Banning the Bible

One sign we are living in the last days is people easily taking offense (Matthew 24:10).  This certainly holds true with non-Christians not wanting God in any part of their lives whatsoever.  Gideon Bibles were recently removed from all 137 rooms of a lodge owned by the University of Wisconsin.  This was in response to a complaint filed by the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation.  

FFRF Co-President Dan Barker made the following statement, “We atheists and agnostics do not appreciate paying high prices for lodging, only to find Gideon Bibles in our hotel rooms, sometimes prominently displayed, knowing they contain instructions, for instance, to kill ‘infidels’ and ‘blasphemers,’ among other primitive and dangerous teachings.”  

Barker’s statement is ludicrous for a couple reasons.  First of all, high hotel rates have nothing to do with whether or not there are Bibles in the room.  Gideons International has been distributing copies of the Bible for free since 1899.

Secondly, Barker misinterprets the Bible’s “dangerous teachings.”  For one thing, Jesus told us in Matthew 5:44 to “...love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

When I stay in a hotel, I often channel surf and have to sift through TV programs promoting violence and illicit sex.  What if I complained to the front desk about those offensive programs?  They would just tell me to change the channel.  Non-believers who don’t want to read the bibles in their rooms (usually placed in a drawer near the local phone book) can simply ignore them.

Nevertheless, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has petitioned the hotel industry to inaugurate “bible-free” rooms, just as hotels and motels offer smoke-free rooms.  Without the author of God’s word in their hearts, members of the FFRF certainly won’t spend eternity in the non-smoking section.

No matter how successful atheists may get the Holy Bible removed from other public places, they will never totally eliminate God’s word.  

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” - Matthew 24:35

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses.  
Read more

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Halloween Ca
Read more