A Clash of Worldviews - Gay Human Pride & Christian Bible Truth

Jason Collins - Believes having sex with other men is a Christian Value

Jason Collins has spoken with a huge assist by Sports Illustrated and the Media in general. He has announced his coming out as a man raised with Christian Values who prefers a lifestyle of having sex with other men.

Chris Broussard - believes dedication to any particular sin is not supported by Jesus & the Bible

ESPN's Chris Broussard has also spoken with an assist from the Truth. He has announced that being dedicated to a lifestyle that the Bible and Jesus condemns is being in rebellion to God. Here is a portion of his quote as reported by The Christian Post:

• "Personally I don't believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle or an openly premarital sex between heterosexuals. If you're openly living that type of lifestyle, the Bible says you know them by their fruits, it says that's a sin," Broussard said on ESPN Monday. "If you're openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality, adultery, fornication, premarital sex between heterosexuals, whatever it may be. I think that's walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ."
  
  The analyst went on to question Collins' Christianity amid the debate.
  
  "I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I don't think the Bible would characterize them as a Christian," Broussard said.
   

 While Collins has received open support from noteworthy individuals such as President Barak Obama, former President Billl Clinton, Ellen Degeneres and Kobe Bryant, Broussard has received his share of support from others, some not necessarily Christian. Even actress Meredith Baxter-Smith of The Huffington Post began her article "Chris Broussard, ESPN Reporter, Thinks Jason Collins, Gays, Can Be 'Saved' If They 'Ask God For Forgiveness'" with a respectful acknowledgment of Collins words and actions:

• "You have to hand it to Chris Broussard: He's not one to back down in the face of controversy."

Interestingly, ESPN has offered a tepid apology, which was a statement of regret and nothing more. They have yet to take action against Broussard for his comments. There could be a couple of legitimate reasons for that, but for now, ESPN has remained in the background, content to enjoy the ratings attention (oops! Did I let that slip!?).

In the midst of this attention given to Chris Broussard for comments many are referring to as bigoted and intolerant, it should  be remembered that what he has stated thus far is the Truth. He has not stated anything to my knowledge that is not specifically and clearly supported by the Bible. And for the professing Christian, this is ultimately what you base your life on, the written and preserved revelation of God, His Words, Thoughts and Ways to mankind. Without it, position taken on any and all issues of life are nothing more than the thoughts and opinions of men and subject to change with the whims of men.

This Truth is what ultimately got Jesus nailed to a Roman Cross. From the first time he stood to speak in the local synagogue and quote from Isaiah, they tried to end His life. And He warned His Disciples and his followers to come that this World would hate them just as it hated Him first.

So, the turmoil that surrounds Chris Broussard and his speaking the Truth are nothing surprising. It's part of the territory of following Jesus according to what He has revealed to us about Life. Broussard seems to be exhibiting the peace that Jesus promised his Followers who trust in Him in the midst of emotional turmoil. The vital fact that must be remembered is that this turmoil has happened only because the Truth has been faithfully spoken by Chris Broussard, a Truth that did not originate with him, a Truth that is not always welcome by the World.

ESPN, Tolerance, God & Gay Pride - A Salute to Chris Broussard

ESPN's Chris Broussard speaks candidly!

 On the heels of the earth-shaking revelation from NBA player Jason Collins that he is gay, that he prefers to have sex with other men, comes even more eye opening comments from Chris Broussard, ESPN sportscaster / commentator. Broussard, a born again Christian, says that anyone who is dedicated to having sex with other men is "in rebellion against God."

Current NBA Free Agent Jason Collins

This whole episode began with Sports Illustrated's article on Collins' "coming out" earlier in the week, considered by some, including Jason Collins, as the first ever for an active player in professional sports, Martina Navratilova notwithstanding.

I personally offer a salute to Chris Broussard, not for his comments about the lifestyle choice of Jason Collins, but for his straightforward response to this whole episode and not being afraid to articulate, explain and clarify his personal beliefs. Many Christians in this country could learn much from this man, for he has put his job on the  line by speaking up. Whatever happens, I pray that God would continue to bless him and that Broussard would continue the good fight of faith for his Lord. I also pray that Jason Collins would come to know the Lord Jesus in a personal way. Maybe Broussard could help with that , too!

Tolerating Truth in America - The Bible, Jesus & Judging Others in a Plural Society

In this day when it's almost impossible to make a definitive statement about any topic without upsetting a significant demographic, tolerance is the operative word. Any and all statements which tend to draw conclusions not arrived at by cultural consensus is deemed to be worthy of nothing more than being discarded to the trash heap of distasteful dialogue, hate speech and verbal abortion.

Ken Ham - Answers in Genesis

 Into this societal fray steps Ken Ham, Founder of the apologetics ministry, Answers In Genesis. His article about the Bible and Judging others is a fitting tribute to the veracity of the Word of God for our lives as well as a balanced view of the Bible and it's apparent contradictions.

