PO Box 23632 Claremont 7735 Cape Town South Africa
2015 Vol 4
tel: 021 689 4481
fax: 021 685 5884
info@christianaction.org.za
www.christianaction.org.za
A Biblical Response to Protests
Protesting against wickedness is Biblical. Damage to property and violence is not. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…” 1 Corinthians 14:33 Elijah protested against the idolatry and apostasy of Israel (1 Kings 18:18-40); Isaiah protested against the wickedness of Egypt and Cush (Isaiah 20); Jeremiah protested against the social sins of drunkenness, adultery and prostitution (Jeremiah 13); Ezekiel protested against immorality and violence in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 24); Jesus protested against the corruption and desecration of the Temple by the moneylenders who turned the House of God into a den of thieves (Mark 11:15-17). Biblical examples of challenging
unrighteousness in public affairs have included: Personally approaching the officials or by writing letters exposing
injustice and calling for repentance and obedience to the Law of God. Nathan, before King David (2 Samuel 2:7); the delegation to King Rehobam (1 Kings 12:3-4); Elijah before King Ahab (1 Kings 21:20); Elisha before King Ahab (2 Kings 3:14); Esther before King Xerxes (Esther 7:3-4); Daniel before Belshazzar (Daniel 5:17-28); John the Baptist before Herod (Matthew 14:4);
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Gender Mainstreaming – The Attempt to Abolish Male and Female Distinctives
Male and Female He Created
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27
Rearranging Reality
Blue is for boys and pink is for girls – or so we thought. In August (2015) Target chain store in the USA announced a change in its stores: children’s toy and bedding sections would soon become gender-neutral. The retailer is removing dual “Building Sets” and “Girls’ Building Sets” aisles. While this may seem surprising to us, for parents in Europe, the idea of gender-neutral parenting is nothing new.
“Gender Mainstreaming”
In 1999, the European Union signed a legally-binding protocol to enforce member states to legislate public policies that remove references to male and female. Closely connected to the radical homosexual agenda and to the feminist movement, these policies have been called “gender mainstreaming” (GM).
Sweden and Switzerland
Sweden seems to be one of the biggest proponents of GM. Children are no longer referred to boys and girls at school, but rather by the genderneutral term “friends”. In 2012, Sweden introduced a gender-neutral personal pronoun “hen” to the country’s
vocabulary. A children’s clothing company in Sweden has done away with its designated boys’ and girls’ sections to become a gender-neutral outlet, and Continued on page 4
A Biblical Response to Protests Continued from Page 1
Peter and John before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:18-20) and Stephen before the Council (Acts 7:51). “Who will rise up for Me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for Me against evildoers?” Psalm 94:16 In none of these cases do God’s people engage in riotous behaviour, violence or damage to property. Biblically acceptable methods of protest include: writing, delegations, public prayer, preaching, teaching, even dramas and artistic depictions in the market place. “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land, so that I would not have to destroy it…” Ezekiel 22:30 The Bible condemns those who formed “a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house…” as “evil men” Acts 17:5 The Bible records a riot in the city of Ephesus (Acts 19:28-32) where the
people had no idea what they were actually rioting about! “… they were full of wrath… so the whole city was in confusion, and rushed… some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused and most of them did not know why they had come together.” The city clerk concluded: “For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” Acts 19:40 There is also an account of a riot in the Temple “And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together… now as they were seeking to kill him…” Acts 21:30-31 “And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult…” Acts 21:34 In Acts 23:9 we read “Then there arose a loud outcry…” In the book of Romans we read of the fruit of human depravity: “Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they practice deceit; the poison of asps is under
their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:12-18 The Apostle Paul condemns: “contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, back-bitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults.” 2 Corinthians 12:20 The Apostle James teaches: “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the fruit from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” The Lord Jesus Christ taught: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 God has entrusted to us a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God worked pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 1 Corinthians 5:20-21 Dr. Peter Hammond
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CHRISTIAN ACTION – FOR REFORMATION AND REVIVAL 2015
AGENDA 2 - Masters of Deceit
Dr. Ted Baehr of Movieguide describes this film as: “absolutely brilliant…!”
Freedom at Risk
When Legislator Curtis Bowers remembered the Agenda that he had heard laid out at a Communist Party USA meeting over 20 years before, and compared it to the drastic changes in America’s culture under President Obama, he wrote a letter to the Editor. It became the feature story on the evening news and people protested at the capitol. For weeks the local newspapers were filled with responses. He realised that he had hit on something very big. This led to producing this bigscreen documentary which provides a fascinating look behind the scenes at the people and groups that have successfully targeted morality and freedom, with far-reaching consequences. Ask almost anyone and you will hear, “Communism is dead! The Berlin Wall came down.” And though the word communism isn’t used anymore, this film will show that the ideas behind it are alive and well.
