James Waddell, my co-worker in the ministry, is based for his ‘day job’ in a large centre in Cardiff, Wales. As the Evangelical Alliance was holding a meeting there one day recently, he decided to observe proceedings in his lunch-hour.

Though his visit was only fleeting (a report will be made available later), he said that speakers were referring to pastors as ‘Managing Directors’ and to churches as ‘businesses’. The theme was that business and marketing concepts have to be applied to achieve success i.e. growth.  I have opposed the EA for some years and will continue to do so, because its work does nothing to allay my concerns. 

The EA is irrelevant to our spiritual lives, yet it is influencing many thousands. As such it might have a big part to play in the coming One World religion. If nothing else, it is taking people away from real Biblical Christianity and true doctrine.

Following horrendous attacks by a local violent criminal upon the Waddell family when they lived in East Sussex, England, they wondered how best to protect themselves.

One son decided to join a local karate club. At the time I gave my view. The son did well and was very good at it. He continued his classes when the family moved back to Wales and was not far from attained Blue Belt status in kata and medals in sparring.

James Waddell also began classes, but this time for recreational purposes. Then, a short while ago, James called me and we chatted about karate. At first the family had gone along with karate because it wanted a measure of physical protection. But, James began to realise by attending the classes himself that perhaps it was not a right thing to do.

He spoke to Mike, a member of our church, and a former Judo Black Belt, who told him what the various symbols and actions really meant. After our chat, James told his son that he wanted him to stop his classes. He complied immediately. Then, with a maturity not often seen in adults, this young lad of his own volition destroyed all his certificates, his medals, and his karate suit and belt. He did not wish to be tarnished by even the smallest symbols of karate.

This is one of the basic problems a pastor has to face. I can tell a person something is wrong, but until his heart is changed toward what is wrong, nothing will happen. Yes, I could have forced the family to comply, but if the desire is still in the heart, the problem will remain. Well, the Holy Spirit evidently spoke to James and then to his son! I believe that the family will now start to be further blessed for their obedience.

(Note: Karate is based on eastern cultism and religion. Most classes are ‘presided over’ by small statues of Buddha. When a karate student bows to his teacher, it symbolises submission to the spirit of the dojo (training room) to teach me. In classes, shoes are not worn because, in Buddhist terms, the ground is ‘holy’ and consecrated to Buddha.

Two other co-workers in this ministry, husband and wife team, Natasha and Paul Sharples, are developing our second web site. It will simply be called www.bibletheologyministries.com and it will exist to offer only Bible studies and Bible courses. We will bluntly bill it as the only real alternative to the Alpha course. (More news closer to launch date).

For reasons known only to God we have hitherto been convicted to be very quiet about our ministry. But now we are being led by God to broaden our sphere of influence. Perhaps this is a response to the fast and pervasive apostasy that is covering our churches like a shroud. Whatever God’s reason is, we will simply do what He says.

We hope that the site will be available very soon and will contact as many Bible colleges as we can, offering the material on CD’s, including those who disagree with our teaching. The material will be offered as a challenge, even if it is used by them as an example of ‘wrong’ theology. In this way, true doctrine will be in the libraries of genuine schools of theology as well as in schools that are distant from the Lord. It is possible that at least some of their students will hearken to God’s word, so the exercise is well worth it.

The site will also be very useful to individuals who are bed-bound or who otherwise are unable to attend church teaching meetings. As each study contains the full AV Bible text, the site can also be used by gatherings that do not have a pastor.

I hope, too, to prepare material aimed at teaching men about the pastorate and about Biblical thinking, so that they may understand what their role is and what a local church is. We pray that as the ministry thus expands to provide God’s word to a hungry and needy people, so God will move Christians to fulfil the means to do it, for we have now reached the limits of our personal finances. Amen.

