'Your argument is with Bible, not us'

[Soldier4Christ]

'Your argument is with Bible, not us' 
Bob Jones University declines meeting with pro-'gay' advocates

A team of homosexual activists whose goal is to "dialogue" with Christian colleges about changing their beliefs regarding the "gay" lifestyle is coming to Bob Jones University, but campus officials already have made plans to, very politely, disinvite them from campus.

The "Soulforce Equality Riders" several weeks ago launched teams in two buses with directions to head to several dozen Christian colleges and "address discriminatory" policies on those campuses.

However, officials at Bob Jones University, a leader in Christian education as well as publishing and ministry, say there's no point in meeting with the group, scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

"As Bible-believing Christians, our faith and practice is based on Scripture which speaks consistently on the subject of sexual expression in many passages through both the Old and New Testaments. Therefore, Soulforce's ultimate disagreement is not with BJU or any other institution that holds to the Scriptural position, but with Scripture itself," BJU said in a position statement on the pending visit.

"BJU does not single out homosexuals in its policies, but follows the Bible's teaching on the whole matter of sexual expression. Scripture specifically prohibits lewdness, fornication, adultery, homosexuality and any other sexual expression outside of marriage between one man and one woman. BJU's desire is to develop Christlikeness in our students and to teach them to base life's choices on God's Word. Achieving those goals requires that BJU policies align with Scriptural teaching. Therefore, BJU policies prohibit any form of sexual activity outside of Scripture's boundaries (or marriage between one man and one woman). Each year our students voluntarily sign a statement that they will conform with these policies," the school said.

A reader who contacted WND about the pro-homosexual campaign being staged by the bus teams said the lack of news coverage on the first few visits, at various Christian colleges in Iowa, California and other locations, is part of the problem.

"I'm sure most of the media would be okay with Soulforce wanting to visit and push their agenda on the school, but if it was a group of Christians going onto campuses pushing Christ on people that would be viewed as harassment," he wrote.

Officials with Soulforce's Equality Ride said during an earlier visit to Pepperdine that its "discriminatory doctrines and policies" actually "harm LGBT individuals on campus."

Organizers claim that although their goal is to "end religion-based discrimination against LGBT students on Christian campuses," they have "endured" police escorts, bus vandalisms and "being held in jail for over 24 hours" – "all for attempting peaceful dialogue regarding the wellbeing of LGBT students on these campuses."

But BJU said, that there is no point in such "discussion."

"Given our belief that the teaching of the Scripture on this subject is clear and our sense of responsibility to our students and their parents, we could not participate in any such discussions or allow any access to our campus or student body," the school said.

"Parents entrust their young people to BJU with the expectation that they will be taught God's Word and a Bible-based lifestyle. We cannot allow a group antithetical to the expectations of parents or to the clear teaching of Scripture to come onto our campus with the expressed purpose of undermining Scripture.

"BJU's desire is to strengthen students' belief in the Word of God, not to undermine their faith. BJU does not back away from discussing controversial ideas; however, we do not treat every idea as equally valid. We teach our students to evaluate all ideas by God's Word," the school said.

BJU said Soulforce is arriving without invitation under the "pretense" of wanting dialogue. "However, their stated objectives in correspondence and on their website center only on acceptance of the GLBT lifestyle and on changing policies at targeted schools… It is clear their goal is not dialogue, but one-sided arguments aimed at changing our policies."

"BJU did not initiate this encounter with Soulforce. However, the Soulforce visit gives us the opportunity to present what Scripture teaches on the issue of sexual expression, to demonstrate a Christlike spirit in our response, and to state again the good news of the gospel of Christ. Our approach will be a clear and dignified statement of our position without inflammatory words or tone. Our student body has prayed for these individual riders by name, and if opportunity presents itself, we are prepared to tangibly demonstrate the love of Christ," the school said.

"Scriptural teaching on homosexuality is consistent in the Old and New Testaments," said Stephen Jones, BJU president, "The track record and stated goals of this group demonstrate that their objective is not to conduct two-way dialogue, but to pressure us to compromise our Biblical stand and change our policies."

