Thank you for your further replies, Dmac. I'm just going to address the second and shorter one first, because it contained an instance of what I would consider cussing. That is something that we should avoid:
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8 )
It would be better to use a more neutral term like "angry" or "frustrated". Using cuss words is against the forum rules, but more than that, it sets a bad example to others and can cause confusion in Christian and non-Christian readers alike, because the use of plainly unholy language by someone who is supposed to be of Christ is jarring.
Granted, the word you used is not the worst, and it does appear in a small number of places in the KJV (in its original sense of "urination"). However, in modern times, it tends to be used in a slightly vulgar way, so unless you're quoting any of the verses with the word (in which case, you obviously couldn't avoid typing or saying it), I think it's best to not use it in your regular communication.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying a little down time now and then, and I do sometimes like to fire up one of my driving games at night to unwind a little. But there are a couple of verses in 1 Corinthians that apply to things like video games:
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Corinthians 6:12)
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. (1 Corinthians 10:23)
The word
expedient means things like fit, suitable, proper, useful or profitable. So to apply this to video games, there is no law against them in the Bible, or against games in general. But we still have to consider whether a particular game we like is expedient. The phrase "I will not be brought under the power of any" speaks directly to addiction. I am not under the power of the driving games I play, but I certainly was under the power of the American football and soccer games that I gave up. Are games edifying? Not especially. Maybe a game with a Biblical focus (for instance a trivia quiz to help you better memorise passages) could be somewhat edifying. But some (only really a small number) may be expedient in terms of serving a legitimate educational purpose.
Psalm 101:3 tells us to set no wicked thing before our eyes, which immediately rules out a substantial number of video games with their witchcraft, demonic creatures, immodestly-dressed characters and so on. Not every video game has obviously wicked things in it. But even those that don't may engender wicked behaviour. For instance, a lot of video games are centred around online competition. This creates pride issues. Either you get puffed up if you win, or angry (due to wounded pride) if you lose. Many of them encourage covetousness, because you're always chasing particular prizes and so on.
When it comes to shooter games, I think one question that you should consider is: are they edifying? I find it difficult to imagine how a shooter game would be edifying, because it's full of violence as a general rule. Is it edifying to fill your mind with images of killing, not to mention blood and gore, even if you're only killing animated characters? Do shooter games pass this test?
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 ) Then too, there's the anger the games generate in you at times. I used to get angry playing my football games (mainly due to frustration at losing, or irritation with faulty gameplay), and it was not healthy at all. If something is likely to cause you to commit a particular sin, is it really a good thing for you to keep exposing yourself to temptation?
It may seem like I'm giving you a bit of a hard time here, but that's not my intention. My main aim with all this is just to encourage you to consider your activities in the light of Scripture. Judge them spiritually rather than carnally. (See 1 Corinthians 2:15.) I do try to do that with my own games (the few that I still play). Do I like them and do they bring me enjoyment? Yes, but that's only carnal judgement. Spiritual judgement includes asking questions like: Am I under their power? Are they edifying? Are they expedient in terms of being useful in some way? Do they contain wicked things that I shouldn't be setting before my eyes? Am I redeeming my time wisely when playing them? Also, are they generating any pride, or anger, or other sinful behaviours? When we judge things carnally, we're only concerned with what pleases our flesh. When we judge things spiritually, then we're thinking about what is pleasing to the Lord. Spiritual judgement also means seeing the bigger picture.
So anyway, those are some thoughts on your smaller post. Now for your larger post!
Firstly, I would agree that what the preacher in your old church said was heresy. What kind of church was that, anyway? It sounds like you grew up around people who believed in not only works salvation, but conditional security. The doctrine that you can lose your salvation is heresy that should be steered well clear of. Of course, there are some who fall away, but they were never saved to begin with.
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (Luke 8:13)
"These have no root" is what is key there. It means they were not born again. They were false converts. The "falling away" doesn't refer to the occasional slip-up, or even a period of backsliding, which can happen to us all, but a complete departure from the faith. Like when someone who may have professed Christianity for a while suddenly comes out and declares that they are now an atheist. Such a person was never saved. Therefore, they had no salvation to lose. We cannot earn salvation by works, nor can we keep it by works. We ARE KEPT by the power of God (1 Peter 1:5). We don't keep it by our own efforts, any more than we could be saved by our own efforts. Salvation is by grace alone, and the eternal nature of it is by grace as well.
I would think that belief in eternal security is a pretty big deal, actually, especially because, as I said above, it's a question of grace vs. works. That said, when people first come to Christ, they can certainly have a few wrong beliefs. But it shouldn't be too long before the Holy Spirit straightens them out on some key doctrines. If someone who has been a Christian for five minutes believes in conditional security, I would be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt (though I would try to set them straight). But if someone has been a Christian for several years and still believed it, I would be extremely concerned for their soul.
Regarding Steven Anderson as a "comedian", there is nothing wrong with a little bit of humour or levity in a sermon once in a while. However, if a preacher is entertaining you more than edifying you, there is a problem. If a sermon is more of a performance, then there is a pretty high likelihood that the preacher is more concerned with his own glory than the edification of his hearers.
I'm not sure what you mean when you say that Romans 1 is not talking about homosexuals. If you mean the chapter taken as a whole, I would agree. The chapter is addressing all manner of unbelievers. It is describing the spiritual decline of those who reject God. However, some specific verses in that chapter ARE talking about homosexuals:
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Romans 1:26-27)
That is one of the most explicit condemnations of homosexuality in the New Testament. But again, the chapter taken as a whole is talking about far more than just homosexuals.
What you say about cults believing they have the truth and everyone else being wrong is spot on. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6), and His Word is truth (John 17:17). That is where truth is found, not in any specific church. But what cults do, in their pride, is say THEY have the truth. This makes them become lifted up in their hearts, and the same is true of the members (if you think you're part of the "one true church", it can make you VERY puffed up). Rather than love those who don't agree with them, they usually despise them as inferiors. It is also true that the Pharisees were a lot like that as well. Certainly not attitudes that we should be having! Christians should always be aiming to win souls to Christ, not a church or way of thinking.
