Christocentric

Welcome to my new format with a blog that I am still working on.  This is phase 1, which was just getting it up and running immediately.  I still have many adjustments to make and will have many features from my old blog as well.

Some added things made for the convenience of my readers is that you will now be able to print any page, or save it as a pdf file as well as facebook or twitter any article you like!

As you browser through my pages and site, please feel free to make any comments to things that you see that may be out of place, not working are just looking a bit funky! 

Thanks for you patience as I nervously worked on this blog and still will be doing so!

If you want to make any comments private, thenjust click on the contacts tab on top.

Thanks again and enjoy!

Carlotta

(Blogroll and more are returning!)

Ask Anitra: From the Word of God to Your Everyday Life!

If you’ve seen the Lexi Show interview with gospel singer/pastor Tonex, you would have witnessed a very intriguing albeit disturbing display of a man trying biblically to justify his homosexuality while clinging to the title of Christian pastor.   Ringo is a 31 year old Christian man who breaks down and explains each controversial statement that Tonex made throughout the interview.

There are five videos so do have your bible open and  your pen and paper ready to take notes. These videos clearly explain the errors of any person who claims to be Christian, while unrepentantly practicing the gay/lesbian lifestyle.

(This post is an answer to the videos shown on my earlier post on Tonex, Gospel Singer Tonex admits to being Gay.)

Tonex Exposed: Pt. 1 | Pt. 2 | Pt. 3| Pt. 4| Pt. 5

From RingoTVHD on YouTube
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SYNOPSIS: (UPDATED 9/17)

Tonex’s coming out and letting the world know that he’s now a practicing homosexual has caught many who are familiar with his music off guard.  There are many who’ve suspected his homosexuality and of course those who know the truth quite well because of their relationships with Tonex.

But I have witnessed much converstion over the Internet and in live conversations about Tonex and those talks can be categorized by the following:

• Many are critical of those of us who dare judge Tonex
• Many have resorted to name-calling describing Tonex’s new public lifestyle
• Many homosexuals and homosexual supporters have embraced Tonex even moreso now for “keeping it real”
• People are more critical of Tonex being a pastor of a church than anything else
• And the number of Christians who have declared God’s word to follow rather than follow after men has been very pleasing to see

Summarizing the lessons shared with people by myself and others are these: (all scripture is New King James Version unless otherwise noted)

• Homosexuality is strictly forbidden and there is no way to ever justify it:  Old and New Testament: Leviticus 18:22 and Romans 1:26-28
• We should never allow any form of sexual immorality rule our bodies but use our bodies for righteousness: Romans 6:12-13, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
• Judging is commanded by God’s word for us to do to other Christians – not to unbelievers! And if the believer is unrepentant to disassociate ourselves from that defiant Christian:  1 Corinthians5:9-13
• We must speak the truth in love – not in harsh name calling or ill treatment: Ephesians 4:15
• We must sometimes rebuke publicly: 1 Timothy 5:20
• Don’t wait upon God to change us; we must simply obey God. It is our OWN DESIRES that lead us into temptation and sin: James 1:13-15
• When sin continues without repentance and God’s word used to justify it – that person’s mind becomes reprobate: Romans 1:28 (KJV)

So, can you be a Christian and practice homosexuality?

There are those who are struggling with the sin of homosexuality, who have asked Christ into their lives to save their souls. These people are quite repentant and I do consider Christians.  So yes, it’s quite possible to be committing the sin of homosexuality and still be a Christian.

A Christian is a person who: (See my section on How to be Born Again for full details!)

• has acknowledged their sin (Romans 3:23)
• desires to change because they recognize it’s the sin that separates them from God – repentance (Romans 6:23)
• believes in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for their salvation (Romans 10:9)

A Christian is NOT a person who’s already “arrived” but a sinner, needing saved!

But people who practice homosexuality with NO repentance and even trying to use the scriptures to justify their abominable acts are clearly NOT CHRISTIANS!  They are defiant and of a reprobate mind.  But we must continue to pray that they do trust and believe in Christ before they die!

So that’s it in a nutshell about this whole thing of homosexuality while calling onesself a Christian.  Tonex has shown me enough (in all three of my posts about him) that it’s highly possible he isn’t even a Christian.  But I’ll leave the ultimate judging of one’s soul to God!

