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Letters to the editor
Letters to the editor; i.e., a discussion of rainbow weddings in Churches
The idea for this piece of writing came from an audience section article. Etelä-Suomen sanomat (a Finnish newspaper) (2/7/2017) contained a letter to the editor called Päivi Räsänen is a Pharisee written by a person named Teuvo (I leave out the surname as it is not important here). In the letter, Teuvo expressed his support for gay weddings to be held in churches and criticized Päivi Räsänen for being a Pharisee. He wrote like so, among other things:
Päivi Räsänen is a Pharisee
...There are some flaws in Päivi Räsänen's thoughts. I also expected instructions from him on the practices of love. In the practice of love, must we follow the custom commonly called the missionary custom or the principle of "never on Sundays"? Räsänen would probably not participate in the wedding in Cana described in the Bible story, but would sit in the front pew of the church, beat her breasts in the Pharisee way and say: Fortunately, I am not like those lesbians who celebrate at the wedding in Cana. In the People's Church, which is often also referred to as the state church, the laws of Finland must be followed. If the law allows marriage between two men or two women, the national church should correct its practice according to the law. ...I have participated a couple of times in Lahti in the "rainbow mass" in the hall of the Young Women's Christian Association, where a pastor from Lahti, already retired, announced that he would wed couples belonging to minority groups as well. Excellent civil courage from a retired priest in Lahti! Teuvo...
Since I myself think about things in the same way as Päivi Räsänen, I took a position on the topic (years ago, when I was an atheist, I thought the opposite). I'm not a member of the church, but I see disturbing features in the current development. That's why I wrote about it to the opinion section. The article was published (ESS 7/7/2017) but very abbreviated, and this changed the tone of the article and removed important arguments. The title had also been changed to a completely different format: Those who inaugurate gay couples lead others to hell. (There is an episode related to this, that my mother, who by no means shares my own views but disagrees with me, told me to call the editor, who had changed the title and left essential things aside. She saw that I might be seen as a homophobe, although it is the complete opposite. However, I left the matter be. The media does not always take into consideration how distorted messages about people and matters might also affect the relatives). Originally, I wrote as follows. The underlined parts were missing from the newspaper article:
Rainbow marriages and the church
Teuvo… spoke out about the inauguration of rainbow couples (ESS 2/7). He considered the attitude of not inaugurating rainbow couples in the church to be unloving and pharisaical. He also mentioned Päivi Räsänen. In my opinion, Teuvo does not seem to understand what this is all about: it is about shifting the line between right and wrong. Throughout times, churches have regarded homosexual sex to be wrongful behavior which affects one’s eternity (1 Cor 6:9,10: Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God.). Many other things also belong in this category, like extramarital affairs, murders, theft, etc. A good question is whether homosexual sex, murders, thefts, and extramarital affairs (someone might defend that with love, too) are still wrong, or whether they are now acceptable and correct behavior? Should the church always change their teachings about these matters based on Gallup polls? I think we are moving on a sloping surface here. One thing I worry about is the narrowing of freedom of belief and thought. I think Teuvo's attitude leads to that. This attitude prevailed in communist countries and Nazi Germany. In them, the activity of churches was completely prohibited or what was allowed to be taught was prescribed. They also required absolute obedience to the state (E.g. Adolf Eichmann, who was responsible for killing thousands, claimed based on this that he had done nothing wrong because he was only obeying the orders of others). Does Teuvo want the kind of society that existed in communist countries and Nazi Germany? That is exactly what the thinking he represents leads to. That's why I'm worried. Then to love and Pharisaism. It wouldn't even occur to me that I was somehow better than others. And I don't believe Päivi Räsänen thinks so either. Instead, as I stated, it is a matter of differences of opinion about right and wrong - not superiority over others. In addition, love can be viewed from different angles. For some, inaugurating gay couples represents love. I personally see that these people lead others to hell. I consider it true love when people are warned against wrong choices, like warning someone about thin ice:: " Don't go forward, lest it happen to you badly!" Things can be looked at from different sides.