Agenda 2 provides a fascinating look at the people and groups that have successfully targeted education and churches in their efforts to deceive and enslave. It is not another conspiracy theory. It is a well-documented agenda. Agenda was the winner of the Jubilee Grand Prize at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.
“Agenda: Grinding America Down is the most powerful exposé of the communist, socialist, progressive attempt to take over America produced so far. The documentary presents the connections between the different communist, socialist, progressive organizations with great clarity and shows how they have implemented their agenda to dismantle patriotism, morality and spirituality.” Dr Ted Baehr, MovieGuide.org
Agenda 2: Masters of Deceit
When filmmaker Curtis Bowers hit the road with his film Agenda, people began to wake up. Agenda became one of the best-selling independent documentaries of all time, and grassroots finally had a tool to connect the dots.
As he continued to travel, Bowers found that people were overwhelmed by the seeming myriad of issues they were facing. From the promotion of Islam to the propaganda of climate change, from the deceit of Common Core Curriculum to the manufactured economic crisis, and from the manipulation of the Evangelical Church to the unsustainable debt burden, it seemed as if church and family have a hundred different enemies with a hundred different agendas. But he knew from his research that wasn’t the case. Agenda - Masters of Deceit exposes the purposeful, premeditated, treasonous attacks on Faith and freedom worldwide. “The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.” This film features eye-opening interviews with: Dr Peter Hammond, Trevor Loudon, Dr Alan Keyes, Lt Gen Jerry Boykin, Star Parker, G. Edward Griffin, Joe Schimmel, Dr Hormoz Shariat,David McAlvany, Agustin Blazquez, Robin Eubanks, and Brian Sussman. You can watch the trailer on www.agendadocumentary.com
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Gender Mainstreaming Continued from Page 1
a toy catalogue in the same country featured a boy in a Spider-Man costume pushing a pink baby carriage. In Switzerland, parents of school children are no longer to be called mother or father, but “parent 1” and “parent 2”.
Christian parents who do not want their children indoctrinated with homosexual, or with gender mainstreaming, propaganda at school, this is yet another threat to religious freedom and a means for governments, radical homosexual and feminist groups to harass, or even prosecute, Christians who voice their opposition to such policies. Any opposition to “gender mainstreaming” is labelled as “homophobic”, “bigoted”, “narrow-minded” and “hateful.”
Confusing Children
Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been praised by their fans for their apparent decision to support what is being perceived as their child’s exploration of her gender identity (or rather, confusion). Pitt and Jolie’s 9-year-old biological daughter, Shiloh has reportedly asked to be called John by their family, and arrived at the Unbroken film premiere with a cropped haircut and wearing a tuxedo/ tie combination. This typifies the promotion of gender-neutral parenting.
March Disrupted
When up to a thousand conservative Christian parents at a rally in Stuttgart, Germany (1 February 2014) were protesting against a new prohomosexual, gender-mainstreaming, “sexual diversity” curriculum in their schools, homosexual demonstrators blockaded the march, interrupted the rally speeches with heckling and assaulted the listeners, through shoving and throwing paint bombs and eggs. A poster that was against the homosexualising of children was set on fire by the rioters.
God-Given Responsibility
More Vulnerable to Bullying
While those in support of genderneutral parenting say this allows children to break free of gender stereotypes, other parents say that this makes children vulnerable to being teased by their peers and to being very confused about their identity.
Christian Parents Harassed
For Christians in Europe, especially 4
Some feminists are advocating for references to God as Father to be removed in church liturgy and even the Bible. This is in rebellion to God’s chosen revelation of Himself using male pronouns.
Concept of “Gender” Origin?
Unisex Toilets and Toys
In other public policy moves across Europe, separate toilets for males and females have been replaced with unisex toilets. Parents are being encouraged to allow their child to explore their gender identity, through cross-dressing and through playing with toys not normally considered appropriate for their sex.
Bible raised concerns from many denominations, as it inserted genderneutral pronouns such as “brother or sister”, “they” and “them”, instead of the classic “he” or “him” references.” References to God remain “Him”, “He” and “the Father.”
