Asking vs.Trusting for Salvation

Some people believe nefarious forces are at work in our world today poisoning our water systems, spreading chemtrails in our air and putting sterilizing drugs in our food, all to dumb us down and keep us from thinking for ourselves and practicing logical thought patterns.  Whether that is true or not, the fact is that very few Christians actually THINK about what they are preaching nowadays.  For if they would just read their Bibles, and think about what they read, they couldn't possibly be saying some of the illogical things they are saying and preaching in pulpits across this land. 

In this article, let's focus on the modern teaching of salvation by "ASKING" for forgiveness.  Where is this in the Bible?  Is there a verse that says a man need only beg for eternal life and forgiveness of sins, and God will grant it to him simply because he asked?  Of course not! 

In the Bible, New Testament salvation is not by ASKING, rather by BELIEVING or TRUSTING.  That is to say, salvation is by FAITH (Eph. 2:8,9) and not by WORKS.

This modern day preaching, which I've even heard among Independent Baptists, of telling a Sinner, "Just Ask Jesus to save you" is not only unbiblical, but it is illogical!   Let us look at why.

1.  ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS RUINS THE TYPE OF JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Under the law, a man had to have a sacrifice for his sins.  He was instructed by the scriptures to take a lamb to the priest and place his hand upon that lamb and sacrifice it for his sins. Once it is slaughtered, the blood is taken and offered up on the altar by the priest, and the man's sin is forgiven him.  But no where do we find the man "asking that lamb for forgiveness!"  Nor do we find the man "asking the lamb into his heart" (a popular expression today in which people instruct sinners to simply "Ask Jesus into their hearts.)

No, the sinner in the Old Testament who offered up the lamb for his sins didn't ask for anything.  He simply obeyed God by doing what he was told.  He cut the throat of that lamb and trusted the blood it shed as sufficient to forgive his sins. 

2.  ASKING FOR SALVATION DOES AWAY WITH JESUS' SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS

As we read the New Testament, we find that Jesus is the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.  As a lamb, he fulfilled prophecy by dying a sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of mankind.

Jesus not only wanted to die.  He had to die, for his death, burial, and resurrection were prophecied in scripture.  And his death was the only way man could be forgiven eternally, the innocent dying for the guilty.

To tell a sinner to "Ask God to save them" is to instruct them to come to God apart from that sacrifice on Calvary.  For if a person could by saved by simply "asking God for forgiveness" then why did Jesus die?  

God could have simply stayed in heaven and said, "Okay, I'm going to start a new dispensation.  Anyone who simply asks me to save them, I'll give eternal life!"  But did God do this?  Most certainly not!  Instead, he choose to send his son Jesus to die for the sins of man.  And then he said, "All those who accept this sacrifice by faith will be saved!"  

See, then, how the "asking Gospel" does away with the sacrificial blood atonement of Jesus?  It is trying to get to heaven apart from Jesus Christ and what he's done on Calvary.

3.  ASKING GOD FOR SALVATION IS A WORK DONE BY MAN RATHER THAN FAITH ALONE IN WHAT JESUS HAS DONE 

As we've already stated, salvation is by FAITH and not by works (Eph. 2:8,9).  That means salvation is only by trusting in what Jesus did on the cross of Calvary, and not by doing something yourself apart from that. 

As simple and logical as it is, it must be stated that asking Jesus to save you is not accepting him to do so by faith.  Asking is a work that man does.  It is begging God for something and then hoping he'll do so.  It is man doing something in order to try to obtain God's favor. This is a work.  It's man's own action to try to gain forgiveness, rather than simply resting upon the finished work of Christ in his stead by faith.

4.  ASKING IS NOT RECEIVING

To ask someone for something is not to receive something.  Let's say I come up to you and I ask you for 100 dollars.  Are you going to give it to me?  Probably not! I therefore am wrong to assume that I'll receive it, just because I asked for it.  How then do modernist Christians instruct a sinner to ask God to forgive their sins, and then assume that he automatically receives it just because he asked for it?  Why would God forgive anyone just because they asked? 