Almost a year since my first post on Tonex, aka Anthony Williams, and it is still one of the most popular articles on my blog:  Tonéx has 4Gotten God.  People are constantly searching the Internet for this popular and controversial singer/pastor and my blog is just one of several that have been critical of his questionable  lifestyle.  That still hasn’t changed.

Being a San Diegan (he’s also from San Diego) and a past HUGE fan of Tonex’s, I took a particular interest in knowing more about him.  Why? Because I absolutely loved his music (was my favorite) and was just waiting for him to turn the corner and truly start representing Christ the way he should be (especially since he is a pastor of a church)!

I am so saddened to report that Tonex has not improved, but has become reprobate in his thinking and his living.  This was witnessed by watching videos of “The Lexi Show” broadcasted on The Word Network. A show where Tonex opens up about past molestations when he was a child.  I did think he showed great maturity by admitting that he doesn’t blame his current sexuality upon his past.  He says he accepts full responsibility for what he’s encountered in life since his molestation.

Listening to the whole interview I couldn’t help but shake my head at Tonex’s constant misinterpretation of scripture.   For example his understanding of the saying, “the truth shall set you free” he understood it to be “honest” with onesself and then you’ll be free  – a deadly belief that honesty is all that God requires of us.  Also his belief that he’s free from responsibility of NOT practicing homosexuality until God draws him out of it.  He reasons since God hasn’t taken the desire from him yet, then it must be ok.

At least he’s brutally honest right now.  Honesty that most can appreciate but is honesty what God desires from us?  Yes, and no.  Yes, he wants us to be honest enough about our sin that we’ll admit it – then forsake it!  So it’s not enough just to be honest.  To be honest and then do nothing about breaking God’s laws is just a complete waste and spiritually dangerous to one’s soul (as in never being born-again to begin with)!

Well, I’ll highlight a few of the headshaking comments pulled from that talk show that I felt was done very very well by Lexi.  I commend her for being brave enough to ask the questions that everyone wants to know about Tonex, things that’s he’s been very vague about in the past, that he’s finally opening up about now.  Lexi played the journalist’s part very well.  I just hope that after the camera’s stop rolling, she played the part of the praying and concerned sister in Christ!

Part 1 |Part 2 | Part 3

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UPDATE 11/15: See my follow up post on this topic at: Can you be a Christian AND a homosexual?

Other blogs of interest:

GCMWATCH – Sad Day for Tonex and Tonex interview fallout: is this “hate”?
Gospelpundit.com -  On TV: The Lexi Show Premieres With Tonex
TheblogofStuartMcDonald.com -  Thoughts on Tonex
Real Christianity – Tonex-The Lexi Interview
Chester Street – There is a way that seemeth right to a man…
Anthony Estes Musings – A Case for a Christian Homosexual?

(This list updated as notable blogs come through.)
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Below are written excerpts from Lexi’s interview with Tonex.   The conversation of homosexuality began with Tonex’s discussion of his molestation when he was a very young boy:

Lexi: “Have you struggled with homosexuality?”
Tonex: “Not struggled. There was no struggle. People like to blame the struggle on the molestation. No just say you were attracted to men. Be honest and quit blaming it on that experience.”

Lexi: “Is your being attracted to men under control?”
Tonex: Under control... (repeating Lexi’s question but he doesn’t give an answer).

Lexi: “Do you sleep with men?”
Tonex: “I don’t sleep with MEN.”

Lexi: “Is homosexuality a thing of the past for you?”
Tonex: repeats Lexi’s question: “Is homosexuality a thing of the past.” (pondering the question).  “I think that when someone understands who they are sexually and they know that they are a free spirit and they understand who they are as a person, it’s really difficult to label that…

“There’s still times where I’m like, ‘hmmm… I do want kids and I very much love women.’  But at the same time, I think we have to be honest with ourselves as to what it is that we have affinity for at the time.  And I think, because of the situation that I experienced with the first marriage, that I would have to say that I lean more toward the same sex.

Not so much that I feel that women are not created for men, or that man is not created for woman, I feel that it’s a matter of energy and people’s honesty and a matter of love and I believe that God doesn’t honor promiscuity in either hetero or homosexual lifestyles – same gender loving.

