{"id":31656,"date":"2015-07-10T15:00:12","date_gmt":"2015-07-10T23:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=31656"},"modified":"2015-07-10T10:14:53","modified_gmt":"2015-07-10T18:14:53","slug":"cal-thomas-evangelicals-core-beliefs-and-culture-wars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/church-history\/cal-thomas-evangelicals-core-beliefs-and-culture-wars\/","title":{"rendered":"Cal Thomas, Evangelicals, core beliefs, and ‘culture wars’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/em>
\nCal Thomas (Photo by Gage Skidmore)<\/em><\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

A reader tipped me off about the following:<\/p>\n

\n

Cal Thomas: Evangelicals should return to core beliefs<\/h2>\n

July 10, 2015<\/p>\n

In the matter of the \u201cculture wars,\u201d evangelical Christians are asking, \u201cwhat do we do now?\u201d The question is being raised in the aftermath of the Supreme Court\u2019s decision striking down state laws reserving marriage for heterosexual couples.<\/p>\n

The \u201cculture wars,\u201d while well-intentioned, were a mistake from the beginning. Evangelical Christians, whose Leader said, \u201cMy Kingdom is not of this world,\u201d thought they could organize people of like mind and like faith and create a voting bloc to elect people who would impose something resembling that other kingdom on people who do not see themselves as members of that kingdom. Given the number of politicians who seem to have difficulty imposing a moral code of any sort on themselves, such a strategy was doomed from the start. Why didn\u2019t they learn from previous \u201cmoral improvement\u201d movements that if one wants to change culture, one must first change individuals? For evangelical Christians that can only be done by the transformation of the heart, soul and mind, something that is beyond the power of secular \u2013 or even religious \u2013 politicians.<\/p>\n

Conservative Christians wanted to be liked and respected by the world. Republican politicians saw them as a reliable voting bloc and were happy to have them in the party, but party leaders and elected officials did little to advance their agenda. Leaders gave them lip service, saying what Christians wanted to hear and in some cases even quoted a Bible verse, but in reality most party leaders were embarrassed, even offended, by people many regarded as throwbacks, if not to the Dark Ages, then to the rural South.<\/p>\n

Fundraisers and TV evangelists were happy to promote this \u201ckingdom of the world\u201d mentality because it brought them the illusion of influence, money and a place at the table. Few minds were changed, and culture became more deformed than reformed. The country grows increasingly secular in part because conservative evangelicals gave the impression that being born again means instant adoption into the Republican Party.<\/p>\n

As a longtime fan of Broadway musicals and plays, I believe that the original cast is always better than the touring company. Evangelicals should return to the \u201coriginal cast,\u201d whose members include Jesus of Nazareth, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James and Timothy. Consider their lives and tactics as they faced a hostile political and religious environment that brought persecution, even death. These men \u2013 and their followers \u2013 had little interest in an earthly kingdom. Instead, they focused on that other kingdom, and billions of lives have been transformed in the centuries that followed. \u00a0http:\/\/www.saratogian.com\/opinion\/20150710\/cal-thomas-evangelicals-should-return-to-core-beliefs<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While term ‘culture wars’ does not directly come from the Bible, the following does:<\/p>\n

\n

1 “Cry aloud, spare not;
\nLift up your voice like a trumpet;
\nTell My people their transgression,
\nAnd the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

True Christian leaders should be doing that.\u00a0 If ‘culture wars’ are defined by voting, that would not be something that the Bible endorses (for details, see Should a Christian Vote?<\/a>).<\/p>\n

As far as homosexuality goes, true Christian leaders should teach what the Bible really says about it (see The Bible Condemns Homosexuality<\/a>), not what some Protestants who endorse it claim the Bible teaches (watch also What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?<\/a>).<\/p>\n

As far as the kingdom of God goes, this is something that Jesus and His faithful early followers taught.\u00a0 Here are a few scriptures related to that:<\/p>\n

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14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15)<\/p>\n

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18:36)<\/p>\n

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)<\/p>\n

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.\u00a0 (Matthew 24:14)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

More on the gospel of the kingdom can be found in the article The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church<\/a>.\u00a0 Preaching the gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness is something we in the Continuing Church of God are doing (see also\u00a0The Final Phase of the Work<\/a> and Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work?<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Now, another point to touch upon is that Cal Thomas stated that Christian leaders should teach what “Jesus of Nazareth, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James and Timothy” and presumably other early faithful Christian leaders taught.<\/p>\n

While I agree with Cal Thomas on that point, I would add that evangelicals do not do that.\u00a0 Nor will they?<\/p>\n

Why?<\/p>\n

Because they have absorbed so many non-biblical traditions and practices that they tend to call true Christianity a cult–a cult that they denounce.<\/p>\n

Here is a list of some of the views that early Christians held that differ from those held by most evangelical leaders:<\/p>\n

A Binitarian<\/a> or Semi-Arian view, that acknowledged the Holy Spirit, was held by the apostolic and post-apostolic true Christian leaders.<\/p>\n

Birthdays <\/a>were not celebrated by early Christians.<\/p>\n

Born-Again <\/a>meant being born at the resurrection, not at the time of conversion, which is when a spiritual begettal occurs.<\/p>\n

Church Governance<\/a> was properly hierarchical.<\/p>\n

Christmas<\/a> was not observed by any professing Christ prior to the third century, or ever by those holding to early teachings; December 25th did not come from the Bible.<\/p>\n

Circumcision<\/a>, though not required, was long practiced by original Nazarene Christians.<\/p>\n

Deification<\/a> of Christians (which begins after the first resurrection) was taught by the early leaders of the Church.<\/p>\n

