Australian Independent Baptist
Newsletter
APRIL 2003 Issue #2
Dr. David C. Bennett, Editor (DCB)
PO Box 1241 - Dubbo - NSW 2830
Phone/Fax 02-6884-2846
Email: Bennett@BibleForToday.org
Permission is given to forward material contained in the AIB
Newsletter.
Purpose: To inform and warn God's people of religious, social, and
political events in today's world.
Sydney Morning Herald 1 April 2003 (SMH hereafter) KISS-OFF CELEBRATES
NEW GAY LAW (Edited by DCB) "At least 20 gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender people will celebrate a new Queensland law which comes into
force today by kissing on the steps of state parliament."
"University of Queensland student union representative Khrys Robb said
the changes to the state's anti-discrimination legislation had been won
after decades of fighting."
Robb said "the legislation, which was passed by the Queensland
parliament last year, did not go far enough for transgender people who
could not afford the surgery to change sex."
These people "wanted to be able to change the sex listed on official
identity documents such as birth and marriage certificates and drivers'
licences."
Robb said there were many people who were unable to have "sexual
reassignment surgery" and that according to Robb "leaves them unable to
change their identification..."
The Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner was glad for the
legislation. The Commissioner said she was "keen to let everyone know and
to encourage them to exercise their rights."
Editor’s Comment: In Noah’s day Genesis 6:5 says that "GOD saw that the
wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of
the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Things haven’t
changed. Eph 5:11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them."
Episcopal News Service (ENS hereafter) April 1, 2003
EPISCOPAL CHURCH CONTINUING ITS COMMITMENT TO ECUMENICAL DIALOGUE
(Edited by DCB) "The Episcopal Church's patient participation in and
commitment to ecumenical dialogue, with the stated ultimate goal of full
communion, continues on several levels with different partners. Progress
is sometimes slow but participants eagerly mark each successful marker
along the way.
At the national and international level, Episcopalians and Anglicans
regard dialogue with the Roman Catholics as very important--and quite
successful over the years in sweeping away some of the dead timber of
misunderstanding and stereotypes."
Regarding the union of Anglicans and the Roman Catholic Church
Professor J. Robert Wright of the General Theological Seminary said "there
is something deep in our Anglican mentality where we know we belong with
them, that we are a part of each other.
Episcopalians express more discomfort over differences with Roman
Catholics because we know these two churches are meant to be one." In May,
1999, the Anglican-Roman Catholic International
Commission (ARCIC) asked the "Anglican Communion to consider a new
relationship with the authority of the bishop of Rome, suggesting an
interim period of association with the papacy as one step along the way."
Editor’s Comment: The Anglican Communion’s complete assimilation into
the Roman Church is drawing closer! Spurgeon in TRUE SPIRITUAL WORSHIP
called these two groups the "Roman and Anglican Antichrist."
ENS 1 April 2003 DIALOGUE IN A CHANGING WORLD (Edited by DCB)
Participants at the 54th meeting of the Anglican-Roman Catholic
Consultation in the USA (ARC-USA) 27-30 March unanimously agreed that the
two churches "ought to move ahead, theologically and practically, toward
the goal of full
communion."
However, one of the sticky issues requiring "further investigation
before Anglicans and Roman Catholics can take those steps toward a deeper
communion" is the Roman Catholic doctrine of infallibility.
Editor’s Comment: They will work out this issue for nothing is going to
stop this Roman Church take over!
ENS 1 April 2003 CUIC SEEKS TO RESOLVE MINISTRY ISSUE (Edited by DCB)
"The Consultation on Church Union, a church unity effort by nine US
churches with roots that go back 40 years, launched a new plan in Memphis
January 20, inaugurating a new effort called Churches Uniting in
Christ--with more realistic goals in light of continuing roadblocks to
church unity."
The past president of the COCU said "We don't know where it will take
us, but now we know we will all get there together."