No, Biblically, God set it up that the only way he will save a man is when that man trusts his finished work alone for salvation!  The asking Gospel is very presumptuous.

I certainly wouldn't want my testimony to be "I asked God to save me" and then wonder if he ever did or not!

5.  ASKING INSULTS THOSE WHO ARE WANTING TO GIVE, AND IT DOES AWAY WITH FAITH

As we've seen, it's not only anti-biblical, but also illogical to preach salvation is by simply "asking" God for salvation, especially when God said faith must be involved.  But these people who ask God for salvation usually don't have faith.  For if they did, they wouldn't need to ask.  It's like this.  Let's say I said I will give you 100 dollars, all you have to do is believe me and come and take it out of my hand by faith.  And let's say you would rather just stand there and ask, "Can I have it?"  Why, I'd be offended!  I told you it's yours, all you have to do is believe it and receive it!  But you won't take it.  You just want to ask me for it.  

Do you see the problem?  You'll never get it until you believe me and take it.  You can't ask for it and then expect me to place it in your hand.  I made the condition, and your asking doesn't even enter into the picture.  It's there, it's available, and you must pick it up.  To ask me is to insult me!

Why would it be any different with God?  He offers eternal life by faith, and all he asks is you believe it and receive it.  How can you do that if you are "asking" for it?

6.  ASKING LEAVES MEN DOUBTING AND WONDERING IF THEY RECEIVED SALVATION

When a person follows the modern beggers Gospel, instead of salvation by faith alone, they often are left without any assurance.  They don't know for sure if they have salvation, because as afore mentioned, asking is not receiving.  This often times leads to them praying again and again and asking God over and over for salvation. This proves they were never saved in the first place, for it they were, why would they have to ask again?  

7.  ASKING DAMNS SOULS TO HELL

Asking is not God's plan of salvation.  Receiving by Faith is.  If this be the case, then where will a sinner end up who's trusting in their asking?  Why, they would end up in HELL!

What's so sad about those who preach the "asking" Gospel is they don't care enough about souls to think this out.  They've been taught the beggars Gospel, and they are teaching it to others.  Rather than repent and preach the Gospel correctly, they would rather continue in their doctrine, especially when their denomination, their congregation, and their friends preach the same thing.  So instead of reading the scriptures and changing their position, they choose to attack and ridicule those like myself who point out the obvious - that the asking Gospel is not God's plan of salvation.  

SUMMARY

As we've seen, asking God for salvation is neither Biblical, nor logical.  How could anyone be so bold as to expect God to give them eternal life, just because they begged him for it?  And how can they expect to receive it, when they are not trusting his finished work alone for salvation?  And how can they think they are saved when they have no assurance and they simply ask God over and over, thinking if he didn't save them before, then he definitely will do so again.  How presumptuous!  But the saddest thing is this heresy damns souls to Hell!  For those who adhere to it, are guilty of trusting in their works (their asking) rather than in trusting in Christ Jesus's finished work alone as sufficient.

This is not a popular message, as many Christians don't want to even think about this topic.  They want to believe that every person who says he is a Christian really is.  But this is very naive.  The truth is, this is exactly what Satan wants.  He wants people deceived into thinking they are saved when they really aren't.  That's why when people like me begin to expose this conspiracy, we are immediately branded as "trying to talk people out of their salvation!"  (At least that's what I've been accused of).

I like to respond in this following way, you know, just to make them think: "Yep, it's possible to lose YOUR salvation.  But it's not possible to lose God's salvation.  So who saved you, you or God?"

You see, there are many people who are trusting in something they've DONE, and they truly think they are saved because of it.  But they are lost and on their way to Hell.  They need to hear the truth, and they need to examine themselves to see if they truly are saved.  You would think if someone really cared about souls, they'd be in favor of this. 

So "asking God for salvation" is not God's plan of Salvation.  Instead it's God who "asks" you to come to him and receive his free gift of eternal life by FAITH alone in his blood atonement at Calvary. 

