Duck Dynasty has become a huge success story on TV.
Some of the reasons for Duck Dynasty’s success:
Even though they get a little edgy, they are still a refreshing change from the filth and immorality regularly shown on TV.
They emphasize Faith, Family, Fun, Facial Hair.
They often show men acting like men, and women acting like women. Of course, they play to an audience and act a little crazy. Some of the rest of us on occasion do so in real life.
They’re like a lot of country folk I grew up with. Take away the money, the beards, and the wine, and they’re like some of my family, myself included.
Some appreciate educated, intelligent people that do not necessarily have to “act like” they are important, educated, or intelligent.
Again, while we will disagree with some of their theology and practices, it sure is nice to see their emphasis on faith, family, and a Christian sense of morality.
I obviously disagree with some of their theology and their vineyard. Not that I have a problem with a vineyard. I just have a problem taking the fresh, un-intoxicating fruit of the vine, and turning it into a dangerous, addictive drug. Maybe they could check out Draper Valley Vineyard, a vineyard that produces nonalcoholic wine/ grape juice from wine grapes (their Pinot Noir is outstanding).
While I enjoy Duck Dynasty, I agree with the stand Free Will Baptists recently took against the Robertson’s promotion of alcohol. They were right that it would send a mixed message to the kids in their Children’s Home. For a good article on this see:
http://www.brnow.org/Opinions/Guest-Columns/November-2013/Free-Will-Baptists-cancel-Duck-Dynasty-event
While I criticize them on the issue of alcohol, I agree with them on the issue of homosexuality. I would not have put the issue quite as crudely, but Phil Robertson was biblically correct in this opinion. We are to love all people, but God makes it perfectly clear that a homosexual lifestyle is sinful.
Hollywood and the Media one day will have a stark surprise at how a holy God views their creative work:
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. -Romans 1:26-27
While a little less crude, Holy Scripture bears a striking resemblance to Phil Robertson’s words.
For more on this most recent issue, see Baptist Press:
http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=41702
This is not just an issue of Free Speech. It is also an issue of Religious Liberty. Do America and our Media now only have room for one view? Just this morning national news labeled Phil Robertson’s view against homosexual acts as “homophobic.” Yet this is what the Bible and Christianity have taught for 2,000 years.
We also note their hypocrisy in ignoring these issues when it involves one of their own.
May America continue to be the land of the free. May Christians continue to have the freedom to speak the truth of the Bible. And may we strive to “speak the truth in love.”
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, December 20, AD 2013.
News Media's Unbalanced Reporting of Same-Sex Marriage
Jesus Christ on Same-Sex Marriage
That Night, A Christmas Poem
Friday, December 20, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Conservative United Methodists
Those who know me and have read much of Gulf Coast Pastor know that I am a Christian and a conservative Southern Baptist. I have strong Baptist convictions.
I have great respect, however, for those who stand for the fundamental or basic Christian doctrines, whether they are Baptist or not. I know there are many godly, Bible believing Christians of other denominations.
Some of the great preachers of the last 300 years or so have been of the Methodist persuasion. The United Methodists of today, though, are engaged in a struggle over the basics of the Christian faith. This has been seen recently in a Methodist Church trial concerning a minister who officiated in a homosexual wedding.
Many do not know there is an active, conservative Methodist organization that is making a heroic stand against theological liberalism. That group is the Good News Fellowship. If you are interested in what is going on in the Methodist Church, check out the following website and subscribe to their Good News Magazine:
http://goodnewsmag.org/
If you know any Methodists, let them know about this magazine and this conservative Methodist organization. They deserve more support.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, December 11, AD 2013.
I have great respect, however, for those who stand for the fundamental or basic Christian doctrines, whether they are Baptist or not. I know there are many godly, Bible believing Christians of other denominations.
Some of the great preachers of the last 300 years or so have been of the Methodist persuasion. The United Methodists of today, though, are engaged in a struggle over the basics of the Christian faith. This has been seen recently in a Methodist Church trial concerning a minister who officiated in a homosexual wedding.
Many do not know there is an active, conservative Methodist organization that is making a heroic stand against theological liberalism. That group is the Good News Fellowship. If you are interested in what is going on in the Methodist Church, check out the following website and subscribe to their Good News Magazine:
http://goodnewsmag.org/
If you know any Methodists, let them know about this magazine and this conservative Methodist organization. They deserve more support.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, December 11, AD 2013.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Nelson Mandela Quotes; and Comments About Mandela
Nelson Mandela (AD 1918-2013) was an outstanding South African and world leader. I’m sure I would not agree with him on every detail of religion and politics, but there is no doubt he accomplished great things.