The nine denominations represented in this are the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), the Presbyterian Church USA, the United Church of Christ, the
United Methodist Church, the International Council of Community Churches
and the Episcopal Church.
Editor’s Comment: Pr 10:14 "Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of
the foolish is near destruction."
The Daily Telegraph, Australia 26 March 2003 BRACKS A GAY ICON (Edited
by DCB) "VICTORIAN Premier Steve Bracks has added another accolade to his
name - that of gay icon.
A poll in this month's gay magazine, DNA, has named the state leader
one of the sexiest men alive, alongside the likes of Australian actor Hugh
Jackman and underwear model Travis Fimmel.
Mr Bracks, a married father of three, is listed in the Wild Card
section of the magazine's Sexiest Men Alive Issue, which included surprise
nominations by readers."
"Comment was being sought from Mr Bracks."
Editor’s Comment: Proverbs 26:4 "Answer not a fool according to his
folly, lest thou also be like unto him."
The Daily Telegraph, Australia 25 March 2003 ONE STEPFROM SAINTHOOD
(Edited by DCB) "VATICAN CITY: Pope John Paul II beatified four founders
of religious organisations and a Hungarian doctor yesterday, adding to the
ranks of those on the path to possible sainthood."
The Pope said the five had lived what the Roman Church calls "the
mystery of redemption" and that their holiness should be an inspiration to
other Catholics.
"Beatification is the last formal step before possible sainthood and
requires evidence of one miracle after the person's death."
The Pope said "The holiness of the new beatified stimulates us to aim
for evangelical perfection, putting in practice all the words of Jesus. It
is certainly a demanding ascetic itinerary, but it is possible for all."
Since 1978 when he became pope he has beatified more than 1300 people and
proclaimed more that 450 saints!
Editor’s Comment: Matthew 7:22, 23 "Many will say to me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast
out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity. "
The Washington Times 1 April 2003 BIBLES OK, BUT '3 P'S' PROHIBITED
(Edited by DCB)
"U.S. troops in Iraq can carry Bibles into combat. But don't send them
pork. Families mailing packages to their loved ones fighting in Operation
Iraqi Freedom are asked to avoid the ‘three P's’ abhorred by Islam:
pornography, pork and political propaganda."
"Rules in Muslim host countries such as Kuwait ‘mostly prohibit the
entry of alcoholic beverages of any kind, narcotics, munitions, pork and
pork by-products, pornography and material contrary to the Islamic
religion,’ the Defense Department said in a statement."
Bible societies say the prohibitions do not include the Scriptures and
according to the Societies the troops and chaplains are requesting
thousands of Bibles each month. "However, while Bible societies can
distribute Scripture to troops, ordinary Americans can't send them to
soldiers through the mail."
The military deliver Bibles through the chaplains whereas a Bible
through regular mail from home just will not get through.
Editor’s Comment: Islam has their "three P’s" but Bible Christianity
proclaims the Blessed Trinity! 1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear
record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these
three are one."
Ottumwa Courier 2 April 2003 LEGISLATORS FORM MARRIAGE TASK FORCE
(Edited by DCB)
"DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- A group of lawmakers and a Des Moines-based
family advocacy group announced the formation of a task force Tuesday to
study ways the state can help keep married couples together.
Republican Danny Carroll said "We are here determined to do everything
possible as far as a legislative body to see that marriages are strong and
successful and enduring."
There are bills waiting Senate debate that "would eliminate Iowa's
no-fault divorce and require that both spouses agree to a divorce when
they have children."
Also involved in this discussion was the Deputy assistant secretary of
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who said there is
proposed Federal legislation "that would provide money to pay for pilot
programs in marriage research and education, which could include job
skills, parenting, budgeting and relationship counseling."
Carroll said the task force "hopes to compile a guide detailing how
other states encourage fatherhood, family and marriage and develop
recommendations for Iowa."
