The following is another installment of the Friday Church News Notes designed especially for use in churches. It is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. For instructions on how to unsubscribe to this list or to change mailing addresses, please consult the information paragraph at the end.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PUTS MARY ON THE CROSS (Friday Church News Notes, September 28, 2007, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - In spite of claims of contemporary Catholic propagandists, the Roman Catholic Church worships Mary. She is exalted as the sinless Mother of God who was bodily assumed into Heaven and crowned Queen of the Universe. According to Roman Catholic doctrine, Mary sits on Jesus’ throne and acts as His Co-Mediatrix. In the Church of the Mother of God of Polish Martyrs in Warsaw there is a painting of Mary hanging on the cross holding the child Jesus. Outside of the main Mary basilica in Rome (Santa Maria Maggiore) there is a large crucifix with Jesus hanging on one side and a crowned Mary hanging on the other. The painting in Warsaw and the crucifix in Rome depict Rome’s dogma that Mary is the co-redemptress with Christ, that she intercedes for men from heaven and aids in their salvation. Note the following quotations from the Vatican II Council: “As St. Irenaeus says, she being obedient, BECAME THE CAUSE OF SALVATION for herself and for the whole human race. Hence not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert with him in their preaching ... ‘death through Eve, LIFE THROUGH MARY.’ This UNION OF THE MOTHER WITH THE SON IN THE WORK OF SALVATION is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to his death” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, chap. 8, II, 56, pp. 380-381). “Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but BY HER MANIFOLD INTERCESSION CONTINUES TO BRING US THE GIFTS OF ETERNAL SALVATION. By her maternal charity, she cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into their blessed home. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of ADVOCATE, HELPER, BENEFACTRESS, and MEDIATRIX” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, chap. 8, II, 62, pp. 382-383). A plaque in the Chapel of the Virgin of the Grace at Saints Vincent and Anastasius Church in Rome says, “Cardinal Benedetto Odescalchi, who became the pope with the name of Innocent XI, initiated THE WORSHIP OF THE IMAGE, placed on the altar in 1677, and wanted his heart to be buried here, not in the main chapel.” This is only one example of many that could be given of the term “worship” used in regard to Mary in Rome’s churches.

REVOLUTION CHURCH HOLDS POKER TOURNAMENT (Friday Church News Notes, September 28, 2007, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Revolution Church of Canton, Georgia, featured a Las Vegas style gambling theme in its services this month. The web site says: “Everyone who has sat at a poker table knows there is that moment in every game where you have to decide to play it safe or go ‘all in.’ In a split second you have to decide whether to risk everything you have on the hand that you have been dealt. Either you win big or you lose everything. Join Revolution Church starting September 9th for our new series called ‘All In’ as we will be looking at real life issues we all face and what the Bible has to say about going ‘all in’ with every aspect of your life.” Using gambling terminology to describe the Christian life is foolish heretical confusion! There is NO gamble in the Christian life! Everything is sure because of the blood of Jesus Christ. Christian living is not about taking poker chances; it is about pursuing “that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2). This worldly church features nightclub style music with a darkened stage and swirling lights. It has even hosted a “Texas Hold’em” casino-style poker tournament with prizes including a custom poker table valued at $1600. The pastor’s blog is called “Mad Babble from a Church Planter.” It is rightly named and even features crude gutter language that I cannot quote in this article. Revolution Church’s web site says: “Come comfortable (everyone will be in jeans, shorts, and T-shirts) ... the music will rock and will sound like the music you hear on the local rock station on your radio ...  we have spared no expense in creating a fun and exciting environment...” The Bible says: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). To think that you can “win the world” to holiness with worldly methods is a lie of the Devil. What you win them with, you win them to. We also believe in inviting sinners to “come as you are” to church. We have never had dress standards for visitors, and we regularly have men in our services with long hair and earrings and women in worldly styles of attire. But we aim to see the unsaved converted through the preaching of God’s Word so that they are changed. The biblical philosophy is come as you are but leave as He is -- new, holy, different! The Christian rock philosophy of come as you are and stay as you are is damnable.

