The American Attack on Christians Reaches an All-Time Low - Michael Brown

The American Attack on Christians Reaches an All-Time Low

 4/27/2015 MICHAEL BROWN  charisma magazine

The owners of Sweet Cakes were fined for not wanting to cater a same-sex wedding. (Courtesy/Samaritans Purse)

The recent events surrounding the court case against a Christian-owned bakery in Oregon are so surreal that they almost defy imagination.

The case itself has been well publicized.

In 2013, the owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, Aaron and Melissa Klein, politely declined to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple, as a result of which they were taken to court and charged with discrimination based on sexual orientation.

On Friday, Oregon's Bureau of Labor recommended that the Kleins be fined a total of $135,000 to compensate "for the emotional suffering they [the lesbian couple] experienced."

Seriously?

Because a Christian couple cannot, in good conscience, bake a wedding cake for a homosexual couple, they are fined $135,000?

Let that sink in: $135,000 for not baking a cake.

What if Orthodox Jewish wedding photographers declined a job because it was on the Sabbath?

What if Muslim caterers declined a job because it required pork?

Would they be taken to court and fined?

What if Christian videographers declined a job because it required them to shoot a porn scene for a movie?

Would they be fined?

Yet these Christian bakers have not just been fined, they have been fined a ridiculous amount.

Really now, what kind of "emotional suffering" did the lesbian couple endure?

The women listed a total of 178 symptoms of their suffering—not 7 or 8 or even 17 or 18, but 178 symptoms—90 from one and 88 from the other.

As reported by Kelsey Harkness, "Examples of symptoms include 'acute loss of confidence,' 'doubt,' 'excessive sleep,' 'felt mentally raped, dirty and shameful,' 'high blood pressure,' 'impaired digestion,' 'loss of appetite,' 'migraine headaches,' 'pale and sick at home after work,' 'resumption of smoking habit,' 'shock,' 'stunned,' 'surprise,' 'uncertainty,' 'weight gain' and 'worry.'"

All this—and much, much more—simply because a Christian bakery said, "It's contrary to our religious beliefs to participate in a same-sex wedding ceremony."

Is it possible that these women were not exaggerating?

Yes it is.

But that doesn't mean that the Kleins should be fined $135,000. Instead, it means we should question the overall emotional stability of these two lesbians since it is almost impossible to believe that they really suffered all this simply because a Christian company said they could not participate in a lesbian "wedding."

Since coming to faith in Jesus as a Jewish teenager in 1971, I have often experienced rejection from the Jewish community. For example, a Jewish bookstore wouldn't sell books to my school, a Jewish educational service changed their phone numbers to shut me out once I subscribed to their phone-based teaching sessions, a religious Jewish man spat on my face while we talked on the train one day, also hurling my Hebrew Bible in anger, while others have simply turned their backs on me when I tried to address them.

So what?

We all get rejected and we all have people who don't like us and we sure don't come up with lists of 178 examples of our trauma when someone expresses their polite disagreement with something important to us.

Let's also remember that, before the courts ever ruled on the Kleins' case, the vicious, gay activist attack against them forced them to close their business, which means that the fine now levied against them would have to come out of whatever personal funds they have.

As Aaron Klein said, "The state is now saying that we can award damages above and beyond what you have already suffered ... and they have no qualms about doing this. It is really showing the state is taking a stance on absolutely obliterating somebody that takes a different stance than the state has."

What kind of totalitarianism is this? And how could this lesbian couple possibly think they were entitled to $135,000 in compensation, blaming this litany of 188 symptoms of emotional suffering on the Kleins?

This is beyond ludicrous.

But it gets worse and even more ludicrous.

On Friday, shortly after the fine was announced, an account for the Kleins was set up on GoFundMe, and in about 8 hours, more than $109,000 was raised for them. And then suddenly the page was taken down.

What happened?

According to Jay Richards, "A competitor of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, Lisa Watson of Cupcake Jones, contacted GoFundMe to alert the crowd-funding company that the Kleins had violated the terms of service," as a result of which they disabled the campaign.

This is what Watson wrote to GoFundMe: "This business has been found GUILTY OF DISCRIMINATION and is being allowed to fundraise to pay their penalty. The gofundme terms of service address hate speech, bigotry, criminal activity and sexism among other things in their campaign ... The amount of money they have raised in a matter of a few hours by thousands of anonymous cowards is disgusting."