God’s Word is clear. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made” and are created as either male or female. A parent’s God-given responsibility is to “train their child in the way he should go” and to bring them up in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” This includes affirming their God-given sexual identity and modelling Biblical roles of brother or sister, husband or wife, father or mother. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6
Gender-Neutral Bible
The 2011 New International Version
In Resist Gender Ideology! United Appeal from Three Branches of Christendom, Professor Peter Beyerhaus explains, “The introduction of the concept of ‘gender’ goes back to New Zealand psychologist John Money (1921-2008). Based on an extremely dangerous experiment with small children, he claimed that it is not biological predisposition, but upbringing which defines the expression of gender roles, i.e. gender is determined by nurture not nature. While women’s rights movements had initially demanded only equal rights for women, since the “third wave” of the feminist movement in the early 1990s, it has, in addition, been about the social and functional equality of women in all spheres of life. GM activists endeavour to enforce the absolute equality of the sexes in all areas. In addition, they maintain there are not just two genders, but a variety.”
European Union Legislation
“The term ‘gender-mainstreaming’ was first discussed in 1985 at the 3rd UN World Conference on Women in Nairobi. In 1997, the European Union declared GM as a mandatory task for its member states. In 1999, this was enshrined as legally binding. Consequently, all EU member states laid down GM within their statutory guidelines. This means, first, that no differences in the treatment of people of both sexes may be made in all sectors of public life. The implications for all this are revolutionary.
Gender Studies
“Lesbian philosopher and professor at University of California, Berkeley, Judith Butler, is considered to be a pioneer thinker of gender ideology. In her opinion, because male and female, and
CHRISTIAN ACTION – FOR REFORMATION AND REVIVAL 2015
marriage and parenting roles support patriarchy, these differences should be eliminated. Part of this for her, is the introduction of ‘gender-neutral language’. Within two decades, Judith Butler’s ideas have become regular curriculum subjects at many universities under the name ‘Gender Studies’.” (Resist Gender Ideology! United Appeal from Three Branches of Christendom, Professor Peter Beyerhaus, 15 December 2014, www.bekenntnisbruderschaft.de).
War Against Patriarchy
Gender mainstreaming is serving to compound Hollywood’s war against the Biblical idea of patriarchy – that the husband is the head of his wife and the father is the leader of his home.
War Against God
Radical homosexuals, feminists, and gender activists’ agenda to destroy the family, and the image of God displayed through male and female, is ultimately a war against God Himself. Marriage is meant to be a picture of the Gospel – a husband laying his life down for his wife – just as Christ sacrificially gave up His life for His bride – the Church. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
Coming Soon Near You!
According to information revealed to us by a University of Cape Town (UCT) Student Representative Council (SRC) leader, this year the SRC at UCT seriously discussed doing away with male and female bathrooms and even residences, and having a SRC crossdressing day in order to promote a LGBTI-friendly campus! Homosexual indoctrination “sensitisation workshops” are proposed as part of the Orientation Week programme for new students. Phillip Rosenthal of Christian View Network, has evaluated a new policy drafted for UCT. He says: “The UCT ‘Draft Sexualities Policy’ proposed by the UCT HIV/AIDS Inclusivity and Change Unit (HAICU) amongst other proposals:
prohibits the use of ‘heteronormative language’ i.e. gender distinctive and pro-marriage words like male, female, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend in teaching, institutional communication and all publications by staff and students and requires ‘sensitivity training’ (i.e. brainwashing with political correctness) for academic staff and student leaders. Supporters boast that this is the ‘first’ South African university to consider such a policy, which implies they hope it will spread to other campuses.” According to a study by the University of Massachusetts, there are over 150 college campuses across the US that have set-up gender-neutral restrooms. Rosenthal explains: “Such policies force universities to decide gender by ‘self-identification’, for example, if a male says he is female, then he can get access to live in a female residence and share the same bathroom facilities and showers, etc - although it does allow for exceptional referral to co-ed residences. Overseas, such policies have led directly to the sexual abuse of women - e.g. privacy invasion and sexual groping - and it is likely the same will happen at UCT.”
What You Can Do
Such policies could be used to persecute Christians as was done earlier this year to the UCT SRC Vice Chairperson Zizipho Pae. Christian students and parents should voice their concerns and objections to such policies to the Student Representative Council and Vice Chancellor of your university. Email the Vice Chancellor of UCT Max Price at vc@uct.ac.za to urge rejection of the UCT ‘Draft Sexualities Policy’ and the disbanding of HAICU. Gender mainstreaming and homosexual indoctrination and persecution of Christians is God’s judgement on nations whom He has “given over to their sinful hearts’ desires” (Romans 1:24). Unless we repent, seek His Face (2 Chronicles 7:14) and by prayer and action resist this anti-family agenda, our children will be subjected to even greater anti-God indoctrination and persecution. “Who will rise up for Me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for Me against the workers of iniquity?” Psalm 94:16 Taryn Hodgson
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20 5
20 Years of Salt and Light Radio
“And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.” Joshua 23:14
Ministry Marathon
This year marks 20 years of Africa Christian Action’s Salt and Light radio programme broadcast every Tuesday night on Radio Tygerberg 104FM in Cape Town. We are informed that this makes Salt and Light the longest running Christian community radio programme in South Africa.