Jari Iivanainen
Next, more processing of the topic. In newspaper writing, especially in letters to the editor, there is a problem of small space, in which case everything should be condensed into a fairly short form. Instead, here the subject can be approached much more broadly. Therefore, I will bring up a few things relevant to the topic, firstly about Pharisaism:
Pharisaism
- (Luke 18:9-14) And he spoke this parable to certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote on his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
As was mentioned earlier, Teuvo stated in his comment that “Päivi Räsänen is a Pharisee”. In addition, he wrote: "Räsänen would probably not participate in the wedding in Cana described in the Bible story, but would sit in the front pew of the church, beat her breasts in the Pharisee way and say: Fortunately, I am not like those lesbians who celebrate at the wedding in Cana." As for the previous Pharisaic thinking, in which man considers himself morally superior to some "sinners", I myself have always gone in the opposite direction. I believe that this has also happened in Päivi Räsänen's life. When I took the first steps on the path of faith, I saw my own mistakes, not those of others. I was weighed down by my own burden of sin, just like the publican in Jesus' parable, and at the time I didn't think about the mistakes of others. However, the same trend has continued. When God has shown my own mistakes, it has led to humbling myself and not being able to throw others with stones. Judgmental attitudes towards others have decreased more and more over the years. I am not saying that I have become perfect in this area, but the direction has been clear. Tapio Nousiainen has described a similar development in his book Kristuksen kanssa kärsimyskoulussa (pp.98,99):
Now we come to an important stage, the turning point. With all the suffering, God has pursued one goal: that we would see ourselves as the Holy Spirit sees us. Of course, we here in time and flesh can not bear to see our true selves. It's so unclean and entirely wretched when you get a peek behind the facade. But what we can carry, the Holy Spirit shows. When this stage was reached, I felt God's auger drilling deeper and deeper. Gradually, the man began to see himself. How arrogant, ambitious, ungrateful, power-hungry, filthy, thin-skinned, irritable, double-minded, bitter, scheming, lustful, spiritual slacker, Pharisee, slanderer, sectarian, spy, liar, preacher and jealous man he was. Surely God's auger from deeper would have revealed new things, but the man would not have been able to bear it. The perpetrator threw himself before the holy God and cried out in pain: "Oh, God, what am I like? How could you have saved me and put up with me for decades? I am absolutely hopeless. I can't heal myself.” Isaiah's cry in the Bible (Isaiah. 6:5) suited the author well: Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the middle of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. God has to bring things to this point before schooling is of any real use. Everything in the future is an increase from the zero point.
Interestingly, Paul experienced similar growth. He said in the beginning that he was the least of the apostles, then the least of all saints, and at the end of his life he called himself the chief of the sinners.
- (1 Cor 15:9) For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
- (Eph 3:8) To me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
- (1 Tim 1:15) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
T.B. Barratt, known as Pentecostal apostle in Europe, has also referred to his experiences. He had been a believer for decades before he received Pentecostal baptism from above. However, right before the baptism, he saw his own flaws and shortcomings very deeply. This is opposite to the Pharisaic thinking:
Love also matters
- (1 Cor 13:1,2) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
- (Eph 4:15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Teuvo also talked about love in his writing. He saw that the supporters of the rainbow movement and those who inaugurate them represent love. But as I stated in my post, this issue is basically about moving the line between right and wrong - not about superiority over others or a lack of love (It is of course true that these things can be talked about without love and many have been guilty of it). Throughout time, homosexual sex has been considered in the church as wrong behavior that affects eternity (1 Cor 6:9,10: Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God.). Included in the list are murders, thefts, extramarital sex and other similar matters. Should the church change its teaching on these issues as well, if polls show so? Should the church declare that from this day adultery is not wrong if people love each other, or that stealing and murder are no longer wrong? If the moral law is changed in one matter, why not in all others? I think we are moving on a sloping surface here, as I stated. James Sire has explained well the change that has gradually taken place in our society. The reason for the change is that Christian theism has lost its meaning. Therefore, there is a change in the area of morality:
However, even in our relativity we cannot escape the feeling that some things are just ”right” or ”natural” and some are not. For years, the majority of society considered homosexuality immoral. Today, many people dispute this. But they do not deny it on the grounds that there are no moral categories, but because this area of homosexuality should have belonged on the other side of the line that separates the chaste from the immoral. Homosexuals do not usually accept incest! Accordingly, people having different moral values do not change the fact that we constantly make moral judgments and live by them or against them. Everyone lives in a moral universe and in the end everyone thinking about this in the slightest knows this and would not want to change it. Theism teaches, however, that we do not only live in a moral world, but that there is an absolute yardstick, according to which all moral values are being measured. God Himself and His good (sacred and loving) nature is that yardstick. Additionally, Christians and Jews claim that God has given His yardstick in the laws and principles written in the Bible. Inter alia, Ten Commandments, Sermon on the Mount and Paul the Apostle’s ethical teaching are God’s ways of revealing us His nature. Therefore, there is a yardstick for right and wrong and if someone wants to, they can get to know it.
