Stand in the Gap Today 6/30/15

Hosts Sam Rohrer and David Kistler bring clarity to the chaos created by the court decision on same-sex marriage.

  1. How should we respond to the fact that the SCOTUS can not “make law,” but only render an “opinion?”
  2. What is the practical difference between what is “legal” vs “lawful?”
  3. What is the impact of understanding the separate jurisdictions of “Moral law” and “Civil/Constitutional law?”
  4. How should we view the matter of “civil disobedience vs biblical obedience?”
  5. Can we just simply “move on to economic issues” as many would like? Should we measure Presidential candidates on how they respond to these rulings from SCOTUS on ObamaCare and Marriage?
  6. What if States/Governors/State Supreme Court Justices etc Push back against the SCOTUS opinions? Should this be encouraged? What happens if they do? What happens if they don’t?

Supreme Court Decision And Civil Disobedience!

Tonight on FOX News’ Sean Hannity program, Pastor Robert Jeffress
(Pastor, First Baptist Church of Dallas, TX) was as animated as I’ve
ever seen him as he spoke of the path ahead for all believers in Jesus
Christ.  Said Pastor Jeffress, “We will not be intimidated by the
liberal left, President Obama, or the Supreme Court of the United
States!”  Pastor Jeffress’ comments came in the midst of a discussion on
what will be the future of First Amendment liberty for Christians, whose
beliefs are diametrically opposed to degenerative societal norms.

Additionally, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, when asked whether
the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage necessitates “civil
disobedience” said, “I see no other way!”  In all candor, I completely
agree!  As a preacher who has already made his decision, I am prepared
to practice civil disobedience and to experience the persecution and/or
incarceration for my “firmly held beliefs” relative to the topic of
homosexuality!

The reasons for my unequivocal stance on this is two-fold.  First, to
comply with the Supreme Court’s errant decision on same-sex marriage
would be completely antithetical with the Scriptures teaching on the
topic.  On something as fundamentally basic as what constitutes
marriage, I MUST obey God rather than man (or any man-made
institution)!  Second, I believe that disobedience to the High Court’s
damnable decision is constitutionally consistent. According to the 10th
Amendment, the powers not granted to the (federal) government by the
constitution are reserved to the states, or to the people!  When the
federal government (i.e. the Court) steps out of it’s constitutionally
prescribed position of authority, that same government should EXPECT
kickback from authority on the state level!  It is this precise thought
that is motivating Texas Governor Greg Abbott to stand so clearly,
powerfully and aggressively against the High Court decision!  In
essence, he has said to the Supreme Court, “thanks, but no thanks!”
“We, in Texas, have both legislation and an amendment that defines
marriage for our state!”  So, it is obligatory that the Texas Governor
fulfill his oath of office, to protect and defend the Texas
constitution.  I pray that other state leaders will be equally committed
and forceful in their response to Friday’s decision!

So, the decision rendered on Friday is NOT the final word on this
issue!  A constitutional crisis (states authority vs. federal authority)
looms on the near horizon–one that has the potential to eclipse the
divisiveness of the Civil War!  May God grant us (those of us who stand
where God stands on this issue) His wisdom to know the path ahead, and
the courage to accept the consequences!

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)

Landmark Decision At High Court–Comments!

My friends,

It is with great duplicity that I write to you this morning. Moments
ago, I landed in Philadelphia, PA from two PHENOMENAL weeks in Israel!
Never have I felt safer!  And, space doesn’t permit me, at this point,
to remark on all that we saw, heard, sensed, smelled and experienced
while in the Holy Land!  More on that later!

I write with duplicity because of the tragedy that was the Supreme
Court’s decision yesterday!  Though in some ways shocking, it was not at
all unexpected!  In addition to redefining culture’s definition of
marriage, the High Court’s decision will have dramatic and long-lasting
repercussions for the United States–a land founded on a clear
Judeo-Christian, Biblically-based foundation!

While the highest court of the land may redefine an institution, they
cannot/have not changed God’s mind on the issue!!!  No, marriage is
still God’s institution and He ALONE has the right to define it!  He
ALONE has the right to decide it’s participants!  He ALONE has the right
to determine the future of ANY nation that flaunts it’s sin and shakes
it’s fist in the very face of a thrice holy God!  So, from a Divine
perspective, we have entered into even more treacherous territory!

