Seems even the Christian Research Institute has fallen to the spirit of the age.

Though the article is not on-line, the author was interviewed by Todd Wilken of Issues Etc..

As usual, the author was spouting how the true Christian does not judge by appearance since God looks on the heart. But doesn't the true Christian realize the outside is a reflection of what's on the inside?

Actually, if these people weren’t so wrapped up in appearances, why are they in such a rush to look like every other slob on the streets today? Even those that got them in the military know doubt did so as a result of peer pressure and often regret having done so later in life often after coming to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

But unlike previous generations or those with some class about them who later felt a godly sense of shame and exhibited repentance over what they had done or at least try not to draw attention to themselves, those getting them nowadays in light of our therapeutic Winfreyite culture have to tell everyone and expect all those hearing about it to offer up a hearty round of applause or be prepared to face the ubiquitous charges of prejudice and closemindedness (they'd probably even work in allegations of racism and homophobia if they could).

If the church does not get a hold of this nonsense, eventually you won't be able to join a church unless you are willing to get a tattoo since you won't be deemed devoted enough to the whims of the group just as many Purpose Driven Churches toss the old folks to the curb who don't go along with the heathen jungle music known as "contemporary worship choruses".

Already the rhythms of the savage permeate our sanctuaries. How much longer until some pastor ascends the lectern (note I did not say "pulpit" as many churches have already removed these in these postmodern times) dressed only in a loincloth or with a bamboo stick pierced through their privates and a disk extending their bottom lips, claiming they are dressed this way in solidarity with the unreached people groups and that those pastors adorned in more traditional forms of clerical raiment obviously don’t care so much about the poor.

Christians enamored with such vandalism against the body will dismiss the entire matter as an issue of culture. Then if that's the case, why do the rest of us have to change to suit these grubby libertines?

Copyright 2006 by Frederick Meekins

Frederick Meekins
Issachar Bible Church & Apologetics Research Institute