Andy Stanley: Evangelical Churches Must Change on LGBT Issue: ‘Learn from Us’

October 3, 2023 — ChristianHeadlines.com reports: “Megachurch pastor Andy Stanley delivered rare remarks on the issue of gender and sexuality Sunday, defending his church’s hosting of a conference with LGBT-affirming speakers and asserting that evangelicals must change their approach on the issue of homosexuality. 

Last week, Stanley’s North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga., hosted the Unconditional Conference. This event was billed as a conference ‘for parents of LGBTQ+ children and ministry leaders looking to discover ways to support parents and LGBTQ+ children in their churches.’ The conference’s speakers included individuals who have argued Christianity has been wrong on the issue throughout its history. Among the speakers were two gay men. 

Protestia posted the audio from Stanley’s sermon.

Stanley criticized theologian Albert Mohler without using his name. The seminary president had written a column denouncing the conference as a departure from historic Christianity and had used an illustration, arguing the theological train for Stanley had left ‘the station.’

‘I have never subscribed to his version of Biblical Christianity to begin with. So, I’m not leaving anything,’ Stanley responded. ‘… In my opinion, it is my opinion, his version of biblical Christianity is the problem. … His version of biblical Christianity is why people are leaving Christianity. … [It’s] because they can’t find Jesus in the midst of all the other stuff and all the other theology.’

Stanley added, ‘That version of Christianity draws lines. And Jesus drew circles.’

The North Point pastor revealed that his church hosts a quarterly event for parents of LGBT-identifying children and teens…”  (Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! – Isaiah 5:20.  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away – II Timothy 3:1-5.  See the next report.) 

Pope Suggests Blessings for Same-Sex Unions Possible

October 3, 2023 — Voice of America News reports: “Pope Francis has suggested there could be ways to bless same-sex unions, responding to five conservative cardinals who challenged him to affirm church teaching on homosexuality ahead of a big meeting where LGBTQ+ Catholics are on the agenda.

The Vatican published a letter Monday that Francis wrote to the cardinals on July 11 after receiving a list of five questions, or ‘dubia,’ from them a day earlier. In it, Francis suggests that such blessings could be studied if they didn’t confuse the blessing with sacramental marriage.

New Ways Ministry, which advocates for LGBTQ+ Catholics, said the letter ‘significantly advances’ efforts to make LGBTQ+ Catholics welcomed in the church and is ‘one big straw toward breaking the camel’s back’ in their marginalization.

The Vatican holds that marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman. As a result, it has long opposed gay marriage. But even Francis has voiced support for civil laws extending legal benefits to same-sex spouses, and Catholic priests in parts of Europe have been blessing same-sex unions without Vatican censure…”

Israeli Police Arrest Five for Hostile Gestures Towards Christians

October 4, 2023 — Voice of America News reports: “Israeli police Wednesday arrested five people suspected of spitting towards Christians or churches in the Old City of Jerusalem and formed a special investigative team to deal with growing complaints of hostile gestures against Christians.

‘Unfortunately, we witness the continued disgraceful acts of hatred towards Christians in the Old City of Jerusalem, primarily through spitting by extremists,’ said Jerusalem District Commander Doron Turgeman.

No details were provided about the identities of the people who were arrested.

Members of the area’s small Christian community have said they have faced growing harassment and intimidation from Jewish ultranationalists, particularly since Netanyahu’s hard right government took office late last year.

Wednesday’s arrests came as the city prepared for its annual Jerusalem March, an event that usually draws huge crowds, including thousands of Christian pilgrims…”  (Christians who suffer and die for Christ will receive the “Crown of Life” to place at the feet of Jesus – James 1:12; Revelation 2:10.  The 24 elders represent 12 Old Testament Tribes and 12 New Testament Apostles – saved Jews and redeemed Christians.  In Revelation 4: 10 & 11 they cast their earned crowns before the Lord Jesus Christ.)

Biblical sin city Sodom destroyed by asteroid stronger than nuke – expert

September 29, 2023 — The Jerusalem Post reports: “An ancient city that met a fiery end in what could be described as an asteroid impact more powerful than an ‘atomic explosion’ has been identified as the biblical city of Sodom, according to a biblical studies expert. Dr. John Bergsma, a prominent theologian, contends that excavations in Jordan provide substantial proof that one of the Bible’s most dramatic and improbable narratives may indeed be factual.

Bergsma asserts that archaeological findings in Jordan corroborate the existence of the biblical city of Sodom. Prior research had already indicated that the ancient city of Tell el-Hammam, located in the southern Jordan Valley, suffered a catastrophic fate—a revelation that Dr. John Bergsma, a theology professor at Ohio’s Franciscan University, believes aligns with the biblical account.

As per the Book of Genesis, God unleashed brimstone and fire upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in response to the sins of their inhabitants, resulting in their complete obliteration. Similar destruction patterns were uncovered at Tell el-Hammam, leading Bergsma to reevaluate the credibility of the biblical narrative. He pointed to signs of extreme heat detected on skeletons and pottery fragments unearthed by archaeologists, suggesting a possible impact from an asteroid…”  (Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;  And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. – Genesis 19:24,25.)