Should Christians Participate in Boycotts? | Episode 161

[@jncialberty]

This is a great explanation! Over the years (I’ll have to admit) it’s grown increasingly more and more difficult to take Christian boycotts seriously. They experience a temporary moment of indignation towards whatever company angered them in any given moment and before you know it, they are blasting their opinions on social media and taking these supposedly “strong stances” against whatever company may be making headlines at that moment in time, only to go back to that store or restaurant or whatever it may be weeks (sometimes days) later. Christians still go to Starbucks, still go to Target, still buy Apple products, still support Disney, and the list goes on and on. Although it’s laughable, I also understand the fickleness of humanity and their need to feel that they are “standing for something” even if it’s just temporary or for the sake of joining a group of Christians in the latest protest against whatever company.

[@jerryscott5545]

Wonderful teaching Bishop!! 👏🏾👍🏾

[@TaraJanes57]

Well the line is made when it comes to our children.

[@PaulYandris]

Thank you dr Bernard……

[@theunsettled5683]

Exactly

[@dreamarichards4972]

Amen! I agree!

[@popjohn542]

Great point as eating unto idols.

[@peanutnjessy7864]

I don't know if we have to boycott because we have to live in this world. But I suspect we should if it doesn't seriously hamper our lifestyle. Why would I buy Ben and Jerry's liberal ice cream when I can just get Mayfield? Starbucks? There's a Dunkin s across the street.

[@PreacherPaul71]

You can’t get Christians to agree on anything

[@apocryphanow]

What if one person says yes to boycott and the other person says no to boycott, but they're both equally as involved in the thing the boycott is about?

[@ahler3973]

Gbu

[@yap-27]

God bless you but i have one question for you Ethiopian apostolic church is your member?

[@Lostandfoundrecipes-lz2mm]

He allows God to use him to get the point across

[@LarzGustafsson]

Yes, we should Morocco, for instance must be boycotted.

[@THE_Tyler_Rogers]

I was raised in a trinitarian Pentecostal church but have in the past 4 years converted to oneness and been baptized in Jesus name. My question is, why or how can trinitarians be filled with Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in unknown tongues if they do not have a proper understanding of scripture or have out right rejected the Biblical teaching of the oneness

[@jmar8507]

The Word says the Spirit will lead people "into all the truth." (John 16:13) Let's just pray, rejoice and believe that He is still working in their lives to make it happen by giving them His Spirit ahead of time so that just as he led you (and all of us) He is even now working in the background to do the same for them. I know it's frustrating sometimes waiting for that to happen but let's not give up hope that He will do it as nothing is impossible for Him. There are a lot of us praying for revelation to come to them (I want whole congregations to receive it) too esp since in so many ways many of them really are very good and dedicated Christians and I really believe it's His will to make us all (them with us and us with them) one in Him.

[@liontrade3957]

There is only one God, so however they perceive that, even if it is not accurate or if they outright see "three" distinct and separate "persons", God can bless them with the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues I suppose. They do kind of have different sounding tongues but I never would want to criticize it because I don't want to go anywhere near the area of the unpardonable sin. Anecdotally I have been in charismatic churches in the past and they don't really have a solid knowledge or grounding on some very fundamental things outside of the topic of the Godhead. So, they are different, and it doesn't feel like home, the way you feel in a Oneness church.

[@realmccoy124]

I need to ask a couple of questions here. When you say ‘trinitarian’ - vs - oneness … what have you found different in your theology concerning the Godhead with what you were raised in… while stacking against your new affiliation with what I am assuming is the UPCI / other Oneness Pentecostalism sects? Most Oneness Pentecostals often misstate and skew the Trinitarian dogma - to reflect their biases. Of course, in the Protestant world, there are variances and heresies and personal teachings … that are highly individualized and are innovations… again, further fracturing from the Truth. Now, from a soteriological perspective, are you saying that your former association is in error because they are obeying the words of Christ recorded in Matthew 28:19 - a Gospel writing … verses Acts 2:38 - an Apostolos writing. And, I would ask you to consider what you want in your answer - your motive in the answer you seek? Is it ‘I am right, and Mom and Dad are wrong’…. Many Oneness Pentecostals will claim that ‘trinitarian Pentecostal’ do not have the Holy Spirit of promise’ because of their high-mindedness. Some have a little additive to Acts 2:38 - where they quote the verse, adding ‘with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues’ - which is often stated in sermons from their pulpits… and that leads them to conclude ‘tongues’ as the gift of the Holy Ghost’ … which it isn’t. How do you validate your investigation… are both right? Or are both wrong? Or is one right and the other is wrong? Are the people speaking into your life, whether in knowledge or in ignorance, misrepresenting things to deflate one position to vaunt their own position - and with their carefully crafted polemic arguments - they have led you to conclude something. Disclaimer, I am an Orthodox Christian. Before I had ever stepped into a ‘Oneness Church’ back in the day … before I had ever heard of the ‘issue’ of oneness vs trinitarian…. Before I had been baptized in water… I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and I received the Holy Ghost in a Bible study. That experience remains part of my theosis in Christ God. And I did find Acts 10 super helpful in trying to understand things after my initial conversion. Hope this helps you discern your intentions - and to allow the Spirit of Truth to establish you in the Church. You might find it beneficial to explore things outside of the Oneness construct … and the Wesleyan Quadrilateral might help you during your biblical exegesis. Lovingly, Cuthbert.

