Israel Folau given his livelihood back despite efforts of Bible haters – but at what price?

1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

The enemies of God came out in force last year to make sure that a man widely considered one of the greatest rugby players in the world, Israel Folau, would lose his job simply for taking a stand for God.

Israel Folau was seen as the star of the Australian rugby union international side which was preparing for last autumn’s World Cup and a major star in the Australian league.

However, as far as the utterly illiberal so-called “liberals” were concerned, there was a major problem – Israel Folau is a professing Christian.

And worse still, he wasn’t shy about stating it.

And even worse again, he wasn’t shy about condemning the ultimate fashionable sin of the age – sodomy.

No doubt all readers will have had to reach for the smelling salts to revive themselves after having been confronted with such a ghastly report of such a ghastly individual as someone who would dare to challenge the ultra-trendy anti-God brigade’s sacred cow of sodomy.

Imagine somebody not falling down before the secular deity of this age – the sodomite.

Of course, Israel Folau’s crime was to echo the words of 1 Corinthians 6 reproduced above in an Instagram post, which you can see pictured at the top of this article.

Amid the contrived furore surrounding Israel Folau’s online post, he was sacked by Rugby Australia and found himself unemployed.

He then took legal action against Rugby Australia, and just last month he received an undisclosed payout and apology. He was still sacked, though.

But now this month he has switched code to rugby league and will play for Super League side Catalans Dragons, based in France.

Cue more outrage from those who despise the setting forth of God’s Word.

A BBC report on Folau’s latest move from a Dave Woods, who is apparently a BBC rugby league correspondent, states that “the whole game is appalled by Catalans’ decision to sign Israel Folau”.

He continued: “It’s fair to say he will not be welcome at any domestic Super League grounds.

“Wigan’s immediate reaction to declare that their home game against Catalans will now be a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community is a reflection of the sentiments of every other Super League club.

“It’s rare to see such a united front from both the Super League and RFL in their condemnation of this signing.”

If Dave Woods’ comments are accurate, it is a very sad reflection on British society that they would be so opposed to someone even being able to make a living while holding the views he does.

It is ok apparently to speak out in favour of that which God has cursed, but how dare anyone stand up and say they agree with the Bible.

Persecution is on its way in the UK, dear Christian.

While it is pleasing that a club was willing to employ Israel Folau, it is sad to see the comments by him and others on signing this deal.

The BBC reports that “Super League chief executive chairman Robert Elstone said “strict guidelines are in place” to avoid Folau again making such comments and warned that a repeat would see the player’s contract being “terminated immediately”. Catalans also face a “substantial fine” if Folau was to do so.”

For his part, Israel Folau said: “I’m a proud Christian, my beliefs are personal, my intention is not to hurt anyone and I will not be making further public comment about them.”

So they have come to a truce, Israel Folau doesn’t say he’s a Christian or share his beliefs and the rugby authorities let him get on with it.

Ironically, it’s rather like the old approach formerly taken by the American armed forces towards homosexual recruits of “don’t ask, don’t tell”.

That is now, of course, considered just a dreadfully awful thing by the Bible-rejecters, who think it such a terrible thing that these individuals’ sins were not celebrated.

But Israel Folau has compromised himself by publicly stating he will cease to declare that homosexuality is a sin.

That is a sad thing.

As we have previously said, we would have concerns over the church Israel Folau is connected with, but have commended him for his refusal to kowtow to the extreme pressure placed upon him to renounce his views.

Acknowledging that pressure, we will not be overly critical of him for giving in to some extent but it is sad that he has taken this approach.

However, what we can learn from this whole episode is that the world at large is no friend of the child of God and we must ever look to Him for our comfort in this world.

Hebrews 13:13-14: “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”

Jacob Stockdale joins Hillsong leader in attacking Israel Folau for Biblical stance on sodomy

Ulster and Ireland rugby star Jacob Stockdale has again made some very disappointing comments for a professing Christian by condemning Australian rugby star Israel Folau for stating the Biblical position on homosexuality.

Stockdale, who is involved with Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church in Dromore, County Down and whose father is a Presbyterian prison chaplain, said Folau was “preaching all the wrong things about Christianity”.

This follows on from a previous interview Jacob Stockdale gave to the Presbyterian Herald, in which he stated that he went drinking with his team mates and outlined his opposition to the Biblical principle of separation, which you can read about by clicking here.

And he has now joined the leader of the utterly ungodly Hillsong Church movement, Brian Houston (pictured, below) in condemning Israel Folau for simply repeating what the Bible has to say.

Let us remember what Israel Folau said, or indeed posted on his Instagram page.

