Does World Vision’s Flip-flop Mean Christians Should Continue their Support?

The U.S. branch of World Vision based in Federal Way, Washington has about 1,100 workers with an annual budget of one billion dollars per year. The current president, Richard Stearns, announced this week that same-sex “marriage” was now acceptable but they would still require their employees to confine their sexual activities to be within marriage. Same sex “marriage” may be acceptable to World Vision but not to God. The Bible still teaches that perversion is still an abomination and is not approved or acceptable by Him and all true believers. Maybe part of World Vision’s problem is they have a “World” vision but not a Biblical vision.

After a few hours of explosive Internet complaints, World Vision President Richard Stearns and board Chairman Jim Bere wrote to their supporters, “We have listened to you and want to say thank you and to humbly ask for your forgiveness.” We should forgive them but remember the ineptitude and irresponsibility displayed. Most of the board chose to accept homosexuality and when committed Christians refused to continue financial support, the board, feeling the heat said they saw the light. Those board members must be Junior High School kids, not mature Christians.

Out of World Vision’s one billion dollars raised last year, 18% to 33% was federal funds. They were willing to trash their biblical convictions to keep tax dollars pouring in. They should remove all religious trappings and present themselves as the secular welfare organization that they are.

Richard was dumb enough to tell Christianity Today that their decision to accept same sex “marriage” is a “very narrow policy change” and should be seen by others as “symbolic not of compromise but of [Christian] unity.” Evidently Stearns does not know the definition of “compromise” but his supporters do. Thousands of checkbooks snapped shut when supporters were told of the pro-homosexual decision. I wonder if he still believes his statement, if he ever did. World Vision had taken the most divisive position possible and he had the gall to speak of unity! Has he been smoking those funny cigarettes?

Christ made it clear in Matt. 19 that marriage was between one man and one woman. Any other arrangement is not acceptable or approved by God. Moreover, even though World Vision flip-flopped, their decision lends support to the Perversion Lobby in their demand that everyone admire them, approve them, and acquiesce to the sin that used to be called “the sin against nature” and was not even discussed in civil company. Rather than give support to homosexuals, Stearns should be counseling any homosexual (or fornicating) employees to repent of sin, receive the Savior, and return to sensible, sane, and scriptural living.

Stearns declared this decision was not “an endorsement of same-sex marriage. We have decided we are not going to get into that debate. Nor is this a rejection of traditional marriage, which we affirm and support.” Incredible! They were not going to get involved in the homosexual debate as they jumped into the middle of it–and took the side of perversion! Furthermore, it was a rejection of traditional marriage and a ringing endorsement of perversion draped with a very thin cloak of respectability. They jumped in then they jumped out of the debate having done enormous harm.

Richard said, “We have to find a way to come together around our core beliefs to accomplish the mission that Christ has given the church. We feel positive about what we’ve done. Our motives are pure.” If traditional marriage is not a core belief than what is? Furthermore, Stearns seems to be confusing a parachurch group and the local church established by Christ. Christ’s commission, challenge, and command to His church is to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. While feeding children is commendable, it is not the primary command of Christ to His church. When masses of people turn to Christ in personal salvation, that will impact the world more than any social activity of well-intentioned people. “Building a better world for children” is one of World Vision’s purposes but coming out flatfooted for perversion was counterproductive to that purpose. Then their flip-flop showed them to be unsure, unstable, and unreliable people.

Stearns made it worse by admitting that he and his board were not pressured into making the change. No employees were asking or demanding a change and there was no legal action or any anticipated!

Stearns added, “It also allows us to treat all of our employees the same way: abstinence outside of marriage, and fidelity within marriage.” First, same sex “marriage” is not marriage, never has been, never will be. And no legislative body or federal court can ever change that fact. Moreover, Stearns must not be aware of the fact that many studies for a century have documented the fact that most committed homosexual “couples” always keeps a night or two “out with the boys.” Total faithfulness is almost unknown in the homosexual household.

Concern for children should be a trait of all Christians as we are reminded when Christ took children upon His knee and blessed them; however, our chief obligation is to truth. Feeding children is one of the most commendable things one can do; however, never at the expense of truth. Christians have many responsibilities including helping the needy but never as the major thrust of our work which is to share the gospel with everyone.

My wife and I have given to support impoverished acquaintances, victims of earthquakes, storms, other disasters, and provided water pumps for African villages. That is separate from our tithe. But, those gifts went to people I know that are also concerned about the souls of people. None of our money went for promotion, perks, or paychecks. Our gifts went to help people and give them the Gospel. World Vision started like that in 1950 but drifted away from evangelism to international welfare to qualify for federal funds.

I maintain that no Christian should give to World Vision and similar groups. They should give to their local church (if it preaches the Word faithfully and if not, they should leave) and to a church-connected mission that will accomplish the desired purpose. While it is important to feed and clothe desperate children, their souls are most important.

Committed Christians, interested in staying true to the Scripture will not support any person, group, church, or organization that does not take a clear, critical, and compassionate (by telling the truth) position on homosexuality. Yes, let’s help the unfortunate people of the world but it must be done based upon truth. 1 John 3:18 commands, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

Yes, all sincere Christians should withdraw financial support from World Vision because of this radical, reprehensible, and repulsive decision followed by their rescinded decision! And more so because of the shallow spin they put on their original decision that has now been aborted. I predict that corporate heads will roll within a few days.

Money talks and sometime it yells. World Vision heard it loud and clear.

http://bit.ly/1iMLVfY  Watch these 8 minute videos of my lecture at the University of North Dakota: “A Christian Challenges New Atheists to Put Up or Shut Up!”

Copyright 2014, Don Boys, Ph.D.

EVOLUTION

Fact, Fraud or Faith?

by Don Boys, Ph.D.

Only an uninformed fanatic says that evolution or creation can be proved scientifically. Christians believe in creationism because we believe in the veracity of the Bible but we also have scientific evidence to support our position. In every debate I’ve had with evolutionary scientists, the arrogant, asinine accusation is made, “Well, evolution is scientific while creationism is religion.” Evolution is about as scientific as a voodoo rooster plucking ceremony in Haiti. Almost.

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