[@clintsmitty]

@@realmccoy124 Oneness believers do not believe tongues is the Holy Ghost. It is however the evidence of an individual receiving the Holy Ghost. That is biblical truth.

[@realmccoy124]

@@clintsmitty - thanks for your response. I left the UPCI after 25 years - so, I know the teachings of the organization fairly well. I am not disputing tongues - although some of what happens in the UPCI - and the tongue-talker ‘Care-less-matic’ - is just hyped up flesh… faking it until they make it… (Lord have mercy). There is certainly the ‘Real McCoy’ - pun intended… As I stated in the post above to which you have responded - there is no ‘with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues’ - that folks generally append to Acts 2:38. It’s said repeatedly across pulpits in the organization … and even Dr Bernard says this. But, I am looking at Saul’s conversion on the Road to Damascus… no tongues were mentioned… neither in the Ethiopian eunuch and I believe the Samaritans. So. You cannot remain biblical if you add little nuances here and there… Yes, indeed - some but not all - tongues were present. And now that I am thinking about it - where does Paul write about tongues in his letters … only one place that I can recall ATM. Trust you’re well. Be encouraged - Lovingly, Cuthbert.

[@jackiet5334]

Every nation on earth is compromising the Bible in some way. Jeremiah 10:3 "For the customs of the people are vain". Verse 14: "Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them". What about space exploration? Is that not an image created by man where he lusts to gain more knowledge than what God intended? Tax dollars do good and bad, biblically speaking, yet some of the church spend more time pointing fingers or having dialogue about stuff that is like clouds without water. Disputations and contentions, and our world is burning right now. None of us can truly be justified by calling out one particular sin because it only shows partiality to one national sin, and ignores another sin. We are all found wanting, all have sinned and fallen short, except that by God's grace we are saved. Trying to punish merchants because they support certain sin is showing unbelievers our own sin, which is hypocrisy. It appears very hypocritical when Christians spend more time calling out others' sins instead of preaching the Good News.

[@BYITW]

Should come Christians Play shooting games?? since many Christians play shooting games, and is it a sin?

[@blssdlove]

Hello! Don’t worry, it’s not necessarily a sin. My Christian friend who’s really after God used to play shooting games and there was even a time where he thanked God when he got a point or something like that. BUT the thing is, if you playing shooting games becomes an idol (it’s more important than God in your life) then that’s where it’s a sin. Or if the graphics in shooting games are too much for you and causes you to look at things and people in a bad way, then it’s probably better to not play them. “And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬. And etc. My personal take (own opinion) also would be if the graphics are too much, too gore-y, and just really realistic I’d rather not play it. What we set our eyes upon are also important. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬. But if it’s just simple graphics like Valorant and isn’t really bloody looking, I’d be fine with it. But at the end of the day, you should always pray to God about it and ask Him to help you discern in these things. There may be some Christians who are not really bothered with these stuff and it doesn’t affect their relationship with God, so it’s okay for them to play these type of games. But there may also be some Christians who are affected by these stuff, spiritually drains them, and takes them away from God so they stay away from it. It also really depends on who you are and your walk with God 😊 If God convicts you about them, obey Him!!! ❤️ What’s important is us daily following Him and His purpose. God bless!

[@A-Doug]

I wouldn’t say it’s a sin but I can give you my personal experience. When I was younger I used to play shooting games all the time. When I gave my life completely to Jesus I asked Him to take away any desires that would hinder me for living for Him. It was a gradual change but over several months I lost all interest in playing those games and eventually I sold my console. I got rid of all the ungodly music I had, I stopped watching certain things and I have a peace that I didn’t have when I didn’t seek after God. I would say it is up to the individual and the Holy Ghost to bring conviction about certain aspects of their life.

[@LarzGustafsson]

I will participate. All countries who are Israel's enemies should be boycotted.

[@jncialberty]

Well… if we were to correctly apply your logic, then we’d have to boycott the United States of America, since they (for military purposes) partner with nations that are not supporters of Israel. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@realmccoy124]

Don’t have more political buzz than you do spiritual honey… Dr Bernard has correctly addressed this viewer’s question: this falls into the arena of Christian liberty. And as he has assessed, you will be hard pressed to find any company who completely aligns with all of the values you deem as Christian. You might take an exception to something where another along your side has no problem with ‘the issue’ you’re seeing. There’s always monasticism for those who wish to withdraw from the cathedral system. Well, if you’re Orthodox and single or widowed… that’s an option.

[@LarzGustafsson]

Nonsense. Academic hogwash.