Change Your Tune

The Bible tells us many times to sing to the Lord a new song. However, we should be cautious of hymns with unscriptural lyrics. Last year, I briefly visited a church where the praise and worship band promoted sin consciousness instead of who we are in Christ. When one of their songs repeated the line “our sins are many”, I quietly slipped out of the sanctuary.

Last week while watching a minister’s conference streamed from The River, Rodney Howard-Browne talked about green activism invading the church. He read the lyrics to “The Climate is Changing.” This “hymn-prayer” uses music from a traditional Welsh hymn. New lyrics written by Presbyterian pastor Carolyn Winfrey Gillette are “to support efforts to counter climate change.” Let's examine some of these lyrics and compare them with Scripture...


We pray for the animals here in our midst
who cannot defend their own right to exist.


Immediately, I thought of Romans 1:25, which warns of people worshipping the creature rather than the Creator. I enjoy animals, but man is the only being created in the image and likeness of God.


We pray for the mountains and forests and seas
that bear the harsh footprint of our human greed.


God commanded man in Genesis 1:28 to subdue the earth. We should be praying for people instead of things that don’t need redemption.


We thank you for people who treasure the earth,
whose faith has long taught them its beauty and worth.


I’m more thankful for the people mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11 (often referred to as the “Faith Hall of Fame”).


We thank you, for leaders, courageous and brave,
who know that the earth is worth fighting to save,


As an evangelist, I can testify it takes more bravery to fight for saving the souls of men. Many sinners reject the gospel, sometimes reacting with persecution. Nevertheless, Jesus said in John 14:23, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” 


who care about justice and what they should do,
who listen to science and work hard for you.


Psalm 118:8 says, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Because of changing guidelines regarding COVID-19, I’ve become less confident with scientists, especially those promoting ideas contrary to the Bible and infringing on individual liberties. 


You love this good earth, and you sent us your Son!
May we love our neighbors — there’s work to be done.
May we, by your Spirit, do all in our power
to care for your earth in this critical hour.


I agree there’s work to be done. Jesus is coming back soon! The Holy Spirit will empower those preaching the gospel, casting out devils, and healing the sick. The Great Commission does not include environmental causes. If God cares about the “good earth” so much, why did He cover it with a flood (Genesis 7) and will someday renovate it with fire (2 Peter 3:10)?


I pray that all Christian environmentalists reading this will reevaluate their priorities. We can be good stewards of our planet’s resources without neglecting God’s commandments that will make an eternal difference.


“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” - Colossians 3:2

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

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

Is That Gold Dust Real?

Image
Twenty years ago I made my first visit to Calvary Campground in Ashland, Virginia. One of the speakers for their Winter Campmeeting was a Brazilian named Silvania Machado. After standing on the platform for about twenty minutes during praise and worship, Sister Silvania brushed gold dust out of her short blonde hair plus had oil flow from her hands. I didn’t dismiss these signs but questioned the purpose of them. A few people in the congregation later testified of being healed. I’ve seen gold manifestations at other places. The year before during a church service in Oklahoma, the fillings in my mouth changed from black to a whitish-gold color. Other people supernaturally received gold teeth (I later met a man in Germany who received four of them). I’ve also seen gold dust appear on ministers such as Joshua Mills while they are preaching. Although I don’t seek after signs like this, gold dust has shown up on my face and in my Bible. One time with the latter, I found some w
Read more