Editor’s Comment: The Government does not have the answer but God’s
Word does! Ephesians 5: 22, 24, 25, 28, 31, 33; 6:1 "Wives, submit
yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Therefore as the
church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands
in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave himself for it; So ought men to love their wives as their
own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For this cause shall a
man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and
they two shall be one flesh. Nevertheless let every one of you in
particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she
reverence her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this
is right."
Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS Hereafter) 4 APRIL 2003
ARCHBISHOP'S CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM INITIATIVE CONTINUES IN QATAR (Edited by DCB)
Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, will convene the second
"Building Bridges" seminar from April 7-9 in Doha, Qatar. "The conference
is being hosted by the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin
Khalifa Al-Thani, and follows on from a similar gathering last year at
Lambeth Palace."
Approximately, "thirty Christian and Muslim scholars from across the
world will hold detailed discussions over three days." The meeting "will
focus on the place of scripture in the two faith communities; speakers
will address issues such as the contemporary interpretation of scripture
and scriptural perspectives on those from other faith traditions."
"The conference was planned well in advance of the military conflict in
Iraq and is part of a continuing process of engagement between Christian
and Muslim scholars."
Williams says dialogue with Muslims is important because "Christians
and Muslims have much to learn from each other, and much to share, despite
all the differences we acknowledge. A meeting such as this is a clear
demonstration that we do not have to be imprisoned in mutual hostility and
misunderstanding when our encounters are shaped by the scholarship and
experience of people such as those who will be contributing to this
meeting."
Editor’s Comment: Anyone who has been reading past AIB Newsletters
would know by now the Anglican Church is apostate. This meeting only
further solidifies that knowledge.
ACNS 8 April 2003 THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY'S OPENING REMARKS AT THE
2ND 'BUILDING BRIDGES' SEMINAR IN DOHO, QATAR (Edited by DCB) "Your
Highness, eminent guests and friends: My first duty, which I discharge
with the most sincere pleasure, is to thank His Highness the Amir of Qatar
for welcoming us to his country and doing so much to facilitate this
meeting. He has shown precisely the kind of enthusiasm for honest exchange
and deepened understanding which meetings such as this are designed to
assist, and we are all profoundly grateful. It is a kind of openness that
is also making possible significant gestures towards the Christian
community here and for that too let me express my gratitude."
William’s spoke of former Archbishop Carey’s "imagination with which he
addressed these issues of mutual understanding across the frontiers of our
communities of faith." (Emphasis added)
"Christians are Christians and Muslims are Muslims because they care
about truth, and because they believe that truth alone gives life. About
the nature of that absolute and life-giving truth, Christians and
Muslims are not fully in agreement. Yet they are able to find words in
which to explain and explore that disagreement because they also share
histories and practices that make parts of their systems of belief
mutually recognisable - a story reaching back to God's creation of the
world and God's call to Abraham; a practice of reading and absorbing
scriptures and of shaping a life in response to the Word God speaks to
creation. (Emphasis added)
In this dialogue, we are not seeking an empty formula of convergence or
trying to deny our otherness; indeed as we reflect on the holy
texts we read, we shall be seeking to make better sense of how we
relate to the other, the stranger with whom we can still speak in trust
and love."
Williams concluded his talk by saying his hope was for all of them "to
go from this dialogue better equipped to witness in a deeply troubled
world, to witness to what faith and humble obedience to God and patient
attention to each other might have to offer to struggling and suffering
nations throughout the globe."
Editor’s Comment: It is for the very reason that the Muslim does not
know the reality of "absolute and life-giving truth" that Jesus
told us to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature." The Scriptures of the Christian are the very
words of the living God whereas the Koran is not Mr. Williams. What is "our
otherness."? There is a lot of double talk in these one world religion
promoting dialogues.
If Mr. Williams knew His Bible and the God of the Bible he would
realize the God of the Bible does not desire for His people to have
"fellowship with devils." 1 Corinthians 10:20.
Yours against apostasy and for Biblical Truth,
David C. Bennett, Titus 2:13
