Truth Compromised is Still a Lie

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Chaplain Dan

“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” Gal. 4:16

By David W. Daniels

We hear a lot about Christians “engaging in dialogue” with other groups and religions: Muslims, homosexuals, Catholics, etc. But should a Bible-believer do this? What is this “dialogue” everybody wants us to “engage” in?

When we take a closer look, what they want is not really dialogue —it’s dialectic, a very old Jesuit principle.

Dialectic involves three aspects: thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. These sound complex, but “thesis” and “antithesis” are simply names for two opposites. “Synthesis” is a word for the compromise people reach in order to come to some form of agreement.

Here’s the problem: what if the thesis happens to be the truth? If one side is the truth, then the other side —antithesis— has to be a lie. But what is the synthesis? Any compromise between truth and a lie is also a lie. So, actually, if you talk about which side wins, the lie wins out, because a lie is always a lie. It never becomes the truth. Truth compromised is still a lie.

But before the eyes of God, everyone loses in this kind of dialogue, or dialectic. What we need is truth, not compromise. We need to persuade the other side to the truth of our side. Then everybody wins and there’s no compromise.

Look at the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They’re standing up there by themselves, because everybody else is fallen down on their faces in front of this giant idol. So the king calls them out by name and says in effect, “Didn’t you hear my decree? I don’t care who you are; when you hear the music, you fall down just like everybody else!”

The three could have said, “You know, we could just bow our heads down. That’ll be good enough.” But then they would be just as bad as everybody else. They might as well be on their faces in front of the idol. Tilting your head is still compromise. It’s still not what God commanded in His word. Instead, they said, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not… we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).

Thesis stayed thesis, and antithesis stayed antithesis. There was no synthesis. In fact, the king in his fury commanded them to heat the fiery furnace seven times hotter, so hot that his mightiest men, who threw them in, died of their burns.

But God protected those three. And even if He hadn’t, they just would’ve gone to meet Him. But this time He came to meet them! And when they came out they didn’t even have the smell of fire —or the stink of idolatry on them. They stayed with their thesis. They had no guilt of compromise. For them there was no synthesis.

It didn’t matter whether they were afraid or not, because that was not the point. It didn’t matter. What mattered was their refusal to compromise. And God completely honored it.

This is why dialogue will never work when you have the truth. Dialogue only works with two people who don’t have the truth. One lie synthesized into another lie comes up with a compromise lie.

We must stand firm and persuade others of the truth of God’s words and doctrines. We must never compromise God’s truth with the Devil’s —or man’s— lies.

www.chick.com

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Five Duties as a Christian Citizen

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Chaplain Dan

Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers… Exodus 18:21

Dear Praying Friends,

Dr. Bill and Vonette Bright founded Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru) in 1951. The world’s largest Christian ministry with operations in 190 countries has led millions to Jesus Christ. Dr. Bright died in 2003. In the early 90s, the Brights were led to focus their energies on America. Dr. Bright spent his last years calling American Christians to prayer, fasting and active citizenship. In Your 5 Duties as a Christian Citizen, he wrote:

Citizenship in a free country is a blessing from God. Our great system…assures every Christian a voice in the affairs of the nation, and enables us to bring a heavenly perspective to the earthly realm. God wants us to do His will in government, just as in the church and in the home.

But too often we have disobeyed our Lord… As a result, the moral fiber of America is rotting away – and our priceless freedom is in grave jeopardy… America is faced with the greatest crisis in its history. We are in danger of losing our nation by default, and with it our individual freedoms and possibly our very lives.

If that should happen, our opportunity to help fulfill the Great Commission throughout… the world will also be lost… America is one of the last strongholds of freedom on earth – and citizens who are dedicated to God are the only resource for the preservation of our freedoms, including the freedom to serve Him… [Even a small percentage of us can be used by God to set this nation on a new course of righteousness for His glory.

Charles Finney, who helped introduce half a million Americans to Christ, wrote in 1835: “Politics are a part of religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as part of their duty to God. God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.”

Your Christian Citizen Checklist

With so much at stake in our nation, honestly answer these questions about your role:

1. Do I pray faithfully for a spiritual revival to sweep America?

2. Am I registered to vote? Do I encourage other Christians to register?

3. Am I making a serious effort, along with my Christian friends, to become informed about the candidates and issues?

4. Am I actively involved in helping to select and elect godly candidates to office?

5. Do I vote in every election for the best candidates, regardless of party?…

In 1832, founding father Noah Webster warned young people that the preservation of our government depends on their choosing righteous leaders…

God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty…If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer laws” (I urge you to download the entire document: Your 5 Duties as a Christian Citizen, 2008; More valuable helps at iVoteValues.org).