What a ridiculous complaint, especially in its accusation that it was "anonymous cowards" who came forward to help the Kleins, deeming their actions "disgusting."

So today, you can't even stand with other Christians without being lambasted in the ugliest terms.

This is utterly appalling.

But it is even more appalling that GoFundMe agreed with her complaint and shut down the campaign, claiming that because Sweet Cakes had been found guilty by the court, raising funds for them would violate the GoFundMe terms of services. (Others have already pointed out that GoFundMe is being completely inconsistent in their actions here.)

Thankfully, Franklin Graham stepped forward and continued the campaign for the Kleins on his Samaritan's Purse website.

But this whole episode exposes the moral bankruptcy of the contemporary attack on Bible-believing Christians, first, with the state requiring the Kleins to violate their religious beliefs, second, by blaming them for a ridiculous list of traumas, third, by fining them such an exorbitant amount of money, and fourth, by shutting down the caring campaign meant to help them.

Church of America, wake up.

These are truly urgent times.

Michael Brown is the author of 25 books, including Can You Be Gay and Christian? and host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show "The Line of Fire." He is also president of FIRE School of Ministry and director of the Coalition of Conscience.

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I Will Not Sell My Soul for 'Success' - Dr. Michael Brown

I Will Not Sell My Soul for 'Success'

2/10/2015 MICHAEL BROWN  CHARISMA NEWS

Dr. Michael Brown

I absolutely believe in the glorious, overwhelming success of the gospel, but I will not sell my soul or compromise my convictions for the sake of carnal "success."

I encourage you to stand strong in your resolve as well. It's better to be scorned by this world than to lose your integrity.

Recently, a young pastor wrote to me with a heavy heart.

He had been invited to a closed leadership meeting, with many well-known pastors in attendance. He explained to me that they talked openly about not using entire verses or passages from the Bible in their sermons and that it was fine to pull snippets of verses and to build entire messages from them, as if too much of the Word would drive people away.

He said that they instructed the leaders in attendance not to speak on sin, judgment, conviction, obedience, morality, etc., stating that it is not our job to convict of sin, only the Holy Spirit's job, as if the hundreds of verses in the Bible dealing with these issues were irrelevant, and as if they knew better than Jesus and the apostles, who often preached with words of deep, biting conviction as they labored together with the Holy Spirit.

And of course, he wrote, they told the other leaders to avoid politics and political issues, which is similar to the mindset of those who chose not to get involved in the divisive slave-trade controversy in centuries past or to oppose the Nazis last century.

This, they said, was the path to follow if you wanted to be "successful."

I categorically reject such a definition of "success."

It has nothing to do with the true success of the gospel, which I love and revel in before God.

To be absolutely clear, and so that no one thinks that this is a matter of "sour grapes," I am not speaking about any particular ministry and I have no idea which pastors and leaders were at this meeting. I love and embrace the expansive blessing of God.

By God's grace, I have had the privilege of preaching in some of the largest and most influential megachurches in the world, and their growth was the result of the work of the Spirit in their midst, not the result of carnal techniques.

One of our ministry school grads, Daniel Kolenda, has taken over the leadership of Reinhard Bonnke's Christ for All Nations, and Daniel regularly preaches to crowds of multiplied hundreds of thousands. Praise God for Spirit-anointed, Jesus-exalting, Word-based success!

When God opens new doors for our ministry on radio and TV, in print and online, or when He blesses our material with greater circulation and impact, I rejoice and take this as an answer to prayer, as providing another avenue to advance the work of the kingdom. Onward and upward in Jesus' name!

So I am all for growth and numbers and prosperity when it comes from heaven as a gift from God, although I know that often, the most significant gospel work is totally hidden and obscure, taking place behind closed doors, with God using unknown saints who live in the midst of persecution and poverty. Their lasting fruit will put most of us to shame.

That's one reason Jesus said that many who are first will be last and many who are last will be first.

Remember, it was the church of Laodicea that Jesus rebuked saying, "For you say, 'I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,' yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked" (Rev. 3:17).

In stark contrast, He said to Smyrna, "I know your works and tribulation and poverty (but you are rich). And I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tried, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:9-10).