By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them

The Bible clearly tells us: "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20).   

Further, we read:

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.  (Matthew 12:33)  

Jesus, here, tells us that we are to know people by their fruit, and that we can tell if a person is good or bad by what they do.  Their fruit defines them.  We then should be able to determine if a person is a "bad apple" or not by how they act and what they do. 

With this in mind, let's look at the fruits of the Spirit, or that fruit which a Christian is supposed to bear:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  (Galatians 5:22)  

Here we find nine different fruits that should be demonstrated by Christians.  But in these last days in which we live, there are very few Christians who demonstrate these fruits.  Instead, most Christians are prideful, haughty, critical, quick to judge, carnal, and oftentimes spiteful. 

My question, then, is "WHY ARE THERE SO MANY WHO CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIANS WHO DON'T MANIFEST THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT?"

This is a hard question to answer.  For if we state dogmatically, "It's because they aren't true Christians, as they aren't even born again.  They are just religious by not regenerated," then others will attack us and label us as those who are trying to make others "doubt their salvation." 

But if we choose the other side of the argument, that Christians aren't perfect and are just as carnal and sinful as the world, then we will be attacked by others who claim that Christians are to be sinless and above reproach.  They further will dogmatically admonish us that we do not have the right to stand in judgment of others.   

So, then, we can't win for losing.  This is why many preachers choose to simply overlook this topic, and not dwell upon, or preach on the fruits of the Spirit.  And, it's why they choose to overlook the lack of spiritual fruit in others.  Instead, they choose to pretend things aren't as bad as they really are, and they overlook the sins of their congregations.

As a Missionary Evangelist, I've traveled and preached in many churches, and I've talked to many pastors.  And, I've seen a lot of sin in Christian Churches.  Fornication, adultery, gossip, child abuse, domestic violence and more are common in Christian circles, and pastors often are those who often have to deal with the effects of these sins.  These are not the "fruits" of the Spirit of God!  Rather the works of the Flesh!

The Bible very clearly lists the works of the flesh: 

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,   Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

Now, not all Christians are guilty of the things on this list.  But it's amazing at just how many of these sins we do find in modern Christian churches today! 

You have to have your head in the sand to believe that there are no problems in our Christian churches today.  Our churches are full of carnal people who choose sin over following God.  And, not only do they give Christianity a bad name, but their fruit makes even the lost think of them as hypocrites, as they name the name of Christ, but then partake of the very same sins that the lost do.

With this in mind, we need to go back to looking at people's fruit!  We need to quit worrying about what others think about us, and we need to go to the root of the problem and find out why the fruit of most Christians is corrupt rather than clean.  Below I give three possiblities.

1.  THEIR FRUIT STINKS BECAUSE THEY ARE LOST

Although many Pastors don't want to think it could be so, the reason there is so much sin in Christianity today is because not everyone who says he is a Christian really is.  It's obvious that a person can claim to be saved, but not really be so.  Some peope think they are Christians because their parents are, others think they are so because they go to church.  While others, think they are followers of Christ because they do good works.  But none of those things are what saves a man and makes him a true Christian.  A man is only born again when he trusts the blood atonement of Jesus Christ as sufficient to wash his sins away and give him eternal life.  It then could very well be the reason there is so much sin in Christian Churches is because they are full of LOST people!

2.  THEIR FRUIT SMELLS BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T GROWN AS CHRISTIANS

But let's give them the benefit of the doubt.  Let's say, even though it's probably not the case, that everyone who says they are a Christian really is.  We still then have a problem.  There is too much sin in Christian circles!  Someone is in the flesh, and not walking in the Spirit.  Thus, very little "fruit" is seen.  Why is this?

It could be because these people are true Christians who haven't grown in the Lord.  They are recently saved, and are still learning and growing, and little by little they are getting closer to the Lord and cleaning up their lives.

This is a definite possibility.  But if this is the case, why don't we see Christians as a whole getting more holy, rather than less holy?