Increasingly, professing Christians that are dedicated to the notion that the Written Word of God is the standard for man to live by are becoming a target for intolerant attitudes and words. Politically speaking, some have even made the lists of those considered by Government as "Terrorists." American Culture is headed forward with the idea that such parameters are, indeed, not needed or wanted by a society whose truth is determined by the individual, as long as it agrees with a predetermined cultural consensus by the powers that be. As a part of this pre-arranged societal standard, the Bible and its clear statements about life are not to be a candidate for inclusion. It has been rejected. And increasingly, so are those who believe it.

God, Marriage, Money & Starbucks Gay Coffee - For Homosexuals Only

I'm not known for getting involved with boycotts of companies that support causes or ideologies that I don't agree with. I consider them a waste of valuable resources better spent elsewhere. But this is different.

At the annual shareholders meeting of Starbucks, the CEO had some interesting financial advice for a shareholder who didn't agree with the corporate stance of Starbucks regarding Traditional Marriage. Please Click Here for the entire story as reported by Forbes and passed on by Joe Miller.

While I will not be officially supporting any attempted boycott of Starbucks by any organization, I will be willing to take the advice of the CEO of Starbucks and spend my coffee money elsewhere. After all, I wouldn't want to think that the buying public frequenting Starbucks might disagree with any philosophy Starbucks would officially endorse.

Take your Coffee Money elsewhere!

 And I definitely wouldn't want to offend their bottom line, knowing that part of it was earned providing a service and product to an unwanted customer, a Traditional Marriage supporter. God forbid!

Christian Worldview - Contemplative Spirituality for the World

In this age of instant everything, any process that promises anything other than instantaneous delivery is looked on with an ample amount of negativity. Waiting is undesirable and, essentially, not an option in the lives of most.

Looking inward and beyond

This fact is becoming more evident in the spiritual activities and desires of many. In the quest to become one with the cosmos and self (considered by many to be one and the same), all things that promise instant spiritual transformation, experiences and and altered reality are considered legitimate prospects for incorporating into daily life.

Contemplative spirituality and it's related practices have become the spirituality of choice for many. The adherents to these disciplines cross denominational, religious, cultural and national barriers, and even include those who have previously warned about them. The proponents specifically point out their applicability to all religious faiths and mindsets.

While many of the tenets sound great, especially to the uninitiated, the true seeker of Truth will find the Bible lacking in its agreement with many, probably most, of its teachings and practices. Of course, to know this requires a certain amount of time in study of the Bible in order to arrive at some basic conclusions, which is a negative for the instant guru at heart.

God's Ways for Man are different than man's way for man.

Rather than seek the mind of God on any subject, many tend to find the mind that agrees with their own mind and ideas. So tenets, practices and teachings that make sense to the common man are chosen to pursue.

So, instead of pursuing and adopting God's Ways and Thoughts for our life, many are putting into practice ways and thoughts that God doesn't agree with. They are, many times, those of their own heart or the Enemy of God, Satan. They usually are in agreement with each other in their opposition to God and his thoughts and ways. Unfortunately, as popular as they are, they ultimately lead to spiritual death. Many are headed down this path.

Christian Worldview - Cowards for Jesus

Modern Christians, in their quest to be salt and light within the cultures of this world, have taken on a quality that never befits their Savior.

The idea that it is necessary for this world to speak well of them has left them afraid to speak the Truth lest they be accused of being hateful, insensitive, judgmental, unloving, etc. Simply put, many of God's people have become cowards.  They have become what Christ would never approve of.

Oh, don't get me wrong. Many have social causes for which they take a stand on. They do this with words and actions. These causes may also have religious terms associated with them, so their duty toward God and the Church is somehow fulfilled in their mind.

But to actually speak and act the Words of Jesus as recorded in the Bible is somehow deemed to be taking Religion and God a little bit too seriously. Only the self-righteous and overly pious person follows such a path. So, reforming this world one community at a time is the preferred method. Preaching the Gospel has somehow taken a back seat to more socially acceptable activities and messages.

The idea that Man is a sinner is negative. The idea that man is powerless to help himself and needs to look beyond himself to remedy his dire situation offends man's dignity. That man is doomed to eternal punishment for his choices against a holy and righteous God and Creator is the myth of ancient, unenlightened ages gone by. The idea that a Holy God would take on the body of a man and accomplish perfection on behalf of mankind and make it possible to be reconciled to God is also offensive to the abilities within mankind to help himself. The belief in the bloody and violent death of this Savior that God requires for mankind to approach God in fellowship is considered to also constitute the vestiges of unenlightened, barbaric man. It is rejected.

Portrait of Modern Christians

So, what are modern Christians left with? One look in the mirror would reveal the same cowardice of the Lion in the Wizard of Oz - afraid to gaze at himself, trembling at the mere thought of thinking a thought, afraid that his actions will not measure up to what others think and expect, running in every other direction than that direction which call for courageous responsibility, duty and action according to the Word of God. I see a whole host of such characters when viewing the mobs that call themselves "Christian."

What a shame!