In the same way, He rebuked Sardis, which had a reputation for being alive but was dead (see Rev. 3:1) and commended Philadelphia, which had little strength but had not denied His name (see Rev. 3:8).

What would our worldly minded leaders have told these congregations? And how would they have rated the "success" of these different churches? Obviously, their perspective would be a lot different than the perspective of the Lord.

Without a doubt, we have different callings and emphases, and while we should all do our best to be faithful to God's Word and "balanced," it's clear that one may be called to emphasize evangelism, another social justice, another holiness, another grace, another family and another the Spirit, just to mention a few. Some congregations excel in administration and management, while others excel in building community, and still others excel in sending out missionaries.

That's what makes the body of Christ a truly functioning body.

Let us learn from each other however we can, and let us complement each other in the work of the ministry, honoring one another as colleagues rather than criticizing each other as competitors.

But let us not deviate from the high calling of God, let us not form a theology that bypasses the cross, let us not water down the Word, and let us not mistake earthly growth and "success" for the blessing of God.

In the words of Charles Spurgeon, one of the most truly successful gospel preachers of all time, "Character is always lost when a high ideal is sacrificed on the altar of conformity and popularity."

Don't sacrifice your soul on that very seductive altar.

Michael Brown is the author of 25 books, including Can You Be Gay and Christian? and host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show "The Line of Fire." He is also president of FIRE School of Ministry and director of the Coalition of Conscience.

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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Does God Care About Who Wins the Super Bowl? - Michael Brown

Does God Care About Who Wins the Super Bowl?

 2/3/2015 MICHAEL BROWN   CHARISMA NEWS

The New England Patriots' Malcolm Butler intercepts a pass meant for Seattle Seahawks' Ricardo Lockette. (Reuters/USA Today)

When the Seattle Seahawks made their "miraculous" comeback against the Green Bay Packers, it looked like God was with Russell Wilson, the openly Christian quarterback of the Seahawks who was in tears of praise after the game.

Two weeks later, in the aftermath of their heartbreaking Super Bowl loss (and the infamous "worst play call in Super Bowl history"), it looked like God was with the New England Patriots rather than the Seahawks—or is talk like this complete folly?

Here are four points for consideration:

1) Our God completely transcends football, but He is at work in the big things and the little things worldwide.

It is absolutely ludicrous to think that Almighty God has any interest in the score of a football game any more than He cares about who wins when I play cards with my 92-year-old mom or play basketball with my 11-year-old grandsons. I'm quite sure that the courts of heaven did not shut down Sunday night to watch the game.

At the same time, if God knows the number of hairs on our head and not a bird falls to the ground without His knowledge (or involvement; see Matt. 10:29-30), it's silly to think that He has no involvement in an event of this magnitude watched by countless millions worldwide.

I don't mean that His concern is in the final score. I mean that He might have a million different purposes at work in and around the game. Why not?

Perhaps He wants to raise up one and put another one down. Perhaps He has other lessons to teach. Perhaps He will use the events surrounding the Super Bowl to lead people to Himself in His own inscrutable ways.

Why not? Let God be God.

2) The idea that God is orchestrating the outcome of sports games points to the idolatry of sports and entertainment in our culture.

Again, let God be God, and if He chooses to give someone success who honors Him and who will make His name known, so be it.

This seems to be what happened with David Tyree, the New York Giants receiver who made the "miraculous" helmet catch against the Patriots in Super Bowl 42 and who has used his fame to spread the gospel, to give one example of many.

And if the Lord has some sovereign purpose in arranging the score of a game, who are we, puny mortals that we are, to argue with Him?

On the other hand, how much money is bet on sports every week?

How many hours are spent with sports and consumed on sports?

How many churches adjust their schedules so as not to conflict with the Super Bowl or other major sports events?

And for all the sports fans reading this, what grips your heart more, a burden for the lost or your interest in sports?

What plays on your emotions more? What dominates your thought life more? What occupies your conversations more?

Is your joy in sudden victory or your agony in sudden defeat greater than your joy in Jesus and your pain for the world?

Sports can be invigorating to play and fun to watch, and there's much that can be learned from it in terms of character and discipline and teamwork and the like. But it is plainly an idol in our culture today.

That's why I tweeted out after the game, "For Christian Seahawks fans: God is just as wonderful when you suffer an agonizing defeat as He is when you make a 'miraculous' comeback."

