Oh Lord, give me strength. Thanks to Dan Kennedy for posting this on his Medialog site this morning: ["Onward Christian huckster"].
As a Christian, there is nothing more offensive in my mind than bribing people for their souls. As well, check out this quote from the article: "He calls himself a ''Southern Baptist evangelist,'' and justifies the war and killing with a verse from the Gospel of Matthew, which he often recites:
"Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's. This means we are called upon by our government to fight and that is giving unto Caesar, as the Bible tells us,'' he said."Well, Josh, your quote has nothing to do with being called upon by your government to fight an immoral war. This scripture had to do with whether the people were to pay tribute [taxes] to Ceasar! Instead Josh, I challenge you to look at other chapters from the Book of Matthew which you may want to take to heart during your stay in Iraq [New International Version]:
5-38-42 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
5-43-45 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate you enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He cause his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
Lastly Josh, this is the most important one:
7-21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
You are not doing the work of the Lord, Josh. You are not doing the work of the Lord.
