Current Issues

The U.S. Religion Census just came out with their once-every-ten-year numbers trekking religious involvement state by state. A decade ago, the state of Washington placed 49^th (one position ahead of Oregon—we can’t beat them in football but we can beat them to the pew on Sunday morning). In 2000, 33% of our population claimed religious affiliation to a church, temple, synagogue, or mosque. Now we are in 45^th place as 34.6% of our residents are attending religious services—a whopping increase of 1.6%. For comparison purposes, the national average is now just under 50%.

What do we make of these numbers? Remembering that non-Christian groups are included (Mormons, Buddhists, Muslims, etc.) makes the percentage of those attending Bible believing churches much less. And then there is this development, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) grew by 50% in the past decade in our state. In 2000, there were only 49 Mormon congregations; that number has grown considerably since—they now have over 500. Muslims grew by 23% and Buddhists are also on the upsurge with close to 50,000 adherents. When you start peeling off some of the main-line denominations that play games with the authority of Scripture (endorse gay marriage, for instance) and are debating (and in some cases already denying) that Jesus is the only Savior—that 34.6% number is looking even more anemic. Should it be adjusted to single digits? Here is the cold reality, there aren’t very many evangelicals living in the state of Washington! Can you say mission field?

The local director of Associated Ministries also believes the 34.6% needs to be adjusted. He believes, however, it should be adjusted to include more. In his interview with The News Tribune (May 2, 2012), he said he believes the vast majority of people of faith in Pierce County have chosen not to join a faith community (and are therefore not included in the 34.6% figure). He goes on to say that these people experience their spirituality through personal devotions, in the environment, at book clubs or at the local coffee shop. “That’s the way it is here. People are looking for community. They’re just not looking for it inside a congregation’s door.”

What is troubling about the 34.6% number is that many included in it believe all is well with their soul because their “faith community” is included in the number. What is also troubling is that many not included believe their soul is well because they sip down a latte on Saturdays in a quaint coffee shop with friends discussing the most recent New York Times bestseller. It does matter that you belong to a “faith community”—but it also matters to which one.

Like it or not (and I don’t), Pastor Joel Osteen has become the church’s spokesman. I guess that comes with being pastor of the nation’s largest church. Lakewood Church in Houston has around 50,000 members. Osteen’s books (It’s Your Time, Become a Better You, Your Best Life Now, and Everyday a Friday) have made him millions. Did you pick up on his theological bent here? He’s certainly having his “best life now.” I have seen estimates of his net worth anywhere from 40 million to one billion. His 17,000 sq. ft. home has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and three elevators. He and his wife Victoria pay nearly $300,000 a year in property taxes alone on their multi-million dollar mansion. The guy is financially successful; but he sure can’t give an orthodox response when interviewed.

This past week, while on CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, Osteen was at it again. This time repeating what he has said before regarding Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith: Mitt’s a Christian and that Mormon’s are our brothers in Christ. Rarely does Osteen say anything with a straight face, the smiling pastor went on to say: “I hear Mitt Romney say that he believes that Jesus is the Son of God—that he’s the Christ, raised from the dead, that he’s his Savior—that’s good enough for me.”

But does Osteen even know that Mormonism rejects orthodox Christianity as the very argument for its own existence and that it clearly identifies historic Christianity as a false faith? Does he know that Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, claimed true Christianity did not exist from the time of the Apostles until he restored it in 1830? Does he know that Mormonism teaches that we are now what God once was (a man) and we are becoming what He now is (a God)?

But as a guy who Michael Horton describes core message as being “God is nice, you’re nice, be nice” isn’t likely to stand for truth—because as many have noted over the years, sometimes the truth hurts. It’s why Osteen has stricken the words “sin” and “judgment” from his sermons; one of his 50,000 sheep might not like it.

This blog isn’t about whether a Christian should vote for a Mormon this fall. It’s about whether a pastor should give legitimacy to a sect that is clearly not Christian.

Al Mohler wrote recently: “It is neither slander nor condescension to state clearly that Mormonism is not Christianity. Taking Mormonism on its own terms, one finds a comprehensive set of teachings and doctrines that are self-consciously set against historic Christianity. The larger world may be confused about this, but biblical Christians cannot make this error, for we are certain that the consequences are eternal” (www.albertmohler.com/2011/10/10).