On another note, since the game was the most watched TV show in American history, how did the Lord feel about Katy Perry singing "I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It" for all those millions of viewers, including lots of children?

3) Our theology of sports reflects our superficial theology of "divine blessing = winning."

I embrace and affirm the many promises to the godly in the Scriptures, including the promise that for those who focus day and night on God's Word, whatever we do will be blessed (see Ps. 1:1-3; John 15:7). And I believe that when the Lord is with us and we are doing His will, His blessing will be evident.

At the same time, I recognize that obedience to Him often costs us dearly in this world, that His blessing doesn't always amount to winning, that many times we grow far more through adversity than through success, and that He often takes us down paths that we would never choose for ourselves.

Implicit in much of our shallow thinking is that, since God is with Tim Tebow (or Russell Wilson or Kurt Warner), his team should win.

Of course, godly living has benefits, and the Lord often smiles on us in tangible ways as a sign of His favor.

But following Jesus does not always mean winning and success, and at times, it is quite the opposite (see, for example, 1 Cor. 4:9-13).

If we are loyal to the Lord, we will be richly blessed, but that doesn't mean we will always "win" in this world.

4) Let's keep things in perspective.

From God's point of view, I do not believe that the big event of last week was the Super Bowl, even though it was a fun family event at my house and at the houses of many.

I believe the beheading of the Japanese journalist by ISIS terrorists was a bigger event.

I believe the murder of thousands of babies in the womb last week was a bigger event, not to mention the death of countless starving infants worldwide or the ongoing suffering of the destitute and poor.

I believe the salvation of lost sinners was a bigger event.

I believe the praise and worship of God's people was a bigger event.

And I believe we would do well to ask our Father for the perspective of heaven and for a heart in tune with eternity, lest we get caught up with the idolatry of this age.

As our lives are filled with the love of God and the presence of the Spirit, everything else will fall into its proper place.

Michael Brown is the author of 25 books, including Can You Be Gay and Christian? and host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show "The Line of Fire." He is also president of FIRE School of Ministry and director of the Coalition of Conscience.

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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A Simple Proposal for All Muslim Immigrants - Michael Brown

A Simple Proposal for All Muslim Immigrants

1/12/2015 MICHAEL BROWN  CHARISMA NEWS

What should Muslims do when they come to America? (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)

 Iwrite these words as a concerned onlooker, not as an expert on immigration and certainly not as anyone having any authority in these matters at all. It is simply time to put these things on the table, since the subject of Muslim immigration is a burning hot topic worldwide, especially in Europe.

First, the obvious backdrop to the story.

In the aftermath of the latest Islamic terror attacks, how can the citizens of countries like France, Germany, Holland and Spain feel safe living alongside their Muslim neighbors? And since there has been a backlash against Muslims living in these countries, including attacks on places of business and worship, how can these Muslims feel safe?

The New York Times reported that French Prime Minister Manuel Valls declared in a speech on Saturday "that France was at war with radical Islam after the harrowing sieges that led to the deaths of three gunmen and four hostages the day before."

He said, "It is a war against terrorism, against jihadism, against radical Islam, against everything that is aimed at breaking fraternity, freedom, solidarity." The next day, a massive crowd gathered in Paris—the largest in French history—to stand in unity against terrorism.

What does this mean for Muslims living in France and in other non-Muslim countries?

Muslim groups like CAIR (the Council on American-Islamic Relations), which is looked at with suspicion by critics of radical Islam, categorically denounced the Paris terror attacks: "We strongly condemn this brutal and cowardly attack and reiterate our repudiation of any such assault on freedom of speech, even speech that mocks faiths and religious figures. The proper response to such attacks on the freedoms we hold dear is not to vilify any faith, but instead to marginalize extremists of all backgrounds who seek to stifle freedom and to create or widen societal divisions."

Similarly, Dr. Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain said: "Nothing justifies the taking of life. Those who have killed in the name of our religion today claim to be avenging the insults made against Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace. But nothing is more immoral, offensive and insulting against our beloved Prophet than such a callous act of murder. Our thoughts, prayers and solidarity go to the families of the victims and the people of France."

(On a side note, one would think that the Muslim radicals who supposedly "avenged" the honor of Mohammed would have realized that by slaughtering people in cold blood in his name, they did more to hurt their cause than to help it.)

