Gary receives a lot of emails, some with valid questions and theories, and some completely off base. One such email talks about images the emailer sees in the fault lines in the Gulf of Mexico that supposedly link with Bible prophecy. This is similar to people who see the Gospel in the stars or a secret code hidden in the Bible.
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Gary is a graduate of Western Michigan University (1973) and earned his M.Div. at Reformed Theological Seminary in 1979. Author of countless essays, news articles, and more than 27 book titles, he also hosts The Gary DeMar Show, and History Unwrapped—both broadcasted and podcasted. Gary has lived in the Atlanta area since 1979 with his wife, Carol. They have two married sons and are enjoying being grandparents to their grandsons, Calvin and Paul. Gary and Carol are members of Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Let me add one other thing. There is actually a aerial photo in circulation of a mountain side near Jerusalem (i think) where it shows the name of God, YHVH, written/carved in it. Is it fake or real?? Still, does it really matter?? We have the Word of God completely Canonized and verified by It's truth's alone and the Holy Spirit. What need we more?? If they unveiled Noah's Ark today, would that increase our faith. No faith requires "seeing and believing" the unseen.
I personally don't like the using the term "Christian" neither. Everyone in America claims to be a "Christian" simply because they are American. I try to use the term Believers (with a capital "B") or True Believers. Just about any term used will always be borrowed and perverted by cults, however, such as Disciples, etc. So it is tough in the age we're living in and frustrating, as Gary seems to be.
Keep up the excellent work, Gary.
I got into the SAME brief "debate" with this "michael" character yesterday on youtube, after checking out the same video(s) he sent to Gary. One problem he has is a "wild imagination" obviously. The bigger problem with this guy, and people like him, is that they are self seeking and rebellious, not submitted to any one in true authority. Not to mention possibly a "crack head" or some othe drug use. How else could you get such "hallucinations"????
I personally don't like the using the term "Christian" neither. Everyone in America claims to be a "Christian" simply because they are American. I try to use the term Believers (with a capital "B") or True Believers. Just about any term used will always be borrowed and perverted by cults, however, such Disciples, etc. So it is tough in the age we're living in and frustrating, as Gary seems to be.
Why bother one second with these people. I think Jesus would not even respond to them unless they changed their tune.
"I'm getting to the point in my life where I think I'm going to disassociate myself from what is modern day Christianity. I've got to come up with some new term. I'm embarrassed some days to call myself a Christian because I got to be associated with this kind of nut-balls. And it's the nut-balls that get the attention in the media. It's the ones when they're looking for some way to slam the bible and Christianity and the faithful is that they quote guys like this." You had me at "disassociate."
Perhaps, "Children," would be a good label…if one's really needed. Then people could ask, "Of who?" But really, a spiritual name is needed, and that name, in spirit, maybe can be counterfeited, but cannot be stolen. After all, when someone adopts a spiritual name then tries to change the meaning, he changes the name and we get to keep the original name with the same meaning. Spiritually, having the name of God, takes on a totally intense meaning, eh?
That would alleviate some confusion because you can see the spirit of a person; it's like a name tag. "He is a child of God," they will say. Indeed, I believe I'm in favor of having no carnal name of letters and sounds.
Boy are you in for a surprise! I’d hate to be in your shoes when you realize that the man you are supporting is the anti-christ…
To Mike Phelps, I were you, I’d change my church if it didn’t recognize Americas birthday or not believe in doing anything to affect the culture or government. !
Jim
Hey Gary,
I just finished watching this video clip and as always absolutely enjoyed it. I too have become very frustrated by what masquerades today as “Christianity” and like you want to dissassociate myself from this madness. I agree with you that the odd balls that you discribe have become a blight on Christianity. I have blamed this phenomenon on certain elements within the Charismatic movement which I believe has led rise to the nonsense that we see today. That’s why I have dubbed it “Charismania.” Maybe we should call it “Charismaina Christianity”
Or how about Crazymatics. Your assessment is 100% right on. It has gotten worse over the years and hopefully we will see the end of this "movement" soon, and others like it, Pentacostalism, Word of Faith, prosperity, etc.
It used to be there was much truth to be gleaned from in the "full gospel" churches but God doesn't expect us to glean and "sift" through a garbage can to find healthy Food. Is it possible to still articulate a pure, unadulterated Gospel as the apostles did in the Early Church????
Hey Gary,
Concerning ‘sexual immorality’ issues, I point people to Acts 15:22 – 29 (below) since the Apostles had to deal with the same problem.
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“Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers. With them they sent the following letter:
‘The apostles and elders, your brothers,
‘To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:
‘Greetings.
‘We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul– men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
‘Farewell.”
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Of course, the subsequent challenge is often “Big deal! They didn’t define ‘sexual immorality’!” From there, context is important:
1. The letter was written by Jews concerning the Mosaic Law, which they ALL knew, especially the Leviticus passages and others.
2. It was carried and delivered the non-Jews by Jews who would explain ‘sexual immorality’ to those who didn’t know.
3. For Jesus or any of the Apostles to define ‘sexual immorality’ at that point was redundant. It was already defined. For them to redefine ‘sexual immorality’ would be sacrilege which is, unfortunately, what folks do now.
Whaddya think?
Gary,
My suggestion for a name is “The Way” or something with that name in it. I truly enjoy your show and articles. Thanks for being there and helping me keep my sanity. The church I go to does not believe in doing anything to affect the culture or government. On July 4 they did not even mention America or it’s birthday!
Mike
There is a term to describe the man who wrote you this letter: mental illness. As for finding a better name than ‘Christian’ which is sorely misused, I know a pastor who simply refers to himself as a ‘Christ follower’. I don’t think that a new title will solve the problem however. I’m a pastor’s wife and we have met many such people that fit the description you gave. Aside God’s grace falling on them and possibly the addition of medical help, there really isn’t much to be done about it. This man who wrote to you is simply a distraction just like the fortune teller who kept following Paul and Silas around.