Secular State
1995 was a momentous year. The Constitutional Assembly was proposing that South Africa be a secular state, with a constitution which would not only entrench the legalisation of abortion, pornography, prostitution and perversion, but also would outlaw the use of any government building, including town halls, school classrooms and halls, for church services!
Christian Voice
Rev. Soon Zevenster and I worked together on mobilising the Christian Voice march, in which tens-ofthousands of Capetonians marched to parliament, 30 May 1995, to protest the planned paganisation of the nation. Shortly after that Rev. Zevenster launched Radio Tygerberg and Africa Christian Action had the privilege of being part of this dynamic ministry from the beginning. We were the first English speaking radio programme on Radio Tygerberg.
the Bellville Library. As we opened the phone lines that night and called residents of Bellville to action, even the Town Clerk phoned in and expressed his outrage at the Bellville Arts Association and his determination to deal with the matter decisively the very next day. This he did. The exhibit was closed down, the Bellville Arts Association was forbidden to abuse any Bellville civic buildings and public apologies were issued by the Bellville municipality.
Defending Religious Freedom
In 1998, when the ANC attempted to compel all community radio stations to be inter-faith, incorporating every religion and worldview, we mobilised over 10,000 Capetonians to march to parliament to protest this outrageous attempt to infringe on religious freedom and close down Christian community radio stations. This co-ordinated action was effective and religious freedom on the airwaves was entrenched.
Protecting Freedom in Education
In 1999, there was another battle concerning state attempts to restrict religious freedom in education. These threats to Christian schools and Homeschooling were decisively confronted by Salt and Light and the resultant marches to parliament and
delegations to the Ministry of Education had the desired effect of compelling government officials to recognise that parental rights and freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of conscience, and freedom of association, are not negotiable. Salt and Light has played a key role in promoting Christian education, independent schools and homeschooling.
Combating Interfaith Deception
During the Parliament of World Religions, in December 1999, Salt and Light warned of the dangers of the New World Order globalism promoting a one world religion. Vigorous outreaches were mobilised to delegates to the Parliament of World Religions and those participating in inter-faith events.
Conservation
Salt and Light has opposed canned lion hunting and rhino poaching, and promoted conservation and stewardship of God’s Creation.
Inform, Inspire, Involve
Dealing on a weekly basis with pro-life, pro-family, moral issues and current affairs, Salt and Light played a key role in mobilising opposition to the Telkom-087-dial-a-porn, which listeners protested against so effectively that it was cancelled almost as soon as it had been launched. Then we launched protest actions against the Bellville Arts Association’s blasphemous and pornographic display, incorporating a Bible, at 6
CHRISTIAN ACTION – FOR REFORMATION AND REVIVAL 2015
Cape Town 2010 Missions Conference
When the largest Missions Conference in history was held in Cape Town, October 2010, with over 4,200 delegates, from 198 countries in the world, we were fully involved and interviewing participants, exposing China’s cyber war to shut down the simultaneous broadcasting of Cape Town 2010 throughout the world, by millions of hostile hits, which collapsed the Cape Town International Conference Centre telecommunications system. In 2013, we marked the Livingstone 200 events.
International Guests
Over the years we have hosted a wide variety of guests on Salt and Light, including authors, scientists, pastors, Missionaries, teachers, chaplains, teachers, Evangelists, film makers, elected officials, home makers, medical professionals, conservationists, artists, professors, farmers and many more. Guests have come from as far afield as Australia and America, New Zealand and Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe,
Ghana and Germany, England and Egypt, Canada and the Congo, Mozambique and Malawi, Sudan and from all over South Africa. Some of our prominent international guests have included Missionary George Verwer of Operation Mobilisation, Patrick Johnstone of Operation World and Prime Minister Ian Smith of Rhodesia.
Understanding the Times
Salt and Light has tackled education, entertainment, Evangelism, Missions, the Persecuted church, current issues and history from a Biblical perspective. Salt and Light aims to inform, inspire and involve Christians in making a positive difference, applying the Lordship of Christ to all areas of life.