But other Muslim leaders, like the radical British cleric Anjem Choudary, struck a very different tone, tweeting out his support of the massacre: "Freedom of expression does not extend to insulting the Prophets of Allah, whatever your views on the events in Paris today! #ParisShooting"

Years earlier, Choudary said that "he wanted every woman to be covered by a full-length cloak in his vision of Britain under Sharia law." He also said "he wanted to see the 'flag of Allah' flying over Downing Street, adulterers stoned to death and drunks whipped."

Unfortunately, these sentiments are shared by many Muslim immigrants to Europe, Australia and New Zealand, America and elsewhere: They want to see our nations overturned—including our democracies and freedoms—and they want to see Sharia Law instated.

My good friend and frequent debating opponent, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, recently called for a million Muslim march, stating, "The time has come for a coordinated world march—by Muslims—against Islamic violence. If 30,000 Muslims can march in the streets of Paris and London last summer to condemn Israel, then surely they can also march to condemn violence in Islam's name."

This is certainly commendable, and there's no good reason for Muslims not to do this, if indeed, they are completely and categorically repudiate the murderous acts of the radical Muslims of Paris—not to mention those of Boko Haram and the Taliban and Al-Qaeda and many others.

But something more needs to be done, and this brings me to my simple proposal.

If Muslims want to immigrate to our countries and practice their faith while respecting the nature of our government and society, wonderful. And they can do that while differing with our moral standards and without fully embracing our way of life.

But if their faith calls for them to seek to undermine (or even) overthrow the government, or if their vision includes potential violence against those who reject or insult their faith, then they have no business living among us, and we have no business granting them citizenship. (Could you imagine Saudi Arabia or Pakistan granting citizenship to large numbers of professing Christians whose goal was the violent overthrow of their country?)

A massive, bloody clash is looming, as the radicals become more numerous (and even more radical, an example being the defection of Hamas members to ISIS to fight against Israel, since Hamas is deemed too "moderate"), and as anti-Islamic forces continue to rise in Europe.

The solution to all this is relatively simple: Don't use the liberties you enjoy in our countries to foster a murderous agenda or the attempted implementation of Sharia Law. Instead, work together with us for the good of all citizens.

If you can't do that, our country is not for you.

Fair enough?

Michael Brown is the author of 25 books, including Can You Be Gay and Christian?, and host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show The Line of Fire . He is also president of FIRE School of Ministry and director of the Coalition of Conscience.

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive CHARISMA NEWS by email.

The Myth of the 'Wonderful Life' Gospel - Michael Brown

The Myth of the 'Wonderful Life' Gospel

10/27/14   MICHAEL BROWN   CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Have you heard the true Gospel? (George Hodan)

If If you've read the Book of Acts, you've read how Saul of Tarsus (aka Paul the apostle) had a life-changing encounter with Jesus.

As a zealous Jew, Saul was persecuting fellow Jews who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, and then Jesus appeared to him.

Paul tells the story years later, "As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'" (Acts 22:6-8)

What happened next? Let me share the next part of the story, not according to the Scriptures, but according to the contemporary American gospel version, with Paul narrating for us:

"And I said to the Lord, 'What do you have for me?'

"And He said to me, 'I have a wonderful life of health, wealth, and success for you.'

"And I said to Him, 'And what do you require of me?'

"And He said to me, 'I require nothing of you at all. I just want to take away your guilt and make you happy. Simply believe that I am good, say this little prayer, and I would be honored to have you as part of My family.'

"And I said to Him, 'That's an incredible deal. I'll take it.'" 

Is that the gospel? Not a chance.

Let's go back to the Word and continue with the real account: "And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.'" (Acts 22:10)

That's quite different from the contemporary version!

"Lord, You require something of me? You have an assignment for me? And it's going to cost me personally to follow You?"

But this does not just apply to Paul.

Every believer has a specific calling and assignment, and every believer will have to give account to God one day, not for sins but for service.

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price" (1 Cor 6:19b-20a); and again, "[Jesus] died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised" (2 Cor 5:15); and again, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Cor 5:10).

We are saved to serve, and salvation means a life of obedience, not to earn our salvation but because He has saved us.

Sadly, that is not the message sounded from pulpits and broadcast on TV and internet around the world.

