I received a disagreeing comment on one of my previous posts that I thought would be beneficial to share. If you haven’t seen the videos that this is in regards to, watch them by clicking here first before reading this post. I have quoted “Brian” verbatim and added my own responses, point-by-point in bold.
“I do believe you are being a little too closed minded.”
You mean closed minded like saying Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father? That there’s only one faith? Sure then. I wear that title “closed minded” with honor. And by the way, by disagreeing with my point of view, wouldn’t that make you closed minded too? I’m not hurling an insult, just wondering how it applies to others who disagree with me.
“While I agree, they went a little too far with the second video, I saw nothing wrong with the first video.”
A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
“You say that the guy was acting like a homosexual. Are all male hair stylists homosexual? Are all males with feminine characteristics homosexul [sic]?”
Of course not. I never said that “all male hair stylists were homosexual.” To say otherwise is putting words in my mouth and that is dishonest.
And furthermore, not only did I not say that, rest assured I don’t even think that. That’s like presuming that ALL Professing Christians (PCs) are going to heaven. I wouldn’t dare presume either.
“If you say yes, then you are guilty of prejudism [sic] and clearly are a liar, because I know several male hair stylists that act a little feminie [sic] but are clearly not homosexual.”
The question I would like answered is why this youth pastor in the video felt the need to act gay / effeminate to convey his message (whatever the message was still escapes me)? If anyone should be guilty of prejudice I would offer for your consideration the guy in the video acting gay / effeminate. I wonder how you would feel if he was making fun of blacks, Hispanics, Asians or Jews.
“No where in the video does the guy do or say anything sexual or inappropriate.”
If you are using the world’s standards to define what you view as “inappropriate” then you are right. What he was doing was very mild. However, when weighed in the light of God’s holiness, and using God’s standard to define right and wrong, then you’d quickly see that the man’s actions in the video was unacceptable, especially since he is acting in the office of a pastor.
“It is called satire; maybe you should pick up the Canterbury Tales and learn about it.”
Thanks for the book recommendation. May I recommend one to you? The Holy Bible. I’m not being mean or sarcastic… I’m being serious! Lets use the Biblical standard in these matters, not man’s standard. (Of course there are other great books I could recommend, but space does not permit at this time).
“Maybe if we didn’t have people like you trying to find everything wrong with everyone else, more people would come to Jesus.”
I didn’t have to look hard to “find” this. This church was so proud of their videos that they displayed them for all to see on GodTube.
I suppose the Apostle Paul shouldn’t have wasted his time writing those “judgmental” letters to the Church in Corinth. He should have ignored their error and in the end more people would have “come to Jesus.”
And speaking of “coming to Jesus,” I’m curious Brian, do you believe in such a thing as false conversions?
“As a youth minister, one must reach teens in a different and creative way.”
Ahh. The crux of the problem. You believe that the old way of reaching the sinner, the Gospel, is no longer good enough. Paul’s proclamation that he strove to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified is archaic. God’s plan for the deliverance of the message of salvation for men has fallen short but thank goodness he’s got the new, cool, hip, and relevant pastors of the Western Church to come up with “different” and “creative” ways to reach teens. So out with the preaching and teaching of the whole counsel of God and in with the potty humor and men acting gay / effeminate.
“Although there is a line that one must not cross, you are not the judge of anybody but yourself. The Bible clearly tells me that.”
So although the church crossed the line in the second video, but not the first, you’re ok with their shameful display? You’re more concerned with me for pointing this stuff out than with the absolute lack of reverence and outright blasphemy portrayed in the video by this church?
Earlier in your post you said “I agree, they went a little too far with the second video.” So this begs the question: If you believe they went too far in the second video, then didn’t YOU just pass judgment?
You paint yourself into a corner when you misuse Scripture, taking texts out of context, only reading bits and pieces of the Bible like “Judge not…” without reading the rest of it. Put down your copy of the satirical Canterbury Tales and read the fifth chapter of First Corinthians (paying close attention to verses 9-13). This may begin to steer you and others into an understanding of whether or not Christians can judge.
I don’t do this because I’m bored or have an ax to grind. I do it in the hopes that someone, perhaps even yourself, will come to an understanding that Christianity is not a joke. God is Holy and the things of God should be handled in such a manner that is worthy.
I make an urgent request that you listen to this sermon that was delivered to a youth conference of 5,000 kids. Please listen to that sermon before responding. (You can even watch it here if you so choose.)
Remember Brian, all these “youth pastors” have an terrifying responsibility. The Bible says that all teachers are held to a greater judgment (James 3:1).
I will not shrink from warning all young men to remember the seventh commandment; to beware of adultery and sexual immorality, of all impurity of every kind. I fear that we don’t very often speak on this part of God’s law. But when I see how prophets and Apostles have dealt with this subject, when I observe the open way in which the Reformers of our own Church denounced it . . . I for one cannot, with good conscience, hold my peace. The world becomes more wicked because of our failure to teach and preach on this commandment. For my own part, I feel it would be false and unscriptural delicacy, in addressing men, not to speak of that which is preeminently the “young man’s sin.”
Christ Alone Wyoming 