A lot has been written about Texas Governor Rick Perry's day of prayer scheduled for August 6. Its called "The Response" and it has been chiefly organized by a group of self-proclaimed apostles and prophets subscribing to a movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation. Many are also known by the moniker "Joel's Army." I'm told that American Family Association is funding the project to be held at Houston's Reliant Stadium, which seats over 60,000. The gathering appears to be ecumenical in the sense that those in attendance are united on political issues, but not necessarily theological issues. Those attending will be pro-life, pro-marriage, pro-religious freedom, and fiscal conservatives.

The controversy of the event is complex. Criticism predictably has been launched by liberals that the group is extreme because it stands against abortion, homosexuality, and has harshly criticized New Age religion--i.e., Oprah Winfrey. Conservatives aimed their criticism at the organizers because of their beliefs that they have exclusive revelation knowledge, must establish Christ's kingdom in all areas of society before He can return, do battle against spiritual principalities past and present, and make declarations and proclamations to divorce the nation from pagan Gods such as Baal. Many of these leaders claim to have experienced visitations from guiding angels and to have gotten high or drunk on the Holy Spirit.

Instead of becoming "The Response," the event is more like "The Question." One question is just how far does one agree with someone who, while their hearts are sold out to their interpretation of Jesus, are practicing religion in an extra-Biblical, perhaps heretical, way? Another question is can Christians of all ilks of theology, even theological cults, work together on what they know are Biblically driven issues, but strongly disagree on their practice of religion? Yet another question is where does one draw the line on theological statements of faith, political stances on social issues, and the actual practice of that faith in relation to the stance on those issues? The Bible is clear.

Romans 11:21 says, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." We should be able to work together overcoming evil with good. And we know what evil is according to the scriptures, especially in relationship to the issues of the day. We are repeatedly warned in the Bible, however, about spiritual adultery. In reality, Christians need to be united on the basic tenets of our faith. We must examine how we practice religion ensuring it lines up with scripture that we may be right before God. And we must not be too proud to accept the truth if we are wrong. Jesus said there would be false prophets and false Christs. He said, "Take heed that no man deceive you."

The Bible is your only plumb line. Sola Scriptura.

Bill Wilson - The Daily Jot