Douglas Carswell MP was speaking at a conference in Westminster
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
What is wrong with a Christian attending the Cinema or the Theatre?
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away, Proverbs 4:14,15.
When recently registering by phone with a company I was asked to select a security question. The first suggestion made by the telephone operator was: what was the first film I had ever seen at the cinema? I had to tell her that I have never been in a cinema in my life and therefore needed a different question.This made me stop and rethink: what is wrong with a Christian going to the Cinema or the Theatre?
At our ministers' week of prayer in January past one of the men when preaching lamented that in days past when someone came to know Christ as Saviour there was never an issue about whether it was right or wrong to go to places like the cinema. Converts knew a Christian should not be found in such places.
One of the questions that Free Presbyterian ministers are asked at their ordination or installation to affirm is:
Will you publicly denounce the great public vices of drinking, dancing, gambling and the pleasure crazes of this present evil world and by example live righteously, soberly and godly before all men?
Attending the cinema falls into the category of the 'pleasure crazes of this present evil world'. Yet sadly today more and more professing Christians see nothing wrong with going to the cinema.
Here is an outline of what is wrong with a Christian attending the Cinema or the Theatre.
I. It is wrong because of the concept.
The Cinema/Theatre is a place of worldly entertainment. That is why it exists and that is how it is advertised. It is a place to be amused and entertained by the ways, habits and practices of the world.Is it right for a Christian to seek entertainment? Is it right to seek entertainment in what is a pleasure craze of the world?
Surely it is not. The Christian finds all their joys in Christ and in Christ alone. The Saviour is not to satisfy only part of the deepest longings of the human soul and not others. Christ is all that a Believer wants or needs. As Charles Wesley said in his hymn: Jesus, Lover of my soul:
Thou, O Christ, art all I want
More than all in Thee I find
Christ is found in the means of grace and not in a cinema or theatre! Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them, Proverbs 24:1.More than all in Thee I find
II. It is wrong because of the company.
The Cinema/Theatre is a place where the ungodly resort. Like the pub, club, discotheque or dance hall, it is a place which attracts a certain type of people. The world love their own company. The unconverted would hardly be attending the cinema/theatre in their droves if it was anything else.That is hardly surprising. What is surprising is that a Christian would want to be among this type of company.
The Christian is to be separate from the world. We may be in the world but we are not of the world as to its spirit. What does it say about a Christian who feels at home among the unconverted as they go about seeking their pleasures?
III. It is wrong because of the content.
There is hardly a film produced today that is not objectionable in some way. Whether it is bad language, immorality, anti-scriptural views of the family, or extolling the liberties of sin it would be difficult to find a film that is watchable.The Word of God instructs us what we are to set before us:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things, Phil 4:8.
It also warns about the harm that is done when setting sin before our eyes:
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners, 1 Corinthians 15:33.
The Psalmist made a covenant with his eyes to set no wicked thing before them:
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes…, Ps 101:3.
May the professing Church return to the old paths, wherein is the good way. Let our prayer be that of Jeremiah: renew our days as of old.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
No Pope Here!
Update on the possibility of a Papal visit to Northern Ireland.It has been confirmed that the Pope will not be coming to Northern Ireland later this year when he will be visiting the British Mainland.
For details see:
UTV - NI excluded from Papal visit
Belfast Telegraph - Pope not coming to Ulster
We oppose a Papal visit for a number of reasons:
1. The claims of the Pope -
i. He is a sovereign and all other Kings, Queens, Presidents, etc. are subject to him;
ii. He is the supreme Judge of all;
iii. He is the director of men's consciences;
iv. He is the successor of the Apostles, the vicar of Christ and the way to God;
v. He is God on earth;
vi. The British Monarch is an usurper.
2. The Act of Settlement.
3. The memory of the Reformers all who have died at the hands of popery in this nation.
4. The past and present deeds of Roman Catholicism.
Monday, 1 February 2010
When will we ever learn?
When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden, Prov 28:12.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase, Prov 28:28.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn, Prov 29:2.
It is with an overwhelming sense of dismay that 'the wicked' seem to be on the verge of being given an even greater say in the governance of this Province.
To have those who waged a terrorist campaign of slaughter for almost 40 years, and who murdered scores of Police Officers and also Judges during this time, to now exercise control over Policing and Justice is the epitome of having 'the wicked' bear rule over us. The very offices and functions of good government, which are ordained by God, Rom 13:1-3, and that should be a terror to the evil doer, are now controlled by those whose trade was murder and mayhem. This is indeed 'the wicked' bearing rule.
