January 09

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Why Tony Miano Really Got Arrested, Again

Posted by on January 9, 2014 in General

Miano

Tony Miano, founder of CrossEncounters has been arrested, again.

“Street preacher Tony Miano, who was arrested yesterday (8th January), has been released on bail to appear before Dundee Sheriff Court on 7th April. Police in Scotland arrested the Christian street evangelist after a woman complained that he had spoken about sexual sin.

Tony, a US preacher and a former Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff, was then remanded in custody to appear before Dundee Sheriff Court today (9th January). He was part of a street preaching team holding a week-long mission in Scotland.” (source)

I’m all for missions. I’m all for evangelism. But not the way it is being done in this case, and the reason I am not is because the Bible, quite simply, opposes it.

Before anyone jumps to conclusions here, I would ask that you prayerfully, or at the very least, sincerely, consider what I am about to tell you.

The arrest of Tony Miano, again, this time in Dundee, Scotland, is his own doing. Please don’t call it Christian persecution because it is not. Call it what it is – self-exaltation. Here’s why:

1. Tony is a former law-enforcement officer. Do not think for a moment that he was unaware of the homophobic hate speech laws of Great Britain. He knew. In fact, he’d already been arrested in Wimbledon, England for the same charge. There is no lack of knowledge of law here, there is in fact, prior experience. Knowing the law, he broke it anyway. I dare say that he wanted to be arrested for the attention it would bring, for whatever reason. But that’s not the issue here. He knew the law and he broke it willingly, intentionally. And please do not be so foolish as to tell me he “broke the law to the glory of God.”

2. Tony Miano, in his street preaching, opposes the example of Christ set for us. We are to be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus – not George Whitefield, Wesley or any other open air preacher, and Tony Miano is both opposing our Lord’s example and leading others to do the same.

Brethren, God has spoken and we need to listen and heed. Please see Isaiah 42:1-2; Matthew 12:18-19:

“Behold, My Servant, whom I [a]uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the [b]nations. 2 “He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street.

Footnotes:
Isaiah 42:1 Or hold fast
Isaiah 42:1 Or Gentiles

Street-preaching today is most often defined by loud, confrontational, bull-horn or microphone wielding young men gathered at festivals and events where large numbers are expected. Most, if not all, I dare say, do so without the confirmation of a call to preach, and being sent by the local church, as one having authority. The reputation of street-preachers as confrontational, open-air agitators and debaters is one that has been largely brought upon themselves by their actions. This is unfortunate, and certainly does not serve the Church or the Gospel well. Aside from the obvious fact that many, if not most, should not be preaching at all (neither being called nor sent to do so), there is the example of Christ Jesus that is not being followed.

Isaiah 42:1,2 and Matthew 12:18 and 19 coupled with the Gospels themselves, give a clear example of how Jesus preached – and street preachers should not:

  1. He made no effort to raise His voice in a loud, boisterous, confrontational manner.
  2. He was not screaming or ‘lifting up His voice’ at people telling them to Repent!
  3. He was not contentious, using angry words towards people passing by.
  4. He did not ‘bait’ His hearers into arguments.
  5. He did not encourage debate with scoffers.
  6. Unlike the lying teachers of Scripture, He did not exalt Himself in order to gain attention.
  7. He did not seek to draw attention to Himself.

In America, the second amendment rights from the Constitution should never overshadow the importance of living, or preaching, in Christ’s example. The example and appearance of Christ was gentle, quiet, humble, meek – the opposite of those lying teachers found in Scripture and certainly the very opposite of most modern day street preaching.

I am not accusing Tony Miano of doing everything listed above. But, most notably, Tony Miano opposes our Lord’s example by using microphones and speakers and raises himself on a small platform on the streets to do what God has said our Lord would not and did not do – and He could have! Miano does draw attention to himself in this way. He raises his voice by amplification, etc. All of it opposing our Lord’s example. By doing so, he “breached the peace” and was rightfully arrested.

3. God never told us in Scripture to go out and get people saved. Not once. Show me. Don’t bother brethren, you cannot. It’s not in there.

As Christians, we are to grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ our Lord. We are to be conformed to His likeness and image. Perfect.

Jesus told His disciples, and all of us, “You will be my witnesses” in Acts 1:8. But our Lord never told any of His disciples – and how absurd the thought – “You shall oppose my example and do what I would not. You shall do what is right in your own eyes, that which is opposed to My Holy Word, and get arrested for my glory.”

Tony knew the laws of Great Britain regarding “homophobic hate speech” and as a former law officer, knew better than to waltz in and intentionally, willingly, break them. His actions did not result in Christian persecution, but rightful prosecution of one in defiance of a foreign government, whose laws Tony knew, but thumbed his nose at “for the glory of God.”

In July of 2013, Tony has himself recorded while watching himself being arrested, and discussed, on The O’Reilly Factor of FOX News fame. Why would would anyone do that, and then post a youtube video of it to be broadcast to the world? Hmm.

Brethren, Tony Miano was arrested because he knowingly and intentionally broke the law of the land in which he was present.

Tony Miano was arrested because he knowingly and intentionally acted, behaved and spoke in a manner he knew opposed God’s Word and the example of Jesus Christ.

Tony Miano was arrested in Dundee, Scotland because it seems (and I could be wrong) he wanted to further his ministry by the attention that he would receive from his “persecution” which it was not.

Tony Miano was arrested, again, because he wanted to be.

Tony Miano was arrested because of his pride.

Pride, Tony. Repent.

How bold are you for Christ Jesus? Are you willing to speak the truth before God and man?

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