It is especially why the pastor of the nation’s largest church cannot be confused or make this error, either. But maybe Osteen is the pastor of the nation’s largest church precisely because he’s good at saying nothing. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

April 26, 2012

Marx, Freud, and Darwin have been dead a long time but their disciples still advance their cause. This past week, our local newspaper (The News Tribune, March 21, 2012) ran an editorial from the Detroit Free Press. It was entitled “Evolving Opinions on Evolution.” They were reacting to a reposting of a Gallup Poll that was taken two years ago on the bicentennial celebration of Darwin’s birthday. The poll showed that only 39% of American’s “believe in the theory of evolution.” The Detroit paper found it “alarming” that so few believe Darwin’s argument presented in his “Origin of Species”—a belief that all life forms descended from a common ancestor. And Darwin’s idea of a “common ancestor” wasn’t Adam—it was some kind of primordial “goo.”

The editorial board was quick to point out that the more educated one was the more likely one is to believe in evolution. The Gallup Poll showed that 24% of those with a high school or lower education thought Darwin was correct; whereas 53% of college graduates and 74% of postgraduate degree-holders did. They also pointed out the opposite correlation among those who attended church regularly; just 24% of those who attended weekly said they believed in evolution compared with 55% of those who said they attended church seldom or never.

The Motor City editorial board showed their pro-evolutionary colors when they said, “Virtually everything biologists have discovered since either confirms or refines his [Darwin’s] theory of natural selection” and that there has been a “scientific consensus that has endured [for] more than a century.” I didn’t know that; and I went to graduate school, too! But I’m also one of those who attend church regularly—I guess that cancels out any “smarts” I may have picked up.

The editorial ended this way: “The good news, according to Darwin, is that nature favors adaptations that enhance a species’ survival…not only is our species’ eyesight improving, but also its capacity to acknowledge what our eyes see.” I guess the problem, according to them, is that we just don’t acknowledge what is readily apparent. Does that mean they believe more college degrees and less church will open our eyes?

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20), wrote the inspired apostle. Therefore, be careful if you go to college; be on your guard if you don’t go to church very often, too. You may be earning a degree in foolishness—one that actually believes great-great-great-great-great grandpa was an ape. And the Detroit Free Press thinks that’s wisdom?

Pastor Rich Hamlin

March 22, 2012

I enjoy reading our paper’s “Letters to the Editor.” It provides a snapshot of what’s going on out there—a window into society’s soul. But one of this morning’s editorials (TNT, 2-29) provided a window into the soul of a local, mainline church. And I, for one, did not enjoy the view.

The editorial was entitled: “Religion: Not all Presbyterians unhappy.” It was in response to last Sunday’s front page article entitled “Dividing Point” (TNT, 2-26). That article chronicled some of the local Presbyterian Church (USA) and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America church’s response to their denomination’s ordaining of gay and lesbian pastors. The article mainly focused on a handful of congregations in the area who have either left their denominational affiliation or are in the process of doing so.

Which prompted this morning’s editorial from a Presbyterian minister who wanted Tacoma to know that he and the church he pastors feel much differently. He writes, “Several Presbyterian churches in Tacoma, including the one I serve, applaud the change which allows the ordination of GLBTQ folks called by God to ministry.” If you are not up on that acronym, it stands for “Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer.” I don’t recall the apostle Paul, when giving qualifications for an elder (pastor) in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, using that acronym. I do know that he insists in both passages that the pastor is “the husband of but one wife.” The Apostle Peter doesn’t list GLBTQ sexual “options” for a pastor in his list of qualifications (1 Peter 5:2-4), either.

It is an amazing thing to watch churches self-destruct. They are so proud to be inclusive, diverse, and welcoming. The pastor’s editorial ended this way: “[We have] experienced significant numerical growth over the past two years, in part due to our inclusive and welcoming attitude.” I remind the pastor that free beer and topless dancers probably would draw a crowd, too.

I wished to know more about their inclusive and growing “church.” Their website talks about fighting hunger, working for justice, and improving the environment. They say they are a place that “blends spirituality with thoughtful reflection on what tradition and experience mean.” I think that means “we have fun and are at liberty to come up with our own truth”—but I’m not sure. If you detect sarcasm, you are correct.

If anybody over at the “GLBTQ Hunger, Justice, and Environment Church” ever stumbles across this blog, I just want you to know that I’m not homophobic, nor am I a “hater,” or a cross-eyed fundamentalist. I’m just a pastor of a local church who believes the Bible, the Gospel, and loves His church; I’m a sinner who gets things wrong and not for a moment thinks he’s figured everything out.

