Marsha West
World Vision, Christian organization? part 2
By Marsha West
I wrote about the controversy swirling around the so-called Christian organization World Vision here. For those who are unaware of what occurred on March 24, WV announced that they had plans to hire "married" homosexuals.
The backlash was fast and furious. Christian leaders, Roman Catholics, the pro-family movement and others in the faith community made it abundantly clear that they opposed WV's decision to hire people in counterfeit marriages on the grounds that the Bible teaches that homosexuality's a sin. It's no secret that Bible-believers hold to the teaching that God established the marriage sacrament for the purpose of bringing Him glory; thus marriage other than that which He designed does not bring glory and honor to Him. One would assume that WV's president and board members had an understanding of what the Bible teaches on marriage – but maybe not.
They learn fast, though. The board noticed a storm brewing when donors began to withdraw their financial support and they quickly changed course. The public's reaction was so strong that they reversed their decision faster than greased lightning.
In part 2 we will examine whether or not World Vision's truly a Christian organization. I mean, that's the burning question, isn't it? One way to find out is to take a look at its website. On the homepage they make the claim that they are a,
Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.
Perhaps because I've spent a number of years exposing false teaching in the Church, likewise the cults and the occult, when I read the phrase "full potential" Anthony Robbins immediately came to mind. Robbins is one of many Human Potential magnets. He has taken on the trendy title "life coach." The life coach's aim is to get you to a place where you can tap into your full potential. Robbins' beliefs are rooted in the New Thought movement. (Those who wish to know more about New Thought can do so here.) In essence "Syncretism between Christianity and early New Thought was a hallmark of this movement," says cult expert Marcia Montenegro.
So – why would a "Christian humanitarian organization" choose to define itself using anti-Christian language inspired by New Thought rubbish?
Any organization that calls itself Christian should have as its main goal reaching families and communities around the globe with the gospel of Christ. And if that's not its stated goal then how is it any different from other secular organizations such as the American Red Cross or the World Food Programme. What sets Christian relief organizations apart from all the others is that they have a biblical mandate to evangelize the lost. Jesus commanded His followers to:
Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)
For many years my husband and I sponsored children through WV. Because it calls itself a Christian organization we just assumed that those in the field would be about the business of providing relief as well as evangelizing lost souls bound for hell. When it became apparent to us that WV was moving more toward what is deemed a "social justice" organization, we wrote to express our concerns. No response was forthcoming. Eventually we stopped sponsoring children through WV and chose another organization.
The social gospel is a false gospel. (Discover more about social justice here.) What does Scripture tell us about spreading a false gospel?
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)
I fully expect WV's supporters will want me to demonstrate that WF prohibits proselytizing (sharing the gospel of Christ.) In the process of researching for this piece I discovered all the proof doubters will need – and it comes right from the horse's mouth. I visited the homepage...clicked on Our-Impact...clicked on Faith-in-action and unearthed their goals and accomplishments:
Our faith in Jesus is central to who we are, and we follow His example in working alongside the poor and oppressed. We serve every child in need that we possibly can, of any faith, or none. We partner with churches throughout the world, equipping them to meet the needs of their communities.
Scroll down the page to Our Approach and here's what you'll find:
Do You Talk To People About Jesus?
In all ways appropriate for a local context, we seek to witness to Christ – through our deeds of love and mercy, the character and conduct of our staff, and through our words of testimony. As we demonstrate the unconditional love of God to others, we are ready to give the reason for the hope within us, but expect people to evaluate the truth of our message by our actions.
God created men and women in His image, giving each of us a free will. Therefore, we respect individuals – including their culture, faith, and beliefs. We respect the dignity and the right of all people to maintain and change their religious beliefs. We seek in every instance to be faithful ambassadors of the good news of Jesus through our actions (2 Corinthians 5:20) and hope that our lives will reflect God's generous love for people, ultimately bringing glory and praise to Him.
Do you expect the people you help to share your beliefs?
We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. We do not proselytize, and we pledge never to exploit vulnerability to obtain a profession of faith. We do not feed the hungry as a means to an end. We feed the hungry because God cares about people who are hungry, and He wants them to be fed (Psalm 145:13-17).
Insisting that people hear a certain message or affirm a specific belief as a prerequisite to receiving our assistance violates codes of conduct established for disaster, relief, and humanitarian groups of which we are a member. However, our hope is that our work and lives would contribute to people becoming followers of Christ.
How does being a Christian organization impact your work?
Our faith in Jesus Christ is core to who we are. As an expression of God's unconditional love for all people, especially vulnerable children, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed. We hope to live as followers of Christ by being active, visible bearers of God's love.
Relying on God's grace and Spirit, we affirm the truth of the gospel and our hope in Christ through our character, speech, actions, and in the signs of God's power at work in individual lives, in the communities where we work, and in all creation. (emphasis added – Source)
By its very words WV is a Christian organization that professes a belief in the gospel. On its website it states that "Jesus is core of who we are." Yet its policy is not to proselytize?