Instead, lost sinners are told that if they will simply believe in Jesus, God will give them a wonderful life – and I mean wonderful in the terms of this world.

To repeat: That is not the gospel.

Do I believe that God is the Healer and that we should pray for the sick with expectation of healing? Absolutely.

Do I believe that God meets our needs and enables us to bless others? Certainly.

But I do not believe – no, I am 100 percent sure about it– that we are to tell lost sinners that God promises them health and wealth if they will only believe in Jesus.

That is not the gospel that Jesus preached or that Paul or the other apostles preached. You will not find it anywhere in the New Testament, nor can you derive it from the "abundant life" promise of John 10:10.

Jesus said that in this world we would have tribulation (John 16:33), that in order to be His disciples we had to deny ourselves and take up the cross (Mark 8:34), that if we loved father or mother or son or daughter more than Him we were not worthy of Him (Matt 10:37).

(What a terrible shame that some teachers today claim that none of these words of Jesus apply to us since they were spoken before the cross. That is one of the more serious deceptions of our day.)

Now, to be perfectly clear, salvation is a gift, paid in full by Jesus.

It cannot be earned, and 10 million years of our best works cannot possibly pay for the gift of eternal life. And God forgives us, freely and fully, the moment we put our trust in Him to save us from our sins.

But when God saves us, He purchases us, and for the rest of our lives, we belong to Him and are called to do His will, completely given over to Him.

That is Gospel 101.

We serve Him because we love Him, and we serve Him because He is our Lord. (According to Paul, in order to be saved, we must confess Jesus as Lord, which means nothing if it does not include submission to Him.)

The bottom line is that we were guilty sinners, deserving of divine judgment, but Jesus took our place and died for our sins so that we could pass from death to life and from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God, receiving eternal life and becoming His sons and daughters.

To lure sinners to Jesus with the "wonderful life" gospel is to do a disservice to them and to dishonor the Lord. 

Michael Brown is the author of Can You Be Gay and Christian? Responding With Love and Truth to Questions About Homosexuality and host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show The Line of Fire on the Salem Radio Network. He is also president of FIRE School of Ministry and director of the Coalition of Conscience. Follow him at AskDrBrown on Facebook or at @drmichaellbrown on Twitter.

An Appeal to Joel and Victoria Osteen

9/10/2014 MICHAEL BROWN  CHARISMA NEWS

Joel and Victoria Osteen (Lakewood Church, Facebook)

Dear Joel and Victoria, I hope and pray that you will read this letter and that you take to heart the things I'm sharing. I write as a friend wanting to help, not an enemy wanting to hurt, and everything I write, I write out of love for God, love for you, and love for the church and the world.

I have said many times that I'm glad to see your smiling faces on TV as you speak about Jesus rather than some stern-faced, joyless, angry Christian leader. And I believe you genuinely do care about people and want them to find wholeness in the Lord.

Joel, I appreciate the fact that you end every service by asking people to get right with God, having them pray a prayer where they say to Jesus, "I repent of my sins, come into my heart, I make you Lord and Savior."

The big problem is that you haven't told them what their sins are, and you haven't told them what real repentance is. And since you are speaking to people around the world, you can't possibly assume that all of them understand the meaning of sin and redemption and repentance. (Most American Christians don't even understand these things today.)

In short, you have not shared with them the whole counsel of God, and by telling them only part of the story, you have done what the false prophets of ancient Israel did: "You superficially treat the fracture of My people saying to them, 'All is well, all is well,' when nothing is well" (Jer. 6:14, my translation).

A true physician tells his patients what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. As one preacher of old, Jean Daille, once said, "Ministers are not cooks, but physicians and therefore should not study to delight the palate, but to recover the patient."

Have you been more of a junk-food cook than a physician? Have you been afraid to tell people their true condition? Have you been so concerned with making them feel good about themselves and giving them a sense of hope that you failed to diagnose their terminal sin disease?

Paul said to the elders of Ephesus, "I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:26-27).

Do you really believe in your heart of hearts that you have declared the whole counsel of God to your listening audience?

God has given you one of the largest platforms for the gospel in human history. Can you say before Him that you are "innocent of the blood of all"?

Have you ever taught extensively on the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount? Have you ever worked your way through one of the letters of Paul? If not, why not?