Our computer problems continue, so this Beacon has been written on the ‘wrong’ computer (which has a ‘wonky’ keyboard that misses out letters!) The content will be transferred to another computer, which is attached to the correct printer. It all takes time and is frustrating, but at least it will reach you! I hope that the final Beacon for this year will be produced on the ‘real’ computer and will reach you in time, before Christmas. This is important because next year we intend placing small advertisements in the press. The November Beacon might also contain photo’s of the BTM team – it is much easier to pray for people you can see! No promises, though!

My doctor has advised me to exercise and to lose a bit of weight, because my blood pressure has risen. He echoes the stern warnings given to me by my fellow church members, who believe I should not be stuck behind a computer for every waking hour, even if it is for the furtherance of the ministry. I am taking the combined hints! However, it is difficult to exercise and yet complete the demands of this ministry…perhaps I will try to buy another bicycle. Walking is another option. And it is hard to eat properly when, on working days, I leave home at 6.30 am and return at 8.30 pm! I still have to work that one out and yet not go over our food budget.

Health is important if a man is to minister, so prayers are welcome, if you are led to support us in this way.

There are a number of dementias – about 50 or more. The two kinds most folk will come in to contact with are Alzheimers (the most prevalent type) and Vascular (which can be very confusing because of periods of lucidity). Nearly every family has had, or now has, a member who has one of the dementias. As a specialist in the dementias, I can offer advice to families, on anything from symptoms to nursing home or own-home care. Feel free to contact me if you wish, and share the burden…no need to be alone!

It looks as though school law will soon be used to introduce homosexuality not just to schools but also to other areas of work. This is to be found in the ‘General Principles’ section of the General Teaching Council for Wales’ Draft Professional Code.

Just two words in the code (which will become law unless it is opposed strongly) will give an excuse for training colleges to refuse entry to teacher training courses for those who oppose homosexuality, and give reasons for schools to sack teachers who refuse to teach it. Barristers believe that, if adopted, this law will affect all areas of work, making homosexuality a favoured act of immorality, protected by law.

Under the guise of human rights, that are currently being used to bring in all kinds of immorality and sinful practices, comes the section that says teachers must:

“…respect the rights and needs of pupils, colleagues and others with whom they come into professional contact having regard to gender, ethnicity, age, religion, special needs, sexual orientation and linguistic background.”

My own position is very clear – I respect all men and children as people, but I will not respect any beliefs or actions they may have that are against God or His word. No court on earth can force me to accept them. And if I was still a schoolteacher I would probably be one of the first to test the new law and get sacked!

Sexual orientation has no place in school law. We are talking about immorality and practices that are unnatural and appalling. ‘Sexual orientation’ is another term for ‘sexual impropriety’ and it can include any form of immorality from homosexuality to bestiality and necrophilia! There is no way we can uphold this part of proposed law! It makes me wonder just who is responsible for framing these laws, because they have no moral code to live by and think nothing of promoting such sick practices amongst our children.

‘Sexual orientation’ is a term brought in by pro-homosexuals. In natural sexuality such a term has no meaning. By ‘orientation’ homosexuals and others mean a habit formed by ignoring proper taboos and doing things that are not good or useful. We can only assume that those who try to bring in these laws are themselves tainted by the same evil lusts. Otherwise, why should people supposedly concerned for the welfare of young people want them to enter in to the dark and dirty world of homosexual behaviour, with all its linked diseases, risk of suicides, etc? It just does not make sense!

It has been claimed by pro-homosexuals that the amendment to the law is necessary to combat ‘homophobic bullying’. Yet, not one case has been cited and cannot be found.

Such bullying has been invented by supporters of perversion for their own ends. Ironically the exact same area of interest has been used by homosexuals who want to adopt children…only they claim that there is no bullying! They say this to show that a child adopted by homosexuals will not be bullied at school. So, at the same time, these groups are claiming bullying exists and yet it does not!! They can’t have it both ways.