His post, which is pictured at the top of this article, stated:

WARNING: Drunks, Homosexuals, Adulterers, Liars, Fornicators, Thieves, Atheists, Idolaters – HELL AWAITS YOU. REPENT! ONLY JESUS SAVES.

This is taken from the following passage in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, which says: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

So Israel Folau was simply repeating what the Bible says but Jacob Stockdale appears to be claiming to know better than God’s Word, saying Israel Folau is “preaching all the wrong things about Christianity”.

Does that mean Jacob Stockdale strokes that passage from his copy of the Bible?

The wrath and judgement of God is a crucial aspect of Christianity, just as is His love and mercy.

Were there no punishment for sin, then why would we need or desire God’s love or mercy?

Paul, in his first letter to the believers at Thessalonika, stated that Jesus had delivered those who were saved “from the wrath to come”.

Jesus spoke of “the wrath to come” in His time on earth (Matthew 3:7) and warned that we ought to “fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Is this what Jacob Stockdale considers to be “all the wrong things about Christianity”?

Jesus and the Apostle Paul both preached the judgment of God, yet Jacob Stockdale seems to be opposed to this.

It is very disappointing he could not side with Israel Folau, but instead sides with the LGBT agenda which is spreading like wildfire through our country.

This is what Jacob Stockdale said in an interview with the Irish Times: “From a religious point of view, it preaches all the wrong things about Christianity. It preaches God is a spiteful God, a hateful God. You are going to hell. You are going to burn in hell. Realistically, God is an all loving God. He’s a forgiving God.

“Going back to Israel Folau that’s the point he missed, that’s the point he didn’t talk about. As a Christian and rugby player it was very disappointing. For me Israel Folau wasn’t respectful of other people.

“As a Christian and a professional sports person you don’t want to divide people. You don’t want to alienate people.

“You want people to feel comfortable coming to watch you play rugby. You want people to feel comfortable coming to support you knowing why you believe and knowing what kind of person you are.”

There are a great many things we could highlight from those quotes and, to (hopefully!) prevent the article becoming too lengthy, we will address just some of it.

Saying that Israel Folau, by quoting the Bible, is preaching a “hateful” and “spiteful God”, is a very foolish thing to do.

Jacob Stockdale goes on to say it is hateful to say that people are going to hell and that God is an “all loving” and “forgiving God”.

Certainly God is a God of love, He is patient and He is willing and able to forgive us of our sins.

2 Peter 3:9 says: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

But there are consequences for failing to repent of our sins.

Revelation 21:8 outlines this. It says: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Romans 6:23 reminds us that the “wages of sin is death” and Jesus said in Luke 13:3 that “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”.

We are all under a death sentence for sin and the only way to be saved from it is to place our faith and trust in Christ and repent of our sins.

This is the central message of the gospel, yet Jacob Stockdale seems to think it is wrong for Israel Folau to mention it.

He also unfairly and inaccurately claims that Israel Folau “didn’t talk about” God’s forgiveness. In the caption Israel Folau placed beside the post he shared, he said that “Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him”.

It’s pretty clear that claim by Jacob Stockdale is wrong.

And he concludes by saying that you “don’t want to divide people” or “alienate” them.

Certainly it is not desirable to do that, but at what cost?

Do professing Christians, to save from offending the unsaved, refuse to tell them what the Bible says and the judgement God has in store if they don’t repent?

God forbid.

Paul, as he bid farewell to those in the church at Ephesus, said in Acts 20:26-27: “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men . For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”

Paul hadn’t just told people the nice bits of the love, mercy, lovingkindness and salvation of God, but he had preached the consequences of sin, he had preached the punishment of the unrepentant. In doing so, he had discharged his duty and the blood of the people of Ephesus was not on his hands.

He was a good watchman (see Ezekiel 33).

If Jacob Stockdale is refusing to tell others of the consequences of their sin so as not to offend or “alienate” them, then the same could not be said of him.

Jacob Stockdale’s idea of not dividing people is also an unscriptural one.

Jesus states this Himself in Matthew 10:34-35, which says: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”

Jacob Stockdale’s idea of not offending people is also an unscriptural one.

1 Peter 2:7-8 says: “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient”.

As we have stated, we should not set out to offend people, but we “ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

But it is not up to us if people will listen or not, if they will be offended or not, all we can do is discharge our duty and warn of God’s judgement.

Ezekiel 2:7 says: “And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.”

Sadly, it would appear that Jacob Stockdale is not prepared to do this.

As we stated before, Jacob Stockdale is seen as a role model by many young Christians and is in a position where he could take an incredibly powerful stand for God.