I think it’s important for people to not be so caught with who I’d like to be sleeping with as much as I’m practicing safe sex or I’m in a monogamous relationship no matter what that would be now.  Now when you have those who would say well that should be under the guise of marriage. Well I believe covenant period is marriage.  I don’t think that same-sex marriage – I never really could  wrap my mind around same-sex MARRIAGE?  But same-sex covenants I can definitely wrap my mind around.”

Lexi: “Can you help the way that you feel?”
Tonex: “I tried.”

Lexi: “So what’s your conclusion?”
Tonex: “My conclusion is – I’m waiting to see what God wants to do.  Because I don’t know who he’s allowing me to experience this walk of life to minister to later on.

Lexi: “So are you waiting for deliverance from being attracted to men?”
Tonex: “I’m not sure that’s something I have to be delivered from.”

Lexi: “You’re not sure?”
Tonex: “Yeah”

Lexi: “But you’re pastoring!”So shouldn’t you be sure of (undecipherable)
Tonex: “Pastoring is me being the undershepherd pointing them to the cross – not to Tonex.  It’s me preaching the unadulterated word of God towards repentance and the cross. I don’t get into people’s bedrooms; I don’t get in people’s clothes closets … God’s not looking at that.  Their posture and their heart is the most important thing and for me to point them to the cross is the most important thing.

Lexi: “If you die right now would you go to heaven?”
Tonex: “Yes, because I told the truth. A liar should not tarry in His sight.” (Not sure of the last phrase).

One of the last statements Tonex made before this was over is the following:

“before I say ‘this is what I am, this is the only thing I’ll be,’ I’ll say AT THIS STAGE, this is what it is.  So everyone can just breathe and relax on your show and say, Tonex said, ‘yes, he’s attracted to men. Yes, he has experienced gay sex before.  But that’s the least of who this man of God is.”

Lexi appeared on camera following the interview with her own closing statement:

“I would like to take this time to thank my friend and brother Tonex for a very open and honest and candid interview.  It is my belief that a man is made for a woman and a woman made for a man. I believe that the bible speaks very clearly  about this.

However, as a journalist it is my job to tell the story. And as a Christian, it is my job to love absolutely everybody and I do that unequivocally and unapologetically.

So until next time, watch and pray!

When giving his speech yesterday to the nation’s school children, President Obama tried his best to avoid any political controversy.  He may have for the most part succeeded because his speech wasn’t too offensive and in fact could be considered by some as inspirational.  But unfortunately, he said a few things to some school children that left fellow Christians again wondering why he even calls himself one.

He was asked by a student, “If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?”

This video answers that question.

Last week it was Islam with the White House Ramadan dinner.  This week his favorite person to meet was an ex lawyer turned religious leader of India, Mahatma Gandhi (real name Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi), a person who was a strong believer in Hinduism.  (See Hinduism by Charlie Campbell, of Always be Ready Apologetics).

Obama had this to say why he chose Gandhi according to Associated Press:

“He’s somebody I find a lot of inspiration in. He inspired Dr. (Martin Luther) King”.  “He ended up doing so much and changed the world just by the power of his ethics.”

If that’s why he chose Gandhi, then what has Jesus done as far as he’s concerned? He only changed several nations of people by his mere words and miraculous wonders. He died and then raised himself from the dead! But step back Jesus because Gandhi was more impressive to Obama.

In less than a two week period, Obama has publicly embraced religious practices and/or persons who are complete contradictions to the teachings of Jesus Christ.  He has made acceptable false teachers, prophets and teachings…

… but strangely quiet when it comes to Jesus Christ.

““Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 10:32-34

Obama’s claims of being a Christian have caused many of us to question him already because of his support of abortion, homosexual issues, his previous statements regarding biblical positions and the manner in which he’s handling our government.  But recently he’s shown why many believe he’s quite proactive in disrespecting the Lord he claims to serve.

The latest comes in the form of hosting a Ramadan dinner in the White House on September 1.  Not just with words of praise, but the participation of an actual Ramadan feast.  Showing respect for another person’s religion is one thing, but embracing it and practicing it’s rituals is another thing altogether!