Teuvo also wrote highly respectfully about the retired priest who was willing to officiate rainbow couples. I personally see that these people lead others to hell. And as I said, I consider it true love when people are warned against wrong choices, like warning someone about thin ice:: "Don't go ahead, lest it turn out badly for you!" Things can be looked at from different sides. So why do some priests act and think this way? The reason is simple. They reject the preceding and many other verses of the Bible on this subject. They do not believe them to be true. In effect, they claim that Jesus and the apostles He appointed were either ignorant or liars. They consider themselves to be greater experts than the son of God who came from heaven, Jesus, and the apostles appointed by Him. I think this represents great arrogance. So what about true love? Many may criticize the Christian faith and if the teachings of Jesus and the apostles are followed. However, Christian faith has been very practical in this area, not only words but actions too. People have been serious about the Bible, which has brought about positive reform in society. Below, you will find some examples from hospital care:
Even though the Christian church has been criticized a lot throughout its history, it has still been the forerunner in medical care for the poor, helping captives, homeless or the dying ones and improving working environments. In India the best hospitals and educational institutions connected to it are the result of Christian missionary work, even to that extent that many Hindus use these hospitals more than the hospitals maintained by the government, because they know that they are going to receive better care over there. It is estimated that when the Second World War began, 90% of nurses in India were Christians, and that 80% of them received their education in missionary hospitals. (4)
Many of the best, still existing medical institutions in India’s peninsula were founded by Christians’ initiative, often against the wishes of the colonies. Missionaries have had downright an exceptional impact on health care in Asia and in Africa. They have taken care of leprous, made groundbreaking discoveries in epidemic doctrine, developed national healthcare systems, educated basic healthcare employees and founded school institutions for women doctors and nurses. (5)
In church the affairs of this life were as much taken care of as were the affairs of the future life; it seemed that everything that the Africans accomplished, originated from the missionary work of the church. (Nelson Mandela in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom)
What about hospitals and aid organisations run by humanists and atheists? They have often been bystanders in this area. The English journalist Malcolm Muggeridge (1903-1990), who himself was a secular humanist, but nevertheless honest, noticed this. He drew attention to how the worldview affects culture:
Towards a communist model. When it comes to the most extensive human rights violations in history, they were committed in the last century. Communism and Nazism, based on atheism, were the ideologies within which tens of millions lost their lives either in wars or persecutions by leaders. So what led to the tragic development of the early 20th century? It is often thought that people were different back then, but that is certainly not true. Instead, a better explanation is that Europe became secularized and the leaders no longer had an attachment to the Christian faith (E.g. Stalin's biography tells how Stalin became an atheist one day. Similarly, Joseph Goebbels's diary entries on December 29, 1939 contain the following mention of Hitler's attitudes: "The Führer is deeply religious , but completely opposed to Christianity. He sees Christianity as a symptom of decadence. And so it is. It is a branch of the Jewish race. You can see it in the similarities of the rites." (8) They did not honor God and did not believe that they were responsible for their actions, and this led to well-known consequences. The well-known author George Orwell understood this, writing in the war year of 1944 how ideologies such as fascism and communism were possible when Christianity lost its relevance:
Western civilization, unlike some Oriental civilizations, is partly built on a belief in personal immortality. The West's whole notion of what constitutes right and wrong is fairly difficult to separate from that. There are hardly any doubts that this modern cult of power-worship is connected to the feeling of a modern human that life is here and now, and it is the only life we have. Since for thousands of years people have been raised with the idea that the soul never dies, we must now make a considerable psychological effort to get used to the idea that the individual does die eventually. If we cannot develop a system of good and bad independent from Heaven and Hell, the civilization is likely doomed. We cannot expect much from the future before we realize how much we have lost in the degradation of Christianity. (9)
