A good email from my pastor about Truth

Good morning -
I normally do not use the email list for anything other than special prayer concerns or important events. However, I have recently been asked several times about a popular television personality and her promotion of all things new age.
A shepherd protects his flock and I am sure it would be profitable for you to know where your pastor stands. To be sure, I will not steal time from preaching the Word of God on Sundays to address insignificant mindless talk show hosts. Still, I cannot sit silently by and watch so many be deceived by the constant banterings of our anti-Christian national mainstream media. Folks, the bottom line is that we are in a battle for truth ... absolute ... biblical ... eternal truth. Unfortunately, those who are paraded before us on the television and radio do not share our esteemed value of truth ... truth is for them something that is not absolute but relative.
Recently, Oprah Winfrey began a world-wide class. I have never understood how any believer could waste time with Oprah, but unfortunately she has had world-wide appeal. I seriously hope that changes drastically now that Oprah has become more clear about her beliefs (or lack thereof!) She is not a follower of Christ. She does not believe His Word. Here's a link to watch what Oprah has to say for herself.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA
You may know she is closely associated with Presidential hopeful Barak Obama. Listen to what Barak recently said concerning same-sex marriage. "I think that it is a legal right that they (homosexuals) should have that is recognized by the state. If people find that controversial, then I would just refer them to the sermon on the mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans." Excuse me? I had no idea there was an obscure passage in the theologically rich book of Romans! Here is what is sad ... Barak seems to believe that Jesus and the Bible contradict each other. ABSOLUTELY NOT! The Bible is in perfect harmony with itself, containing no error or contradiction. Do you see where his truth lies ... "in MY mind, for MY faith"
Guess where my truth lies? In the person of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and "the faith once delivered to the saints"
Barak goes on to say that his stance on abortion (abortion on-demand, even partial birth abortion, he is against notifying parents of a minor having an abortion) does not make him "less of a Christian." After his recent comments that he does not believe a person needs to believe in Jesus in order to be saved, I would be prone to say he is not "less of a christian", but instead he is not a christian at all.
I am aghast at how ignorant we have become as a nation. How can one bear the name "Christian" and totally disregard the One for whom that name stands and we do not challenge it! How have we become so flippant with the name and character of Christ that we associate ourselves with Him without regard? How have we come to the place where Jesus is so dishonored that we claim there are many ways to God ... as if His death wasn't significant enough or sufficient enough? How can we watch "preachers" and purchase their books at Wal-Mart when they say Jesus is not the only way for every man? Their popularity is strongly tied to their refusal to speak of sin and a need for salvation. The pastor of the largest church in Amercia, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, recently said, "For me, I believe in Jesus but who am I to say that is the only way? I've traveled with my father to India and I've seen those people, they love God and are sincere in what they believe." Hmmm, equating being an Hindu (does not beleive in Jesus) with a Christian. But did you hear him ... "For me" The modern principle of "truth is relative" In response to the question, "What if you are Jewish or Muslim and don't believe in Christ at all?" he said, "I am very careful about saying who is and who isn't going to heaven, I just don't know"
Can you believe this? Didn't Jesus make it absolutely clear ... "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the Father but by me." Our world will believe anything ... even those who have no beliefs ... but our world is refusing to hear or embrace the truth of the Bible.
We are constantly being bombarded with messages that do not square with Scripture ... this is a truth war. Calvary folks will soon have an opportunity to walk through The TRUTH Project to help us ground our beliefs and resulting behaviors in truth. Here is the challenge to all believers ... to not be swept away by "clever deceptions" but instead to "study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed."
Until we see HIS Scars -
Paul Middleton