Proverbs tells us that, "Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue" (28:23). Do you believe God's Word, or do you feel you have found a better way to do His work?

I appreciate the fact that you hold up your Bible before you preach, as your father did, and you have people make a confession about God's Word, as you also learned to do from your father. But do you really preach that holy Word?

Shortly before Paul was martyred for his faith, he reminded Timothy that, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16).

He also gave him this solemn commission: "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching" (2 Tim. 4:1-2).

Is this your pattern of preaching and ministry? Do you rebuke in love (Prov. 27:5) as well as exhort and encourage?

Perhaps it's time to ask yourself honestly where you fit in this warning from Paul: "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths" (2 Tim. 4:1-4).

Wouldn't it be utterly heartbreaking if, on the day you stand before God, you discovered that you were one of these teachers? Wouldn't it be tragic if your efforts were found to be wood, hay and stubble on that great and glorious Day (1 Cor. 3:11-15)? And may I ask you candidly if you even talk about that holy day of accounting?

Some Christians have referred to you and Victoria as outright heretics, others have said that you are fighting against the Holy Spirit (since the Spirit convicts the world of sin but your preaching does not), others have said that you are a pagan religionist, while others have said that your superficial message of material prosperity cannot bear the weight of the gospel.

These are very serious charges, but rather than just saying, "Hey, I'm just going to love everybody and stay in my lane," perhaps you should ask if these leaders might be saying something you need to hear. Is there any truth at all in their words? Could it be that God's lane for you is different than the lane you're in?

It would be far better for you to see your TV ratings fall and your crowds dwindle than to displease the Lord. (Perhaps if you preached the whole counsel of God, your audience would end up even bigger.)

By all means, you should be an ambassador of hope and joy—that's all part of the gospel—but if you don't speak about sin plainly and without compromise and if you don't tell people that there will be suffering and hardship in this world as we follow Jesus, then the hope that you offer will only go skin deep.

Have you ever wondered about how your message plays out among Christians who are going through hell on Earth because of their faith in Jesus? Have you ever thought about what your message sounds like to persecuted believers today who just had to leave their homes and possessions behind to flee for their lives?

And Victoria, if I may speak with you for just a moment, your recent comments that have gone viral have drawn a stream of well-deserved criticism, even if some of it came in an ugly and wrong spirit.

The reality is that our lives are supposed to revolve around God; He doesn't revolve around us. And even though worship and praise are good for us too, since they focus our attention on who God is and bring us into His presence, we do not worship or serve Him for ourselves but for Him. As Paul wrote, Jesus died for all so "that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised" (2 Cor. 5:15).

This is Gospel 101, as basic as it gets, yet you turned things upside down during that one regrettable moment on TV, a moment that reflected a wrong, off-base theology that starts with us and that says God is here to please us rather than starting with God and recognizing that we are here to please Him.

Joel and Victoria, I know these words have been strong, but they are written with love and concern. And since I have no connection to anyone on your team and I don't know of any way to reach you directly, after prayer and reflection, I felt that this was the best way to go, addressing public statements publicly, jealous for the Name of Jesus, jealous for your massive listening audience, and jealous for both of you.

Without a doubt, there are many people you have helped; you have also hurt far more than you realize. I pray you will take this to heart.

Michael Brown is author of Can You Be Gay and Christian? Responding With Love and Truth to Questions About Homosexuality and host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show The Line of Fire on the Salem Radio Network. He is also president of FIRE School of Ministry and director of the Coalition of Conscience. Follow him at AskDrBrown on Facebook or at @drmichaellbrown on Twitter.

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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No One Is Born Gay - Michael Brown

No One Is Born Gay

9/8/2014 MICHAEL BROWN

There is no reputable scientific evidence that anyone is born gay. (Angie Draiville/freeimages.com)

If there were reputable scientific evidence that some people were born homosexual, I would have no problem accepting this. After all, my theology tells me that as human beings, we are all created in God's image and yet we are a fallen race, and so all of us carry aspects of that fallen nature to the core of our being, and that could theoretically include homosexuality.

But the fact is that there is simply no reputable scientific evidence that anyone is born gay.

