, so long as there is definite proof of their efficacy. But one can become neurotic in an attempt to find some magical potion for an ailment. Lord Winston, a doctor, says that he regularly sees peoplewho take alternative medicines in the belief that they do good. But, he says, they can make their conditions worse, or even fatal. It is true that many alternatives are neither good or bad in effect. That is, they do nothing at all, except in the minds of those who take them. But is this a healthy way to look at medicines? Should Christians take placebos? To take a placebo is to rely on something that has no physical effect whatever. When we get right down to it, it is to convince the mind by deception.
Can I Be an Asylum Seeker, Please? Did you know it costs about £3,700 to keep just one asylum-seeker! And there will soon be 24,000 places. That’s over £39 million a week! That figure does not count the several thousands more staff employed to deal with them, or the cost of extra buildings and running costs. In other words, the exercise is costing Britain billions of pounds. Am I saying that we ought not to accept asylum seekers? More or less, yes I am. Hundreds of them are now on the run according to Home Secretary. Is this because they are genuine, or because they know they have no right to be here? One wonders when it is known that only 28 out of 763 applicants have been shown to be genuine! Many hard-core criminals have entered this country from eastern Europe under the guise of asylum, having led a lucrative and violent mafia-life back in old communist areas. Now they are part of our criminal fraternity – and even UK criminals find them to be more violent and tough than British criminals ever were. Once again, it is our liberal pressure groups that have made all this possible. As for many who are ‘gypsies’ from Europe, they now beg aggressively on our streets whilst being given thousands of pounds in state benefits – benefits often not available or given to UK residents, most of whom have paid taxes and national insurance for years. Churches in a small town in the USA grouped together and brought over several families from the Balkans. Things went well for a few years. Then, they brought over a few more, from other lands. When the numbers grew, so did the amount of taxes paid by the town’s working population. As the numbers grew even more, the town started to experience a rapid rise in crime, much of it violent. This was in a town that had virtually no crime at all up to that point. After just a few years, and due directly to misplaced kindness, the town was in a mess, riddled by crime, mostly initiated by jobless foreign youths who were not content to be given safety from war and who wanted what their American hosts had. The same pattern is now being found in the UK. I am not talking about nationalism, just about common sense. The UK is very small, yet, comparatively, we take the lion’s share of all asylum seekers. The cost to us as tax-payers is phenomenal, and the social costs might be even higher if we are not careful. People enter this country because we are too lax and too generous (to others but not to our own). We need a far tighter policy of control – how can hundreds of seekers just vanish? What are they now up to, without state aid? What about all those criminals who are now enjoying their violently earned incomes? It must be faced and a real Christian response ought to be fostered. As we have said before – nowhere in scripture are we expected to help everyone and anyone. Bring on the Clones Why are governments so devious? Cloning of human beings is rife with moral and other problems. The government says it will hold a ‘free vote’ on the matter – yet it is actually financing persuasion of MP’s through money given to the department of Health!! How can that be ‘free’? Once again, our government is showing its total disregard for the sanctity human life. Cloning is all part of a bigger ‘package’ that includes abortion and euthanasia, and these together form a terrible partnership leading to the ‘mercy’ killing of the elderly, vulnerable disabled children and the very ill. Turning off life-support machines is just one example of this cold and dangerous approach toward human beings – while violent support for animals is rapidly increasing. Here’s a Twist! A handicapped boy has been awarded compensation because his mother was not given an opportunity to abort him! He was, then, compensated for being born. This decision was based on the fact that the boy’s mother had rubella and doctors failed to spot the infection before birth. Therefore, they did not offer her an abortion. The French Public Prosecutor advised that the ruling has now set a ‘dangerous precedent’, opening the door to the killing-off of handicapped foetuses and the taking to court of parents by handicapped children. This disgraceful ruling wil no doubt affect the UK soon. Papal Prayers According to The Universe, 26th November, the pope prays up to eight