{"id":1702,"date":"2023-07-25T10:58:24","date_gmt":"2023-07-25T10:58:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/?p=1702"},"modified":"2024-01-16T18:49:46","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T18:49:46","slug":"a-great-article-by-dr-michael-brown-in-the-july-2023-issue-of-decision-magazine-about-the-bible-defines-truth-post-2-of-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/?p=1702","title":{"rendered":"A Great Article by Dr. Michael Brown in the July 2023 Issue of Decision Magazine about The Bible Defines TRUTH \u2013 Post 2 of 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This is the second post that looks at the great article by Dr. Brown in the July 2023 issue of Decision Magazine by Michael Brown entitled \u201cGod\u2019s Word Defines Reality.\u201d  The link is God\u2019s Word Defines Reality (decisionmagazine.com)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reference to homosexual practice, Dr. Brown correctly writes [emphasis added]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When it comes to homosexual practice, there is not one positive reference to same-sex couples in the entire Bible\u2014not one<\/u><\/strong>\u2014whereas every single reference to marriage, family, parenting and relationships presupposes heterosexuality. This ranges from the command to honor one\u2019s father and mother in the Ten Commandments to teachings on husbands and wives in the New Testament. Heterosexuality is presupposed, whereas any references to same-sex relationships are flatly and strongly condemned.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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That\u2019s why Biblical commentators and Biblical translators never questioned the subject until after the sexual revolution. That\u2019s why both church and synagogue were in full agreement that homosexual practice was forbidden until radical changes came to modern society.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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It is the world that has changed, not the Word. We stray from the Word at our own peril.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It was not until after the sexual revolution that people tried to argue that the Bible supported homosexual practice.  Up until then, any argument that the Bible supported homosexual practice was not on the radar screen.  Why, because the Bible clearly prohibits homosexual practice and people knew it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Brown spells out the downward fall into a cesspool as society moves to accept same-sex relationships and ALL KINDS of polyamourous relations as \u201ccommitted\u201d and loving.  One has to wonder the object of the \u201ccommitment\u201d and the \u201clove.\u201d  Possibly, the answer is self.  Note that he warns Christians are the target of the LGBTQ movement.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some fundamental passages teach without equivocation the sinfulness of same-sex relationships.  These passages are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leviticus 18:22 (NET) – 22<\/sup> You must not have sexual intercourse with a male as one has sexual intercourse with a woman; it is a detestable act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leviticus 20:13 (NET) – 13<\/sup> If a man has sexual intercourse with a male as one has sexual intercourse with a woman, the two of them have committed an abomination. They must be put to death; their blood guilt is on themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romans 1:26\u201327 (NET) – 26<\/sup> For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones,27<\/sup> and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed in their passions for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing more needs to be said \u2013 same-sex relationships contradict biblical teachings.  The truth of  the matter is those who engage in serial unrepentant homosexual practice are on the road to hell per 1 Corinthians 6:9\u201310 (NET) which reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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9<\/sup> Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals,10<\/sup> thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

But, the \u201cgood news\u201d of the gospel saves those engaged in serial unrepentant homosexual practice per 1 Corinthians 6:11 (NET), which reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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11<\/sup> Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In reference to \u201cbiological sex\u201d, Dr. Brown correctly writes that God created mankind \u201cmale\u201d and \u201cfemale\u201d.  Relevant passages are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 1:27 (NET) – 27<\/sup> God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis 5:2 (NET) – 2<\/sup> He created them male and female; when they were created, he blessed them and named them \u201chumankind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 19:4 (NET) – 4<\/sup> He answered, \u201cHave you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female<\/em><\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mark 10:6 (NET) – 6<\/sup> But from the beginning of creation he<\/em><\/strong> made them male and female<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no gender beyond \u201cmale\u201d and \u201cfemale.\u201d  There is no third, fourth, etc gender.  While people may be confused about their gender, Dr. Brown writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There may be people who are confused about their sexual identity, in which case we should love them and help them rather than hate them or shun them. And there may be people with biological or chromosomal abnormalities (this is called intersex), in which case we should treat them with gentleness and compassion, just as we would someone with any type of disability. But under no circumstances should we change reality, affirming someone\u2019s internal confusion. (Note that the vast majority of those who identify as transgender are not intersex.)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Brown spells out the downward spiral that comes from denying that God created only two genders.  The result is a spiral into fantasyland with an essentially infinite number of genders and multiple-gendered people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the article, Dr. Brown gives out a strong call for Christian leaders, especially Pastors, to biblically treat those of engage in these practices and to PROCLAIM TRUTH:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As for \u2026 those involved in same-sex relationships and those who identify as transgender, Jesus shed the same blood for each of them as for each of us. All of us come to the cross as lost sinners, all of us need God\u2019s amazing grace, and all of us can be cleansed and forgiven and transformed. That is the power of the Gospel. That is the power of the blood of Jesus.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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**<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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It is imperative that Christian leaders, especially pastors, lay out the Biblical teaching on these critical subjects with both courage and compassion. As I have often said, we need hearts of compassion and backbones of steel. That\u2019s why it is crucial that parents and educators give their children and students clear Biblical foundations. And that\u2019s why, in all things, we need a fresh baptism of the love of God for those who differ with us.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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America can only be saved and changed by the Gospel, and as much as we must advocate for good laws to replace bad laws, our ultimate goal must be the changing of hearts and minds through the power of Christ. With God it is possible!