Following Jesus

Jennifer Le Claire: Pope Francis, Mary Is Not My Mother, and I Am Not an Orphan

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Sadly, it appears that Pope Frances isn’t as “evangelical” as we might have hoped

From Charisma News

Pope Francis, Mary Is Not My Mother, and I Am Not an Orphan

Pope Francis
Pope Francis leads his weekly audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican Thursday. The pope sent a controversial tweet Tuesday that violates Scripture. (Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi )

Pope Francis has been a breath of fresh air for many Catholics seeking greater liberty and a growing concern for conservative Christians who take issue with his comments about homosexuality and other cultural issues.

But the pontiff’s latest statement is sparking an uproar from believers around the world. Pope Francis sent a tweet Tuesday that absolutely violates the truth of Scripture:

“The Christian who does not feel that the Virgin Mary is his or her mother is an orphan,” Pope Francis tweeted. As of the time I wrote this column it had been retweeted about 4,000 times and many of the responses were unkind.

Some suggested the pontiff is “completely bonkers,” while others asked if he had been inhaling too much incense, and yet another told the Argentine Jesuit to stick with the “peace is good” stuff. It gets worse from there, but it’s not appropriate to attack the man for his unscriptural tweet. It’s more appropriate to share the truth.

Mary the Mother to the World?

First, let’s explore how the pope expanded on his exaltation of Mary. During his weekly address in Rome, the pope positioned the Roman Catholic Church as a “mother” to the world and encouraged Catholics to follow Mary as an example of godly motherhood.

“In our catecheses, we have often noted that we do not become a Christian on our own, but by being born and nurtured in the faith in the midst of the people of God, that is the church. She is a true mother who gives us life in Christ, and in the communion of the Holy Spirit, brings us into a common life with our brothers and sisters,” the pope said.

“The model of motherhood for the church is the Blessed Virgin Mary, who in the fullness of time conceived through the Holy Spirit and gave birth to the Son of God. Her motherhood continues through the church, who brings forth sons and daughters through baptism, whom she nourishes through the Word of God.”

What About Romans 8:14-15?

So, let’s start dispelling this error with Scripture. Romans 8:14-17 shines light on the issue of orphans in Christ—there are no orphans in Christ:

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

Nowhere in these verses does it make mention of Mary. Rather, we see the Father, the Christ and the Holy Spirit at work in a believer’s life. That’s Bible. If that’s not enough, Jesus Himself stated plainly: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). I don’t mean this in a sarcastic manner at all, but please note that Jesus did not say Mary would come to them, or that He would bring Mary with them, or that Mary is praying for them, or that they should pray to Mary.

There are many issues in the Catholic religion that don’t line up with Scripture, but suggesting that “The Christian who does not feel that the Virgin Mary is his or her mother is an orphan” is an obvious heretical statement that cheapens our salvation. Christians are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1)—the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Mary was a blessed vessel God chose to bring the Messiah into the world, but Jesus did not exalt her, and neither should we.

Jennifer LeClaire is news editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and author of several books, including The Making of a Prophet and The Spiritual Warrior’s Guide to Defeating Jezebel. You can email Jennifer at jennifer.leclaire@charismamedia.com or visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Church Growth in London

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Some great news from the UK, where despite reports of the near death of the Church of England there is quite spectacular growth happening.

From the Bible Society:

Good news from the UK: the Church in London is growing

The Church in London has been put on a growth path using techniques learned from business turnarounds according to the Financial Times. One in nine Londoners now go to church, the paper reports.

“Church attendance in the capital grew by 16 per cent in the seven years to 2012, boosted by immigration from countries with large Catholic and Pentecostal communities.”

The FT article focuses on the Anglicans who, because they were previously in decline, can boast (if Christians are allowed to boast) a significant turn-around.

The FT pinpoints two key “mega” churches: Holy Trinity Brompton in Kensington (home of the Alpha course and a significant church planting movement) and St Helen’s Bishopsgate, surrounded by skyscrapers in the city (and a close ally of the Sydney Anglican diocese).