Easter<\/a> per se<\/em> was not observed by the apostolic church.<\/p>\n

The Fall (and Spring) Holy Days<\/a> were observed by true early Christians.<\/p>\n

The Father <\/a>was considered to be God by all early professing Christians.<\/p>\n

The True Gospel<\/a> included the kingdom of God and obedience to the law of God and was so understood by the faithful.<\/p>\n

Heaven<\/a> was not taught to be the reward of Christians.<\/p>\n

Holy Spirit <\/a>was not referred to as God or as a person by any early true Christians.<\/p>\n

Hymns<\/a> were mainly psalms, not praises to Christ.<\/p>\n

Idols<\/a> were taught against, including adoration of the cross.<\/p>\n

Immortality<\/a> of the soul or humans was not taught.<\/p>\n

The Kingdom of God <\/a>was preached.<\/p>\n

Leavened Bread<\/a> was removed from the homes of early Christians when the Jews did the same.<\/p>\n

Military Service<\/a>was not allowed for true early Christians.Monasticism<\/a> was unheard of in the early Christian church.<\/p>\n

Passover<\/a> was kept annually on the 14th of Nisan by apostolic and second century Christians in Asia Minor.<\/p>\n

The Resurrection<\/a>of the dead was taught by all early ChristiansThe Sabbath<\/a> was observed on Saturday by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church.<\/p>\n

Salvation<\/a> was believed to be offered to the chosen now by the early Church, with others being called later, though not all that taught that (or other doctrines) practiced \u201cthe faith which was once for all delivered to the saints\u201d (Jude 3).<\/p>\n

God\u2019s Six Thousand Year Plan<\/a> for humankind to rule itself was believed by early professors of Christ.<\/p>\n

Sunday<\/a> was not observed by the apostolic and original post-apostolic Christians.<\/p>\n

The Ten Commandments<\/a> were observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians\u2013and in the order that the Church of God claims they are in.<\/p>\n

Tithes and Offerings<\/a> were given to support the ministry, the churches, the needy, and evangelical travels and proclamation.<\/p>\n

Tradition<\/a> had some impact on the second century Christians, but was never supposed to supersede the Bible.<\/p>\n

The Trinity<\/a> was not a word used to describe the Godhead by the apostolic or second century Christians, though a certain threeness was acknowledged.<\/p>\n

Unclean Meats<\/a> were eaten by the early allegorists, but not by true Christians.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There are other beliefs, but relatively few evangelicals have the same beliefs as shown above–even many of those who claim to keep the Ten Commandments.<\/p>\n

Anyway, those interested in learning more about the beliefs of the early Christian leaders may wish to check out the free online pdf booklet Continuing History of the Church of God<\/a>.\u00a0 Those who would like to learn more about true Christianity may also wish to read the free online pdf booklet Where is the True Christian Church Today?<\/a><\/p>\n

Cal Thomas is correct that the evangelicals are not winning their ‘culture war’ and the focus for Christians should be the coming kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).<\/p>\n

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Some items of possibly related interest may include:<\/em><\/p>\n

Should a Christian Vote?<\/a> This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president\/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
\nCross-dressing and other assaults against your children.\u00a0 <\/strong>What should you do?<\/a> Is there an agenda to turn your children and\/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on?\u00a0 There is also a YouTube video on this, titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children<\/a>.
\nThe Bible Condemns Homosexuality<\/a> “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?\u00a0 Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?<\/a>
\nPornography: A scourge on society<\/a> Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it? Here is a link to a YouTube video Pornography: Harmless Fun or a Scourge on Society?
\n<\/a>The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church<\/a> Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom<\/a>.
\nThe Final Phase of the Work<\/a> What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. <\/a> The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra<\/a>.
\nLeading the Final Phase of the Work<\/a> Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> been doing?\u00a0 This is a sermonette length video.
\nShould the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work?<\/a> Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul<\/a> and Herbert W. Armstrong<\/a> expect from lower level leaders? A related sermon is available titled Priority of the Philadelphia Work<\/a>.
\nWhere is the True Christian Church Today?<\/a> This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church?<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Continuing History of the Church of God<\/a> This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. A related sermon link would be Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D<\/a>. Marque aqu\u00ed para ver el pdf folleto: Continuaci\u00f3n de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios<\/a>.
\nAnglo \u2013 America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel<\/a> Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-Am\u00e9rica & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel<\/a>. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter?<\/a> and British are the Covenant People<\/a>. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse<\/a>.
\nWill the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?<\/a> Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? <\/a> Here is a related item in the Spanish language \u00bfSer\u00e1n divididas las naciones anglosajonas?<\/a>
\nDoes God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?<\/a> Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2022 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity\u2019s reign almost up?<\/a>
\nWhen Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017?<\/a> Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the \u201cbeginning of sorrows\u201d? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: \u00bfPuede comenzar la Gran Tribulaci\u00f3n en 2015? \u00bfEs el Tiempo de los Gentiles?<\/a><\/em> You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives<\/a>.
\nJust What Do You Mean \u2014 Repentance?<\/a> Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong<\/a> wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
\nWhen You Sin: Do You Really Repent? <\/a>This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent<\/a>.
\nBarack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term<\/a> This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com<\/a>. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.<\/a>
\nBarack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.<\/a> This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon \u0019s Free<\/strong> Reader Apps<\/a>. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cal Thomas (Photo by Gage Skidmore) COGwriter A reader tipped me off about the following: Cal Thomas: Evangelicals should return to core beliefs July 10, 2015 In the matter of the \u201cculture wars,\u201d evangelical Christians are asking, \u201cwhat do we do now?\u201d The question is being raised in the aftermath of the Supreme Court\u2019s decision […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,5,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-church-history","category-doctrine","category-religious-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t