FREEDOM FILES
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1, NIV).
ISSUE #6
July 28, 2014
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Friendly Fire
“Friendly Fire” is a military term that indicates someone is being shot at by an ally, rather than an enemy. There are a lot of ways that a person can become the victim of friendly fire. If a military unit is in the wrong place, they may be mistaken for the enemy. If an airstrike is ordered, but someone miscommunicates the coordinates for the fire mission, the wrong troops can be targeted. When I was in the Marine Corps we trained to plan our positions and movements in a way that would avoid friendly fire. We knew where our fellow squad members were. We knew where the other squads were in our platoon. And we did everything possible to avoid shooting at them.
In the Old Testament, there is an incident of “friendly fire” from which I believe we can learn a lesson. It is found in 1 Samuel 17. The Philistine army and the Israelite army had drawn up their battle lines. The Philistine army was camped at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. The Israelite army was camped in the Valley of Elah. The two armies faced off, prepared for battle. Then the Philistine, Goliath, who stood nine feet nine inches tall, stepped up and challenged the Israelites. His challenge was for one Israelite soldier to step up to fight him one-on-one, winner take all. His challenge struck fear into the Israelites, from King Saul to the newest recruit.
Jesse had three sons in King Saul’s army. His youngest son, David, was taking care of his flocks of sheep. Jesse directed David to take some food to his oldest three brothers out on the battle lines (1 Samuel 17:17-19). When David arrived at the camp he heard Goliath taunting the Israelite army. “David asked the men standing near him, ‘What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God’” (1 Samuel 17:26)? When David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard what David had said, rather than firing at the enemy, he fired at his own brother. He attacked him with these words: “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle” (1 Samuel 17:28).
When word got to King Saul he sent for David. “David said to Saul, ‘Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him’” (1 Samuel 17:32). Again, David is the victim of friendly fire. This time it comes from King Saul. He says to David, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth” (1 Samuel 17:33). David was able to persuade King Saul to allow him to fight Goliath. Not only did he fight him, but he defeated him with one rock shot from his slingshot. Once Goliath was dead, the Philistines turned and ran.
Today there are still some who prefer to fire at allies, rather than the enemy. While Satan is attacking the Body of Christ from every direction there are followers of Christ attacking fellow believers. Today I read one such attack in an article by Roelf L. Ruffner, Sr. In his review of the movie, “God’s Not Dead” he had positive and negative things to say about the movie. His victims were not Satan and the evil that prevails in this world, but fellow believers. His victims were Willie and Korie Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame.
· “What disappointed me the most was the cameo appearances of Willie and Korie Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame …” (Roelf L. Ruffner, Sr., Deviations From The Truth, Contending For The Faith, Volume XLV, Numbers, 3, 4, March/April – 2014, p. 11).
· “In their first appearance, Willie appeared in his long hair (cf. 1 Cor. 11:14) and Korie was dressed immodestly (cf. 1 Tim. 2:9, 10). They were confronted by an atheist reporter and gave a defense of their belief in God. Later towards the end of the movie Willie appeared on a large screen at a so-called “Christian” pop rock concert and encouraged everyone to text their friends the message ‘God is Alive!’ on their cell phones to support the student who debated the atheist college professor” (Ibid).
First, I think it interesting that Mr. Ruffner points out that Willie appeared “in his long hair.” How else would he appear? However, rather than leaving it at that, he throws in a reference to 1 Corinthians 11:14, which reads, “Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering” (1 Corinthians 11:14-15, NIV). What about “nature” teaches us that long hair is a disgrace to men? If I leave it to “nature” my hair will continue to grow just as Willlie’s did. The “nature” that Paul refers to in his letter to the Corinthians is the cultural normal practice. “In talking about head coverings and length of hair, Paul is saying that believers should look and behave in ways that are honorable within their own culture. In many cultures long hair on men is considered appropriate and masculine. In Corinth, it was thought to be a sign of male prostitution in the pagan temples” (Life Application Study Bible, p. 2466). Not being satisfied with attacking Willie and the length of his hair (friendly fire), he attacks Korie and the way she is dressed, calling it immodest and referencing 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (again, friendly fire), which reads, “ I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God” (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Now, I understand that modesty and immodesty are subjective terms and are, in some ways, culture driven, but I saw the movie, “God’s Not Dead” and I didn’t get the idea that Korie was dressed immodestly. But, just to make sure my memory wasn’t failing me, I googled it and saw the movie trailer on “You Tube”. Here is the “immodest” way that Korie was dressed. She was wearing a light blue, high neck, sleeveless dress, a pair of small, simple ear rings, and a bracelet. Her hair style was not “elaborate”. It was worn down and slightly wavy.