From here it is good to move on to freedom of religion and thought. In communist countries there was not much of it, because Christianity was either completely banned, or strict restrictions were placed on what could be taught. Nazi Germany also had a similar practice: the Gestapo closely monitored what was taught in the churches. The Gestapo had informers and all political opposition was suppressed. These societies can be considered similar to the surveillance societies that George Orwell wrote about in his book 1984. What about modern times? It is very likely that history will repeat itself, and freedom of religion/thought will be narrowed again, as happened in the 20th century. In modern times, the narrowers of freedom of religion and speech will be value liberals who, in the name of love, often support the same kind of sexual immorality that the first communists represented. (When the communists came to power, they made divorce easy, abortion was legalized, and they taught that there should not be any obstacles to free sexual relations.) I believe that Western countries are moving more and more in this direction, and Teuvo's writing was a foretaste of that. People are the same throughout the ages, and if society drifts further and further away from God and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles (e.g. Germany was the leading country of religious criticism and liberal theology in the 19th and early 20th centuries), this is an inevitable development. That's why I'm worried about current developments and I see us sliding at high speed in the same direction as a hundred years ago. The transition to a communist model and Gestapo-like control is not far away. Value liberals, who often speak in the name of equality and love, are at the forefront of this development. The following quote says something about the narrowing of freedom of religion and speech. The authors appearing in the book do not represent the Christian faith, but they too have noticed the direction of development. They see that value liberals are driving freedom of religion and speech away.
Those who call themselves value liberals threaten the very freedoms that classical liberals considered the basis of a free society. Because of them, dissidents are allowed to fear for their freedom of speech. They come to our bedrooms to see if money is being exchanged and march to our companies to see if there are enough women on the board. They infiltrate our churches to dictate what is allowed to be preached about sexual ethics, while checking that it is certainly preached by a woman. (10)
It is important to note that God has known these things the whole time. Bible prophecies have mentioned the apostasy before the Second Coming of Jesus (2 Thess 2:1,3 Now we beseech you, brothers, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together to him… Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition). Furthermore, David Wilkerson’s famous book, The Vision, e.g., includes detailed and exact predictions about the current trends in society and the church. William Booth, the founder of Salvation Army, received a similar prophecy in his later years, more than one hundred years ago. His prophecy is about change in the leaders of society and church. It depicts the state of Christendom the day before the Second Coming of Jesus:
1. "Then there will be politics without God... The day will come when the official state policy of the entire Western world will be such that no one at any governing level will fear God anymore... a new generation of political leaders will rule Europe, a generation that will no longer be in the least bit afraid of God; 2. Then there will be Heaven without hell (...) There will be a day when a great withdrawal of what the Bible says to be "the Gospel of the full truth" will take place. At that time a "gospel" for the itching ears of the people will be preached. The hearers will determine what is preached from the pulpits. Then, the common order for the pulpits will be 'speak mild, sweet words; speak about heaven, leave us in peace so that we would not have to be strained when you preach about hell.' 3. Christendom is full of forgiveness without repentance. The Bible's doctrine that there can be no forgiveness of sins without repenting of the sin is disappearing from Christianity. 4. The day before Jesus' coming is filled with the joy of salvation, in people who have not been born again from above. 5. There is a lot of religion without the Holy Spirit (2 Tim 3:5 Jude 18,19). 6. Christianity without Christ. Christ is not anywhere where the 'BLOOD and FIRE' are not valid – deny one of the two and you will have forms of Christianity but without Christ."
Inclinations and lust
- (Mark 7:21-23) For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
- (Eph 2:3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
- (Mark 4:18,19) And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
- (James 1:14,15) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.