Educate, Empower, Enlist
There are those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who have no idea what happened! Salt and Light aims to educate, empower and enlist listeners into making a positive difference, applying the Lordship of Christ to all areas of life. “You are the salt of the earth… you are the light of the world… in the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16
You Can Make a Difference
Salt and Light has played an active role in promoting Christian education, mobilising pro-life rallies, Sanctity Life Sunday, Evangelistic outreaches, Way of the Master, Evangelism Explosion, Answers in Genesis, prayer and action for the persecuted, the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted, alerting listeners to threats to religious freedom, campaigns to remove pornography from family stores, to oppose state attempts to close Christian radio stations and infringe on independent Christian schools, and much more. “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11
Salt and Light Audio MP3s
Six volumes of Salt and Light audio MP3s are available of timeless programmes broadcast. These boxsets can be ordered from Christian Liberty Books, PO Box 358, Howard Place 7450, Cape Town, South Africa, tel: 021-689-7478, email: admin@ christianlibertybooks.co.za and website: www.christianlibertybooks.co.za.
Tune In to 104fm
If you live in Cape Town, you can tune in to Radio Tygerberg 104FM, or you can listen to Salt and Light online on Tuesday nights: 9:30pm on www.104fm. org.za through live streaming worldwide. “So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 Dr. Peter Hammond 7
Faith in Action Life Chain Sunday
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CHRISTIAN ACTION – FOR REFORMATION AND REVIVAL 2015
Reformation Seminar - Franschhoek
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EVANGELISM on the STREETS This year Straatwerk marked 50 years of regular outreaches on the streets of Cape Town. A Frontline Fellowship team joined in with Straatwerk’s regular Friday evening outreach on the streets of the inner city.
50 Years of Ministry
Rev. Pieter Victor founded this dynamic evangelistic ministry in 1965. For 50 years Straatwerk has been mobilising Christians onto the streets of the inner city to win prostitutes, pimps, night club customers and other street people to the Lord.
Servant Evangelism
After a praise and worship session at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, team leaders organised and equipped their volunteers for ministry on the streets. They explained that their focus is on humble servant evangelism to win the heart before they confront the mind. Each of the volunteers were given a neon yellow vest which boldly proclaimed: Jesus Saves, We are here to serve, You are valuable, Stop Abuse and other statements confronting human trafficking and abuse.
Visible Protection
The leaders explained that our presence on the streets of Cape Town in these bright vests serves as a silent protest against the alcohol and drug abuse, human trafficking and prostitution industries, as well as identifying people that can be trusted and turned to for counsel and help.
Cleaning the Streets
Over the years Straatwerk has
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developed a number of creative ways to take the message of redemption and forgiveness onto the streets. We were each given a surgical glove for our left hands to pick up litter and refuse along the streets. “Just as our Lord Jesus takes away our sin, so we want to make a visible testimony by cleaning up the streets where we minister.” One person in each team carried a large refuse bag each of which were full by the end of the evening.
Love in Action
Another team member was given a bag of food items and gifts to be distributed to people on the streets. This included biscuits, chips and chocolates. Special wrist bands, which had been made by people converted out of prostitution, were designed to explain the Gospel to people on the streets. These deeds of love are designed to go along with words of love. Each member of the teams were equipped with Gospel literature and encouraged to go out into the streets and seek to practically serve and demonstrate the love of Christ to the many broken people that we would encounter. “So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
Shining in the Darkness
Rev. Pieter Victor, the Founder of Straatwerk, wrote: “The night life of Cape Town introduced us to the darkness and sinfulness in the lives of people roaming around at night time. This was the lifestyle that many of our young people would be introduced to – some innocently and others with open eyes. Many of them would cross our paths. Some we would find in filthy, smelly dens, others in former reformatories, in police cells at police stations, jails, institutions for drug and alcohol addiction and at escort agencies. And some had to be identified in the state mortuary.
“It was so peaceful in the room where we gathered to chat and pray as friends in Christ. Exchanging the peaceful by walking into the dark unknown wasn’t easy. Deafening music was playing everywhere and fed the uncertainty and rebelliousness of friends trapped in the clubbing. Late at night, conscious of our own inability and clumsiness in our outreaches to these people, we felt out of place. Yes, sometimes even scared in this weird world of pumping music, the smell of drugs everywhere and the sound of cuss words in our ears.” (Met Christus Op Straat)
Rescue the Perishing
Last week as we went out onto streets there were over 100 volunteers from different congregations gathered for this special celebration of 50 years of Straatwerk bringing deeds of love and words of love in practical service to win the lost on the streets of Cape Town.