The FT is talking about the Diocese (church region) of London, north of the River Thames where the growth is concentrated. The more liberal Diocese of Southwark, south of the river, has not seen the same sort of growth. Overall the Church of England figures are steady or in biz speak “bottoming out”.

Research by academics at Cramer Hall, a theological college in Durham entitled Church Growth in Britain from 1980 to the Present  in 2012 revealed:

  • There are 500,000 Christians in black majority churches in Britain. Sixty years ago there were hardly any.
  • At least 5,000 new churches have been started in Britain since 1980 – and this is an undercount. The true figure is probably higher.
  • There are one million Christians in Britain from black, Asian and other minority ethnic communities.
  • The adult membership of the Anglican Diocese of London has risen by over 70 per cent since 1990.

Australia’s Hillsong also has a strong presence in London including a successful transplant of the Hillsong Conference, usually held in London’s o2 arena. Eternity understands that Hillsong and Holy Trinity are good friends.

This success is matched by a plethora of African Pentecostal movements, including  the Nigerian Kingsway International Christian Centre, and the local Pentecostal Kensington temple.

– See more at: http://www.biblesociety.org.au/news/good-news-uk-church-london-growing#sthash.JnQvayXV.dpuf

Three Types of Tongues

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paraclete

In the Bible, there is often more description of the way things are or should be than analysis of events. If we are not careful, we can easily be confused because we try to impose an order or a structure onto the scriptures that is not meant to be there.

The gift of tongues (sometimes called “glossolalia” from the Greek word meaning literally to speak in tongues) has three different applications in the New Testament and in contemporary experience. We need to be aware of these different usages in order to read the scriptures properly.

1. Sign of the Baptism in the Spirit

In Acts 2:4 we are told: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

When we receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (or are filled with the Holy Spirit), God releases a special spiritual language that enables us to pray to God from our spirit to God’s Spirit. This is one of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11.

In Acts 10:46 (the conversion of Cornelius’ household) and in Acts 19:6 (Paul in Ephesus) there are two more descriptions of the giving of the Holy Spirit and the sign of this is speaking in tongues.

Someone might ask what is the purpose of this prayer language? There are several:

  • There are times when I simply don’t know how to pray, so in tongues my spirit communicates directly with the Holy Spirit.
  • There are times when my human desire might be contrary to God’s desire in a situation. How can I pray without being directed by the Holy Spirit?
  • Some people claim that the Devil cannot understand glossolalia so this intimate communion with God is important in times of intense spiritual warfare.
  • It is a reassurance that the Holy Spirit is still with me, even when I feel inadequate or unworthy.

This is a private, personal use of tongues.

2. Tongues as an Interpreted Miracle

In Acts 2, the disciples were speaking in languages that were, to them, unknown. Yet the gathered crowds heard them speaking in their own various languages. You can argue whether there was a miracle in the speaking or in the hearing, but in either event people heard a tongues phenomenon in which they heard people speaking familiar words.

There have been numerous accounts of people speaking in tongues in a gathering discovering that someone present was hearing a message in a human language or dialect unknown to the speaker. This kind of event is quite rare in practice. When it happens it brings deep conviction to the hearer who is usually an unbeliever.

3. Tongues as a Public Utterance

There have been times when I have experienced in an open meeting someone standing up and speaking a message in tongues. Following this, another person (or sometimes the same person) will give a message in English which is an interpretation of the glossolalia. Together the tongues and interpretation amount to a form of prophecy.

In my experience, the language of the public tongue is different to the private prayer language. It feels different inside as if the Holy Spirit is pushing something out. I have also experienced the interpretation part of the equation whereby as another person is spekaing in tongues, I an hearing the words in my head in English.

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul addresses the proper ordering of charismatic worship. His concern was not so much about which gifts were best, but facilitating the most helpful way of people participating so that the Holy Spirit could minister and everyone could have a turn.

Paul gives guidelines for the proper administration of this mode of speaking in tongues.

  • Don’t overdo this or prophecy. Let a few people each have a turn, speaking one at a time.
  • There must be an interpretation. The speaker must pray for the interpretation, and if there is no interpretation coming then there should be no more public tongues.
  • People are able to speak in tongues privately to God without restriction

These three modalities of the gift of speaking in tongues are quite different in their operation and usage. We need to learn to flow in the power of the Holy Spirit in whatever way He wishes to work.

