Restoring hope for homosexuals
A new Christian-based organization has now been birthed to help homosexuals leave the lifestyle.
Anne Paulk, a spokesperson for the Restored Hope Network, lived the lesbian lifestyle until she found Christ 28 years ago. She tells OneNewsNow her group hopes to replace Exodus International -- an organization that once had a biblical purpose but is now trying to please homosexual activists rather than Christ. According to Paulk, Exodus International has embraced an extreme theology related to grace.
"It was kind of an error in the thinking of once saved always saved, saying that a person need no longer confess or repent from their sin, particularly confess," she explains. "So, it removes the cleansing power of 1 John 1:9, which says, 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'"
But Paulk contends that one must embrace the whole gospel. While the Bible does address falling into sin (Hebrews 6:4-6; 1 Timothy 1:19; 2 Peter 2:20-22), The Baptist Faith and Message, for example, declares that "all true believers endure to the end..." (Romans 8:31-39; 2 Timothy 1:12; John 10:27-30; John 6:37-40)
"Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves," it continues. "Yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."
Since the Restored Hope Network was begun, affiliations have increased rapidly. In fact, a conference is planned next month in Oklahoma City to introduce the ministry to people who want to change their sexual orientation.
"We will be covering some pretty deep topics," the Network spokesperson relays. "We actually want to equip people and give them an opportunity for God's healing work to be done during that time. [There will be] some important prayer times, but some fantastic preaching and teaching. We also will have workshops that will help men and women, parents [and] family members," Paulk details.
Anne Paulk, a spokesperson for the Restored Hope Network, lived the lesbian lifestyle until she found Christ 28 years ago. She tells OneNewsNow her group hopes to replace Exodus International -- an organization that once had a biblical purpose but is now trying to please homosexual activists rather than Christ. According to Paulk, Exodus International has embraced an extreme theology related to grace.
"It was kind of an error in the thinking of once saved always saved, saying that a person need no longer confess or repent from their sin, particularly confess," she explains. "So, it removes the cleansing power of 1 John 1:9, which says, 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'"
But Paulk contends that one must embrace the whole gospel. While the Bible does address falling into sin (Hebrews 6:4-6; 1 Timothy 1:19; 2 Peter 2:20-22), The Baptist Faith and Message, for example, declares that "all true believers endure to the end..." (Romans 8:31-39; 2 Timothy 1:12; John 10:27-30; John 6:37-40)
"Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves," it continues. "Yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."
Since the Restored Hope Network was begun, affiliations have increased rapidly. In fact, a conference is planned next month in Oklahoma City to introduce the ministry to people who want to change their sexual orientation.
"We will be covering some pretty deep topics," the Network spokesperson relays. "We actually want to equip people and give them an opportunity for God's healing work to be done during that time. [There will be] some important prayer times, but some fantastic preaching and teaching. We also will have workshops that will help men and women, parents [and] family members," Paulk details.
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