Pieter Victor
The Founder of this dynamic innercity Evangelism ministry, Rev. Pieter Victor, was a good friend of our Mission. He often spoke at our Biblical Worldview Seminars and Summits, Great Commission Camps and missions rallies. Over the years we entrusted numerous of our Trainee Missionaries to Rev. Victor for evangelism and discipleship training on the streets. Rev. Victor was a courageous and principled man of immense integrity. He frequently had the courage to confront the highest powers in the land with their corruption and he boldly proclaimed the Word of God in some of the most unpromising and difficult situations. Several of the people that I spoke to of the Straatwerk team were themselves brought to the Lord by Rev. Pieter Victor. One woman related to me how
CHRISTIAN ACTION – FOR REFORMATION AND REVIVAL 2015
she came from a background of abuse and had been led to the Lord by Rev. Victor in 1981. Many had testimonies of how the Lord had delivered them from crime, drugs and depravity. Now they are dedicated to winning the lost. “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16
To Save His Neighbour
Rev. Pieter Victor died saving a neighbour from a home invasion. When he heard his neighbour screaming, he rushed around to help. He found three armed men tying up this woman. He intervened and was shot dead by the assailants. Rev. Victor was 68 years old. It is ironic, that having survived decades of ministry in some of the most dangerous parts of the city, he was murdered in what we would consider to be “safe” suburb.
The Message of Pieter Victor
We praise the Lord for the dedication and evangelistic vision of Rev. Pieter Victor. He often said: “The middle letter of sin is ‘I’. Selfishness is at the heart of our problems. The middle letter of lie is ‘I’. The middle letter of pride is ‘I’. The middle letter of Lucifer is ‘I’. We are our own worst enemies. Selfishness is at the heart of sin. The only place that ‘I’ should be in the middle of is Saviour.” “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
To Seek and to Save the Lost
On the streets we had many interesting and frequently in-depth discussions with people going in and out of pubs, bars,
night clubs and roaming the streets. We encountered many Nigerians, Congolese, and foreign tourists. Muslims, new agers, atheists, rastafarians, backsliders who claimed to be Christians even while being involved in blatant sin, people evidently on drugs or seriously drunk. Yet, most of the people we encountered were plainly respectful of each of us who wore the yellow vests. Evidently Straatwerk has earned the respect of many of the night life people who frequent Long Street.
Straatwerk
Straatwerk believes that they are called to have a visible Christian presence in the city centre. They are called to be of service to those who are in need, to ease their distress and to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Their servant evangelism focuses on deeds of love, words of love and the perfect timing of God. Straatwerk believes that God wants to end all forms of sexual abuse, prostitution and pornography, through focussed prayer and compelled action. They have a number of initiatives aimed at rescuing women out of prostitution. They also have an outreach ministry to the destitute and desperate, which involved a series of rehabilitation programmes for people who are not yet able to act productively and responsively. These people they mobilise to clean up the streets, removing litter, pollution, cleaning off illegal posters, graffiti – the grime that so often goes along with crime. One
of their initiatives to combat human trafficking, sexual abuse and prostitution is the: Valuable to Jesus campaign, which includes a video presentation designed for screening at schools. For more information you can contact Straatwerk at: admin@straatwerk.org.za or phone them at 021-930-8055. Their website is www.straatwerk.org.za.
Who Will Go?
We praise God for this dedicated community who are shining the light of the Gospel in dark places of the inner city. Every church needs an evangelistic ministry into their local areas. We pray that more churches in Cape Town would train their members in personal, oneon-one evangelism and mobilise them to join Straatwerk in making a positive difference in the lives of broken people on the streets. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.’” Matthew 9:37-38 Dr. Peter Hammond
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Perversion Normalised
On October 8, 2015, the general synod of the great Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa voted in favour of same sex unions to be solemnised in the Church. It also approved homosexual ministers to be ordained. This decision had been preceded by much discussion in its publication “Kerkbode”. The Church stated: “The General Synod reconfirms the equality of all people irrespective of their sexual orientation and commits herself to maintain the human dignity of all people.” (Pt. 2.1) - “The General Synod declares that hetero- and homosexual persons who live in a personal faith-obedient relationship with the Lord can fully participate in all the privileges of the Church as a covenant community.” (Pt. 2.2)
Are Sinners Equal with Saints?