Groan. Sometimes I Despair

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Apparently Westboro Baptist Church is at it again

From Christianity Today:

Westboro Baptist church to picket Robin Williams' funeral over gay roles
Controversial Westboro Baptist Church organisation, known for their “God Hates Fags” slogan, has announced they will picket the funeral of Robin Williams.

The actor, whose death on Monday shocked the world, portrayed a gay man in the 1996 film The Birdcage and cross-dressed in hit comedy Mrs. Doubtfire, roles which led the Topeka-based church to claim Williams made “merchandise of filthy proud sin”.

Of all the Hollywood actors and producers you might want to protest at or even consign to hell, Robin Williams would have to be one of the least likely. I’m not saying he was born again or anything like that, but really guys, pick your battles.

I’m not going to judge the organisation except to say this: Westboro Baptist Church does not represent real christian belief or action. They need to get over all the hate preaching and start showing Jesus who was a friend of sinners, so much so that he died to set them free from their sin. 

Not the Same

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It’s just great to see that while the terror group ISIS is rampaging around the Middle East crucifying, beheading and raping people, that our more enlightened politicians are trying to tell us that Islam is really not that bad, and certainly no different to Christianity.

Most people were shocked at the sight of a young boy from Sydney holding up a human head like a trophy. The gallant people of the political left told us to get over it and move on.

The Australian reports this:

Opposition assistant treasury spokesman Andrew Leigh said the image was “horrendous” and noted “extremism comes in all sorts of guises”. “We need to celebrate the Australian Muslim community to recognise that there are many peoples of different faiths in the world and extremism comes in all sorts of guises. The Oklahoma bombing was carried out by a Christian.”

Mr Leigh should do some basic research. There is a thing called the internet and a quick check of Google or Wikipedia would have shown him that the Oklahoma bombing was in fact carried out by a guy who would best be described as agnostic and who had turned his back on the Catholic faith that he was raised in.

Extremism does come in all kinds of guises, but the most deadly and barbaric at the moment all happen to be Islamic, not christian. We worry about people returning from jihad in Syria, but not about anyone coming back from Rome.

 

 

Thought Crimes

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The gay mafia has won. Total conformity to the accepted doctrine is now required. Apparently is it not acceptable to quote gay activists who deviate from the party line.

A Hobart school chaplain and Council Youth worker has been sacked from both of his jobs for posting the following picture on his facebook page- note the attribution.

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He has been pilloried by the media, hounded by the gay lobby and now dumped by employers, one of whom is Scripture Union, a christian organisation. 

It’s just wonderful that Australia has freedom of speech- as long as you don’t say the wrong thing, or insult a protected class, or worse still say something that contradicts the prevailing ideology of the ruling classes.

 

 

 

Try Before You Buy- Still a Bad Idea For Marriage

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Rings

Despite society changes over the last few decades and the increasing trend towards living together before marriage, a recent U.S., study finds that the best way to ensure that your relationship lasts for life is not to live together first.

If you want to marry, be careful about cohabitation. Sure, more and more people are cohabiting, but it’s also less likely than ever to lead to marriage. In fact, people are increasingly cohabiting in ways that are associated with greater risks to the aspiration of marital success. If you are aiming for marriage, aim for a solid choice in a partner and then look to form a public, mutual promise to marry. While all couples may be more likely to break up before marriage now than in the past, look toward something that really signals commitment to figure out whether you and a partner have what it takes to go the distance.

 

Read the full article here

Revival in Iran

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From International Christian Concern:

Revival in Iran: ‘I Want to Be a Christian’

ICC Note: With violence following Christians throughout the Middle East and governments brutally repressing the church, it can be hard to look past the persecution. However, a closer look at the church in Iran brings an encouraging note to the recent wave of arrests. A revival is taking place in Iran, bringing many to Jesus Christ, though at great costs as many are forced to leave the country or risk arrest. Local house churches have celebrated baptisms, salvation, and a renewed faith. This comes as an encouragement that through the tribulation and persecution, the church is not dead in Iran but continues to grow among its believers.

Read the rest here