But I’m pretty confident about this one. You might be happy about the direction of your “church”–but God isn’t.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

February 29, 2012  

Moore, Russell D. Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2011. 208 pp. $14.99 [most online Chrisitan books stores have it for less]. This book review by Terry Delaney appears on his website, Christian Book Notes (January 11, 2012). Used by permission.

Introduction

Dr. Russell Moore is the dean of the School of Theology as well as the vice president for Academic Administration at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also serves as the editor of the journal Touchstone and is a preaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He has also authored Crossway’s The Kingdom of Christ among other books.

He has also written the paradigm-shifting work, Adopted for Life. You can read my review of that great work here.

Summary

This resource is divided into seven chapters. The first chapter sets the tone for the entire work and explains why temptation matters. The second chapter warns that we should always be aware of temptation and that if we are not, we are practically dooming ourselves. Chapters three and four look at why we would rather be fed than fathered in the sense that we shy away from being disciplined and also why our pride (see, sin) keeps us from admitting when we need help from error.

In all cases of temptation, we fight and fight and often times we lose because we are blinded by our selfish desires. Chapter five looks at Christ in the desert and how we, apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, would rather be exalted ourselves instead of being crucified unto Christ so that we can better fight against the devil. The sixth chapter explains why you cannot resist temptation and why you need a Helper. The last chapter is aptly titled (Not a) Conclusion. Here, the reader is told why the battle must rage on indefinitely this side of eternity.

Review

It seems as though Dr. Moore continues to call the saints to the obvious though not often discussed doctrines of the church. Tempted and Tried is a much needed resource for the church today. There is much in the way of self-loathing and pity today as many are seeing their sin as egregious before the Lord but never really getting beyond that fact except to cry out for salvation. Russell Moore shows us how temptation is a part of our life just as it was Christ’s. He helps us to see that the sin is not in the temptation but in our giving in to the temptation. He further explains to us that we cannot fight against these temptations on our own. We need Christ more than just for an entrance to salvation. Rather, we need the power of Christ for everyday living and for the everyday battle.

If there is one critique I have on this work it is the chapters are a bit long. I only say that because there is so much to digest that each chapter takes a few evenings to digest! By the time you get through one chapter, you find that you want to go back and re-read the chapter in one sitting.

Recommendation

There is much for the thirsty soul in this work. I highly recommend to all Christians Tempted and Tried. You will certainly be a better follower of Christ and a more effective witness of his grace and mercy in your life as you learn what it means to be tempted and tried and then who it was that faced the same temptations and trials and never gave in. What encouragement to come to the cross daily for your sustenance! What encouragement to live a victorious life in the power of Christ (and that is not a charismatic phrase)!

*  *  *

An video interview with Russell Moore, the author of Tempted and Tried, is available here. Also, Desiring God ministries is making a transition from selling books from their site and are off-loading their entire inventory. They have put all of their books and resources on sale for $5 or less. Read about it here.

“Who is the Lord, that I should obey Him?” declared Pharaoh in Exodus 5:2.

“This day I defy the ranks of Israel,” boasted Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:10.

“I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High,” promised Babylon in Isaiah 14:13-14.

“Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” crowed King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:30.

The Scriptures are full of those who were full of themselves, setting themselves up as God. It appears Olympia is full of them, too. Politicians have been hell-bent for sometime to change God’s definition of marriage. This past week, twenty-eight Washington state senators did just that. Next week, fifty-some house members will add their vote of support to the new definition and then one beaming governor will sign it into law. They even had the gall to defeat a clause that would have put the matter on next November’s ballot. Their message was clear, “We not only don’t care what God thinks, we don’t care what the people think, either; we alone know what’s best.”

God said marriage is the union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24). Olympia said it’s also the union of one man and one man; and one woman and one woman.

What is ironic is that it is the Bible-believing Christian who is accused of arrogance. How is that? We just believe God’s Word; it’s not us who believes we can amend it.

On trial before Pilate, Jesus said, “For this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” At this, Pilate, who thought he could sit in judgment of the Son of God, scoffed, “What is truth?” (John 18:37-38). Just like Pilate, Olympia arrogantly believes it is whatever they want it to be.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

February 2, 2012

Times were difficult in the days of Daniel. Judah had been overrun by Babylon. Much of the nation had been deported—Daniel included. Babylon was quite proud she had destroyed Jerusalem and raided the temple of God. The people of God were defeated and discouraged. Was Marduk (the chief god of Babylon) stronger than God?