Next, is a reference to a “so-called ‘Christian’ pop rock concert”. I can’t read Mr. Ruffner’s mind, so I’m not sure who this is attacking, but I don’t believe it would be too far-fetched to conclude that he is calling into question the Newsboys relationship with God through Christ. How he presumes to know the hearts of these musicians is beyond me.
Mr. Ruffner continues his “friendly fire” by referring to Mr. and Mrs. Robertson as “this erring brother and sister” (Ibid). My question for Mr. Ruffner is, “Is there any other kind? We are all “erring”. Paul reminded the church in Rome of this fact.
· “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:22-24).
I hope it is not a surprise to Mr. Ruffner that the “all” in Romans 3:23 includes him. We all sin and therefore we are all “erring”. If not, we would not need Jesus Christ and the righteousness that is “given through faith” in Him.
I, for one, am happy that Willie and Korie, as well as the Newsboys and Kevin Sorbo, participated in the movie, “God’s Not Dead” and took a stand for their faith and belief in God. I am also happy that someone had the courage to produce such a well-acted movie that had a positive message.
It is time for us, as disciples of Christ and as the Body of Christ, to stop attacking one another and start living like Jesus. If we would simply follow the example of Jesus and the way that he lived we would love more and judge less. We would accept more and condemn less.
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Responses from Readers
From a Reader in Texas
Thanks Don! Enjoyed the article.
From a Reader in Tennessee
Don, please add me to your mailing list. Although 79-years-old, I derive from the same spiritual (or Spirit-less) upbringing as you. In the early 1970s when my wife and I crossed our Rubicon, it was a lonesome journey. Family and friends dismissed us as rebels but we were only radicals – rooted in Jesus. They thought it shameful that we had relinquished the security of our cement trampoline and found our rest in “the spring of living water.” After 59 years of marriage, we remain in the peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
God bless you and yours.
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If you would like to be added to or removed from this mailing list, contact me at [email protected] and I will immediately comply with your request. Previous issues can be read at www.freedomfiles.weebly.com. If you are challenged by these newsletters, then feel free to send them on to others and encourage them to write for a free subscription. I would also welcome any questions or comments from the readers.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1, NIV).
ISSUE #6
July 28, 2014
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Friendly Fire
“Friendly Fire” is a military term that indicates someone is being shot at by an ally, rather than an enemy. There are a lot of ways that a person can become the victim of friendly fire. If a military unit is in the wrong place, they may be mistaken for the enemy. If an airstrike is ordered, but someone miscommunicates the coordinates for the fire mission, the wrong troops can be targeted. When I was in the Marine Corps we trained to plan our positions and movements in a way that would avoid friendly fire. We knew where our fellow squad members were. We knew where the other squads were in our platoon. And we did everything possible to avoid shooting at them.
In the Old Testament, there is an incident of “friendly fire” from which I believe we can learn a lesson. It is found in 1 Samuel 17. The Philistine army and the Israelite army had drawn up their battle lines. The Philistine army was camped at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. The Israelite army was camped in the Valley of Elah. The two armies faced off, prepared for battle. Then the Philistine, Goliath, who stood nine feet nine inches tall, stepped up and challenged the Israelites. His challenge was for one Israelite soldier to step up to fight him one-on-one, winner take all. His challenge struck fear into the Israelites, from King Saul to the newest recruit.
Jesse had three sons in King Saul’s army. His youngest son, David, was taking care of his flocks of sheep. Jesse directed David to take some food to his oldest three brothers out on the battle lines (1 Samuel 17:17-19). When David arrived at the camp he heard Goliath taunting the Israelite army. “David asked the men standing near him, ‘What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God’” (1 Samuel 17:26)? When David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard what David had said, rather than firing at the enemy, he fired at his own brother. He attacked him with these words: “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle” (1 Samuel 17:28).
When word got to King Saul he sent for David. “David said to Saul, ‘Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him’” (1 Samuel 17:32). Again, David is the victim of friendly fire. This time it comes from King Saul. He says to David, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth” (1 Samuel 17:33). David was able to persuade King Saul to allow him to fight Goliath. Not only did he fight him, but he defeated him with one rock shot from his slingshot. Once Goliath was dead, the Philistines turned and ran.
