Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Theologians doubt Clinton's sincerity,

protest president's use of religion in crisis

By John Hanchette / Gannett News Service (the detroit news, Jan. 3, 1999)

WASHINGTON -- More than 150 Christian moralists, theology professors, and ethics scholars have published a withering protest of President Clinton's “manipulation of religion and debasing of moral language” during the ongoing national discussion about his impeachment.

The prominent ethicists and religion professors -- many of them self-declared proponents of Clinton policies and from recognized bastions of liberal political thought -- express doubt in President Clinton's “spiritual sincerity” in A Critical Declaration Exploring Moral Issues and the Political Use and Abuse of Religion.

The controversial declaration has attracted little coverage in the mainstream media, but it is the kind of cultural mile-marker that historians will pay close attention to in later years. It was published just before Christmas in a book titled Judgment Day at the White House. (Edited by Gabriel Fackre. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich., 190 pages, $12.)

The three-page declaration opens the book, which includes supporting essays from about a dozen of the 157 signers of the declaration, plus a half dozen rebuttals from opponents of the presidential criticism.

The several dozen presidential critics say Clinton supporters have promulgated a faulty premise “that violations of ethical standards should be excused so long as a leader remains loyal to a particular political agenda and the nation is blessed by a strong economy.”

The declaration was particularly hard on Clinton for his Sept. 11 prayer breakfast address here -- delivered to a roomful of wildly applauding preachers and rabbis after independent counsel Kenneth Starr sent to the House his graphic and devastating report on the president's sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

At the breakfast, Clinton offered an apparently superficial, much-criticized, bitten-lip repentance just before ordering his lawyers to fight tooth and nail against further congressional probing.

“We fear,” wrote declaration signers of the breakfast, “that the religious community is in danger of being called upon to provide authentication for a politically motivated and incomplete repentance that seeks to avert serious consequences for wrongful acts.” (Edited for length, jrp)

Assignments

January 10, 1999

Announcements: Jason Holt

Opening Prayer: Jason Holt / Jess Bass

Closing Prayer: Dan Head / Ed DeWispelaere

Song Leader: Rusty McGrew / Gary Bass

Scripture Reading: Shane Bass / Ray Hollister

L. Supper: Loren P / Keith A / Jeremy P

Building Cleanup: Morris & Nancy Bass

TRUE CONFESSION

Greg Gwin

Recent events in the news have brought focus on the subject of confession. While there are certain political implications at this time, it is a matter that should be of constant concern for Christians. This is because our salvation is contingent upon effective confession whenever we become guilty of sin (1 John 1:8,9; James 5:16).

True confession. . .

1) Must be personal: It is easy enough to make general statements like: "We all sin," or "We sin every day," or "He sinned," or "They sinned." It is another thing altogether to say, "I have sinned." This, however, is what we must do (2 Sam. 12:13).

2) Must really name the sin: It won't work to try to minimize our sin by calling it something that is considered less offensive or serious. For example, "I'm sorry I hurt your feelings" is an inadequate confession for one who is guilty of slander, gossip, envy, strife, etc. (Acts 8:22, 24). Be honest, and be specific.

3) Must actually admit sin: We have all heard people say, "If I've done anything wrong, please forgive me." This is really not a confession at all. If you don't know for sure if you've sinned or not, find out first. Then, make a proper confession (Luke 15:21).

4) Must address the one sinned against: All sins are against God (Isaiah 59:1,2) and any confession must certainly be addressed to Him. But, many of our sins are also against others and we must make our confession to them (Matt. 5:23,24). Too often folks try to
"take the easy way out" by making their confession to people who were not even involved in the situation. Go to the one(s) you sinned against and make the matter right.

True confession is HARD! But it is necessary if we hope to retain a right relationship with God.

THE ROLE OF GODLY MEN IN THE CHURCH Notes

(Scripture Reading: Titus 2:1-2, 6-8)

I. THE CHARACTER OF MEN - Titus 2:2.

A. Godly Attitudes Of Older Men:

1. Sober (temperate - asv).

2. Reverent (grave, asv - 1 Tim. 3:8, deacons; 3:11, wives of e & d).

3. Temperate (sober-minded, asv (Titus 1:8 - elders).

B. Godly Attitudes Of Younger Men - Titus 2:6-8.

1. Humility (willing to receive exhortation) - v. 6 (Rom. 12:3).

2. Sober-minded (self-restraint which controls the passions) - 2 Tim. 2:22.

II. THE CONDUCT OF GODLY MEN.

A. Godly Actions Of Older Men: Soundness In All Things - Titus 2:2.

1. Sound in faith (responsibility toward God) - 1 Jno. 5:4.

2. Sound in love (responsibility toward others) - 1 Cor. 13:7-8.

3. Sound in patience (responsibility toward trials) - Jas. 1:2-4; Heb. 6:11-12.

B. Godly Actions Of Younger Men: Be Example To All - Tit. 2:7-8.

1. Pattern of good works - (An impress of a die) - 1 Tim. 4:12.

2. Pattern in doctrine: Not influenced by error - v. 7; cf. 2 Tim. 2:2.

3. Pattern in speech - cf. Tit. 1:10-11 (Eph. 4:29; 5:3-4; Jas. 3:2).

JESUS OF NAZARETH: HIS TRANSFIGURATION (Part 8)

(Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:1-9)

I. THE EVENTS OF THE TRANSFIGURATION - Matt. 17:1-9.

A. Why Did Jesus Take Only Three Disciples?

B. What Is A Transfiguration? - Matt. 17:2; Mk. 9:3; Lk. 9:29.

C. Moses & Elijah Appeared With Jesus - Matt. 17:3; Lk. 9:30-31.

D. The Reaction Of The Disciples - Matt. 17:4; Lk. 9:32-33; Mk. 9:6.

E. The Voice Of The Father - Matt. 17:5-8; Lk. 9:34.

F. Jesus Commanded The Disciples - Matt. 17:9; 16:20.

II. THE PURPOSES OF THE TRANSFIGURATION - 2 Pet. 2:17.

A. To Strengthen And Prepare Jesus For His Sufferings - Lk. 9:31 (2 Pet. 1:15).

B. To Confirm The Faith Of The Disciples - Lk. 9:32; 2 Pet. 1:16-17; Matt. 16:16; Jno. 5:17-18.

C. To Present Jesus As The Messiah - Lk. 9:35; Isa. 42:1; Deut. 18:15, 18-19; Acts 3:22.

D. To Present The Superior Authority Of Jesus - Matt. 17:5; 5:17-18; Col. 3:17.

III. CHRIST: THE SOURCE OF OUR STRENGTH, COMFORT & SALVATION.

A. Christ Eliminates The Fear Of Sinners - Matt. 17:6, 7; Heb. 4:15-16; 6:20.

B. Our Salvation Rests Upon God’s Eternal Plan Which Has Been Accomplished In

Christ - Matt. 16:21; Jno. 17:4.