July 2003
WHO IS OFFENDING WHOM?
Rachel Hone, age 18, sued Winneconne High School in Wisconsin for her right of free speech to sing about God at her graduation in the song: He's Always Been Faithful. The principal ordered her to substitute the three references to God with He, Him and His. Why? "Because the references to God could OFFEND some people." (What about OFFENDING Rachel and her God?) Her lawyer from the Rutherford Institute-a Virginia-based group that fights for religious freedoms-gained for her the right to sing the song about God if they called it a "performance" instead of a "speech." (The Apostle Paul would have said: "'Performance' or 'speech,' God is preached, and because of this, I rejoice." See Philippians 1:15-18)
Chuck Colson related the following address
and some of his own insights.
Francis Cardinal Arinze was invited to speak at Georgetown University's commencement this year. He was expected to speak about the relationship between Christianity and Islam. Instead, he spoke about the Family in Christian Faith and Life saying, "In many parts of the world the family is under siege," as a result of what he called, "an anti-life mentality in contraception, abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia. Instead of being honored, the family is scorned and banalized by pornography, desecrated by fornication and adultery, mocked by homosexuality, sabotaged by irregular unions, and cut in two by divorce."
Many were OFFENDED. It proved too much for many in the audience. Teresa Sanders, a professor of theology, left the stage during Arinze's remarks. Seventy other faculty members signed a letter to the dean protesting "Arinze's wildly inappropriate remarks."
"Really!" said Colson.
As a result of the protest, the dean apologized for the remarks, and the "hurt" they had caused.
Charles Colson concluded his remarks with the following:
"The response to the Cardinal's remarks show just how phony all the rhetoric about 'tolerance' really is. Tolerance originally meant allowing people who you believed to be wrong, to live according to their beliefs without fear of reprisal. It then mutated into the idea that all beliefs are equally valid. While this was mistaken, at least it allowed for the possibility that Christians might publicly express their beliefs. Now tolerance means no one-other than Christians-should ever hear anything that contradicts what they think, or otherwise upsets them. This is especially true if the subject is human sexuality. Fortunately, our African brethren take their faith seriously-seriously enough to tell the truth about the state of our souls, whether we like it or not.
"Thus we see Anglican bishops from Africa standing against Western apostasy by ordaining clergy who will uphold historic Christian teaching on faith and morals. And we see Cardinal Arinze pointing out the damage being wrought by the West's forsaking of these teachings.
"This incident speaks volumes about the spiritual and moral condition of the West. As historian Philip Jenkins has written, the numerical and geographical heart of Christianity has shifted from the West to the developing world. One result of this shift is that, as was predicted, Christians from Africa are now evangelizing Europe and America, instead of the other way around."
JESUS PROPHECIED THIS TO HIS DISCIPLES:
"The time is coming when men will think that killing you is doing God a service." (John 16:2) He further said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) And He wants that message proclaimed by believers so that all people everywhere might listen to it and be saved from their sins. Whether the message is received and believed, or received and "offended" by it, is a personal choice. It's a great paradox that a God of such wonderful love should be the object of such intense hatred. "They hated Me without a cause." (John 15:25) So many would rather choose an eternity in the lake of fire with Satan, who hates them, than ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN WITH CHRIST WHO SO GREATLY LOVES THEM. WHAT'S YOUR CHOICE?
THE DIRECTOR'S CORNER
It was a good feeling to once again get the cabins, kitchen, showers, etc. ready for the camping weeks. And a thank you to all the volunteer help. We like to see every facility being used here, and that happens during overnight camps. Third through eighth grade boys' camp has just concluded. Wednesday evening was the scene of boys vs. fathers' softball game down at the ball field. There were about 20 boys playing against 10 men. The score ended up 3 to 19 (men just can't hold back). The boys might have won if we'd kept playing-the men were dropping fast with pulled leg muscles, bad shoulders, etc.
Again this year men from the church fellowship, most of them former campers, took turns staying with the boys in the cabins at night and leading the Bible studies in the morning. Since a positive male presence is sometimes missing in homes, it was good for the boys to spend time with some good ones.
We'd like you to earnestly pray with us for the girls and boys and staff during the month of July, that God's truth will produce a lifetime of fruit in these lives-that strong convictions will take root.
ON LINE!! Mark Williams has worked hard to get our web site set up. You can check us out at www.biblewitnesscamp.us and please note that the email address has changed to: biblewitnesscamp@juno.com; the photos of camps are on the web site.
PLANTED, ROOTED, AND GROWING IN CHRIST
2003 BOYS' OVERNIGHT CAMP COUNSELORS: George Giddings, Cecil Goosby, Ernest Jefferson, Fred Jefferson, John Jefferson, John Lee, Dave McMillan, Dave Roberts, and Mark Williams.
Technicians (High School Helpers): Leon Ashley, Jamell Gilmore, Melvin Harrison, Jacob Lee, and Mario Thomas.
2003 GIRLS' OVERNIGHT CAMP COUNSELORS: Sarah Cannon, Karessa Crite, Kirsten Dilling, and Karen McMillan.
Technicians: LeAndrea Ashley, Shawnnisha Crump, Shakira Marshall, Tabitha Williams, and Pleshette Wooten.
Dave & Becky McMillan, Lizetta, Mary, Mark & Karen Williams; Judy Chesebro;
Joji Barredo; Trudie Hayon, in Trinidad.
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