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In my view, the American Christian evangelical church exists in perilous times. The Christian church is in the cross-hairs of the transgender movement of the LGBTQ agenda.  Liberal politicians and mainline news media flock to support the godless agenda of gender transition, \u201caffirming care\u201d, and drag queen shows.  Many in the medical community for in favor of gender affirming care because of the money.  Believers who advocate a biblical morality about \u201cbiological sex\u201d face the potential for violence (e.g., Covenant School shooting in Nashville).  No doubt, believers need to be aware of and careful about their person safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further, I agree with Dr. Brown that believers must be willing to share the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.  The gospel is the only hope for this world and especially those connected with the transgender movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are unsure about your salvation or are not a Christian, it is vital that you continue reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR SALVATION<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are unsure about your salvation, you need to check out my book The Salvation Meter: Biblical Self-Diagnostic Tests to Examine Your Salvation<\/em> and Spiritual Growth<\/em> (book link at Xulon Press: https:\/\/www.xulonpress.com\/bookstore\/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662828638<\/a> ).  At Amazon the book link is  https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Salavation-Meter-Biblical-Self-Diagnostic-Spiritual\/dp\/1662828632<\/a> .  I also have a website in which I am updating the content in the book.  The link to my website for the book is https:\/\/thesalvationmeter.com<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 please (1) read through \u201cGod\u2019s Plan of Salvation\u201d so you can understand what God did for you through His only unique Son, Jesus Christ, and (2), from the bottom of your heart, pray the \u201cSinner\u2019s Prayer\u201d meaning every word.  If you do, you will be reconciled to God \u2013 saved – through Jesus Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God\u2019s Plan of Salvation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, God, who is holy, created the entire universe.  As a part of His creative actions, He made humans (male and female) in His image to know Him.  For a while, everything was right between God and our ancestors, Adam and Eve.  But Adam and Eve sinned, whereby sin was passed down to all of humankind so that we became sinners separated from God.  Nothing we could do on our own could bridge that separation so that without God\u2019s intervention, hell would be our eternal destination.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately for us, in His great love and mercy God provided humankind with the only means of salvation, which is through Jesus Christ who is God\u2019s only unique Son.  While retaining His deity, God the Son became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, thus fulfilling the law Himself and taking on Himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever repent and trust in Him for their salvation.  Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God the Father accepted Christ\u2019s sacrifice and exhausted God\u2019s wrath against every believer.  He now calls all unbelievers to repent of their sins and trust alone in what Christ did to save them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we repent of our sins and completely trust in Christ alone that He died for our sins and rose to life from the dead, we are born again into a new life, an eternal life with God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 26, 31; Habakkuk 1:13; Genesis 2:7-25;  Genesis 3:1-7, 22-24; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:19-20, 23; 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; Matthew 1:18, 20, 24-25; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:17; 9:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16-18; Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; 26:20; Romans 1:4; 4:25; John 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cSinner\u2019s Prayer\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lord, Jesus Christ, the only unique Son of God, thank You for Your free gift of eternal life.  I know I\u2019m a sinner who cannot save myself no matter what I do, and I deserve to spend eternity in hell.  But, I know that because You loved me so much, You voluntarily died on the cross for me taking my sins upon Yourself, and You physically bodily rose from the grave showing that Your sacrificial death was sufficient payment to give me eternal life in Heaven.  I now repent of my sins and completely trust alone in what You did for my eternal salvation.  Please take control of my life as I now receive You as my Lord and Savior.  Thank You so much for saving me.  I am now Yours forever!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Scripture references: John 1:1-4, 11-14; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 10:27-29).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTICE OF PERMISSIONS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am mindful of and respect the rights other authors and\/or publishers possess in their works.  I thus try my best to not violate any copyright rights other authors and\/or publishers possess in their works.  The below copyright permission statement is the result of my best efforts to understand that limited usage or “fair use” is available and\/or to secure direct permission for specific works.  The quotations from commentaries are considered to be “fair use.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture quotations marked “ESV” are from the ESV\u00ae Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked \u201cNASB95\u201d are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE\u00ae, Copyright \u00a9 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation.  Used by permission.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked “NCV” is taken from the New Century Version.  Copyright \u00a9 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.  All rights reserved.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Scriptures marked “NET” are quoted are from the NET Bible\u00ae  http:\/\/netbible.com copyright \u00a91996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.  All rights reserved”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright \u00a9 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked “GW” is taken from the God’s Word Bible that is a copyrighted work of God’s Word to the Nations.  Quotations are used by permission.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible\u00ae, Used by Permission HCSB \u00a91999,2000,2002,2003,2009 Holman Bible Publishers. Holman Christian Standard Bible\u00ae, Holman CSB\u00ae, and HCSB\u00ae are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is the second post that looks at the great article by Dr. Brown in the July 2023 issue of Decision Magazine by Michael Brown entitled \u201cGod\u2019s Word Defines Reality.\u201d  The link is God\u2019s Word Defines Reality (decisionmagazine.com). In reference to homosexual practice, Dr. Brown correctly writes [emphasis added]: When it comes to homosexual practice, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[319],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lgbtq"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1702"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1702\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2053,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1702\/revisions\/2053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}