Romans1:16-17 says:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
Instead of sharing the good news with those who are perishing, WV is all about doing "good works." Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying Christians shouldn't do good deeds and be "active, visible bearers of God's love." But good works and sharing Christ with the lost go hand in hand. Romans 10:17 tells us that "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
In Barnes' Notes on the Bible, the meaning of "hearing" is explained:
When it is said that faith cometh by hearing, it is not meant that all who hear actually believe, for that is not true; but that faith does not exist unless there is a message, or report, to be heard or believed. It cannot come otherwise than by such a message; in other words, unless there is something made known to be believed. And this shows us at once the importance of the message, and the fact that people are converted by the instrumentality of truth, and of truth only. (Source)
Just prior to WV doing an about face, Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, slammed the organization over its plans to hire unrepentant homosexuals. Perhaps his, and articles like it, is the reason Richard Stearns and the board reversed their decision and decided to repent. The question many people are asking at this juncture is how do we know that the leadership has sincerely repented of their willingness to mollify the radical homosexual lobby's demand for them to hire gay people? Time will tell. However, it's evident that at least for the time being, board members have decided it's not in WV's best interest to go against Bible believers and faith groups because they're the ones who pay the bills!
I'm out of room so I'll end with an excerpt from Albert Mohler's stinging rebuke – before WV repented:
Writing to the Corinthian Christians, the Apostle Paul stated: "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." [1 Corinthians 6:9-10]
The leader of World Vision U.S. now claims that the Bible is not sufficiently clear on the sinfulness of same-sex sexuality and relationships, but he also claims a "mission of building the kingdom." The Apostle Paul makes homosexuality a kingdom issue, and he does so in the clearest of terms.
Of course, Paul's point is not that homosexuals are uniquely sinful, but that all of us are sinners in need of the grace and mercy of God that come to us in the gift of salvation. Thanks be to God, Paul follows those words with these: "And such were some of you. 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." [1 Corinthians 6:11]
The worst aspect of the World Vision U.S. policy shift is the fact that it will mislead the world about the reality of sin and the urgent need of salvation. Willingly recognizing same-sex marriage and validating openly homosexual employees in their homosexuality is a grave and tragic act that confirms sinners in their sin – and that is an act that violates the gospel of Christ. (Source)
Recommended:
Part 1
Short list of Christian Leaders who have rebuked World Vision:
http://standupforthetruth.com/2014/03/short-list-christian-leaders-whove-rebuked-world-vision/
© Marsha West
April 17, 2014
I wrote about the controversy swirling around the so-called Christian organization World Vision here. For those who are unaware of what occurred on March 24, WV announced that they had plans to hire "married" homosexuals.
The backlash was fast and furious. Christian leaders, Roman Catholics, the pro-family movement and others in the faith community made it abundantly clear that they opposed WV's decision to hire people in counterfeit marriages on the grounds that the Bible teaches that homosexuality's a sin. It's no secret that Bible-believers hold to the teaching that God established the marriage sacrament for the purpose of bringing Him glory; thus marriage other than that which He designed does not bring glory and honor to Him. One would assume that WV's president and board members had an understanding of what the Bible teaches on marriage – but maybe not.
They learn fast, though. The board noticed a storm brewing when donors began to withdraw their financial support and they quickly changed course. The public's reaction was so strong that they reversed their decision faster than greased lightning.
In part 2 we will examine whether or not World Vision's truly a Christian organization. I mean, that's the burning question, isn't it? One way to find out is to take a look at its website. On the homepage they make the claim that they are a,
Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.
Perhaps because I've spent a number of years exposing false teaching in the Church, likewise the cults and the occult, when I read the phrase "full potential" Anthony Robbins immediately came to mind. Robbins is one of many Human Potential magnets. He has taken on the trendy title "life coach." The life coach's aim is to get you to a place where you can tap into your full potential. Robbins' beliefs are rooted in the New Thought movement. (Those who wish to know more about New Thought can do so here.) In essence "Syncretism between Christianity and early New Thought was a hallmark of this movement," says cult expert Marcia Montenegro.
So – why would a "Christian humanitarian organization" choose to define itself using anti-Christian language inspired by New Thought rubbish?
Any organization that calls itself Christian should have as its main goal reaching families and communities around the globe with the gospel of Christ. And if that's not its stated goal then how is it any different from other secular organizations such as the American Red Cross or the World Food Programme. What sets Christian relief organizations apart from all the others is that they have a biblical mandate to evangelize the lost. Jesus commanded His followers to:
Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)
For many years my husband and I sponsored children through WV. Because it calls itself a Christian organization we just assumed that those in the field would be about the business of providing relief as well as evangelizing lost souls bound for hell. When it became apparent to us that WV was moving more toward what is deemed a "social justice" organization, we wrote to express our concerns. No response was forthcoming. Eventually we stopped sponsoring children through WV and chose another organization.