There have been several arrests at previous protests staged by Soulforce, while some schools have scheduled meetings with the pro-homosexual advocates.

Soulforce was founded in 1998 by Mel White and has targeted religious groups holding biblical policies on the issue of homosexuality with its protests over the years.

Soulforce said three of its protesters were arrested during a recent visit to University of the Cumberlands, where they were told they would not be allowed on campus.

Another 12 were arrested when they went to the office of Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, demanded that he apologize for his beliefs, and refused to leave.

"We are gathered here as straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to demand that Albert Mohler openly recognize our right to life, love, and liberty," the group said in a statement. "His voice is terribly misguided in believing that God does not affirm the identities of gay and transgender people. So, we call on him to take responsibility for his bigotry and the hurtful effects of his statements, and ask that he issue a public apology for having said them."

The 12 protesters refused to leave when requested, and then refused to leave on instructions from police, so they were arrested.

Several also were arrested during last year's campaign, on a visit to Liberty University.

[Soldier4Christ]

Amen! Christians standing on the word.

[nChrist]

ANOTHER AMEN!

If these groups want approval for their sinful lifestyles and abomination in the eyes of GOD, they can get this approval in a gay bar. Elsewhere, they won't be demanding anything, especially from a Real Christian School.

The answer they were given is quite logical and Biblical. Their argument is with GOD and the Bible - GOD'S WORD. I must add that Real Christians know there is NO argument with GOD. GOD said it, and that's the end of the story! They won't be dictating anything to GOD either, just in case they're wondering. What they are doing will always be an abomination to GOD. These issues are only subject to argument and debate by the devil and powers of darkness. One would think that all the disease and death would give these folks a hint that something is abnormal, wrong, and perverted. We already know that they ignored GOD and the Holy Bible, so maybe they also ignored the news about disease and death.

I also appreciate the stand that BJU is taking against adultery and sex between a man and woman outside the bonds of marriage. Their stand is quite Biblical, and all Real Christians already know this. It's impossible to misinterpret the many portions of Scripture that specifically address these issues.

Brothers and Sisters, this is all very sad. They don't need people to call what they do normal and acceptable - they need JESUS CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOUR. JESUS CHRIST can wash their sins away and rescue them from the eternal curse of sin and death. They don't need debates about abominable sex practices - they need the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST AND THE CROSS.

Love In Christ,
Tom

GOOD NEWS!

1:  Romans 3:10 NASB  as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."

2:  Romans 3:23  NASB  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

3:  Romans 5:12  NASB  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--

4:  Romans 6:23  NASB  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

5:  Romans 1:18  NASB  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

6:  Romans 3:20  NASB  because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

7:  Romans 3:27  NASB  Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

8:  Romans 5:8-9  NASB  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

9:  Romans 2:4  NASB  Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

10:  Romans 3:22  NASB  even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

11:  Romans 3:28  NASB  For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

12:  Romans 10:9  NASB  that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

13:  Romans 4:21  NASB  and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

14:  Romans 4:24 NASB  but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

15:  Romans 5:1  NASB  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

16:  Romans 10:10  NASB  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

17:  Romans 10:13  NASB  for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

Thanks be unto GOD for HIS unspeakable GIFT!, JESUS CHRIST, our Lord and Saviour forever!

[ibTina]

I will never understand how anyone can call themselves a Christian when they do things or say things that are VERY MUCH spoken against doing such things in THE HOLY BIBLE! Either one believes in The Holy Word or not. And if not then how can they trust ANYTHING else in the Holy Bible. It AINT a smorgasbord to pick and choose what you like or don't like!

[Shammu]

I will never understand how anyone can call themselves a Christian when they do things or say things that are VERY MUCH spoken against doing such things in THE HOLY BIBLE! Either one believes in The Holy Word or not. And if not then how can they trust ANYTHING else in the Holy Bible.

These are the people we need to pray for, for they are lost sheep. 

It AINT a smorgasbord to pick and choose what you like or don't like!

OR
God isn't saying "Lets make a deal."  God is saying, "This is the deal." 

[Brother Jerry]

Amen to that

[Faithin1]

I second that AMEN!