It is easy to ignore crime in our neighborhoods as long as it doesn’t come to our own door step. Many times it takes our own homes being robbed before we decide to act. As Christians I feel we conduct ourselves in the same manner. Remaining silent on issues that should demand our attention and action, but instead we remain silent because it doesn’t directly affect our daily lives. Our silence has landed us in the place that we are today. Abortion on demand and gay marriage right here in Iowa. In most cases we have said nothing, only to wake up one morning wondering how we got here? As many of you know Bob Eschliman was recently fired from his position as Editor from the Newton Daily News. No big deal…right? Happens every day. The reason he was fired should cause us as Christians to wake up and take action. Bob was fired for standing up for his own personal religious beliefs and the Word of God. Bob was let go because of what he wrote on his own personal blog in regards to the “Queen James Bible.” Remember this was HIS PERSONAL BLOG, it was not affiliated with Newton Daily News in any way. For those of you who haven’t heard the “Queen James Bible” has reworded the Bible to “make it more relevant.” When in reality the LGBT community has tried to erase all references to homosexuality as a sin.
Is homosexuality a sin? Yes! Is it a special sin? No! 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” In this letter Paul gives a laundry list of sinful activities, beginning with all of those who have sex outside of marriage. His focus wasn’t on any one sin in particular. However, I have yet to see a group of drunks or thieves try to rewrite the Bible to remove any verses that refer to drunkenness or stealing as sin.
So, how do we respond? Do we respond at all? After all, Shaw media, the owners of the Newton Daily News has the right to fire anyone if his or her views don’t represent the best interest of their company. I agree with that statement. However, we as Christians also have the right to choose who we support with our financial resources. One way we can speak the loudest is to quit giving Shaw Media or the Newton Daily News our money by canceling our subscriptions, and pulling our advertising from their newspaper. Unfortunately, money is the language that speaks the loudest to them. Perhaps you’re thinking this is no big deal. It doesn’t affect me. It may not today, but if you stand up publicly for the truth of the Word of God long enough, it will.
Bob Eschliman is a real person, with a wife and kids. If you are a Christ follower he is your brother in Christ. We should be both alarmed and awakened when one of our own family is treated this way. We should be moved to do something. I am not telling you that you must cancel your subscription to the Newton Daily News. You must pray and see what God would have you do. But please do something. Don’t remain silent as you have in the past. Write a letter to Shaw Media, call them and tell them how you feel about this, or if you are so moved please quit supporting them financially. No matter what you decide to do, or not do, please pray for Bob and his family as they move through this difficult time. Here is a link to the story if you would like more information: Newton Daily News Fires Editor for Criticizing Queen James Bible | Caffeinated Thoughts
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