DISCERNING OBSERVATION ON D. JAMES KENNEDY’S PASSING (Friday Church News Notes, September 28, 2007, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following discerning observation was sent to me recently by Tom Ruka <tmr@faustel.com>. I have no doubt that some will consider it a cheap shot, but it is nothing of the kind. It is crucial today that God’s people understand the great compromise that has permeated evangelicalism. In this note Brother Ruka speaks the truth in love, and that is what we are commanded to do. “You have undoubtedly heard by now that Dr. D. James Kennedy has died. I have listened to DJK numerous times over the years; I have some of his books and audio cassette tapes; I have found his teachings/messages generally to be very enlightening, helpful, and biblical. I believe DJK did much good for the cause of Christ and frankly I will miss him; however, in recent years there were times when I heard him say surprisingly positive things about Roman Catholics and the RCC, this immediately caused me great discomfort in my heart-of-hearts. I come from a RCC background; most of my family (and many other people I know) are professing RC’s, and I understand firsthand the great spiritual blindness and lostness of RC's because I was one of them. I became very suspicious of DJK and basically decided to avoid his broadcasts altogether. At the time I did not understand why DJK would be saying these things, then I began to study your various writings and articles re: New Evangelicalism, Ecumenicalism, etc., in the light of Scripture. I have learned much from your writings. Thank you for all your exhaustive and biblically accurate work. I share your convictions and like you I am greatly disappointed, frustrated, and puzzled how men like DJK have gone in the way of such GREAT ERROR (when they should know better)! Last night I watched a portion of the DJK memorial service on WVCY TV30 in Milwaukee. The speaker made a special effort to acknowledge some well known names in the audience, i.e. James Dobson and Chuck Colson. New Evangelicalism and Ecumenicalism FILLED the air. Claims of millions upon millions of people coming to Christ thru DJK’s Evangelism Explosion, etc., radiated great warm and fuzzys to everyone present. Billy Graham’s name was mentioned several times, too. But I could not share in their enthusiasm. I have found the biblical principle of ‘the many and the few’ to be far more realistic and accurate. Indeed, all this is difficult to understand, but it begins to make sense when one considers these things in the light of Bible Prophecy. The world stage is ‘rapidly’ being set for the coming of anti-christ, and it seems that some of the most unlikely people are helping! I have learned, and I continue to learn every day, that being a Christian, a true, real born-again believer (still sinful and totally imperfect) is NOT easy, but we MUST follow God’s Word. We must NOT follow any man regardless of who he is, and we will each have to give an account to God.”

E-MAIL FROM A YOUNG PERSON WHO IS THANKFUL FOR WARNINGS ABOUT VIDEO GAMES (Friday Church News Notes, September 28, 2007, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - I received the following e-mail recently from a young person: “I am writing to tell you how much I appreciate your ministry. I am a homeschooled student and I have used your articles numerous times for researching various subjects and issues. I am especially glad, however, that you warn people about video games and their destructive influence and overall effect on the players. Unfortunately, many people I know have been sucked into the video game world and are consequently wasting their lives. Even if a video game has nothing obviously unbiblical it still has that destructing influence. I know of several people at my church who play video games. What I can’t understand is why they can’t spend their time in a more profitable way.  If they need excitement or entertainment they could just read some good books, but then video game playing and reading don’t really go hand in hand. Video games are too unrealistically violent and exciting and draw them away. Thank you so much for warning people of this false world of gaming. We need people like you today to tell the truth about these issues. Earlier this month a friend told me how her two brothers spent the whole day with lots of other boys playing video games together. She said they were all sat completely mesmerized while staring at their computer screens. Communication was achieved by instant messaging rather than actual speaking. It is very sad. Countless people are wasting their lives pursuing this vain employment. I pray with all my heart they will realize their error and seek the Lord. I am truly grateful for comments on this topic.”

WORLDLY CHURCHES HAVEN’T WON THE WORLD’S RESPECT (Friday Church News Notes, September 28, 2007, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - According to an extensive new Barna survey, young people in America today are much more likely to disrespect church than they were in past decades. Consider the following statement: “As the nation’s culture changes in diverse ways, one of the most significant shifts is the declining reputation of Christianity, especially among young Americans. A new study by The Barna Group conducted among 16- to 29-year-olds shows that a new generation is more skeptical of and resistant to Christianity than were people of the same age just a decade ago. ... a decade ago the vast majority of Americans outside the Christian faith, including young people, felt favorably toward Christianity’s role in society. Currently, however, just 16% of non-Christians in their late teens and twenties said they have a ‘good impression’ of Christianity. ... The new study shows that only 3% of 16- to 29-year-old non-Christians express favorable views of evangelicals. This means that TODAY’S YOUNG NON-CHRISTIANS ARE EIGHT TIMES LESS LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE POSITIVE ASSOCIATIONS TOWARD EVANGELICALS THAN WERE NON-CHRISTIANS OF THE BOOMER GENERATION” (“New Generation Expresses Its Skepticism and Frustration with Christianity,” Barna.org, Sept. 24, 2007). This is a fascinating finding in light of the fact that during the last 15 years a large percentage of evangelical churches have bought into the Christian rock philosophy and have adapted a more “seeker friendly” format, offering young people their own music, their own dress styles, and a “culturally relevant,” non-judgmental message. Now we find that the result of this adaption to the world has been a dramatic loss of the world’s respect.

CONCLUSION: Friends in Christ, do not be discouraged by any of this. It is God’s will that we know the times (1 Ch. 12:32; Mat. 16:3) and that we be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. These things remind us that the hour is very late, and we need to be ready for the coming of the Lord. Are you sure that you are born again? Are you living for Christ day by day? “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13:11-14).