From a legal perspective, we’ve certainly entered into uncharted
waters.  This decision has pitted the 14th Amendment against the
treasured 1st Amendment!  In doing so, there will be a litany of cases
that will ultimately make their way to the Supreme Court! Justice
Kennedy’s broad (and incredibly weak) comments about those with “firmly
held religious beliefs” being able to continue to live and advocate
those beliefs, is NO protection for those of us who love righteousness!

Amid so much that seems negative, there is an incredible silver lining
in all this!  This may be THE moment for the church of Christ to stand
up, tall, and unequivocally clear with regard to truth!  No matter what
this may/will mean, this is our moment for courageous commitment to the
One Who is The Truth!  Additionally, actions like those of Texas
Governor Greg Abbott (declaring that Texas will continue to guard,
protect, and defend the First Amendment liberties of the residents of
that state) signal what may happen in other liberty-loving states!  In
other words, another “state’s rights” battle is brewing!

So, church of Christ/men of God, ARISE!!!  Stay tuned!  Much more to
come on this!

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)

Revival = God’s Eternal Purpose (Heart Cry for Revival Conference) Part 1

With Richard Owen Roberts.

Court Contradicts Constitution

The fundamental rights of the U.S. Constitution were at the core of today’s Supreme Court announcement of its long-awaited landmark same-sex marriage ruling. And the Court chose to declare that gay marriage was indeed a fundamental right, thus stripping states and voters of their rights to make their own marriage decisions.

Sam Rohrer, President of the American Pastors Network  and the Pennsylvania Pastors Network says the ruling puts churches and pastors in a difficult position.

“This landmark decision had deep biblical, historical and constitutional roots, and unfortunately, our justices chose to redefine marriage for the entire nation, ignoring other constitutional rights and opening the door to a dangerous infringement on religious liberties,” Rohrer said. “The fact that this issue even made it to the Supreme Court of the United States was an indictment against American Christians and against American churches. Even though some churches have sought to blend into the culture rather than change it, this ruling serves as a wake-up call for pastors and churches who are committed to being the salt and light of our society and standing up for truth.

“This is just the beginning,” Rohrer added, “and as the culture continues to change—and move even further away from the truth of God’s Word and from our constitutional roots—it is crucial that pastors and churches know the truth, speak the truth and live the truth, doing all they can to preserve God’s Word and protect the religious liberties of Christians across the nation.”

Attorney Jeff Mateer of the Liberty Institute, who was a featured speaker at PPN’s “U-Turn” conference this spring, attended SCOTUS’s oral arguments in April and called same-sex marriage “the issue of our generation.”

For the case, the Liberty Institute filed a brief on behalf of the National Religious Broadcasters, Billy Graham and Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse, In Touch Ministries, along with several seminaries and theologians, stating that “for millennia,” we have believed in marriage between one man and one woman—and there has never been another definition of marriage. Mateer added that today’s decision will eventually violate the religious liberty rights of many and intrude on the workings and beliefs of the church.

50 Pennsylvania Teachers Educated About Islam—A Dangerous Endeavor at Taxpayer Expense

Fifty educators in a Lebanon, Pa., school district recently attended a daylong training event about Islam and Arabic culture during an in-service workshop that came at taxpayer expense.

According to WND.com  (article HERE), the training session included a comparison of U.S. and Arab education, a visit to a local mosque to learn more about the Islamic religion and the participation in an Islamic prayer service. Teachers and administrators removed their shoes at the mosque and mingled with the congregation, discussing God, Islam and Christianity.

The seminar might seem like a harmless learning experience to the casual onlooker, but American Pastors Network  President Sam Rohrer says events like these underscore the increasing threat to our constitutional freedoms represented by the insidious  infiltration of Islam into America’s schools and communities.

“Slowly but surely, Islamic ideology is creeping stealthily into classrooms and local governments across America,” said Rohrer, who also serves as the president of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net). “What may appear to be an altruistic and innocent isolated incident is in reality part of an aggressive and dangerous strategy to undercut the biblically based and constitutionally guaranteed freedoms in this nation. Pastors and churches must wake up and begin educating their congregations of the extreme danger that Islam poses to Christianity and freedom as we have known it.”  