Every citizen, and especially the child of God, has an interest in the character and conduct of those who rule over us:
[1] The Word of God has much to say about 'rulers'. This should certainly interest the child of God who desires to heed all that God has to say in His Word. Both Old and New Testaments abound with clear statements about civil government. Why would the Scriptures not have much to say about those who rule over us? After all, the concept of civil government is one ordained of God.
[2] There is a very personal consequences upon citizens when they have wicked rulers. So says the infallible Word of God.
In each one of these three texts from the book of Proverbs there is a consequence outlined to having the wicked in authority. When the wicked rise the righteous, and subsequently righteousness, are sidelined. The two cannot possible co-exist together. There is no middle ground where both can be accommodated and tolerated.
Just as Mordecai and Haman could not co-exist side by side, neither can wicked rulers today be viewed with anything other than dismay. Note the difference in tone between Esther ch 8:15,16; 10:3 and Esther 3:15-4:3:
And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.
And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
The wicked have no time for the righteous, no matter what platitudes come from their lips. Their aim and desire will be to destroy the righteous and bring down further any remaining semblance of righteousness in the land. Truth and uprightness will suffer just as Mordecai and the Jews were under threat.
It is only when the wicked perish as Haman did that the righteous increase!
The Lord says that the land will mourn when the wicked bear rule. It is not only the godly who suffer but everyone. Even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel, Prov 12:10. The wicked rule for their own ends and not for the good of the people or the honour of God. No good will come from elevating the wicked to bear rule. There has been much mourning done of late, especially among the people of God over the reproach that has come upon the cause of Christ. It looks as if there will be more to come for all of society.
Well might we ask the question: when will we ever learn? It sadly look likes this land will have to sink down further into the mire before it learns the truth of Scripture that: Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people, Prov 14:34.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase, Prov 28:28.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn, Prov 29:2.
It is with an overwhelming sense of dismay that 'the wicked' seem to be on the verge of being given an even greater say in the governance of this Province.
To have those who waged a terrorist campaign of slaughter for almost 40 years, and who murdered scores of Police Officers and also Judges during this time, to now exercise control over Policing and Justice is the epitome of having 'the wicked' bear rule over us. The very offices and functions of good government, which are ordained by God, Rom 13:1-3, and that should be a terror to the evil doer, are now controlled by those whose trade was murder and mayhem. This is indeed 'the wicked' bearing rule.
Every citizen, and especially the child of God, has an interest in the character and conduct of those who rule over us:
[1] The Word of God has much to say about 'rulers'. This should certainly interest the child of God who desires to heed all that God has to say in His Word. Both Old and New Testaments abound with clear statements about civil government. Why would the Scriptures not have much to say about those who rule over us? After all, the concept of civil government is one ordained of God.
[2] There is a very personal consequences upon citizens when they have wicked rulers. So says the infallible Word of God.
In each one of these three texts from the book of Proverbs there is a consequence outlined to having the wicked in authority. When the wicked rise the righteous, and subsequently righteousness, are sidelined. The two cannot possible co-exist together. There is no middle ground where both can be accommodated and tolerated.
Just as Mordecai and Haman could not co-exist side by side, neither can wicked rulers today be viewed with anything other than dismay. Note the difference in tone between Esther ch 8:15,16; 10:3 and Esther 3:15-4:3:
And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.
And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
The wicked have no time for the righteous, no matter what platitudes come from their lips. Their aim and desire will be to destroy the righteous and bring down further any remaining semblance of righteousness in the land. Truth and uprightness will suffer just as Mordecai and the Jews were under threat.
It is only when the wicked perish as Haman did that the righteous increase!
The Lord says that the land will mourn when the wicked bear rule. It is not only the godly who suffer but everyone. Even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel, Prov 12:10. The wicked rule for their own ends and not for the good of the people or the honour of God. No good will come from elevating the wicked to bear rule. There has been much mourning done of late, especially among the people of God over the reproach that has come upon the cause of Christ. It looks as if there will be more to come for all of society.
Well might we ask the question: when will we ever learn? It sadly look likes this land will have to sink down further into the mire before it learns the truth of Scripture that: Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people, Prov 14:34.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)