Bathroom Bullies

"Bathroom bullies"? Wow. I think the author of this article might be a bit confused! I point this out, because it is almost hidden within the text of the article and yet it says so much. Who are the "bathroom bullies"? Let's take a look. A little information about the author from Wikipedia - John Pavlovitz is an American Christian pastor and author, known for his social and political writings from a liberal Christian perspective. Wikipedia (emphasis in bold, mine)

Enough said. But I am going to share what I think, anyway. ;-) That's why I blog.

This article is a classic example of "Progressive Christianity".  I want to address it, because progressive Christianity is a danger to our faith and to our nation.

Clearly, this man has some confusion about what a Christian should be; OR this is an intentional attack on evangelical Christians of old and those who stand firm in their faith today. Some people have a need to believe and support this ideology because they don't like what God calls sin. (I don't think it's a sin to only want females in girls' bathrooms.) The loudest ones have a political agenda with attempts to destroy the church from within, before their politics can become effective. Others are simply, but dangerously deceived. I will not be one who remains silent about those who are purposefully deceiving others by "Progressive Christianity" and a possible paved path to Hell.

I know throwing a bunch of Scriptures at someone is no way to draw an unbeliever into our faith. But this is not to reach those who are unsaved. This is to reach those that might be finding themselves sucked into the dogma of what has come to be known as "Progressive Christianity".

Below are Pavlovitz points. Let me make a few comment on each of his points and apply Scripture to them. My points will be in blue for clarity. And in order to easily find the Chapter and Verse I have placed them in red. This is not, by any means, an exhaustive list of Scripture verses on the subjects. This is simply what I have committed to memory and why I know Pavlovitz must be refuted. The Bible tells us so. He states (Bullet points):

• I refuse to be a Christian who lives in fear of people who look or speak or worship differently than I do.

I know no Christian who lives in fear of other faiths. I do know faiths that are dangerously wrong. We are to guard against being exposed to that.

John 14:6  "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."        

And: John 14:15  "If ye love me, keep my commandments"

1 Peter 5:8  "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
Matthew 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

• I refuse to be a Christian who believes that God blesses America more than God so loves the world. 

Sounds very profound. But God clearly says throughout Scripture there are those he will bless and those he shall curse. As one example, in Genesis 12:3, he says he will bless those who bless Israel. America does and always has supported and been a blessing to Israel:   "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

And Romans: 9:18: Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
John 12:40: "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them." Yeah, I don't like that one either. But we need the full counsel of the Word of God.

• I refuse to be a Christian who can’t find the beauty and truth in religious traditions other than my own.

There is no need to find beauty or truth in religious traditions of other faiths. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and any others are all false religions. There is Truth only in One. The others are a dangerous path to hell. Where is the love in that? We are a nation that accepts all faiths. But those citizens who are Christians have a command to share the Truth to those they come in contact. The Great Commission:

Matthew 28:16-20 ¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (emphasis in bold, mine)

Again, where is the beauty in a path to Hell?

• I refuse to be a Christian who uses the Bible to perpetuate individual or systemic bigotry, racism, or sexism.

Now what would be an example of this, in the author's mind? Not wanting to bake a cake for a homosexual wedding? (Leviticus 12:22, Leviticus 20:13 and Romans 1:26-27; and the Biblical definition of marriage in Matthew 19:3 -6 ) Or is it Christians who are bold enough to say there are only 2 genders that bothers him? (Genesis 5:2; Matthew 19:3 -6) Trying to "love someone in" to the Kingdom by caring enough to tell them truth? Is that the ones Pavlovitz is talking about? Standing up for white males, because they are now the PC person to attack, is that to whom he refers? Christians following Scripture? Does he consider that bigotry? Unfortunate that it doesn't fit the Progressive agenda? It is not ok to ignore the Bible in regard to homosexuality, and abortion and the fact that there is only one way to God.

One can be forgiven any sin, but one must not continue in that sin. This is what people who promote homosexual marriage do not understand. They love to point to all the other sins, like fornication or divorce that a Christian might be doing. But the difference is, to be truly born again they should no longer be actively participating in that sin. Not true of one in a homosexual marriage. They are continuing in sin. Not my words - God's.

John 8: 10 -11; "Go and sin no more." And John 5: 10-14 "...sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."

• I refuse to be a Christian who treasures allegiance to a flag or a country or a political party, above emulating Jesus.

Really? This is simply another false accusation by this man. Progressives seem to love to point this finger at conservative Christians, while touting and demanding their own progressive narrative. I don't see emulation of Jesus in that. This is something the progressives love to accuse conservative Christians of, without regard to specifics. Who are they to say that anyone loves their nation more than their God? We are instructed to be good stewards of our nation. Most of us believe by being active politically in our nation, we are preserving our freedom to worship as we please. And thereby the ability to continue to spread the true Gospel. Do they believe they emulate Jesus better when they twist His word into things they want it to say? When they are the ones that end up casting judgment because they don't agree? I think there might be 4 fingers pointing back at them.

• I refuse to be a Christian who is reluctant to call-out the words of hateful preachers, venomous politicians, and mean-spirited pew sitters, in the name of keeping ceremonial Christian unity.

Who are these people he is accusing? Treading danger ground here. Instead, maybe he should heed these Scriptures:

Galatians' 1:10
For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Deuteronomy 4:2
You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.
Deuteronomy 12:32
See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.
Proverbs 30:6
Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.
Revelation 22:7
"Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book."

Revelation 22:18

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.