It appears the biggest problem is that Preachers are preaching hard enough against sin!  Nor are they discipling their new converts enough.  And they are not preaching against sin as hard as they should.  This "lax" attitude towards sin, leads people to not think their is a problem with their partaking in it.  Thus, they don't grow like they should.   

3.  THEIR FRUIT IS STAGNANT BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T FORSAKEN THE WORLD

But then again, it could be that if they are saved, and they just haven't grown, it is not the preacher's fault.  Maybe it's there own fault, as they choose sin over the things of God.
When Jesus came, he commanded his disciples to be in the world, but not of the world.  In other words, he did not want them to be worldly.  He wanted them to be different, and to show the world they were so. 

Modern Christians are not like this.  They go to church on Sunday, and sometimes even Wednesday, but the rest of the week, they are in the world, they love the world, and they gladly partake of the things of the world.

Instead of being holy as a testimony for Christ, they are doing the same things as the world, and there is little discernable difference between them and lost people.

Their worldliness, therefore, keeps them from witnessing for Jesus.  But that's not the worst part.  Their worldiness leads them to eventually adopting the teachings of the world over the teachings of the Bible.
In short, they are "worldly" rather than "godly."

IN SUMMARY

Jesus said, "...By their fruits, ye shall know them!"  We then should be fruit inspectors.  But as we inspect today, we find a lot of good looking fruit on the outside, but on the inside it's as rotten as can be.  Why is this?  It's because very few Christians really try to practice the fruits of the Spirit.  Some, because they aren't saved.  Others, because they are just as carnal as can be.  And even others, because they love the world more than God.  

How about you?  Why not focus on your life and try to bring forth some good fruit? 

The Modern New Fangled Gospel?

I'm lucky to have been able to read many of my third-great grandfather's sermons from the 1800's.  It's interesting to see what he thought and believed.  And, it was fun to see how we believe so much alike in so many things.

To me, the 1800s was a great time to live in!  The Victorian Age was really the Golden Age of modern History, especially with the many revivals worldwide in that time-period.  Compare that to today.  Things are much different.  There isn't nationwide Revival, rather world-wide Apostasy!

With this in mind, I thought about the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and how in modern times it's been changed time and again, just as the apostle Paul warned it would be.  My third-great-grandfather, it's been written, had a knack at presenting the blood-stained Gospel plain and clearly.  He preached Christ crucified, and pointed sinners to Him alone for salvation.  And he saw many converts because of it.  All because he honored Jesus and His blood atonement for the sins of mankind.  He preached a BLOODY Gospel, and his converts were fruitful Christians, serving God of a pure heart.

But this is not what is being preached today by many modern preachers, especially Fundamentalists ones.  Many are simply instructing sinners to DO or SAY something instead of rest solely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ DONE once at Calvary for all mankind.  And their converts are shallow, oftentimes never changing, nor desiring spiritual things.  One must wonder if they are even saved at all.  Could it be they've been taught another Gospel, and this is why they are so "fruitless?"

The true Bible Gospel is clearly found in the scriptures in 1 Corinthians chapter fifteen, verses one through four.  I'll not list it here, as hopefully, you'll look it up for yourself.  (There are King James Bible search engines all over the internet!).  In that passage we are told exactly what the Gospel it.  It is the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins, according to the scriptures.  It is His blood atonement for the sins of mankind and His bodily assention unto heaven, where he waits to return again one day.  If you trust this sacrifice of Jesus Christ by FAITH (Eph. 2:8-9), then your are gloriously and wonderfully saved!  If you don't, you are lost, and on your way to Hell Fire.

As a Minister of the Gospel myself, I preach this, not because my third-great grandfather preached it, but because it's in the Bible, and I'm commanded of God to do so. 

What's odd to me is that I've recently been told by several modern Fundamentalist preachers that my preaching of the Gospel this way is not correct, and I'm guilty of preaching a modern "New Fangled Gospel" (their words, not mine).  But how can this be?  I'm only pointing sinners to Christ crucified, and to the forgiveness of sins through His shed blood! 