A few significant quotes by and about Mandela:
"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
-Nelson Mandela. Spoken in 1964, he lived out the truth of this statement.
Baptist Press noted Mandela rarely discussed religion outside the arena of religious freedom, but gave this quote of Mandela from a 2000 Christian Science Monitor interview:
"Religion has had a tremendous influence on my own life. You must remember that during our time - right from Grade 1 up to university - our education was provided by religious institutions. I was in [Christian] missionary schools. The government [of the day] had no interest whatsoever in our education and, therefore, religion became a force which was responsible for our development.
I appreciate the importance of religion. You have to have been in a South African jail under apartheid where you could see the cruelty of human beings to each other in its naked form. Again, religious institutions and their leaders gave us hope that one day we would return.”
Comments on Mandela from Gordon Fort:
"While tackling the daunting task of dismantling institutionalized racism, poverty and inequality, [Mandela] gave a clarion call to national unity and religious freedom. This atmosphere led to a season of opportunity for the church and its missionary representatives to advance the Gospel, engage new people groups, and play a part in the healing of the deep rifts within the nation.
President Mandela was among the first to invite and welcome the role of the church in the new nation he was seeking to build. After retirement from the presidency, he continued to provide leadership and an example of statesmanship that allowed the church to flourish.”
-Gordon Fort, SBC International Mission Board Senior Vice-President, and former IMB missionary in Africa.
Adeniya Ojutiku on Mandela:
Nelson Mandela was “an epitome of forgiveness, kindness and love" who had "a dogged resolve for the pursuit of peace and justice."
"His extraordinary life story, witty sense of humor and lack of bitterness toward his former oppressors has ensured global appeal for his type of charismatic leadership.
Mandela has no antecedence, parallel or equal in the contemporary history of harmonious race relations.
He rekindled hope in the humaneness and greatness of the black, colored and white races, as he soared above the petty confines of party politics and prejudice.”
-Nigeria native Adeniya Ojutiku, a Southern Baptist in the U.S. who fights for Christians and their livelihood in his homeland; from Baptist Press.
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” -Nelson Mandela
“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.” -Nelson Mandela
“Appearances matter - and remember to smile.” -Nelson Mandela
“A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.” -Nelson Mandela
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, December 7, AD 2013.
10 Commandments For Christmas
More Articles (Labels) in lower right margin.
A few significant quotes by and about Mandela:
"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
-Nelson Mandela. Spoken in 1964, he lived out the truth of this statement.
Baptist Press noted Mandela rarely discussed religion outside the arena of religious freedom, but gave this quote of Mandela from a 2000 Christian Science Monitor interview:
"Religion has had a tremendous influence on my own life. You must remember that during our time - right from Grade 1 up to university - our education was provided by religious institutions. I was in [Christian] missionary schools. The government [of the day] had no interest whatsoever in our education and, therefore, religion became a force which was responsible for our development.
I appreciate the importance of religion. You have to have been in a South African jail under apartheid where you could see the cruelty of human beings to each other in its naked form. Again, religious institutions and their leaders gave us hope that one day we would return.”
Comments on Mandela from Gordon Fort:
"While tackling the daunting task of dismantling institutionalized racism, poverty and inequality, [Mandela] gave a clarion call to national unity and religious freedom. This atmosphere led to a season of opportunity for the church and its missionary representatives to advance the Gospel, engage new people groups, and play a part in the healing of the deep rifts within the nation.
President Mandela was among the first to invite and welcome the role of the church in the new nation he was seeking to build. After retirement from the presidency, he continued to provide leadership and an example of statesmanship that allowed the church to flourish.”
-Gordon Fort, SBC International Mission Board Senior Vice-President, and former IMB missionary in Africa.
Adeniya Ojutiku on Mandela:
Nelson Mandela was “an epitome of forgiveness, kindness and love" who had "a dogged resolve for the pursuit of peace and justice."
"His extraordinary life story, witty sense of humor and lack of bitterness toward his former oppressors has ensured global appeal for his type of charismatic leadership.
Mandela has no antecedence, parallel or equal in the contemporary history of harmonious race relations.
He rekindled hope in the humaneness and greatness of the black, colored and white races, as he soared above the petty confines of party politics and prejudice.”
-Nigeria native Adeniya Ojutiku, a Southern Baptist in the U.S. who fights for Christians and their livelihood in his homeland; from Baptist Press.
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” -Nelson Mandela
“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.” -Nelson Mandela
“Appearances matter - and remember to smile.” -Nelson Mandela
“A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.” -Nelson Mandela
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, December 7, AD 2013.
10 Commandments For Christmas
More Articles (Labels) in lower right margin.
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