June 9 & 10 , 2017
Rosaria Butterfield said in a May , 2014 issue of Citizen magazine , “ So we need to be a literate , Bible believing community that is fluent in how to apply the Bible to our times …” She does not believe that we should adjust the Bible message to the times in which we live ; she believes that we need to understand the message of the Bible and apply it to our times . She sees this as the only compassionate position to take , because only biblical truth can be used by God in the salvation of souls . And true biblical hospitality builds Gospel bridges to others .
Rosaria sees an “ undermining of Scripture , the failure to really believe in the inspiration and authority of Scripture … Along with that , there has been a total disintegration of biblical integrity in the lives of people , and a wide-spread confusion about basic biblical doctrines .” As an example of how wide spread this is , she says that it is even seen on some Christian college campuses . On a visit to Wheaton College , about 100 students came out to protest Rosaria ’ s presence at the school . Rosaria said that these students “ protested her presence as vociferously as the gay activists on secular campuses .” When Rosaria speaks , she speaks of being made in the image of God , original sin , the cross , repentance , the atonement of Christ , and the grace of a holy and loving God . She uses Bible words ; she does not change Bible words or try to change the Bible ’ s meaning of words . She is an example for us to follow .
Women ’ s Ministry
Thankful for Her
Rosaria Butterfield is comfortable with Bible words and Bible truths . For a period of time before she was saved she read the Bible up to five hours a day . She was an English professor and said , “ so the one thing I knew how to do was read a book and size it up .” Through her reading and the faithful witness of a pastor , the Lord brought Rosaria to Himself . She is thankful for the Bible words that told her the truth about God , herself , and her sin . She could not have been saved without a true knowledge of her sin . This is why Rosaria wrote a response to Jen Hatmaker ’ s “ opinions ” that were expressed in an October 2016 article on The Religious News Service . Jen Hatmaker , who has been known as a Christian author and speaker , revealed her acceptance of the LGBT lifestyle and spoke about the holiness of LGBT relationships . Rosaria responded :
Today , I hear Jen ’ s words — words meant to encourage , not discourage , to build up , not tear down , to defend the marginalized , not broker unearned power — and a thin trickle of sweat creeps down my back . If I were still in the thick of my battle over the indwelling sin of lesbian desire , Jen ’ s word would have put a millstone around my neck .
Jen Hatmaker ’ s words that exchanged biblical truth for words that she thought would bring comfort to many , may have brought death to Rosaria . Jen ’ s words may have been enough to make Rosaria comfortable with her sin . Jen ’ s words would not have led Rosaria to repentance . The Bible has the words of life ; if we love others we will speak to them the true words of life . Rosaria ’ s words to Jen are , “ Love Your Neighbor Enough to Tell the Truth .”
Rosaria also tells us that just like Jesus , Christians are to be characterized by truth and grace . True love speaks Gospel truth and grace reaches out to others even if it means taking a personal risk to do so . We go beyond ourselves and comforts to reach out to others because we were lost just like they are lost . Rosaria believes in Gospel hospitality that builds Gospel bridges to other people . Rosaria says that our hearts need to break as we consider where people are in relation to the God . We can speak the truth and express compassion to others . We can do this because this is exactly what God does for us .
We are thankful for Rosaria Butterfield . She stands on God ’ s side . We are thankful that she loves God enough to speak his truth even if she is criticized and misunderstood . She is an example and encouragement to us all . What Rosaria learned from her conversion , we can learn from her conversion . She was not protected from her sin . She was confronted with her sin which led to her confession of her sin . Rosaria shows us that we can be kind and truthful , because true kindness is caring enough to tell the truth .
Jane Boatright b c
Baby Shower for Laura Henry
Monday evening , March 6 ~ 7:00 o ’ clock At the home of Emily Moody • 50 Moon River Drive b c
Conference on Biblical Sexuality
June 9 & 10 , 2017
MESSENGER MARCH 2017 PAGE 3