In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar (the king of Babylon) has a troubling dream; he wants to know what it means. He orders his cabinet, “Tell me its meaning.” But he also throws them a curve ball: “Tell me my dream before you give me its meaning.” When they protest and say that’s impossible, he orders them killed. Daniel finds out about the king’s decree when they come for him. That night, God gives Daniel the dream and the interpretation. The next day, he reveals it to the king.

In short, the dream was this: Nebuchadnezzar saw an enormous, dazzling statue with a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, and legs of iron with feet a mixture of iron and clay. Then a rock not cut by human hands smashes and levels the statue. Like chaff, the wind blows the broken pieces away. The rock, however, becomes a huge mountain and fills the whole earth (Daniel 2:31-35). It is understandable the king was troubled; the dream too much for his Tylenol PM.

After faithfully regurgitating the dream, Daniel tells the king the interpretation given him by God. The dream was about four great pagan kingdoms. Babylon was the golden head, now reigning. Three successive empires (Media/Persia, Greece, and Rome) would follow. All would enjoy their time until the “rock” appears smashing all subordinate kingdoms and reigning forever. That “rock” was Jesus (1 Peter 2:8), who comes six centuries later. He now sits upon the throne of God’s worldwide empire.

At the time of the dream, God’s people were in exile. Things were not looking so good. For six centuries, pagan empires were enormous—they looked dazzling. The Medes, who succeeded the Babylonians, let Israel go home. But shortly after their return, the Greek’s ascended to power and then the Romans began their ruthless reign. God’s voice was silent in Israel. For over six hundred years, it looked as if God, his people, and his Kingdom had lost. And then, the silence was shattered, when the “Word became flesh” (John 1:14)—the “rock” had arrived. The Kingdom of God was established and the mountain still grows.

I gave you a little from Daniel and a little from history to tell you this: it is easy to get discouraged by what we read, see, and hear. Culture sours and smells. Politicians play God. Even the church seems to be blowing in the wind, uncomfortable in its skin and seeking to redefine itself once again.

In times such as these, we must remember Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Daniel concluded the interpretation this way: “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed… It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever” (Daniel 2:44).

Where is Babylon, where are the Medes and the Persians and the Greeks and the Romans? They are no more. As it was then; so shall it be again. Those who seem to wield the power only do so for a time. But they don’t even wield it at all. Nebuchadnezzar would learn this personally two chapters later, rightly declaring, “His dominion is an eternal dominion; His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:34-35).

The Rock won. The Rock always does.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

January 26, 2012

I know why you speak of rights, fairness, and equality whenever you make your case for same-sex marriage. Just 20 years ago, your side was losing the debate. Then, like a struggling business or a losing sport’s team, you repackaged yourselves. Rather then portraying homosexuality as a deviant and promiscuous sexual minority, you began presenting yourselves as mainstream citizens in search of equal treatment. The outlandish “gay parades” were spectacle (still are), but they weren’t creating sympathy or generating votes—after all, cocky men in leather and drag queens aren’t very appealing.

You then changed the words, too. It was no longer an issue of “preference”—that implies a person making a choice to be gay. Now its labeled “orientation”—a word that communicates gays are born not made; that it is simply genetically who they are. The plan worked. The movement ceased being about sordid sexuality, it became one of rights—civil rights, actually. Just as women were denied the right to vote and blacks were deemed second-class in the previous century; the face of the movement became “normal” men and women who were treated unfairly and simply wanted the same rights as everyone else. And it’s hard to argue against someone’s civil rights—this is America. It is why same-sex proponents now enjoy the momentum.

I’ve also noticed you have sugared your position by saying you will provide “opt-outs” for churches; not forcing pastors to perform same-sex unions. But isn’t it against the law to arbitrarily opt-out of civil rights legislation? Regardless of one’s opinion, real civil rights are the law of the land. Skinheads have their opinion, but if they discriminate, they are breaking the law—period. You either don’t see the inconsistency in your “opt-out” logic or you do. I suspect you do. Just as denouncing homosexuality from the pulpit may soon be construed as “hate-speech”; you know the courts will eventually erase the “opt-outs” for Bible-believing pastors. You’re an attorney; maybe you even have a copy of your movement’s “play-book”—the one that lists the step-by-step strategies your side has employed to get to this point. I’m sure there are more chapters in it, too.