He welcomes this ritual by saying the following:

“And most of all, I want to welcome all the American Muslims from many walks of life who are here.  This is just one part of our effort to celebrate Ramadan, and continues a long tradition of hosting iftars here at the White House.”

Ramadan created in honor of the Quran

What is Ramadan? What is an iftar?  What are people really celebrating and why?  Not knowing much about Ramadan myself, I did a little digging and have come up with a few things about it from various websites.

Ramadan is described as the following from history.com:

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic year, the holy month of fasting ordained by the Koran for all adult Muslims of the Islamic faith. According to the Koran, the fast of Ramadan has been instituted so that believers “may cultivate piety”; this particular month was designated because it was the month during which Muhammad received the first of the Koran’s revelations.

Ramadan was initially created as a celebration of the creation of the Quran.  Another explanation of the origins from rumela.com:

The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Quran “was sent down from heaven, a guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation”.

So let’s get this straight. By bringing Ramadan into the White House and praising it, Obama is telling people how great this religion is in creating another book of revelation that contradicts our salvation and our Lord Jesus Christ!  Something a politician would do who didn’t care about compromising his beliefs as Obama has done time and time again.

And the “iftar” he mentioned above is the name of the Ramadan dinner.  It is explained as follows (from rumela.com):

During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. In the evening following the iftar it is customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends. The fast is resumed the next morning.

Should ALL religious holidays be celebrated in the White House?

Couldn’t Obama just had a dinner recognizing the Muslims during a time that WASN’T during Ramadan? Now he’s going to have to recognize EVERY religious celebration by all the religions celebrated in the United States if he’s going to be fair about it.  But something tells me that’s not about to happen.  He will show how much he favors the Muslims by not recognizing ALL other religious celebrations.

More quotes from Obama on this dinner:

“Tonight’s iftar is a ritual that is also being carried out this Ramadan at kitchen tables and mosques in all 50 states.”

How many mosques hold Christmas dinners?

Obama about religion: “They all contain truths.”

“And while Muhammad Ali could not join us tonight, it is worth reflecting upon his remarkable contributions, as he’s grown from an unmatched fighter in the ring to a man of quiet dignity and grace who continues to fight for what he believes — and that includes the notion that people of all faiths holds things in common.  I love this quote.  A few years ago, he explained this view — and this is part of why he’s The Greatest — saying, “Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams — they all have different names, but they all contain water.  Just as religions do — they all contain truths.”

Wow! In the paragraph above, Obama says what makes Muhammad Ali partly the greatest because of his belief that all religions contain truths!  Obama is praising ALL religions because of their truths!

That paragraph is another piece of evidence that shows Obama’s lack of regard for the bible being God’s unadulterated book of God-inspired truth and the ONLY book of truth for mankind to follow!  No one could pay me to say what Obama said in front of all those people and for the world to see!

He closed the feast by saying the following:

“So tonight, we celebrate a great religion, and its commitment to justice and progress.  We honor the contributions of America’s Muslims, and the positive example that so many of them set through their own lives.  And we rededicate ourselves to the work of building a better and more hopeful world.

So thanks to all of you for taking the time to be here this evening.  I wish you all a very blessed Ramadan.  And with that, I think we can start a feast.  I don’t know what’s on the menu, but I’m sure it will be good.  (Laughter.)  Thank you very much, everybody.  (Applause.)”

Islam should be respected but not embraced.

Okay. I do agree with the contributions of many Muslims who have done our country good, but Islam is not coming off as a great religion right now.  I will never forget the number of my Muslim neighbors who cheered when 9/11 happened.  The hatred of our country runs deep and sadly that’s even within many of the Muslims who have decided to make America their home.

Obama has embraced a religion that hates us, that denies Jesus Christ as the Son of God, that doesn’t recognize the bible as God’s only word to mankind and many more things that one can see on this chart that shows the difference between our religions:  Comparison Grid between Christianity and Islamic Doctrine (CARM.org).

I respect Islam as a religion.  I respect Muslims practicing their religion in our country and practicing their rituals and their dress as long as it doesn’t impede upon the safety of our country and its people.  The Muslim people have that right as our constitution dictates.  And oh yes, as long as the right to practice their beliefs doesn’t cause others to compromise their own.