The whole of South Africa was stunned. “Who could have thought,” wrote Ds Jan Louw, a retired DRC minister, “that there should come a day when the NG Kerk would decide that practising homosexual men and women could be ordained as ministers? How could it have happened that the NG Kerk in its important policy synod would take such a decision with 114 votes against 63 (a majority of 64%). It is clear that during the last number of years the leaders of the NG Kerk have put much planning into the ‘design’ of Synods.” He goes on to tell how, with the help of slanted Bible study, noble sounding concepts, loaded interpretation of ‘love’, with pictures and music, the delegates were emotionally
manipulated into making a fateful decision. “Experienced facilitators” had most carefully and successfully applied methods of group dynamics to direct the thinking of the delegates. 1) But a month later, the latter woke up, appealed against the ruling, and froze the whole process for the next two years. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the Law of the LORD; and in his Law doth he meditate day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season… and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalm 1) The Bible states that homosexuality is an abomination. It destroys family, religion and culture and has led to the demise of civilisations, “even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 7) To speak, therefore, of a homosexual “faith-obedient relationship with the Lord”, is absurd. To grant homosexuals “all the privileges of the Church as a covenant community”, is not in line with God’s will. Activist ministers like Laurie Gaum and his father, Frits Gaum, a former editor of “Kerkbode”, merely show that they have exchanged the religion of LIFE for a religion of DEATH. 2)
Homosexuality Aids Population Control
It is well known that the promoters of the New World Order want to reduce the world’s population to a fraction of its present size. They discourage procreation in every shape or form. Claiming that there are 7 billion people “overpopulating” planet earth, they want them to be reduced to 500 million, since man, they say, is a plague ravaging the planet. Among the depopulation prophets are Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, Mikhail Gorbatchev, Al Gore, Bill Gates, David Rockefeller and many more. Ted Turner said: “A total population of 250-300 million people, a 95% decline from present levels, would be ideal.” Mikhail Gorbatchev said: “Cut 12
the population by 90% and there aren’t enough people left to do a great deal of ecological damage.” The New York Times claimed: “The Earth is full.” (Internet)
Family and Church
Marriage between a man and woman was established at Creation by God. He appointed the family as the first Church and basic building block of human society. Without the family there can be no true religion and no civilisation. Marriage is meant to be a picture of the Gospel – a husband laying down his life for his wife: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it.” (Ephesians 5:25) It is chiefly among peoples who hold to this God-given pattern, who have Christian roots, that the depopulation apostles spread their propaganda, using noble concepts for destructive ends, claiming to save the planet, to strive for justice, and to establish human dignity. But where, in this psychological war, are those who should give the truth to the deceived? Where are the shepherds? Are they busy debating the merits of sin while their flock feeds on poison? How many homosexuals and their activist friends know that they are but pawns in the hands of ruthless and avaricious men? that they are being used to ‘voluntarily’ fulfil a political agenda? - Does not God offer us better things? “In Him (Jesus) was life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:4-5) Jesus Christ is the Lord of Life. To anyone
CHRISTIAN ACTION – FOR REFORMATION AND REVIVAL 2015
who comes to Him in repentance and faith, He gives Life in abundance!
Gender Mainstreaming
Closely aligned to and promoting homosexuality is another modern ideology, “Gender Mainstreaming.” It is a sophisticated way of destroying a person’s faith and identity. Social engineers claim that gender is not God-given but acquired. A child, they say, is not a boy or girl by birth. He or she must choose for himself or herself whether to be male or female. This type of teaching is applied from kindergarten onwards, and it so thoroughly confuses the identity of young people that they become disorientated and pliable in the hands of ruthless manipulators. Jesus said: “Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6) Gender Mainstreaming was first put forward at the 3rd UN World Conference on Women in Nairobi 1985, further developed at the 4th UN-WCW in Beijing and finally implemented in the Amsterdam Treaty of the European Union. In 1999, the EU declared “GM” mandatory for its
member states, and “gender studies” were introduced at the universities as a new subject. Part of their brief is to develop a “gender-neutral language” and do away with such words as father, mother, brother, sister, girl and boy. Radicals are now demanding a “Bible in just language,” a gender-neutral translation which eliminates words such as “Lord”, “Father”, and “Master”.