With the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate out for Easter recess, returning on Monday April 16th, we will also have time to worship God and celebrate the resurrection. Nevertheless, primaries and caucuses are scheduled and now is a good time to pray for the candidates.

Elections: Most experts believe the Republican nominee will be determined this month. Mitt Romney is the front runner; Rick Santorum is in second place, Newt Gingrich 3rd and Ron Paul 4th. President Obama is the Democratic nominee. Each has indicated his intention to stay in the race until the convention in August. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) says he may not commit his vote to the ultimate GOP candidate and may consider a third-party candidacy.

Moses’ qualifications for civil leaders have no superior today. Exodus 18:21 calls for leaders who demonstrate: 1) ability; 2) genuine fear of God; 3) love for the truth; and 4) a hatred for covetousness. (See News: Obama, Paul, Santorum, Romney, Gingrich, Delegate Count, Barna Poll).

  • Please pray daily that the candidate best meeting God’s qualifications will be elected! (Ex 18:21; Dt 17:15; 2 Sam 23:3-4; Ps 75: all, esp. 6-7)

Obama & Medvedev – A private discussion between Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and President Obama overheard at their meeting in Korea shocked America. Obama said to Medvedev: “[A]ll these issues… but particularly missile defense, this can be solved – but it’s important for [Vladimir Putin] to give me space… This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.” Medvedev nodded. “I understand,” he said. “I will transmit this information to Vladimir.” This leads Americans to wonder what other ambitions President Obama feels free to be more flexible about if reelected (see Obama Does some Seoul Searching, Doctrine Revealed).

  • Pray that Americans will be astute to consider the matters God exposes around and about the candidates between now and November. May He protect our nation! (Lev 25:18-19; Dt 4:5-6; 8:11-20; 2 Chr 7:14; Pr 14:34; Ps 33:16-22; 1 Cor 2:15)

White House/HHS Health Care Mandate – Obamacare and its attendant rules (inc. abortion, contraceptives, sterilization and abortifacient drugs) represent the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade, and at taxpayer expense. Moreover, their unconstitutional violation of religious conscience and liberty is intolerable. The rules also expose the fundamental dishonesty of President Obama’s two-year-old executive order promising that the law would exclude abortion. There are also new rules requiring secrecy by insurers about the $1 monthly abortion surcharge required of insurance customers. These are not only a violation of religious liberty but of fundamental consumer rights. Whatever the Supreme Court decides, Christians must act to insure that Congress excises abortion and violence against religion from this and all laws (First Priority, Dishonest).

  • May the High Court reject Obamacare in its entirety; if not, may the people do so through their elected Congressional Representatives! (Gen 1:22, 28; Ex 3:7-10; Dt 16:18-20; 1 Sam 8:6-22; Jdg 20:7-11; Is 10:1 ff)

Same Sex Marriage – Efforts are underway in Maryland and Washington state to gather signatures on petitions to put same-sex “marriage” on the ballot in November. Legislatures in both states voted to legalize same-sex “marriages” earlier this year. In 2009, Maine’s legislature enacted a law to allow same-sex “marriage” there. Voters vetoed the law via a ballot initiative, and in 2010, voted to give Republicans control of the legislature. Homosexual activists are now trying to use the referendum process to win same-sex “marriage” again! Minnesota and North Carolina will vote in November on marriage amendments to keep marriage between a man and woman. Unfortunately, reports are that Congress is backing away from marriage-preserving measures (Maryland, Congress, States).

  • May God move the people to protect marriage as he created it, both by law and by constitutional amendment in these states! (Gen 1:27; 5:2; Is 26:4-8; Mt 19:4-6; Heb 13:4; Jude 3, 7)

My prayer is that you will be filled with the fullness of God as you celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ this Sunday. May each of us realize that we serve a risen Lord who is able to save individual lives, families and nations! May we and our countrymen rush to return wholeheartedly to Him! Thank you for praying!