Today there are still some who prefer to fire at allies, rather than the enemy. While Satan is attacking the Body of Christ from every direction there are followers of Christ attacking fellow believers. Today I read one such attack in an article by Roelf L. Ruffner, Sr. In his review of the movie, “God’s Not Dead” he had positive and negative things to say about the movie. His victims were not Satan and the evil that prevails in this world, but fellow believers. His victims were Willie and Korie Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame.
· “What disappointed me the most was the cameo appearances of Willie and Korie Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame …” (Roelf L. Ruffner, Sr., Deviations From The Truth, Contending For The Faith, Volume XLV, Numbers, 3, 4, March/April – 2014, p. 11).
· “In their first appearance, Willie appeared in his long hair (cf. 1 Cor. 11:14) and Korie was dressed immodestly (cf. 1 Tim. 2:9, 10). They were confronted by an atheist reporter and gave a defense of their belief in God. Later towards the end of the movie Willie appeared on a large screen at a so-called “Christian” pop rock concert and encouraged everyone to text their friends the message ‘God is Alive!’ on their cell phones to support the student who debated the atheist college professor” (Ibid).
First, I think it interesting that Mr. Ruffner points out that Willie appeared “in his long hair.” How else would he appear? However, rather than leaving it at that, he throws in a reference to 1 Corinthians 11:14, which reads, “Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering” (1 Corinthians 11:14-15, NIV). What about “nature” teaches us that long hair is a disgrace to men? If I leave it to “nature” my hair will continue to grow just as Willlie’s did. The “nature” that Paul refers to in his letter to the Corinthians is the cultural normal practice. “In talking about head coverings and length of hair, Paul is saying that believers should look and behave in ways that are honorable within their own culture. In many cultures long hair on men is considered appropriate and masculine. In Corinth, it was thought to be a sign of male prostitution in the pagan temples” (Life Application Study Bible, p. 2466). Not being satisfied with attacking Willie and the length of his hair (friendly fire), he attacks Korie and the way she is dressed, calling it immodest and referencing 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (again, friendly fire), which reads, “ I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God” (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Now, I understand that modesty and immodesty are subjective terms and are, in some ways, culture driven, but I saw the movie, “God’s Not Dead” and I didn’t get the idea that Korie was dressed immodestly. But, just to make sure my memory wasn’t failing me, I googled it and saw the movie trailer on “You Tube”. Here is the “immodest” way that Korie was dressed. She was wearing a light blue, high neck, sleeveless dress, a pair of small, simple ear rings, and a bracelet. Her hair style was not “elaborate”. It was worn down and slightly wavy.
Next, is a reference to a “so-called ‘Christian’ pop rock concert”. I can’t read Mr. Ruffner’s mind, so I’m not sure who this is attacking, but I don’t believe it would be too far-fetched to conclude that he is calling into question the Newsboys relationship with God through Christ. How he presumes to know the hearts of these musicians is beyond me.
Mr. Ruffner continues his “friendly fire” by referring to Mr. and Mrs. Robertson as “this erring brother and sister” (Ibid). My question for Mr. Ruffner is, “Is there any other kind? We are all “erring”. Paul reminded the church in Rome of this fact.
· “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:22-24).
I hope it is not a surprise to Mr. Ruffner that the “all” in Romans 3:23 includes him. We all sin and therefore we are all “erring”. If not, we would not need Jesus Christ and the righteousness that is “given through faith” in Him.
I, for one, am happy that Willie and Korie, as well as the Newsboys and Kevin Sorbo, participated in the movie, “God’s Not Dead” and took a stand for their faith and belief in God. I am also happy that someone had the courage to produce such a well-acted movie that had a positive message.
It is time for us, as disciples of Christ and as the Body of Christ, to stop attacking one another and start living like Jesus. If we would simply follow the example of Jesus and the way that he lived we would love more and judge less. We would accept more and condemn less.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Responses from Readers
From a Reader in Texas
Thanks Don! Enjoyed the article.
From a Reader in Tennessee
Don, please add me to your mailing list. Although 79-years-old, I derive from the same spiritual (or Spirit-less) upbringing as you. In the early 1970s when my wife and I crossed our Rubicon, it was a lonesome journey. Family and friends dismissed us as rebels but we were only radicals – rooted in Jesus. They thought it shameful that we had relinquished the security of our cement trampoline and found our rest in “the spring of living water.” After 59 years of marriage, we remain in the peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
God bless you and yours.
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If you would like to be added to or removed from this mailing list, contact me at [email protected] and I will immediately comply with your request. Previous issues can be read at www.freedomfiles.weebly.com. If you are challenged by these newsletters, then feel free to send them on to others and encourage them to write for a free subscription. I would also welcome any questions or comments from the readers.