Some politicians say this is personally such a hard issue for them to decide—something about seeing the arguments of both sides. When argued as a civil right, it is difficult to oppose same-sex marriage. But it’s not about rights. It’s ultimately about the right of God to define His institution. Which He has done clearly: marriage is between one man and one woman. It is why same-sex marriage has nothing in common with women’s suffrage or blacks sitting in the back of the bus. It’s all about whether we believe God gets to decide the matter or politicians do.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

January 12, 2012

Our governor has “flipped,” as they say in politics. I don’t think so, though. She’s a lame-duck so she’s probably just doing what she has wanted to do since she was first elected back in 2004. But what she says is that she’s taken a “personal journey” concerning the matter. I’d like a follow-up, “From where to where, governor?” Here are her words from her press conference on January 4, 2012: “This was all about my personal faith,” said Governor Chris Gregoire, a professing Roman Catholic, “I came to understand my religion is one thing, but as governor of the state and as a human being, I believe in equality. And I don’t respect a state who discriminates.” It was difficult to type her quote; it’s such a ridiculous one, so full of illogic.

But let’s back up. We are talking about Olympia’s push to make Washington the seventh state in the union to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. And Gregoire is excited to be the proposed legislation’s torch-bearer.

In 2004, she supported legal rights for same-sex couples. In 2007, she signed a domestic partnership law toward that end. In 2009, she supported the passage of Referendum 71, the so-called “everything but marriage” law; the law where same-sex couples were granted all rights enjoyed by married couples except the one they coveted most—the ability to marry. And it’s this last one they so desperately want because their deviancy will then possess the language of normalcy.

But back to our governor’s carefully crafted quote from above. Parsing through it, here is what I find behind her words: “My faith really isn’t that important to me; certainly not enough for it to impact the way I govern. I know the Bible defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman. I also know it calls homosexuality a sin. But that’s so judgmental and not fair. And I don’t want to be associated with a state that listens to God concerning such things.”

That was some “personal journey”! She discarded whatever semblance of faith she had, declaring God’s way archaic and discriminatory; and happy to have arrived upon the shores of progress, acceptance, and enlightenment.

But if I may; could someone let her know her office is subordinate to the Throne of God? She needs to take another “personal journey”; this time, one that arrives upon the shores of God’s never-ending truth.

Pastor Rich Hamlin

Do you know that you gave $1 to an abortionist this year? And without your consent, that dollar was used to kill a baby. How so? Planned Parenthood received $363 million dollars this past year of taxpayer funding. We are a nation of 312 million people. Do the math and each of us actually gave over a $1 to take a life.

Do you know how serious our national debt and spending really is? In the Washington Times (July 27, 2011), Tom McClintock provides an illustration to help us understand the huge numbers that are difficult to grasp. He uses a family to show what trillions of dollars of debt and deficits mean: “Imagine a family that earns $50,000 a year but is spending more than $88,000 and has a credit card balance of $330,000… Proportionally, that’s where Washington’s finances are today…” What amazing foolishness.

Do you know what Pat Robertson, Chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network, said last month (September 13) while being interviewed on his 700 Club? He said a husband would be morally justified to divorce his wife with Alzheimer’s disease in order to marry another woman—something about her “not there” anymore. I am glad Jesus doesn’t think so conditionally and callously about us, His bride, for we act as if we are “not there” too much of the time.

Do you know there is a movement within Christian missions to Muslim-majority countries called the “insider movement”? It is a growing movement where missionaries/evangelists are trying to be more culturally sensitive to Muslims. How? Many “insider movement” adherents urge Muslim converts to retain their Muslim “culture”; even continuing to call themselves Muslim, retain some Muslim practices, and remain in a mosque even though they now claim Jesus as their Lord. “At its extreme,” writes Emily Belz of World Magazine (“Inside Out,” May 7, 2011), “individuals within the movement have published translations of the Bible that remove phrases supposedly offensive to Muslims, like ‘Son of God’, which some Muslims claim is offensive because it insinuates that God had sex with Mary to create Jesus.” I know a new convert may lose his life in these Muslim nations, but the practice smacks of “easy-believism” too me. How has that worked for the American church?

Maybe you knew about all four of these; you are well-informed if you did. What is amazing is that God certainly does and that hasn’t stopped Him from being merciful to this nation and loving His people and church. Do you know that?