Sincerely,

Rev. Pierre Bynum
National Prayer Director
Email: pbynum@frc.org

Family Research Council
801 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-2100
Fax: 202-393-2134
Web: www.frc.org

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Light Faced Off with Darkness in the Hole

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Chaplain Dan

Kenny* looks like the demon of your nightmares.  He has horns tattooed on his forehead , the faces of demons on his arms and a ghoulish thing on his neck.  He looked at me with a sadistic sneer that said, “I’m going to make you entertain me.”  As he showed me his fists, I read one letter off each finger to spell, F### You.  As the heavy door slammed and automatically locked behind him, his gangster friends formed a semicircle around me.  I looked at the thick concrete walls surrounding us.  There was nowhere to run.

Light faced off with utter darkness, as I smiled, handed them Gideon New Testaments and said, “This is for you, glad you are here.”  We were in “The Hole” of Supermax, a high security jail in Los Angeles.  These guys had nothing to lose.  They had already been sentenced for violent crimes, and they were resenting the day they would be chained up like dogs and hauled to prison.  They were full of anger and rage.  I was thrilled to be God’s tool in the fight.

We read about the fury of God’s wrath on those who oppose Jesus Christ.  I shared God’s love and mercy for those who accept God’s grace and forgiveness.  I told Kenny to repent, make Jesus the boss of his life and bring glory to God.  I told him, “Satan may have written his name all over your body, but God still wants to write His name on your heart.”  His attitude changed as the Word of God cut through his pride and pierced his soul.

He kept the Bible and began reading it on his own.  A month later we met again, and he shared how he was praying, and God was changing him.  He read to me from Psalm 19, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.“

Light and love can conquer the darkness …  Kenny had been committed to serving Satan and wanted the world to know it.  He had tattooed his vile ambitions all over his body.  But, now, God is changing his heart.  Kenny is being transformed, from a scoffer who despised the commands of God, into an obedient servant who treasures God’s Word.

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:57)

*Name changed for security purposes.

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Are Conservatives Truly Conservative?

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Chaplain Dan

An election-year challenge by SaveCalifornia.com President Randy Thomasson
SaveCalifornia.com and our national arm, SaveAmerica.com, provides the following solely for educational purposes and does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

(This letter is a good discussion about the process of discerning who to vote for.)

Dear Daniel,

I was concerned earlier this year when Mitt Romney beat Newt Gingrich in Florida. No, it wasn’t because Romney won or Gingrich lost. It was because so-called conservatives were hypocrites about their “conservative” values.

In the January 31 Florida exit poll of 2,835 Republicans who had just voted, 33% of the respondents identified themselves as “very conservative” and an additional 36% identified as “somewhat conservative.” Yet only 14% said the most important candidate quality is that he is a “true conservative.” Do the math — only 1 of 5 self-proclaimed conservatives prioritized voting conservative!

And I’m concerned about another thing. Some self-proclaimed moral conservatives don’t like our evidence-based Report Card on the Natural Family because they are either already loyal to a candidate or don’t apparently have moral standards for public policies when they vote.

Let me challenge the naysayers with the words of Jesus Christ, who, in Mark 7, described a list of sins, including “pride/arrogance” and “foolishness”:

And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” (Mark 7:20-23 NASB)

Note how Jesus listed pride (or arrogance) and foolishness as sins, not mistakes. How are these sinful behaviors expressed in our lives?

Arrogance is claiming you know something you don’t, or saying someone doesn’t know what they do.

Foolishness is just the opposite, claiming you don’t know something when you should know better.

I have been arrogant at times and foolish more times. And for that, I need to confess, repent, and ask forgiveness from God in Jesus’ name. How about you?

But please, don’t be prideful or arrogant – or foolish — in this year’s presidential race.

Don’t think you know how the candidate stands on moral and family values without first seeing our unbiased and documented Report Card on the Natural Family.

And don’t be foolish by claiming you didn’t know or didn’t have the time to know. Voting in the dark is like swinging a sword in a dark room full of people. Someone’s going to get hurt.

That’s why a principled Christian and former California assemblyman is glad we’re turning on the light:

“Randy Thomasson and his organizations SaveCalifornia.com and SaveAmerica.com are doing everyone in the nation a Godly service by providing the unadulterated and clear and documented evidence of the actual public policy positions of the Republican candidates on family values,” said Steve Baldwin, former California state assemblyman (1994-2000) and former executive director of the Council on National Policy (2001-2009).

“While not all candidates tell the truth, the Report Card on the Natural Family certainly does. Randy and his team are helping many people discern between truth and lies, between facts and hearsay on where the candidates really stand on these important issues for the future of our culture.”

TAKE ACTION: Please make humility and wisdom a priority for America’s sake. See and share our presidential Report Card on the Natural Family

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
Jesus Christ in John 7:24 (NKJV)

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