As stated by gay activist and history professor John D'Emilio, "'Born gay' is an idea with a large constituency, LGBT and otherwise. It's an idea designed to allay the ingrained fears of a homophobic society and the internalized fears of gays, lesbians and bisexuals. What's most amazing to me about the 'born gay' phenomenon is that the scientific evidence for it is thin as a reed, yet it doesn't matter. It's an idea with such social utility that one doesn't need much evidence in order to make it attractive and credible."

In other words, because the "born gay" idea has proved so useful, the fact that there's virtually no scientific support for the theory hardly matters. It's an idea that has worked wonders for gay activists and their allies.

As noted years ago by gay scientist Simon LeVay, "There [was] a survey in The New York Times that broke down people on the basis of whether they thought gays and lesbians were born that way or whether it was a lifestyle choice. Across the board, those who thought gays and lesbians were born that way were more liberal and gay friendly."

And so, the argument goes, "If I'm born this way, how can my attractions be wrong? And if I'm born this way, how can you expect me to change?"

Of course, even if no one is born gay, that doesn't mean that homosexual attractions are not deeply rooted. In most cases, those feelings are very deeply rooted to the point that many gay men and women truly believe they were born gay.

And even if no one is born gay, that doesn't mean that homosexual attractions are easily changed. In most cases, they are not.

But why base a so-called civil-rights movement on lies? Why not tell the truth?

One of the most gay-friendly professional organizations in our country is the American Psychological Association, and yet even the APA states that, "There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation."

Similarly, in England, the pro-gay Royal College of Psychiatrists recently back tracked on an earlier statement that homosexuality was biologically determined, now saying that "sexual orientation is determined by a combination of biological and postnatal environmental factors." And while they stated clearly their belief that homosexuality was not a mental disorder and that it should be accepted, they added, "It is not the case that sexual orientation is immutable or might not vary to some extent in a person's life."

That's why psychiatrist Nathaniel S. Lehrman, former chairperson of the Task Force on Religion and Mental Health said in 2005, "Researchers now openly admit that after searching for more than 20 years, they are still unable to find the 'gay gene'" (in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons).

Why then do we constantly hear about people being born gay? First, it has worked wonders for gay activism; second, many gays and lesbians believe it to be true, since as far back as they can remember, they felt that they were different.

But political expediency and personal feelings do not change the facts, and those facts remain the same: There is no clear scientific evidence that anyone is born gay

According to lesbian researcher Lisa Diamond, "The queer community has been obsessed with cultivating the idea that we all have fixed sexual identities. We've crafted terrific narratives and political platforms based on the notions that all gays are 'born that way.' But what if sexuality is more complex? What if biology actually intersects with environment, time, culture and context? Could we possibly be more fluid than we've supposed?"

Camille Paglia, a social critic, academic, feminist and lesbian, was even more blunt, famously stating in her book Vamps and Tramps, "Our sexual bodies were designed for reproduction. ... No one is born gay. The idea is ridiculous ... homosexuality is an adaptation, not an inborn trait."

Paglia also asked, "Is the gay identity so fragile that it cannot bear the thought that some people may not wish to be gay? Sexuality is highly fluid, and reversals are theoretically possible."

Remarkably, when a school chaplain in Tasmania, Australia, posted Paglia's opinion on social media, there was an outcry against him, causing him to issue a public apology: "I've made a mistake and learnt from it. I'm deeply sorry for any offence I've caused. I was very careless in posting that image for discussion. I will work with my employers to ensure there is no repeat."

Despite this apology, he was still fired—and the organization he worked for was Christian! That is how toxic today's climate has become, and yet this chaplain simply posted the accurate reflections of a lesbian academic. How could this be considered hateful or bigoted?

Again, this does not mean that same-sex attractions and desires are not deeply rooted in some people's lives, nor does it mean that they chose to be gay. (You can choose to act on your attractions but that doesn't mean you chose to have the attractions.)

It simply means that one of the major gay-activist talking points, one that has even infiltrated parts of the church, is based on lies, not truth.

It's time we speak the truth in love. Lies never help anyone in the long run.

Michael Brown is author of Can You Be Gay and Christian? Responding With Love and Truth to Questions About Homosexuality and host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show The Line of Fire on the Salem Radio Network. He is also president of FIRE School of Ministry and director of the Coalition of Conscience. Follow him at AskDrBrown on Facebook or at @drmichaellbrown on Twitter.

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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