WOMEN OF THE GARDEN AND THE TOMB

"Itching Ears in the Making"

2 Tim 4:2-5 3 “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” NIV

There are times in ministry when pastors are required to take a doctrinal stand for the protection of the saints from the deceptions of the Satan.  Pastors cannot live by or minister on the basis of what is easy.  We must be constantly on guard, a 24 hour of sentry duty, arresting any hint of heresy and apostasy.  I am writing this because a great error has been made by one of the great evangelical leaders of era, Billy Graham.  In addition to Dr. Graham, his evangelical association and son, Franklin Graham have participated in this act of apostasy.

“The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association removed language labeling Mormonism a "cult" from its website after the famed preacher met with Republican nominee Mitt Romney last week and pledged to help his presidential campaign.  Ken Barun, the BGEA's chief of staff, confirmed the removal on Tuesday…Our primary focus at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has always been promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ," Barun said in a statement. "We removed the information from the website because we do not wish to participate in a theological debate about something that has become politicized during this campaign." (Religious News Services, by Daniel Burke)

This action is not insignificant.  The “cleansing” of the website of Mormonism as a cult is an intentional act to undermine the Doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to achieve a political compromise.  To deny the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not heresy alone, it constitutes apostasy.

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry states the following:  “Apostasy means to fall away from the truth. Therefore, an apostate is someone who has once believed and then rejected the truth of God. Apostasy is a rebellion against God because it is a rebellion against truth. In the Old Testament God warned the Jewish people about their idolatry and their lack of trust in Him.  In the New Testament the epistles warn us about not falling away from the truth. Apostasy is a very real and dangerous threat.”

The act of apostasy is significantly different from an error of heresy.  Heresy is the denial or doubt of a core doctrinal statement.  In contrast, apostasy is the abandonment of the whole truth/doctrine.  My charge of apostasy is because of the magnitude of error in the cultic doctrine of Mormonism. 

The basic tenets of the Christian faith stand on God’s grace and all its benefits.  Mormonism denies each one and teaches against each one.  I have been studying the doctrines of the Mormon Church and my heart is broken for the people in Mormonism.  I have been working through the book titled: Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons by Mark J. Cares. (I encourage the purchase of this book)  Based on this book and its contrasting of the two doctrines, there can be no relationship, more directly, no tolerance for the Doctrine of Mormonism.

The point of conflict for me is Dr. Graham’s readiness to place a veil over the doctrines of Mormonism for political purposes.  As an evangelist, Dr. Graham has turned his back on the truth.  The differences between the two doctrines are too great to find any common ground.  There is not even a simple thread of commonality between the two doctrines.  Dr. Graham may have found Governor Romney to be an ethical man in the spectrum of the world, but in relation to the two doctrines there remains a great spiritual divide between the two that cannot be denied by removing the “cult” reference to Mormonism from the website.  The "theological/political debate" response to media inquiries is a dishonest excuse for the action to remove the “cult” reference.

There are “itching ears” in the ‘Billy Graham Evangelical Association.”  They have heard a political message that is soothing to their ears.  I understand the conflict with cultural values.  But our conflict with the culture is not because of the failings of sinners.  Culture conflict is born of our failings as the body of Christ.  Too often we compromised and have failed to be salt and light!  The conflict(s) with our culture is because we have chosen a political process over the leadership and authority of the Holy Spirit.  It is easier to impose righteousness through the legislative process than to live righteously, to be light, and to be salt.  Christianity today would rather consume sinners through legislation rather than embrace sinners through the love of God.

Dr. Graham and the association could have acknowledged a political affinity with Gov. Romney.  But maybe that is the problem, how do people of light have fellowship with darkness.  Dr. Graham should have embraced Gov. Romney on the basis of the political perspective.  I can only assume that Gov. Romney was seeking a political bond and not a spiritual bond.  Romney, as a Mormon, could never have a spiritual relationship with Dr. Graham unless Dr. Graham disavowed his faith in God and embraced the” exalted human gods” of Mormonism.  So why did Dr. Graham, Franklin Graham, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association disavowed their faith?  I suspect itching ears.

When we vote on Tuesday, know we are participating in a system of governance that is worldly and not of God.  There is no democracy in the Bible.  God’s governance for the Kngdom of God is Jesus Christ as Lord of lords, King of kings and the leadership and authority of the Holy Spirit. And upon the return of Christ, He shall be the rule of the whole earth, not a single contrived political governance will survive.  As Christians, we are not free, we were bought with a price and therefore we have become the servants of God, the children of God, the ambassadors of Christ, we are bond-servants and slaves to Christ, and ultimately joint-heirs with Christ.  There is a greater reward for the citizens of the Kingdom of God, an everlasting reward that awaits us. 

Let us enter the voting booth in humility; be careful not to gloat saying or thinking “I am doing my Christian thing.”  Do not say “I am voting for person “a” or “b” because they support my Christian values.”  Both candidates have serious ethical problems.  Let us be honest, we participate because we want to be included, so we compromise and choose between the “lesser of two evils.”  Is this really our Christian duty, to choose between the lesser of two evils? May God forgive our unbelief!

Grace Alone!