This law is abusive and is not needed. Schools already have systems in place to deal with bullying of any kind. There is no need to make an exception for homosexuality. Be assured that if this becomes law, homosexuals will use it fully to get teachers sacked if they refuse to accept homosexual behaviour or teach it as ‘normal’. They will also put pressure on training colleges to refuse entry to any Christian who cannot accept homosexuality. And they will make sure that the legal implications are used as precedent in other areas of employment.

This is Sodom revisited and re-invented! Once the evil of homosexuality is fully integrated in to law, what other perversions will be promoted and protected by law? Moves have been afoot for many years to make paedophilia acceptable in law. After that will come bestiality, and all the other dirty little sexual habits men and women concoct for themselves with no regard for the consequences.

Whether you are a teacher or not, please oppose this proposed law. For more details send to the Christian Institute, 26 Jesmond Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PQ

When I used to attend traditional churches I was influenced by the many preachers who defined the ‘fear of God’ as the ‘love of God’. It is only since I have been a pastor and have searched scripture without the fetters of tradition, that I have come to see a very different story!

In scripture, to ‘fear God’ is to be very afraid, literally. It is to be terrified of what Almighty God can do to human beings who continue to offend Him. It means to fear physical, mental and spiritual punishments from God. Even Christians can be subject to God’s punishments. So, don’t confuse God’s love with His wrath!

These facts come out time and again, and have been reinforced by our own studies over the past year in the Epistles of John, etc. Right now we are tackling The Revelation and, right from the start, Jesus Christ warns the pastors of seven churches about their behaviour. What has struck us as a local church is how most of the pastors Jesus warns appear to be upright and holy men! Even so, Christ tells them that He has something against them and, despite their overall holiness, He will visit them in anger if they persist in their ways. Yet, when we read about them we ask what is wrong!

Sadly, we are all complacent in our religious ways. We accept too easily what is sin, and so cannot recognise it when it arises. Often, sinful practices and beliefs are so enshrined in churches we are shocked if anyone points them out as sins.

Look at Revelation and see an example of a pastor whose life would be called ‘sound’ by us today – yet Christ condemns him because he has lost his first love! Christ warns him that if he does not regain it, the church he pastors will be removed entirely. As our church agreed not so long ago, the description of that pastor can be applied to many who call themselves ‘Calvinistic’ or ‘reformed’, for these folk are usually judged by others as having no love, though their desire to be holy and doctrinally correct can be second to none.

We must, as Believers, fear God. In the past He has come down hard on His people, even to the point of death and destruction. He will not hold back today, especially in the face of growing apostasy. It is my opinion that the worst possible judgement God can place upon a church or individual, is to remove His holy presence. This He is now doing amongst charismatic churches, which are devoid of truth and holiness.

Yes, God can, even today, bring physical disaster upon His people, but He also removes His presence. When that happens there is no way of return unless God specifically calls them to repentance after He withdraws from them. Let us all look to ourselves in these dire days and root out what is not acceptable to God. He demands total obedience and holiness. Let us remember!

In order to help Christians who start up new local churches (usually because the ones they attended have slipped in to apostasy), we will be starting a new section on our web site to help. We want to show these people what they might do. We know from experience about those deep feelings of trepidation, the anxieties, the new heart needed, the pitfalls, and so on. If any readers have started, or are part of, such new churches, whether just a handful attend, or if you meet in a house, why not help others, simply by being honest?

We know that some of you are in this position, just as we are. So why not offer a report, telling it ‘as it is’? What we want is total honesty and humility, without that jarring ‘triumphalism’ so often found in reports of church activity.

If you wish to offer a report, we can assist with suggestions as to content if needed. God bless.

We will include our conclusions on Islam and violence in the next Beacon, based on what we have received from Muslims on our web site.

Without doubt we have to live alongside Muslims, many of whom are peaceful. We also have to be true to God. The conclusions, hopefully, will help toward this end.

Bible Theology Ministries

© October 2001

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