Ok so I guess I got carried away with posting Scriptures on that one. You get the point.

• I refuse to be a Christian who tolerates a global Church where all people are not openly welcomed, fully celebrated, and equally cared for.

It was God who created the nations and the boundaries, for His purpose.

Acts 17:26 "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;"

We probably shouldn't argue. And the verses regarding this are many, so I will list a few more:

Deuteronomy 32:8 "When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God."
Job 12:23 "He makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and sends them away."
Psalm 74:17 "You set all the boundaries of the earth; You made the summer and winter."
Jeremiah 27:5 "By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please."

But also, in regard to his reckless comment about being "equally cared for", the truth is, rather, that we are instructed in Scripture to take care of our own first. There is nothing wrong with that. And is in fact, how we are better able to help others. Everyone knows one cannot do ones best when one is weak.

Galatians 6:10 "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." That would also be those of our own nation, then, wouldn't it.

1 Timothy 5:8 ⁸ But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

And as well, Jesus told us the poor will always be among us.
Matthew 26:11 "For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always."

I am tired of Progressives using the Bible to promote their socialistic agenda. It simply isn't there. This is classic distortion. Socialism is simply a world experiment that has failed over and over. The Bible must be utilized in full context.

2 Thessalonians 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

• I refuse to be a Christian who speaks always with holy war rhetoric about an encroaching enemy horde that must be rallied against and defeated.

There are enemies that seek to destroy us. God doesn't expect us to sit idly by, but to take up our sword. We have the same enemy then as now.

Luke 22:36-38 "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

Deuteronomy 3:18 At that time I commanded you: "The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All your warriors are to cross over, armed for battle, ahead of your brothers, the Israelites.

And Numbers 32:20 "Then Moses said to them: “If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,"

Nehemiah 4:17-18 “Who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.”

I know progressives do not like to give the same respect to the Old Testament as to the New Testament, so I have bookended these verses with New Testament Scriptures ending in Matthew 10:34: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."

• I refuse to be a Christian who is generous with damnation and stingy with Grace.

That's his opinion. In my opinion, one cannot be a loving Christian without warning of Hell and the sin that takes one there. What kind of love is that, if we don't? We are instructed to warn others and to correct brothers and sisters when in error.

Galatians 4:16 "Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?"

And don't forget this, Mr. Pavolovitz:

Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (emphasis in bold mine)

• I refuse to be a Christian who can’t see the image of God in people of every color, every religious tradition, every sexual orientation.

God is not in everything or everyone as the "new" (rather, age old) heresy of pantheism comes around again. The image of God is not in race or nationality, but in those who have accepted His love and forgiveness for their sin and with whom the Holy Spirit dwells. I have already listed Scripture regarding the sin of certain "sexual orientations" and of false religions. We can be accepting of neither, but that does not mean we do not have love for them and have concern for their error.

• I refuse to be a Christian who demands that others believe what I believe or live as I live or profess what I profess.

I see no Christians, in the negative light this man sees. These accusations are merely his opinion. We are expected to share God's truth, so that others will find Grace and enter His Kingdom. Contrary to this man's statement, Jesus called us to share His truth. Jesus sent the disciples out in twos and told them to shake the dust from their feet, if anyone did not receive their message.

Luke 10: 1-3" And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."

And Matthew 10:14-15 "Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

 Mark 6:7 "And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;"

• I refuse to be a Christian who sees the world in a hopeless spiral downward and can only condemn it or withdraw from it.

We are not to love this world. It is not our home. Christians more than anyone, do not withdraw from this world to do nothing, as he implies. Rather, they are the most active in bringing about love in a tangible way. But they are also keenly aware they are not to love this world, but to be set apart from it.

1 John 2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

And Romans 12:2. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
John 15:19 - If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

• I refuse to be a Christian devoid of the character of Jesus; his humility, his compassion, his smallness, his gentleness with people’s wounds, his attention to the poor and the forgotten and the marginalized, his intolerance for religious hypocrisy, his clear expression of the love of God.

I know no Christian's like this. This is not my view of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Truly a sad perception this Pavolvitz has of fellow Christians. Or maybe he just has an agenda. Maybe he has sin he wants to embrace. The truth is, Jesus turned tables. Jesus called some a "generation of vipers". Jesus said, "Go and sin no more". Jesus told us He came to fulfill the law, not replace it. ~Matthew 5:17

2 Corinthians 7:1 - Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Matthew 12:34-37  "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

2 Corinthians 4:2 "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."

• I refuse to be a Christian unless it means I live as a person of hospitality, of healing, of redemption, of justice, of expectation-defying Grace, of counterintuitive love. These are non-negotiables.

James 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Emphasis in bold mine. This is the part of this passage that the proponents of Progressive Christianity always seem to miss. "...keep himself unspotted from the world." We probably should pay attention to that phrase, too. Seems these days it is sorely missed.

Yep some things are non-negotiable. Forgiveness requires repentance.

There is so much more I could say; so many more Bible verses to quote. But this is getting long and people don't have the time to delve into an article of such length. I think I have included a Bible verse with each of his points and that is enough. That is what I set out to do. If someone has more questions or wishes to discuss they can do so here in the comments. I will answer to the best of my ability. And I am always open to discussion. I believe that is how we all learn. But yes, let's put an end to "bathroom bullies". We might have different ideas of who they are.

I will simply end with a few more important verses.

1 John 5:11-14

¹¹ And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

¹² He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

¹³ These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Colossians 2:8

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Romans 16:17

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."

1 Corinthians 10:33
just as I try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.