When it comes to homosexual inclinations, people often think it is an innate quality, like skin color. This is the major reason behind positive attitudes in society towards this inclination. However, it is noteworthy that many homosexuals themselves deny the innateness of their condition. They do not believe in the inborn nature of their inclination, but instead, refer to their past experiences (relationships, sexual abuse…). This was also a common view in psychology in the past. Some homosexuals might defend their inclination as innate, but not all agree:
Bill Hybels: I read an interesting study by an expert: it was a survey to find out how many actively homosexual people believed they were born that way. Eighty-five percent of the interviewees were of the opinion that their homosexuality was a learned way of behaving caused by destructive influence early on in their home and enticement by another person. Nowadays, my first question when meeting with a homosexual is usually, “Who gave you the inspiration for it?” All of them can answer me. I will ask then, “What would have happened to you and your sexuality if you hadn’t met your uncle, or if your cousin had not come into your life? Or without your stepfather? What do you think would have happened?” This is when the bells start to toll. They say, “Maybe, maybe, maybe.” (11)
What is the Bible’s explanation for this matter? Sin and lust. Homosexual lust is no different to other kinds of lust. In this sense, we are all in the same boat, because everyone has some wrong tendencies and lusts. Heterosexual lust, which might materialize, e.g., as watching pornography, is not any better than homosexual lust. Jesus taught:
- (Matt 5:27,28) You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery: 28 But I say to you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
In addition, one may have other desires and harmful attitudes. Some of them might be inherent, some not. Not everyone suffers from the same things, but there is no such person who is completely free from all cravings or harmful attitudes
• Bitterness and unforgiveness • Tendency to over-eat • Hatred and contempt eg. towards foreigners. One might suffer from self-hate also. • Greediness • Envy towards successful people • Hunger for power • Pedophilia, i.e., sexual lust after children • Addiction to cigarettes, alcohol and drugs • Fear of people and dependence on other’s opinions • Pride and comparison to others
What about trans people who are dissatisfied with their own gender? It is impossible to deduce from them by appearance and physical body their innermost being. After all, it is not a physical matter, but a matter of thought (Often the underlying reason may be that the child has been desired to be of the opposite gender and this has been openly expressed). They are guided by the thoughts that are swirling in their minds and they believe that they would be happier if they had been born into the body of the other sex. However, the thoughts of transgender people are not exceptional. Each of us may be dissatisfied with ourselves at some point in our lives. It can manifest itself in different ways, but all of them are about the thoughts that are spinning in our minds. A person thinks that he would be happier if he were different.
• Eating disorders such as Anorexia nervosa are a good example. In anorexia nervosa, a person may feel that they are fat, even if they are quite thin. A person's body image is distorted and he believes that he is happier as thin. • Heavy drug and alcohol use often stems from strong feelings and thoughts of inferiority. A person uses substances to get rid of his weakness, feelings of inferiority and negative thoughts. • Plastic surgery is caused by dissatisfaction with one's own body. Sometimes it can achieve good results when an aesthetic aspect that is considered ugly is removed. However, that doesn't always happen, instead a person may remain under the power of the image that has dominated his life. • Men may be dissatisfied with their bodies and try to increase their self-esteem and satisfaction by building muscles. • A strong focus on achievement can be the result of low self-esteem and dissatisfaction with oneself. Workaholism may be a symptom of trying to buy approval from yourself and others. • Self-hate and self-loathing is intense dissatisfaction with oneself. At worst, it can lead to suicide or self-harm. Usually, self-hatred originates from rejection of others and our attitude towards it. Other’s rejection in itself does not cause self-hate, as it has to do with our own negative thinking. That is, if we can think rationally, we can be happy, even if the whole world was against us.
The issue of not having contrition
- (2 Cor 7:9,10) Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner, that you might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death.