As I studied these men and why they would say such a thing, I found out the reason they were against me was because they were the ones guilty of preaching a modern Gospel.  They had a "Bloodless Gospel" which left out the blood of Jesus Christ entirely, and instructed sinners to trust in something they DO or SAY, instead of trusting in what God SAID and DID for mankind in paying their sin debt on Calvary.

Their modern "new-fangled" Gospel can be preached many different ways.  Such as:

"Simply ask Jesus to save you"

"Ask Jesus into your heart"

"Confess your sins to God and beg Him for horgiveness"

"Give your heart to God"

"Commit your life to Christ"

"Repent of your sins"

Etc. and Etc.

At first glance, you might be reading this and you might say to yourself, "What?  What's wrong with saying those things?  I hear them preached all the time!"

The answer is that none of these are the Biblical plan of salvation.   You can not find one verse of Scripture that instruct anyone to do these things to be saved.  (And even if you did, you've have a command for a man to DO something for salvation.  I.e. a works set-up, when we are told savation is not of works, but by faith alone.  See Eph. 2:8,9). 

Further, if someone does these things, we must ask, "But, where is their faith in the blood atonement of Jesus Christ?"  For it's easy to do or say anything or commit to anything with the mouth, but not believe from the heart.

You see, salvation is not of works, it's not anything we DO.  It's a heart thing, and it's simply trusting what Jesus Christ has DONE for you.  To preach anything else is to preach a "Modern New Fangled Gospel."

With this stated, let me ask you a question.  Are you trusting only in Jesus' blood sacrifice alone for salvation, or are you trusting in something you've done?   

If you are a minister of the Gospel, let me ask you something.  Are you preaching "another gospel" (a gospel of DO) or are you preaching the biblical Gospel of believing by faith from the heart in the finished work of Christ (the DONE Gospel).

If my third-great granddaddy where here today, I'm sure he'd be shocked at how few ministers preach the true Biblical Gospel.  Instead of, REPENT, many preaching simply REPEAT after me!  This leads to a person thinking the prayer they utter with the lips is what saves them, instead of heartfelt faith in Christ.  How sad.  No wonder we hear of many who claim they've seen revival, but there are very few true converts, very little fruit, and very little change in the morality in the world.

Similarities between Christian Fundamentalists and Fundamentalist Muslims

I'm sure modern American Christian Fundamentalists would be the first to tell you that they have absolutely nothing in common with Islam and Fundamentalist Muslims. But I beg to differ.

As I compare the two and look at the way the apostate Fundamentalists within the Independent Baptist Movement are going, I find quite a few similarities. And it scares me!

Let's just look at a few of the many similarities between ISLAM, and the modern FUNDAMENTALIST movement, which has greatly departed from the word of God and fallen headfirst into apostasy.

1. THEY BOTH WANT TO BRAG THAT ONLY THEIR RELIGION IS THE RIGHT ONE.

If you've ever dealt with a Muslim, you know they believe you can only get to "paradise" through their religion and their "prophet." They are so intolerant, they will not allow any other religion in any country where they have taken over the government. They truly believe their religion is the only one, and all others are apostate. And they like to brag about being right, while they believe everyone else who doesn't adhere to their religion is wrong.

Doesn't that sound a little like modern Fundamentalists, who brag that only they have the right denomination, and only they are those in the last days who have not gone apostate? They like to say only they have sound doctrine, and everyone else doesn't. But doesn't that sound like "bragging" on themselves instead of bragging on Jesus. Clearly, they have the same mentality as the Muslims in exalting their religion above all others.

2. THEY BOTH TRY TO GET THE PEOPLE ONLY TO CONVERT WITH THE MOUTH

If you've ever studied Islam, or talked with Muslims (like I have), then you'll find that they count a man or a woman a convert to their religion who simply utters the words, "Allah is God." The emphasis in Islam is to get people to say these words. The emphasis, then, is on the words spoken from the mouth, and not whether a person truly believes what he says from the heart.

