The only problem I see with this, is that the “inclusive society” the lofty left are wishing to invent, by hook or by crook, is by definition a society which Accepts and Affirms every variety of bias, deviation and illness as completely normal - and in fact they wish to turn these deviations from what most of us regard as “normal” into the “New Enlightened Woke Normal”. Their definition of “inclusive” is a long way off from the Christian one; we are talking about two entirely different things.
There is absolutely no desire to Love people in terms of who they could be, only a desire to encourage them to continue to practice their own varying deviations in the pursuit of personal happiness without any reference at all to an actual external source of truth. As you have aptly stated - it is more important, in their philosophy, to keep one person “happy” than to prevent a nuclear holocaust.
Christianity accepts all people - no matter who you are, where you have been, and what you have done - BUT the truth of the matter is that God will not leave you there, or encourage you to continue to pursue your own desires. You will need to see God the way Jesus saw God, see the world the way Jesus saw the world, and live life the way Jesus lived life. The life of a disciple.
In that, Christianity is exclusively inclusive, and opposed to the New Enlightened Woke Normal, and understandably seen as a threat to be eliminated.
If it is not, it is not true Christianity, but the luke-warm weak tea version that someone once said would be spat out.
I don't think Christianity is inclusive. It essentially must be exclusive. We can love a sinner and not the sin but that doesn't mean we have to tolerate or overlook the sin. That is what the world requires us to do. That how we got to this place where Christianity is pushed out of the public discourse. We listened to people who said abortion, same sex marriage , euthanasia , transgenderism, pornography, addiction is a sickness and all the rest of the world tolerates.
We need to point to allowing God who has done all to make us fit for heaven. But we don't ned to be inclusive or tolerant of sin.
It's what is EXCLUSIVE to Christianity (that Jesus is God; that salvation is through faith alone and this faith is not of ourselves but a gift from God) that makes it the most INCLUSIVE religion.
Inclusive is one of those over used modern words that we use in Special Education ie Inclusivity is the least funded option for children with special needs.
Salvation by faith is available for everyone who believes in Jesus but the modern usage of a word like ‘inclusion’ connotes a kind of cheap grace that is often offered in some churches where the cost of following the Lord is never spelled out. Then you watch the converts fall away as the ministers dance off into fantasyland doctrine.
Preach it James. So many Christians have been martyred over the centuries for the very things you said. They died for what they believed. The thing is, the person who persecutes the Christian, is in the dark and as the Bible says "men love the darkness". Ever since Adam and Eve, mankind has been in rebellion to God and captive to sin, only Jesus can set the captive free. That is why so many resist the love of God. They love their sin more.
Thank you James. A profound message of Biblical truth, hope and life that can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ.
He gives the free gift of redemption and salvation to all who believe and receive Him. The very rock of our salvation - all the rest is nothing but ‘sinking sand.’
To Christianity, I would have to add the Anglosaxon concepts of human liberty and human rights as best expressed by Jefferson: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
This is exactly Christ’s teaching in action. It’s not an addition to it:
Galatians 3:28
‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’
Romans 13:1
‘Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.’
Romans 13:4
‘for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.’
Brilliantly written.
James, as always,
Your gift of insight and the ability to present the Truth with clarity, and candour, is valued and appreciated.
The only problem I see with this, is that the “inclusive society” the lofty left are wishing to invent, by hook or by crook, is by definition a society which Accepts and Affirms every variety of bias, deviation and illness as completely normal - and in fact they wish to turn these deviations from what most of us regard as “normal” into the “New Enlightened Woke Normal”. Their definition of “inclusive” is a long way off from the Christian one; we are talking about two entirely different things.
There is absolutely no desire to Love people in terms of who they could be, only a desire to encourage them to continue to practice their own varying deviations in the pursuit of personal happiness without any reference at all to an actual external source of truth. As you have aptly stated - it is more important, in their philosophy, to keep one person “happy” than to prevent a nuclear holocaust.
Christianity accepts all people - no matter who you are, where you have been, and what you have done - BUT the truth of the matter is that God will not leave you there, or encourage you to continue to pursue your own desires. You will need to see God the way Jesus saw God, see the world the way Jesus saw the world, and live life the way Jesus lived life. The life of a disciple.
In that, Christianity is exclusively inclusive, and opposed to the New Enlightened Woke Normal, and understandably seen as a threat to be eliminated.
If it is not, it is not true Christianity, but the luke-warm weak tea version that someone once said would be spat out.
I don't think Christianity is inclusive. It essentially must be exclusive. We can love a sinner and not the sin but that doesn't mean we have to tolerate or overlook the sin. That is what the world requires us to do. That how we got to this place where Christianity is pushed out of the public discourse. We listened to people who said abortion, same sex marriage , euthanasia , transgenderism, pornography, addiction is a sickness and all the rest of the world tolerates.
We need to point to allowing God who has done all to make us fit for heaven. But we don't ned to be inclusive or tolerant of sin.
It's what is EXCLUSIVE to Christianity (that Jesus is God; that salvation is through faith alone and this faith is not of ourselves but a gift from God) that makes it the most INCLUSIVE religion.
Yes and Amen!
Inclusive is one of those over used modern words that we use in Special Education ie Inclusivity is the least funded option for children with special needs.
Salvation by faith is available for everyone who believes in Jesus but the modern usage of a word like ‘inclusion’ connotes a kind of cheap grace that is often offered in some churches where the cost of following the Lord is never spelled out. Then you watch the converts fall away as the ministers dance off into fantasyland doctrine.
Language is important.
Amen and God bless
Excellent article James. Everything we see on a daily basis shows what happens when nations turn away from the living God.
Thanks Karen. Enjoy your Sunday.
Amen! Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
AMEN!!!
So well said James!
I do love a good Pastor James Sunday sermon -I mean article- to start the day!!
Preach it James. So many Christians have been martyred over the centuries for the very things you said. They died for what they believed. The thing is, the person who persecutes the Christian, is in the dark and as the Bible says "men love the darkness". Ever since Adam and Eve, mankind has been in rebellion to God and captive to sin, only Jesus can set the captive free. That is why so many resist the love of God. They love their sin more.
Very well put!
Thank you James. A profound message of Biblical truth, hope and life that can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ.
He gives the free gift of redemption and salvation to all who believe and receive Him. The very rock of our salvation - all the rest is nothing but ‘sinking sand.’
Well said Sir!
To Christianity, I would have to add the Anglosaxon concepts of human liberty and human rights as best expressed by Jefferson: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
This is exactly Christ’s teaching in action. It’s not an addition to it:
Galatians 3:28
‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’
Romans 13:1
‘Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.’
Romans 13:4
‘for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.’