hours a day. The length of his prayer times reflect the seriousness of what he is praying about, and he can sometimes be found laying prostrate, cross-shape on the floor before an altar topped by a crucifix. He also prays loudly, ‘talking’ to the Christ figure on the cross. Sadly, as an unsaved man, his prayers go nowhere, and God does not hear them. Romanist Thinking RC, Dr Richard Waggett says that “The trouble with focusing all the light of God’s self-revelation in one historical person is that the rest of us are left in darkness.” Obviously, this is bad theology and a complete lack of understanding of the work of Christ and the way God gives each saved person light. Even so, it is another example of the way a Romanist thinks. From this comes the idea of the importance of our own inner lives and how we ‘find’ Jesus inside of ourselves. A denial of salvation by Christ alone! I find such snippets interesting. Let’s All Thank the Pope If I had not read it in The Universe, I might have laughed and thought it was a wind-up. On its letter page was a letter of thanks to the pope...”Isn’t it wonderful what our Holy Father Pope John Paul II has done for us? Not only has he given Our Lady her wish, that Russia should be consecrated to her, but with his blessing, and the blessing of the whole church, he has done even more. He has consecrated the whole world to her. ...Thank you to the Holy Father for...(consecrating the whole world) to the care and protection of Mary. How pleased she must be.” Perhaps we can also thank the pope for making Sir Thomas More, Rome’s envoy in Britain during the reign of Henry 8th, patron of politicians. It’s ironic that a heretic should be front man for some of the most accomplished liars in the land! But will they, too, end up losing their heads (as many deserve to)? Hm. Maybe that’s too much to hope for! (Just in case – that was a bit of tongue in cheek dark humour). Here’s another bit of sad Catholic dogma...The pope, during his outdoor mass recently, said, “Mary is the most holy among creatures; she is a model of holiness for having put her life at the disposition of the Most High...Without doubt and without reservation, she accepted (the conception of Jesus)”. If you care to read those texts concerning the conception, you will not find God asking the permission of Mary – He simply told her what He was going to do! To put it another way – Mary had no choice. Yes, she knew she was privileged and no doubt she lived a life that was good and virtuous. But to make her the most holy person who has ever lived is a fantasy. Who Will Censor the Censors? We can assure readers that unsaved liberalists leave no stone unturned. They will lift any stone and allow the creepy things underneath to crawl out in to society. Film censors have rejected the findings of experts who tell them that hard-core pornography can harm children. (It can also promote paedophilia). By ignoring this advice, they have started to allow very explicit scenes to remain in pornographic videos, which will obviously be found by children when parents are not around. Common sense alone tells us that pornography affects children! It’s about time our censors had their mouths taped and their minds cleaned with carbolic soap! Did You Know? We have many Romanist feast days, such as Christmas and Easter. But did you know that those public holidays for Saints David, Andrew and Patrick, are also Roman Catholic? Now, Rome has raised St George to the status of national saint, even though no-one is sure he actually existed. By hook or by crook, Rome gets its foot in everywhere!! Talking about Catholics... when my wife and I were in Malta, we remember (as readers who have been there will) the old buses! They were rickety and bumpy, some without doors or windows, and torn seats with tape over the tears. Each driver owned his bus and had his own slogan painted on the outside or the inside...names such as ‘Bone Cruncher’ (which turned out to be accurate, as the bus did not seem to have any springs at all!) and ‘On the Way to Heaven’ or even ‘Jesus Saves Me’! Many of them had Catholic icons and pictures, rosaries etc., on the front. And some even had niches above the driver, complete with busts of Mary, lit by fairy-lights. The funniest thing we saw was the girl who crossed herself quickly as she sat down opposite the open doorway with the door missing. Then, she grabbed hold of her friend’s arm tightly, watching the doorway as the driver sped along, full throttle, with passengers hanging on for dear life! On another occasion an elderly lady crossed herself on the way out of the bus, probably grateful that she actually got home in one piece! Funny these things might be – but they are also very sad examples of Romanist superstitions that do not save.
Bible Theology Ministries © November 2000 PO Box 415, SWANSEA SA5 8YH Wales United Kingdom Make a Donation to support the work of Bible Theology Ministries |
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