I don't have to much time anymore for blog browsing. So since I've joined a Christian Blog group, I just look around there. I checked my email and found this guest blog at CBO. I'm going to cut and paste here, and include my response. Because....you know me - I can't just sit back and be silent about anything. Here it is.
Matthew 18:6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.11 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas[a]“; still another, “I follow Christ.”13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into[b] the name of Paul?14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name.16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power
Judges 6: 31 But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defendhimself when someone breaks down his altar.”32 So that day they called Gideon “Jerub-Baal, [g] ” saying, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he broke down Baal’s altar.
And here is my response:
You’re right, the world is racing towards Hell. And some of these mega churches are happily helping. Any church/ministry/philosophy/theory that puts the value of ANYTHING above Jesus Christ - is wrong and misleading.
People didn’t flock to Lakeland to hear the gospel - they came for a “miracle”, and many went home disappointed.
People don’t run to Joel Osteen’s church to hear about repenting of their sin’s - they go to hear that’s it’s OK to desire money. They also hear that it’s our God given right to “claim” it.
It’s really sad to me that so many good Christians are willing to turn a blind eye to all of this - under the blanket of “judge not” or “love your enemies”. I can love sinners and saints alike - but I refuse to put my blessing on some of what they preach.
For as many blogs as you see that “attack” these people - I can show at least one that blindly defends them to the death. Where is the thoughtful plea for those blogs to watch what they are so fiercely defending.
Who am I to judge? I love the Lord - and if one of these “megachurches” causes my brother to sin - I will absolutely speak out. Because as the Bible said - it would be better for them to drown. That verse is a 2 way street when applied like that.
I can’t tell these people that they are going to Hell. I don’t know that - only God knows a man’s heart. But I can judge what they’re preaching. I can hold it up to The Word Of God and decide for myself if what they say matches up. Sadly, so many times it doesn’t. And if I choose to pass that information along - I would hope that what I say would be taken into consideration - not immediately dismissed and forgotten. I’m going to assume you would wish for the same with your above article.
I’m not condemning what you’re saying - I have seen “hate blogs” - which to me is just as bad as “blindly defensive” blogs. I don’t agree with calling Todd Bentley an adulterous sinner on his way to hell. (which I’ve seen) But I would hope that someone could see that Actions do speak louder than words, and his actions don’t really inspire me to trust him or what he’s said. That’s just a general example that popped to mind.
Either way you look at it - it’s simply irresponsible for any Christian to just unconditionally accept any doctrine just because the teacher claims he’s “heard from God” or “seen the light” ect, ect…
Satan talked to God, and demons admit that He is Lord. we have to our God given common sense for the rest.
I'm not trying to throw down the gauntlet, or slam this guy - I do believe his pleas are sincere, and I agree with it, to a point. But we have to keep asking ourselves - when does acceptance turn into blindness? When do we finally admit that the blind are leading the blind? Hey, we all know the end times are here - the Bible has many prophecies that have been fulfilled. Well, there's prophecies about false prophets too - did God want us to ignore them all? Seems like there'd be a few somewhere, seeing as God warns us about them. Several times.
I stick to my guns about this one - they're out there folks. They're infiltrating your churches, and creeping into our Christian worlds.
Raise your hand if you thought satan would be content to only attack secular venues, and leave our churches alone. Raise your hand if you think we're magically protected from said attacks simply because we all claim to be Christians. Raise your hand if you think it's going to stop.
Didn't think so.
Posts
4 comments:
Lorikate, you said the right thing God Bless You for setting the record staright. if only these pastors know the dangerous effects of their messages they would truly repent but since some have made it their point of duty to always play it safe and "not offend" I hope they read Ephesians 5:8-14 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
It is so sad to know that many Christians don't want to stand for the truth they want to be able to serve God and still be in the World
God Bless you sis
It's ironic that the original author of that plea said the words "mega churches/TV ministries" and "the world is racing towards Hell" in the same breath.
Not all of them do, but MANY errant apostate mega churches and TV ministries are doing exactly that -- sending people to hell! What's worse: they are sending people who think they are going to heaven to a mega disappointment when they finally touch eternity.
Oh LoriKate...how I missed your blog while you were on "hiatus!" Welcome back! I see you have your badge firmly in place!!
First off, let me say that the person you quoted went about it the right way and didn't attack people. Barring that, I see a few holes in his argument. No where does it say not to question something being preached. I have a verse, Timothy 1:3b,4: "...that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor pay attention to myths and endless geanealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather then furthering the administration of God which is by faith." Now, first thing I notice, we have Paul exhorting someone to "instruct" those who teach. Second, we have to make sure that what is being taught is, basically, furthering the kingdom of God. Now I read the whole verse to make sure it was in context, and he says a lot in that first verse, but verse 15 caught my attention. It tells what Jesus came to earth for...and that was to save sinners. It says nothing about prosperity, healing (although He did plenty of that) or to show miracles. So shouldn't are foremost goal be to bring the message of salvation rather then signs and wonders? I would hope so.
Post a Comment