The social gospel is a false gospel. (Discover more about social justice here.) What does Scripture tell us about spreading a false gospel?
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)
I fully expect WV's supporters will want me to demonstrate that WF prohibits proselytizing (sharing the gospel of Christ.) In the process of researching for this piece I discovered all the proof doubters will need – and it comes right from the horse's mouth. I visited the homepage...clicked on Our-Impact...clicked on Faith-in-action and unearthed their goals and accomplishments:
Our faith in Jesus is central to who we are, and we follow His example in working alongside the poor and oppressed. We serve every child in need that we possibly can, of any faith, or none. We partner with churches throughout the world, equipping them to meet the needs of their communities.
Scroll down the page to Our Approach and here's what you'll find:
Do You Talk To People About Jesus?
In all ways appropriate for a local context, we seek to witness to Christ – through our deeds of love and mercy, the character and conduct of our staff, and through our words of testimony. As we demonstrate the unconditional love of God to others, we are ready to give the reason for the hope within us, but expect people to evaluate the truth of our message by our actions.
God created men and women in His image, giving each of us a free will. Therefore, we respect individuals – including their culture, faith, and beliefs. We respect the dignity and the right of all people to maintain and change their religious beliefs. We seek in every instance to be faithful ambassadors of the good news of Jesus through our actions (2 Corinthians 5:20) and hope that our lives will reflect God's generous love for people, ultimately bringing glory and praise to Him.
Do you expect the people you help to share your beliefs?
We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. We do not proselytize, and we pledge never to exploit vulnerability to obtain a profession of faith. We do not feed the hungry as a means to an end. We feed the hungry because God cares about people who are hungry, and He wants them to be fed (Psalm 145:13-17).
Insisting that people hear a certain message or affirm a specific belief as a prerequisite to receiving our assistance violates codes of conduct established for disaster, relief, and humanitarian groups of which we are a member. However, our hope is that our work and lives would contribute to people becoming followers of Christ.
How does being a Christian organization impact your work?
Our faith in Jesus Christ is core to who we are. As an expression of God's unconditional love for all people, especially vulnerable children, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed. We hope to live as followers of Christ by being active, visible bearers of God's love.
Relying on God's grace and Spirit, we affirm the truth of the gospel and our hope in Christ through our character, speech, actions, and in the signs of God's power at work in individual lives, in the communities where we work, and in all creation. (emphasis added – Source)
By its very words WV is a Christian organization that professes a belief in the gospel. On its website it states that "Jesus is core of who we are." Yet its policy is not to proselytize?
Romans1:16-17 says:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
Instead of sharing the good news with those who are perishing, WV is all about doing "good works." Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying Christians shouldn't do good deeds and be "active, visible bearers of God's love." But good works and sharing Christ with the lost go hand in hand. Romans 10:17 tells us that "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
In Barnes' Notes on the Bible, the meaning of "hearing" is explained:
When it is said that faith cometh by hearing, it is not meant that all who hear actually believe, for that is not true; but that faith does not exist unless there is a message, or report, to be heard or believed. It cannot come otherwise than by such a message; in other words, unless there is something made known to be believed. And this shows us at once the importance of the message, and the fact that people are converted by the instrumentality of truth, and of truth only. (Source)
Just prior to WV doing an about face, Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, slammed the organization over its plans to hire unrepentant homosexuals. Perhaps his, and articles like it, is the reason Richard Stearns and the board reversed their decision and decided to repent. The question many people are asking at this juncture is how do we know that the leadership has sincerely repented of their willingness to mollify the radical homosexual lobby's demand for them to hire gay people? Time will tell. However, it's evident that at least for the time being, board members have decided it's not in WV's best interest to go against Bible believers and faith groups because they're the ones who pay the bills!
I'm out of room so I'll end with an excerpt from Albert Mohler's stinging rebuke – before WV repented:
Writing to the Corinthian Christians, the Apostle Paul stated: "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." [1 Corinthians 6:9-10]
The leader of World Vision U.S. now claims that the Bible is not sufficiently clear on the sinfulness of same-sex sexuality and relationships, but he also claims a "mission of building the kingdom." The Apostle Paul makes homosexuality a kingdom issue, and he does so in the clearest of terms.
Of course, Paul's point is not that homosexuals are uniquely sinful, but that all of us are sinners in need of the grace and mercy of God that come to us in the gift of salvation. Thanks be to God, Paul follows those words with these: "And such were some of you. 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." [1 Corinthians 6:11]
The worst aspect of the World Vision U.S. policy shift is the fact that it will mislead the world about the reality of sin and the urgent need of salvation. Willingly recognizing same-sex marriage and validating openly homosexual employees in their homosexuality is a grave and tragic act that confirms sinners in their sin – and that is an act that violates the gospel of Christ. (Source)
Recommended:
Part 1
Short list of Christian Leaders who have rebuked World Vision:
http://standupforthetruth.com/2014/03/short-list-christian-leaders-whove-rebuked-world-vision/
© Marsha West
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