Modern Fundamentalism is much the same. Oh, they once preached salvation by faith, and stressed the need for repentance and heartfelt faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning blood. But that was years ago. Now most of them today have adopted the "1,2,3, repeat after me," method of soul winning, in which they stress a sinner only to make a confession with the lips, instead of instructing a sinner of his need to trust completely in Christ Jesus from the heart.

By their shallow evangelism, many a soul winner has tried only to get a person to repeat a prayer instead of repent and trust the blood of God's propitiation. This leads to the same thing the Muslims have: converts who say it with the mouth, but don't really believe in it from the heart.

There are two kinds of Muslims: 1. Those who claim they are so, but don't follow that religion much, and 2. Those who believe in their religion enough to kill for it, and even die as a martyr for it!

In Christian Fundamentalism, there also are two classes: 1. Those who claim to be Christians, but don't practice what they preach, and usually don't even live for Jesus, as they continue on in the world, and 2. Those who love God enough to give Him their all, and yea, even die for him if need be.

In Islam, just as in Modern Fundamentalism, there are those who are viewed as "not dogmatic" enough, or just plum "apathetic" to the cause. But both religions have one thing in common: They both focus on trying to make converts by getting their converts to say something instead of believe something.

3. THEY BOTH PUT THE EMPHASIS ON BUILDING BUILDINGS

No doubt you've recently heard of the Mosque that Muslims want to build close to ground zero in New York City. Most Americans are against this, calling it "insensitive," especially since it was Muslim extremists that attacked the Twin Towers and killed so many people. But Muslims seem to not care about what others think. They are interested in building, and they desire as many Mosques as they can get in as many places as they can get them. To them, it's a sign of victory that they are taking over the world.

Now let's look at Modern Christian Fundamentalists. When we study them, we find they too have a desire to build many church buildings, which often times they are quick to call "Temples." (I thought that's what the Jews built). The more buildings they build, the more they can brag about building the "kingdom" and they can gain prestige as a denomination. I've seen it first hand as a missionary, as I saw other missionaries securing a large sum of money to build "buildings," often before they even had a congregation to fill that building!

Once again, we see the similarities between Muslims and Christians in their desire to build houses of worship. But in their haste, they forget the importance of building people.

4. THEY BOTH SEEM TO FOLLOW MEN BEFORE THEY WILL FOLLOW GOD.

Muslims believe that their deity is Allah. But they also believe that to follow Allah, a person must follow Mohammed, his prophet. In other words, Islam is a religion of following a man (Mohammed) instead of worshipping God. For in that religion, you must follow a man in order to get to God.

Further, there are several kinds of Muslims: Sunnites and Shiites. What's the difference? Each one follows a different MAN instead of following God.

Is Christian Fundamentalism much different? Sadly, it is not. Within the Fundamentalist movement there are many different groups or camps. And each one was founded by a man. You have your: Bob Jonesites, Jack Hylesites, Peter Ruckmanites, Chappelites, John R. Riceites, etc. In modern Fundamentalism, it's not about following God, it's about following a man, and you are known by which school you went to, or which group you belong to. See how closely this compares to Islam?

5. THEY BOTH TEACH SUBMISSION TO MAN.

The word "Islam" means submission. And, Islam is a religion which tries to convert the world to its religous system, so that all the world might submit to it and its teachings (like Sharia law). A person who is a Muslim must submit to those in authority over him, and disobedience can and does lead to horrendous physical punishments. (Like stoning, hands cut off, beheading, etc.). Submission to others is key to this religion.

In Christian Fundamentalism we see much the same thing. With the rise of "camps" that were founded by men, Christians are taught to submit to the authority and teachings of the founders of their group. Submission to God and His law (the Bible) is frowned upon, as people are told to submit to their religious leaders (like their pastor, their Bible School teacher, their bus captain, their Deacon Board, their Mission Board, etc. and etc.). People become "Sheepeople" who are instructed to obey without question, no matter what, under threat of ex-communication (just like the Catholics). Though many Fundamentalists preach "free-will," they do not practice it, as they try to enslave others under them (See my blog on Baptist Popes for an example). And by so doing, they becoming nothing better than Muslims who try to use their religion to enslave others to themselves.

