In a recent letter to the editor , numerous clergy and lay leaders called our legislators to use their power to normalize sin in the name of Jesus Christ.
Their heretical view of Christ and the gospel contradicts 2,000 years of the holy, catholic, apostolic church's teachings. They wrote, “We believe Jesus preached a Gospel that embraces the marginalized.” Jesus came preaching a gospel of turning away from sin. Jesus preached, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) The Lord spent time with the marginalized not to approve their sin, but to call all to turn away from it and follow Him. Jesus taught that when the Holy Spirit comes, “he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8).
When Christ returns, not everyone will be considered a child of God. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12–13)
Love for the marginalized is found kneeling at the foot of the cross of Jesus. Only there are we truly all the same: sinners before a Holy God needing forgiveness and grace. There God promises to remove our hearts of stone, give new hearts, a new spirit and cause sinners to walk in righteousness (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
The following ordained and lay faith leaders signed their names to this letter:
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- Pastor Doug VanderMeulen, Community Baptist Church, Fargo
- Pastor Mark Hogan, Community Baptist Church, Fargo
- Pastor Paul Letvin, Submerge Church, Fargo
- Pastor Bob Bartlett, Submerge Church, Fargo
- Dr. David P. Nerud, Pastor, Micah Community Church, Horace
- Apostle Barnabas Gbeintor, River of Life Church, Fargo
- Rev. Blair S. Hill Th.D., Destiny Outreach Mission Base, Dilworth
- Rev. Jodi L. Hill, Destiny Outreach Mission Base, Dilworth
- Pastor Jack Bluel, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Fargo
- Pastor Steve Burrell, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Fargo
- Brad Friesen, Dakota Network, Fargo
- Pastor Randy Hahne, Harvest Valley Church, Horace
- David A. Clemens, Submerge Church, Fargo
- Elder Brandon Smith, Ignite Church, Moorhead and Bluestem Ministries
- Pastor Kurt Chaffee, New Song Church, Bismarck
- Pastor Scott Craig, Landmark Community Church
- Rev. William Cook, Founder of America’s Black Robe Regiment
This letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum's editorial board nor Forum ownership.
The Trust Project