It is most disappointing that he is instead criticising Israel Folau (whose church links we would have considerable reservations over but he is clearly right in this instance) for taking a stand on this key battleground in the drive by God-defiers and God-deniers to attack Christianity.

We would once again urge Jacob Stockdale in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to “consider your ways” (Haggai 1:5) and take what would prove to be a mighty stand for God.

And we would urge anyone reading this to take that same stand for God and speak out against that which is contrary to God and His Word and never be afraid to “declare all the counsel of God”.

2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

Hillsong leader attacks Israel Folau for standing against sodomy

1 Corinthians 6:9-10: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

There have been many headlines written in recent weeks following a social media post by the leading Australian rugby player, Israel Folau, in which he posted an image stating that homosexuals, among many other groups of sinners, would go to hell if they don’t repent.

The post uploaded by Israel Folau on Instagram was based on the Scripture passage we have included at the top of the article.

Despite the fact that the image Israel Folau shared makes no difference between any of the sins specified, the mention of homosexuals was enough to get the poor sensitive souls reading it all in a fluster, demanding that Israel Folau, widely considered the best rugby player in Australia, be ditched by his national team.

Those efforts appear to have been successful as Israel Folau’s contract was ended by Rugby Australia, although we understand he may well be challenging the decision.

It certainly is a sad day when simply repeating what the Bible says is rewarded with the loss of your livelihood.

And it is sadder still when the leader of an influential, supposedly Christian church, has criticised Israel Folau for taking a stand for scriptural truth.

However, that is exactly what has happened with Hillsong Church leader Brian Houston castigating Israel Folau for merely being consistent with the teachings of the Bible.

He said: “As Christians it is equally important to look at ourselves and our own failings and imperfections.

“If you look at the list of sins that Izzy listed there’s not too many people he’s left out, including Christians. There isn’t a person on earth who hasn’t told a lie or put something before God (idolatry).

“In 40 years of telling people about the good news of Jesus, I have seen that the ‘turn or burn’, approach to proclaiming the message of Christianity alienates people. Scaring people doesn’t draw them into the love of Jesus.

“The world doesn’t need more judgmental Christians.”

The New Zealand Herald also reported that “Houston also said he hopes Folau grows to understand the importance of Christians loving even those who believe differently, and believes the rugby star could benefit from looking inwardly before judging others”.

Now certainly it is right and proper that all professing Christians examine themselves, and we are instructed to do so in the Scriptures.

2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

But if Christians were waiting until they were perfect before they denounced sin, then nobody would ever criticise any sin and would have to turn a blind eye to all manner of evil around them.

This is clearly unscriptural.

We are told in Ephesians 5:11 to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them”.

Jude v 3 tells us to “earnestly contend for the faith”.

How can you instruct or implore anyone to turn away from sin without pointing out that which is sinful? How are people to know what is sinful unless they are told what is sinful?

Yet Brian Houston is advocating refusing to preach the full counsel of God.

He has rejected the notion of warning people about hell. Yet Jesus didn’t shun what Brian Houston calls the “turn or burn” approach.

Matthew 23:33: “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”

So Jesus warned against ending up in hell, yet Brian Houston of Hillsong disagrees with the approach of the One Whom he claims to be proclaiming.

Not only that, Brian Houston claims that “scaring people doesn’t draw them into the love of Jesus”.

Once again, let’s hear what Jesus Himself actually has to say on the matter.

Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Jesus says we ought to fear Him and be afraid of His power in being able to condemn sinners to an eternity in hell.

That is what Jesus preached, yet Brian Houston claims to know better. Who do you believe?

Brian Houston would be far better preaching that an eternity in hell awaits those who don’t repent of their sin.

After all, how can anyone preach that you must be saved without telling people what there is to be saved from?

Of course, however, the so called ‘megachurch’ Hillsong is very clearly, to any who choose to look, an organisation which acts in defiance to God.

One of its leading figures, Joel Timothy Houston, has previously tweeted his rejection of the Biblical account of creation, instead choosing to back the utterly anti-Scriptural ‘Big Bang Theory’.

And to get an increased flavour of the ungodly nature of Hillsong, you can read this very good article on the ‘Protestant Standard’ website by clicking here.

So it can come as little surprise when we see Israel Folau being condemned by that church’s leader for taking a stand for Biblical morality.

We may not agree with everything that Folau believes, we simply do not know, though there would be concern at the fact his church is apparently part of the Australian Christian Churches group, which Brian Houston was, until recently, the leader of.

Certainly, being in fellowship with Hillsong in any way is very concerning indeed.

And we would encourage anyone reading this not to have anything to do with Hillsong and not to support it in any way.

2 Corinthians 6:17: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing”.