6. THEY BOTH TEACH ANGER TOWARDS THOSE THEY DISLIKE

Muslims are some of the angriest people I've ever met. Why? Because there is no love in their religion. It caters to the flesh instead of the Spirit. And because of this, we see many great atrocities practiced in Islam against others (like stoning, honor killings, suicidal bombings, etc.). Muslims are taught to hate "infidels." And instead of converting them, their writings make it easier just to kill them. That's what a "jihad" is: It is a war against anyone who won't conform to their way of life.

So, how do modern Christian Fundamentalists compare? How do they treat others? If you've been in the Fundamentalist movement for long, you'll see there too is a lot of anger and hatred. Instead of love, and the fruits of the Spirit, one usually finds Fundamentalist pastors writing dirty letters to each other in anger, and bitterly attacking others who don't go along with them and their doctrines. Internet webpages and disscussion groups are full of "Christian" Fundamentalists railing on each other, oftentimes cussing each other out and using words that aren't very becoming of those who name the name of Christ. Their anger is not directed towards the "infidels," but rather towards each other. They might not use physical violence as the Muslims, but they bite and devour one another with angry words.

7. THEY BOTH TREAT WOMEN WITHOUT RESPECT.

If you have read the Koran (or what they now call in English the Qu'ran), then you'll know what Muslims think of women. They are looked down upon in their writings, and treated as second class citizens. In Islam, women are likened to animals, and even slaves, and are worth far less than a man according to their own writings. They are even made to dress in a certain way, and even hide their faces from others.

Now compare this to Modern Fundamentalism. Thankfully, most do not treat their women as bad as Muslims do. However, there are many Fundamentalists who do treat women very disrespectfully. So much so, many an Independent Baptist has received a bad reputation because of it. I personally time and again have seen and heard what people say about those "crazy fundamentalists" and their "outdated" and "dogmatic" ideals towards women. Because they chose to follow the Bible, the world brands them as extremists who try to "enslave" women under their own control and authority. (Of course, this is how the world views Fundamentalists.)

But the truth is, the Bible does not downgrade women. In the Bible: The Man is to sacrifice for his wife, while the wife is to submit to her husband. If both are doing that, then their marriage will be a wonderful thing!

The problem is that many a fundamentalist man adopts the Muslim attitude of "I'm better than she is and worth more," so he becomes a "dictator" in his own home, and as the Muslims try to enslave women, so does he try to do the same to his own wife, whom he puts "under his thumb." Instead of treating her with "love" and "respect," he treats her like a dog, and only uses her for what he can get out of her, making sure to use "discipline" often. And she, instead of serving him out of love and respect, serves him out of fear of reprisal. Is this not EXACTLY the way muslim women serve their male counterparts?

Truly, the Modern Fundamentalist Christian movement today has a lot in common with Islam, and Muslims. This cannot be denied. But why is this? What's the cause? I believe it's a lack of following the Bible. Instead of following what GOD SAYS, many a Fundamentalist is listening to man and popular preachers, and adopting what THEY SAY, without checking them out in the scriptures to see if what they say is right or not.

So how about you? Are you a MAN FOLLOWER, or a follower of CHRIST and the Bible. If you are Fundamentalist, and love bragging on being so, let me ask you this question, "How come you and your religion have so much in common with Islam?"

As for me, I'm just a Bible Believer, and I'm doing my best to follow God and His holy word. I don't brag on my religion, claiming it's the right one. In fact, I preach against RELIGION, and stress people their need for SALVATION instead. (Religion enslaves, but Jesus Saves!) I further try to make sure to stress a sinner's need to REPENT, that is turn from trusting their works or their religion, and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

I'm not interested in building buildings that will someday be destroyed, but rather build people, teaching them and instructing them in the ways of God.