The Word of God is Above Everything
What Ds Jan Louw says about the Dutch Reformed Church applies to most other denominations, too. The crisis in the DRC, he says, “is about much more than just a highly controversial decision. It is about a Church which has degenerated into a pretence of piety. It is about leaders who maintain that they are faithful to the Word of the Lord, but who act deceitfully. It is about a theology which has become the doctrine of men.” We thank God that He is calling the Dutch Reformed Church to reconsider its calamitous decision. It now looks as if the homosexual issue will be put on hold for the next two years, until the
next synod. Martin Luther said: “Since the Word of God is above everything it has to be held absolutely free and unbound in all things, as Paul teaches. The Word of God is never subject to any man’s whim to lower its importance or challenge it, no matter how great, how numerous, how learned, and how holy the men are. This is true to such an extent that St Paul in Galatians 1:8 dares to exclaim and reiterate, ‘if we or an angel from Heaven should preach to you a gospel (contrary to that which we preached to you), let him be accursed…” Luther continues: “You must judge everything solely in the light of the Words of Christ the Lord; for it is written: ‘Listen to Him.’ (Matthew 17:5) 3) - Bishop JC Ryle, too, exhorts the Church to stand firmly on the Word of God. It must do the work of Christ upon earth. Her members, he says, “shake the universe; these are they who change the fortunes of kingdoms by their prayers, these are they who are the active workers for spreading the knowledge of pure religion and undefiled; these are the life-blood of a country, the shield, the defence, the stay, and the support of any nation to which they belong. This is the Church which shall be truly glorious at the end.” D Scarborough PO Box 587, Sea Point, 8060, South Africa Tel (021) 510-6854 dscarborough@telkomsa.net www.gospeldefenceleague.org Footnotes:
1) Jan Louw, Glo die Bybel, Emosionele manipulasie by die Sinode, 8.11.15 2) ioL news, 16.10.2015: Laurie Gaum, “It’s OK for me to have sex.” 3) Iain H Murray, The Reformation of the Church, pp 29 & 33.
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Empower Youth to Fight the New Drug The Harmful Effects of Porn
Over the last 20 years there has been a great increase in exposure of children to pornography and addiction in schools. Children as young as 10 are being exposed to hard core porn on the internet and their smart phones. Porn is fuelling teenagers’ desires to be sexually active, with many becoming pregnant and dropping out of school. Another harmful effect of porn is that boys no longer have respect for girls and view them as sexual objects. This can lead to boys raping girls, even on school premises. This year an 8-year-old girl in Limpopo was raped on school premises. Now children are not only viewing porn, they are making their own in the form of taking sexually explicit pictures of themselves and sending it their friends through social media (this has been called ‘sexting’).
A Matter of Life and Death
Jesse had sent nude pictures of herself to a boyfriend. When they broke up, he sent them to other high school girls. The girls were harassing her, calling her a slut and a whore. She was miserable and depressed, afraid even to go to school. Then Jesse Logan decided to go on a Cincinnati television station to tell her story. Her purpose was simple: “I just want to make sure no one else will have to go through this again.” Two months later, Jessica Logan hanged herself in her bedroom. She was 18.
For Your School or Youth Group The current Life Skills Curriculum does not adequately address the issue of pornography addiction or human trafficking. Two presentations that I have that would fit with your Life Orientation
programme are: 1. Traffick Proof (how not to be tricked into being trafficked). 2. Fight the New Drug (overcoming pornography addiction). We offer these presentations for free as a service to the community. This year we have given presentations at colleges, youth groups and schools throughout the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape. The length of the presentations are flexible depending on where and to whom you would like me to give it – from 20 minutes to 1 hour long. The presentation can be given at school assemblies or to Life Orientation classes (for example). The presentations are interactive, and we use PowerPoint, with short videos. These are age appropriate (grade 7 and up) and sensitively presented. The Traffick Proof presentation describes how to avoid being tricked and trafficked/kidnapped. Fight the New Drug presentation – how pornography addiction is like a drug in the way that it affects your brain (science behind the harmful effects of addiction on the brain is shown). Most importantly, I teach learners how to protect themselves.
Personal Testimonies
Abrie Lourens can share his personal story of how God set him free from pornography and what addicts can do to break free. “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed…” John 8:36
Springboard for the Gospel At schools where the Gospel may not be presented during assembly or a class, we can present the material in such a way as to make teens hungry for the solution – Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 14
At a high school in Cape Town where we were told we were not allowed to share the Gospel, we said we could share about “the cure” to addiction with individuals afterwards. After the presentation, a crowd gathered around Abrie seemingly desperate to hear about “the cure”. This gave Abrie a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel. The Muslim teacher also encouraged every learner to take one of our Fight the New Drug leaflets (which contains a Gospel message) to paste in their Life Orientation workbooks. We also presented Fight the New Drug to a grade eleven Life Orientation class at a boys’ high school. The presentation sparked significant discussions and questions from the teenage boys. We praise God for these opportunities to present pro-family, Gospel-centred solutions to this scourge on our youth. Contact Taryn to arrange a presentation at your school or church: info@ christianaction.org.za, 021 – 689 4480. “Do not be afraid of them... Remember the Lord, Who is great and awesome, and fight for your daughters, your sons, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14 Visit www.christianaction.org.za for pro-family articles and resources.
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“...bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 16
CHRISTIAN ACTION – FOR REFORMATION AND REVIVAL 2015