God’s Definition of Marriage is Unchanging

The American Pastors Network  is responding today to the controversial statements of well-known pastor and Christian speaker Tony Campolo about the acceptance of gay couples in the church.

Campolo released a statement yesterday on his blog that after “hours of prayer, study, conversation, and emotional turmoil,” it’s time for the church to fully accept gay couples.

“For pastors or other leaders within the church to extend unconditional grace and love to all who walk through the church doors is Biblical and Christlike,” said APN President Sam Rohrer, who also serves as the president of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN,www.papastors.net). “However, to accept sinful behavior of any type when God does not is unbiblical, not Christlike and is itself sin. When the church leaders become an advocate for sinful behavior under the guise of extending grace or love, they subvert the very mission of the Church, deny the reality of sin, despise the Gospel and God’s plan of redemption, and incur the judgment of God. In the end, God’s Word and His standards for life, for actions, and of course for human sexuality have never changed because God does not change, and neither can His authoritative Word.”   

Campolo wrote that his position has changed over the years, now realizing that, rather than solely for the purpose of procreation, perhaps God intended marriage for “married partners to help actualize in each other the ‘fruits of the spirit.’”

“Our existence on Earth isn’t to self-actualize and legitimize,” Rohrer continued. “It’s not about us. It’s about God’s ultimate design and plan for all eternity, not the instant gratification of living on this earth. God specifically designed men and women in His likeness, with very specific chromosomes and DNA that guide their purpose in life. The choice of sexual preference is where sin enters, and to claim that God has changed His mind about marriage is blasphemy and a fearful position in which to place oneself and those around them.” 

Campolo went on to say that, “as a social scientist, I have concluded that sexual orientation is almost never a choice and I have seen how damaging it can be to try to “cure” someone from being gay.”

Both APN and PPN offer pastors numerous online resources that help clergy choose sermon topics and find information for other church ministries. With some free and some paid resources, topics include marriage, abortion, apologetics, creation, the culture war, economics, education, the environment, history, homosexuality and Islam, along with many others.

***This article was published on CharismaNews.com on 6/9/15 titled:“Tony Campolo, Don’t You Tremble at God’s Word?”

 

Countdown to SCOTUS Ruling

Like millions around the country, the American Pastors Network is awaiting the historic U.S. Supreme Court decision that could either protect or redefine marriage in America. 

“Regardless of the outcome, this important decision—with biblical, historical and constitutional roots—will affect both pastors and churches,” said APN President Sam Rohrer, who also serves as the president of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net). “The fact that this issue even made it to the Supreme Court of the United States is an indictment against American Christians and against American churches. For too long, instead of being salt and light in the culture, our churches and, sadly, many of our pulpits have aimed to simply blend into the culture—not changing it but being changed by it. Now, the very institution of marriage literally stands on trial, and regardless of how the Court rules, this fact alone must serve as a wake-up call to the American church. 

“This is just the beginning, and as the culture continues to change—and move even further away from the truth of God’s word and from our constitutional roots—it is crucial that pastors and churches know the truth, speak the truth and live the truth, not just on Sundays, but 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”  

Attorney Jeff Mateer of the Liberty Institute, who was a featured speaker at PPN’s “U-Turn” conference this spring, attended SCOTUS’s oral arguments in April and called same-sex marriage “the issue of our generation.”

According to Mateer, several scenarios are possible:

  • SCOTUS could affirm the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit’s decision that the 14th Amendment does not require states to redefine marriage or recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
  • SCOTUS could rule that states must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states but not redefine marriage in their own state.
  • SCOTUS could rule that the 14th Amendment applies to same-sex marriage, and all states would have to recognize all same-sex marriages.

For the case, the Liberty Institute filed a brief on behalf of the National Religious Broadcasters, Billy Graham and Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse, In Touch Ministries, along with several seminaries and theologians, stating that “for millennia,” we have believed in marriage between one man and one woman—and there has never been another definition of marriage.

The concern directed at the Supreme Court was, Mateer said, if the justices change the definition of marriage and mandate marriage be redefined and expanded beyond one man and one woman, they will eventually violate the religious liberty rights of many and intrude on the workings and beliefs of the church.

Above all, Mateer suggested that pastors and churches fervently pray over the coming weeks for the landmark decision, particularly for Justice Anthony Kennedy, who will likely be a deciding factor.