Hi
@Hazelelponi
forgive me if I'm misunderstanding your position in this thread,...
Ok, you're forgiven if that's the case. Honestly, you'll have to refresh my memory as to what I said in any previous post that supports what you're asking about my position. I know I've discussed that there seems to be some evidence that christianity is growing. I know that I've also discussed the issue of whether or not Constantine should really be getting as much credit as some want to give him as being some great christian leader. I know that I have also put forth the position that I don't believe God asks us to go and beat people over the head to live as christians should live, if they are not a part of us.
I haven't read the book and have no idea what it's about beyond what has been reported in this thread. I do agree, if what you're saying is true about her book, that 'christians' are far too involved in the 'politics' of government. I abhor the idea that so many of the so called 'evangelical' branch (for lack of a better word) came out with such loud and vociferous support of Donald Trump and his brand of politics. I'm more inclined to agree with the late Billy Graham, that we shouldn't support the politics of this world with christian activism.
There was a time, in Paul's ministry, that he felt blessed to be able to speak the gospel to kings because of his arrest. According to the words of Mrs. Pahjola, that's exactly the same way she feels about being called out before the courts and media:
“I was happy to have the possibility to also tell the gospel—the solution to the problem of sin—in front of the court and in front of the media,”
So, just maybe, this trial she is going through is the work of God. I won't say that with any definitive force, but just offer up the possibility as her words are pretty much exactly what Paul said in the same situation.
The lawyer with her also said this:
“This is a very serious issue, because for Christians the Bible is the word of God, and there is no Christianity if you are not allowed to agree with the Bible,” Rasanen said.
Notice please!! The bible is the word of God...
FOR CHRISTIANS. Neither all of Finland nor all of America are believers in the one true and living God and, therefore, hold to that belief.
One of the three charges against Rasanen is for tweeting a picture of a Bible verse at Finland’s state church to criticize its cosponsorship of a homosexual parade.
Listen, I don't know how you feel about social media, but it's like making everyone their own king and kingdom of the world. Yes, if someone is going to express godly beliefs to the world, then they had better expect some push back.
I don't disagree with her stance, but I understand that her stance is only going to apply to christians. The world doesn't know God and therefore doesn't know that there is a law that He asks
HIS CHILDREN to live by. I certainly don't support the idea that her book rises to the level of a hate crime. But I know that what the Scriptures teach is that there is coming a time when the world will see those who follow the Lord as haters deserving of hate in return. Remember Jesus' words?
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me."
So, let's do keep in mind that this is practically fulfillment of the prophetic words of Jesus.
If we, as Christians, can't freely discuss our faith amongst ourselves and how that faith does or should (or even should not) affect our political stances on relevant topics of the day without running afoul of hate crime laws then teaching traditional Christianity has been effectively outlawed.
Well, I still say we should try it the way that Jesus told us to:
First, go out and preach the gospel. Not christianity, but the gospel. That is that we are all sinners in the eyes of a Holy God. We don't need to point fingers at someone's particular sin. I don't think anyone in the Scriptures ever made it personal as to one's sin. It was just said that we are all sinners and likely list off a few that apply to pretty much everyone. That God loves us and wants us to know Him and love Him. That He sent His one and only Son to die as the sacrifice to Him for our sin and that we can now have peace with our Creator and God and enjoy eternal life with him.
Second, if through the power of the Holy Spirit that person agrees with this position, then we should encourage them to confess Jesus as Lord and be baptized. Baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Third, we should
THEN begin to teach them all that Jesus commanded us.
This idea that God has ever asked of His children to just go out and stand against the world and wag our fingers at them and tell them all how much they are sinning, just doesn't seem to be the way that Jesus or the first apostles built the fellowship of believers.
Sure, I have no problem, and often participate myself among the fellowship, in saying how much sin I see in the world. Even calling out those sins and referencing the words of the Scriptures that tell us that such things are sin. But all that is accomplished in doing that among the world, is that they come to hate this idea that there is a God who is going to hold them accountable and are more likely to turn away from God even more than they were before. Let's try it Jesus' way.
For those who feel so led to attack the sin of the world by merely pointing fingers and calling out all the many, many sins, then they should fully expect "and you will be hated by all nations because of me."
And yes, I believe that any believer who is familiar with the Scriptures should fully understand that a time is coming, and has yet come, that teaching the word of God will be seen as hate. We're going to have to deal with that through prayer. Praying for those who are more bold and are in positions where they can tell the gospel to more and more people. But this idea that we're going to make people godly by making them obey the law of God without first having the born again spirit of the Spirit of God living within them, is, I believe, a fool's errand.
So, she's welcome to write a book and I would not condemn that. But when you start spouting off to the world through social media, something that has gotten more people than just her in trouble, then one would be foolish not to expect some pretty harsh pushback. You want to do something constructive for the kingdom of God? Gather all of your social media friends and have them send out tweets or facebook messages or whatever social media one uses, to declare the gospel to all the nations.
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE MIGHT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM. WE ARE ALL SINNERS. MYSELF CHIEF AMONG THEM. BUT GOD DESIRES TO FORGIVE OUR SINS AND TO GIVE US ETERNAL LIFE OF PEACE AND SATISFACTION THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THIS WORLD OFFERS. IF YOU BELIEVE THAT OR WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE...PLEASE REPLY.
Now, not everyone is going to reply. Some are perfectly satisfied to live in their sins. Not even aware of the expectation of an eternal life of struggle and torment. All of the pounding over the head that you think is going to save them will be for naught. There is only one name and one way for anyone to receive God's promise of eternal life with Him, and that is through His Son. That begins with believing in the Son and then the Holy Spirit will do the job that all of those 'sin pounders' are doing. But he'll surely be more successful at it than they will be.
God bless,
Ted