A Call for Self-Examination

My prayer is for President Obama to open his eyes to much that is going wrong with him and his handling of our country.  But most importantly my prayer is for him to examine himself and to truly obey our Lord.

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 2 Corinthians 13:5

And no, there will be no prayers from me for him to die!

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Full text of speech here – http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Iftar-Dinner/

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At first I thought this was some kind of joke, like a Jesus you’d see walking down Hollywood Blvd but no, this guy really believes he’s the reincarnation of Jesus Christ!  That’s the first clue that something isn’t quite right with this “Jesus” as reincarnation isn’t even a biblical teaching!

This Jesus actually has another name.  It’s 48 year old Sergei Torop and according to various sources he’s a Russian ex-traffic police cop who is also married with six kids, one of whom he adopted from one of the single moms in his commune.  Yes, his commune.  Yes, he has a wife and kids.  Not exactly like Jesus of the New Testament and another clue this may be a fake Jesus.  He also has over 5,000 followers and can be found in a remote village near Moscow in Siberia. 

After finding himself unemployed, Sergei claims he had an “awakening” and realized that he’s the second coming of Jesus Christ.  After his “rebirth” in 1991, he gave  himself the name, Vissarion which means “he who give new life.”  He now lives in a tiny town when he named “Abode of Dawn” and calls his new religion, “Church of the Last Testament.” Torop even has writings contained in a nine-volume “Last Testament” with 61 commandments – yet another clue of a wanna be Christ.

There are many articles and interviews done of “Vissarion” but the most thorough bit of information I found is from an inteview done by a Washington Post London correspondent name Kevin Sullivan.  This interview was done in July, 2007.

The entire interview I won’t reprint here, but click on the link in the last paragraph for the complete details.  What I will share are a few highlights that will give us some insight to what this man believes along with scriptures that refute his sayings.  (All scripture is the New King James Version unless otherwise noted) Sergei’s quotes are in italics.

Quotes from Jesus of Siberia

1. “All people on Earth are the children of one Father.”
   False:  John 1:12 – But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

2. “Never there existed any Peculiar or most loved people and never they can be.”
   False: Deutoronomy 14:2 – “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” (King James Version)
3. “When it is necessary, a soul can leave the body and reincarnate again.”
   False: Hebrews 9:27 – And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

4. “God Father is everywhere on earth all the time.  It means that if even two or three people get together, the true Church of God can naturally appear, even if they know nothing of the Living Word.”
   False: Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (One must know the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ for this to be true)
5. “It is not necessary for all people to believe in him, when Living Word comes to earth in a human’s body.”
   False:  John 8:24 – “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
   John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
   
6. “In my nature I’m the Son of God just like all of us. Except for one peculiarity, which allows me to come to earth as his Living Word of God.” (When asked if he believes he’s the Son of God)
   False:   Matthew 24: 23-24  “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

This man is obviously a false Christ and a false teacher.  It’s incredulous that anyone can take him seriously, but many do.  And these aren’t unintelligent people as many are educated that have left good jobs disillusioned with life in the city.

But these people are without excuse as the bible gives us plenty of warnings about false teachers and false christs.

What are the signs (or missing signs) of those who claim to be Christ?

1. Where are the prints in his hands and feet? Like Christ told doubting Thomas who didn’t believe that Jesus was truly the Christ: John 20:27 “Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
   
2. The teaching of anything contrary to the bible should be a major, major warning: Galatians 1:6-9 – I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
3. Christ already shared with us how He would return again – the same way He left but this time with a loud sound letting us know He’s arrived! Not the appearance in a tiny village where most people on earth haven’t even heard of him:  1 Thessalonians 4:16 – “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”
   Acts 1:10-11  – They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

4. Always be aware of anyone trying to add to the Bible or bring about additional revelations as this false christ has tried to do with his “Last Testament.”  Revelations 22:18-19 – “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. ¹⁹And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”

A definite sign of Christ’s return

Let’s always be ready and heed the words of Christ:

“So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.  For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”  Matthew 24:26-27

Video expose of “Visssarion”

___________________

References:

Novel Faiths Find Followers Among Russia’s Disillusioned - The Washington Post
Jesus of Siberia – Prophecy in the News
Jesus of Siberia – The Guardian.co.uk
Ex-Traffic Cop Says he’s Jesus – abcnews.com