I don't try to get people to submit to a man, and follow him. Instead, I try to tell people to submit to God, and His word, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ!

I further don't need to get angry and take out my frustrations on others. I want to show them Christ in me, and His love! And I don't believe in mistreating women, but rather respecting them.

First blog!

Greetings and welcome to THE CONFEDERATE BAPTIST.  It has long been my dream to resurrect this, my third great grandfather's newspaper, which ran throughout the Civil War, as he was a Baptist Pastor in Columbia, South Carolina during the time.  Below is an example of the front page of his magazine.

His name was J.M.C. Breaker, and he also pastored churches in South Carolina, North Carolina, Missouri, Texas, and California.  The Baptist Encyclopedia gives a great bio of him:

The Baptist Encyclopedia

J. M. C. Breaker

Rev. J. M. C. Breaker was born near Camden, Kershaw District, S. C., July 25, 1824; graduated from Furman Literary and Theological Institution, Fairfield, S. C., June, 1846; ordained to the ministry July 3, 1846; has been pastor of Greenville, Granville, Beaufort, Columbia, Spartansburg, S. C.; Newbern, N. C.; Park Avenue, St. Louis, Liberty and First church, St. Joseph, Mo.; and has been pastor at Houston, Texas, since April, 1877, where he is excelled by no other city minister in ability and influence; for several years was secretary of the South Carolina Baptist State Convention; founded and edited at Columbia, S. C., during the war, a weekly paper called The Confederate Baptist; received the degree of D. D. from Lagrange College, Mo.; is a life-member of the American Baptist Missionary Union, American Baptist Publication Society, and the American Bible Society; has baptized 1520 persons; is author of a prize essay on "Communion," published in 1859, and has contributed a number of articles to the Christian Review and other perioicals [sic].

[From The Baptist Encyclopedia, 1881; rpt. 1988, pp. 131-132. - jrd]

Below is a Picture of my Third-Great Grandfather, Dr. Jacob Manly Cantey Breaker.

Hey, I even look like him a little bit with the same hog jowl cheeks.  At least my ears are smaller and my hair line is not receding!  : )

On this blog you'll find, from time to time, I'll add articles that I've written, as well as articles and links of others that I believe are worthy of your perusal.  We'll also talk a little about the SOUTH, and how great it is to live there, with some of the friendliest people in the world!

We might even delve into some history of the "War of Northern Agression," albiet our motive is not to drudge up bad memories of injustice, nor is it to stir up trouble.  THIS WEBSITE IS NOT DESIGNED IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM TO PROMOTE ANARCHY, SKIN HEAD MOVEMENTS, HATE SPEECH, REVOLUTION, and the such like.  It's sad I have to mention that, but there are many today who see the Southern Flag, and because they don't understand it, they automatically believe it's connected with weirdos, rednecks, skinheads, etc. 

For me it's all about HERITAGE, not HATE!

So I hope you'll enjoy reading this blog.  It's my only desire that it might be informative to you.  Who knows, you just might learn something!  If not, I hope you'll enjoy reading it. 

And feel free to contribute.  I always wanted to make this a printed publication to send out far and wide, but I knew I probably wouldn't ever be able to do that.  So, I made it into a blog instead.  But hey, with your help, we might just make it into a publication eventually.  And how knows, maybe it'll be a good place for people to come and learn about history, truth, and the American way.

If you are a Bible Believer, and want to write an article for this magazine, please do so and send it to me at:

robertbreaker3@hotmail.com

Please keep it under 500 words if possible, as the attention span of people today is not what it used to be.  And make sure it's not an attachment, rather posted or written directly into the email.  Also please include your name.

As an Independent Baptist Minister, it's my desire to reach other Independent Baptists with the truth and help them as much as I can.  For you probably know there is much apostasy out there today, especially in the Independent Baptist Movement.  I guess you could call this blog an Independent Independent Baptist publication.

Sincerely in Christ Jesus,

R. R. Breaker III