It is common for the media to take an arrogant attitude towards Christian faith and morality. For example, supporters of free sexuality have arrogantly talked about sexual abstinence before marriage. These "open-minded and progressive" people have tried to explain how sexual abstinence produces guilt, shame and a person has to suppress his feelings. However, these blind leaders of the blind do not take into account what reckless sexuality causes: teenage pregnancies, abortions, sexually transmitted diseases and situations where children have to live without one or both of their parents. Financial costs to society are also not taken into account. They might be hundreds of millions or billions of euros because of selfish lifestyles. What then is the reason for false teachings (Matt 18:7: Woe to the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!) or that we behave wrongly? It is a lack of sense of sin and that we have no real remorse. This applies to murderers, thieves, financial criminals, drug users, but also to adulterers or homosexuals. Trans people also rebel against God when they don't accept the gender they received in birth. So the sense of sin is useful, not in itself, but so that we seek the forgiveness of sins. A person who does not admit that he has done anything wrong and who does not seek forgiveness of sins cannot be forgiven either. It's that simple. Therefore, confess the sins that come to mind and turn to God like the prodigal son in Jesus' parable:
- (Luke 15:18-20) I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you, 19 And am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
- (1 John 1:8,9) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
You should also understand that you cannot receive eternal life through actions, but only through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He has carried your sins to the cross, and through Him you can draw near to God and receive forgiveness of sins, as shown in the following verses:
- (John 5:39,40) Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.
- (Acts 13:38) Be it known to you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins:
- (John 14:6) Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.
The prayer of salvation. Lord, Jesus, I turn to You. I confess that I have sinned against You and I have not lived according to Your will. However, I want to turn from my sins and follow You with all my heart. I also believe that my sins have been forgiven by Your atonement work and I have received eternal life through You. I thank You for the salvation You have given me. Amen.
References:
1. Martin Ski: T.B. Barratt - Helluntaiapostoli, p. 108-110 2. James W. Sire: Missä maailmassa? Maailmankatsomusten perusteet puntarissa (The Universe Next Door. A Basic World View Catalog), p. 36,37 3. David Bentley Hart: Ateismin harhat (Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and its Fashionable Enemies), p. 65 4. Lennart Saari: Haavoittunut planeetta, p. 104 5. Ramachandra, Vinoth, Gods that Fail, Carlisle: Paternoster Press 1996, 216 6. Malcolm Muggeridge: Jesus Rediscovered. Pyramid 1969. 7. Maurice Rawlings: Rajan taakse ja takaisin (To Hell and back), p. 33,34 8. Goebbelsin päiväkirja 29.121939, siteerattu teoksessa F. Taylor (toim.) The Goebbels Diaries, 1939-1941, Lontoo, Hamish Hamilton, p. 77 9. Timo Vihavainen, Marko Hamilo, Joonas Konstig: Mitä mieltä Suomessa saa olla, p. 229 10. Timo Vihavainen, Marko Hamilo, Joonas Konstig: Mitä mieltä Suomessa saa olla, p. 44 11. Bill Hybels: Kristityt seksihullussa kulttuurissa (Christians in a Sex Crazed Culture), p. 132
Homosexuality, church and society. Today, homosexuality is not considered a sin and a lust. It is justified in the name of love and equality. Development in society affects also churches Gender-neutral marriage and children, ie how children's human rights are trampled on when they are denied the right to their biological parents - using as a reason human rights and equality of adults A message to a Church employee. Modern priests want to appear tolerant and progressive, but at the same time they give their support to injustice Homosexuality and being freed from it. What causes homosexuality, its underlying factors and can one get rid of it? Sexuality, love, equality. Sexuality, love and equality - is all sexual behavior right? Letter to the representatives of Seta -organization, that is, how society has changed its attitude toward homosexuality, as predicted in the prophecies
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Jesus is the way, the truth and the life
Grap to eternal life!
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Homosexuality, church and society. Today, homosexuality is not considered a sin and a lust. It is justified in the name of love and equality. Development in society affects also churches Gender-neutral marriage and children, ie how children's human rights are trampled on when they are denied the right to their biological parents - using as a reason human rights and equality of adults A message to a Church employee. Modern priests want to appear tolerant and progressive, but at the same time they give their support to injustice Homosexuality and being freed from it. What causes homosexuality, its underlying factors and can one get rid of it? Sexuality, love, equality. Sexuality, love and equality - is all sexual behavior right? Letter to the representatives of Seta -organization, that is, how society has changed its attitude toward homosexuality, as predicted in the prophecies
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