But that was Old Testament Law!

Leviticus 18 is a list of sexual laws that were given to the nation of Israel. It states things like:

No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God.
Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable
Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it.
If you defile yourself, the land will vomit you out.
Everyone who does any of these detestable things—such persons must be cut off from their people.

The Israel of the Old Testament was under the administration of Law. They were required to obey God's law and the only way they could receive pardon was by animal sacrifice. The punishment was to be cast out of the nation of Israel.
Luckily, we are now under the administration of Grace. Being cut off has been replaced by forgiveness (but only after repentance)
Eventhough we are lucky enough to be under Grace, church denominations (okay, some sections of the Uniting Church and inevitably the Anglican Church) are taking advantage of this privilege and are cherry picking the above list. They say things have changed. Society has changed.
If some denominations condone one of the points in the above list, they surely have to condone the entire list. If a priest can lie with a man as one lies with a woman in today's churches, why stop there? Why can't he screw an animal behind the alter? Why can't he sleep with his sister or his mother? If society justifies everything on the basis that it is changing, then having sex with animals and close relations will inevitably be condoned.

But has God changed?
Under New Testament Law, has God changed? By nature, no
Under New Testament Law have we changed? No
Under New Testament Law has the dispensation (law) changed? Yes

The Old Testament Law has been fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Jesus still calls us to obey:
'If you love me, you will obey what I command' (John 14:15).
He says in Matthew 5: 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.'

Jesus Christ's standard is even higher then the Old Testament standard. He claims that looking at another woman with lust is adultery (also in Matthew 5). If Jesus' moral standard is even higher in New Testament Law, how on earth can we expect to get away with condoning anything in Leviticus 18?
Under New Testament law, we are saved by Grace and that salvation is only found in Jesus Christ, who became the sacrifice once and for all. Grace does not give us the license to cherry pick God's moral requirements. We are privileged to be under Grace but we do not have the privilege to water down God's moral standard. Anyone who condones any sexual activity in Leviticus 18 must condone the lot of it.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.(Romans 15:4)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Gillard won't play religion card

Our new Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has said she does not believe in God and she won't pretend to for the sake of votes.

She will no doubt lose Christian votes.

But which is better:

1.) A Prime Minister running the country that doesn't believe in God or
2.) A Prime Minister running the country that pretends to believe in God

I would prefer a point 3 but if it was a choice between 1 and 2, I would vote for 1.

Rudd went to church every week but apparently he was asked at a football match if he believed in Jesus Christ. His response was 'I am someone who goes to church regularly...'. That's right Kev. A lot of people do just go to church.

Winter Brewing with Coopers Pale Ale

Ingredients:

Coopers Pale Ale
Coopers Brew Enhancer #2
Pride of Ringwood Hop bag
Sofale Yeast

FG 1014 and still dropping
Temperature: don't let it get below 18
19th day in the fermenter.
Patience is a virtue when brewing in winter, but starting to drink it straight from the fermenter due to the need for 'regular' testing.

Giddyup!

Jesus is NOT an All-American hero!

With all the events in the Middle East, a calamity may breakout at any moment. A lot of Right wing Christians in America are reaching for their Bible and getting excited about the imminent death and condemnation of millions. They think they will be yanked out of the doom by Jesus, get handed a box of pop corn and front row tickets as they take their seat in the heavenly colloseum to watch the carnage.

Right wingers are writing books about it and raking in the cash by stoking the fear of bible believing Christians. They are analysing verses out of the Book of Ezekiel, Daniel and Zechariah.
They read Ezekeil 38 and conclude that Russia will invade Israel with their Arab allies.
They read Isaiah 17 and celebrate over the prophesied destruction of Damascus.
Their next stop is Zechariah 8, where Jesus promises to return to Jerusalem and rule. The righters get all excited thinking that all those nasty little Muslims will be wiped out.

When Jesus comes back, I don't think Lincoln, General Lee, Roosevelt, Kennedy, Reagan or any of your All-American heroes will be his right hand men.


Living out these three verses before you reach for your sidearm is a good start:

Matthew 28: 19 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit'.

Romans 12:20 If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head'

2 Peter 3:9 'The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance'

Do what Jesus told you to do. He will take care of his prophecies in his own time.
Jesus is not an All-American hero.