Responce to Attack Dogs article from Christianity Today
A read a article a couple weeks ago titled "Attack Dogs of Christendom" from Christianity Today.
Here is that link.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/august/23.52.html
Im no big fan of this magazine because of their lack of discernment but
this quote from the article struck me-
"Where is the gentleness, modesty, and wisdom with which we are supposed to shame those who mock and accuse the Body of Christ from outside?
Christians should set an example. By all means criticize fellow Christians if necessary, but do so with grace." end quote
Then I read this verse in the Bible-
2 Timothy 2:23-26
"But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient,
in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth
and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
In the above mentioned article I think what was being referred to was a matter of style.
Yes lets point out error when need be but lets do it with humility and gentleness so the outcome will be that some may come to their senses because God has used us to wake them up.
As of late many in the discernment ministries have become very harsh and bitter.
What name calling does is turn people off to the very truth about error you seek to expose.
I know I've done it as well.
Your words can come back to haunt you and in these days of the Internet its harder to get rid of what you have stated than you would think.
I was recently on Richard Abanes website and I saw his rumour control link and then had to come face to face with the many stupid unChristlike things I have said in the past.
What happens is unChristlike name calling takes away from the truth you are proclaiming.
And then you have your small crowd of yes and ameners as the only one's to preach to.
And that is preaching to the choir and it really does not do anything for the Body of Christ at large.
Discernment ministries can also be mean and unChristlike to their own ranks.
I could give you some examples of that but whats the point.
I find that ones personal life will often affect ones writing so with a dedication to our readers we really owe it to them to examine ourselves daily.
2 Cor 13:5"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? ––unless indeed you are disqualified."
Sometimes we need to take five and really read what we have written.
And at times apologize for being out of line.
Lets not take pot shots at Dan Kimbals hair or love of Brian Seltzer music but instead focus on the occult rituals Dan promotes in his book and articles such as the labyrinth.
Scripture teaches us to be patient with difficult people.
Do we do that or do we just use our personal websites and blogs to blast others.
I also understand that people see whats going on and want to passionately respond to the affects that things like Purpose Driven has had on family and friends.
For me I have personally witnessed many fall into the unbiblical snare that has been cast by people such as Rick Warren and Hybels as well.
Its very difficult to not to launch out on this heresy.
But we owe it to our readers to just state the facts on whats being taught (with a sense of urgency).
And then compare it to what scripture teaches.
Then people need to decide for themselves.
We also need to keep in mind that I believe we are in the time of the great falling away mentioned in scripture in 2 Thess 2:3.
So we should not be surprised when Rick Warrens man made programs work and fill seats and make profit for the businessmen who now rum our churches.
We should also not be surprised that after countless warnings and exposes people still send Benny Hinn money.
Robert Titlon and Peter Popoff are back with a host of other false teachers.
And sadly Jim Baker is back to selling stuff on TV after repenting of all the same actions.
Again keep in mind this verse and search the Scriptures in everything that is taught to see if its true.
I was personally heart broken when I saw that another church I used to go to has caved into the Purpose Driven program which will be launching again at the end of this month.
Rick Warren has been very successful in taking the Holy Spirit out of the equation with his programs and its fruit is that of a weakened Christianity.
Another church in town to my surprise ran the Purpose Driven Life program which surprised me because this was a independent fundamental Baptist church.
They now have a program where if you attend on a regular basis and bring friends you earn points and have a chance to win 50.00 dollars.
Paying people to come to your church what a sad day for this church indeed.
Sad to see the fruit of Rick Warren and others who choose to follow the broad road.
There will be a day where there will be no turning back and you will remain deceived.
So for all the discernment ministries evaluate your style of writing so that it will be effective in aiding the Body of Christ in this time of great deception.
Recently Ingrid Schulter's website "Slice of Laodecia" has shut down for whatever reason.
My hope for Ingrid is that she will stand back and take a good look at herself and her writing as well as her often unChristlike attitude toward others in her writing. I also pray that God heals whatever problem is really bothering her to affect her writing and communication with others.
2 Thess 2:3-12
"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Here is that link.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/august/23.52.html
Im no big fan of this magazine because of their lack of discernment but
this quote from the article struck me-
"Where is the gentleness, modesty, and wisdom with which we are supposed to shame those who mock and accuse the Body of Christ from outside?
Christians should set an example. By all means criticize fellow Christians if necessary, but do so with grace." end quote
Then I read this verse in the Bible-
2 Timothy 2:23-26
"But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient,
in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth
and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
In the above mentioned article I think what was being referred to was a matter of style.
Yes lets point out error when need be but lets do it with humility and gentleness so the outcome will be that some may come to their senses because God has used us to wake them up.
As of late many in the discernment ministries have become very harsh and bitter.
What name calling does is turn people off to the very truth about error you seek to expose.
I know I've done it as well.
Your words can come back to haunt you and in these days of the Internet its harder to get rid of what you have stated than you would think.
I was recently on Richard Abanes website and I saw his rumour control link and then had to come face to face with the many stupid unChristlike things I have said in the past.
What happens is unChristlike name calling takes away from the truth you are proclaiming.
And then you have your small crowd of yes and ameners as the only one's to preach to.
And that is preaching to the choir and it really does not do anything for the Body of Christ at large.
Discernment ministries can also be mean and unChristlike to their own ranks.
I could give you some examples of that but whats the point.
I find that ones personal life will often affect ones writing so with a dedication to our readers we really owe it to them to examine ourselves daily.
2 Cor 13:5"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? ––unless indeed you are disqualified."
Sometimes we need to take five and really read what we have written.
And at times apologize for being out of line.
Lets not take pot shots at Dan Kimbals hair or love of Brian Seltzer music but instead focus on the occult rituals Dan promotes in his book and articles such as the labyrinth.
Scripture teaches us to be patient with difficult people.
Do we do that or do we just use our personal websites and blogs to blast others.
I also understand that people see whats going on and want to passionately respond to the affects that things like Purpose Driven has had on family and friends.
For me I have personally witnessed many fall into the unbiblical snare that has been cast by people such as Rick Warren and Hybels as well.
Its very difficult to not to launch out on this heresy.
But we owe it to our readers to just state the facts on whats being taught (with a sense of urgency).
And then compare it to what scripture teaches.
Then people need to decide for themselves.
We also need to keep in mind that I believe we are in the time of the great falling away mentioned in scripture in 2 Thess 2:3.
So we should not be surprised when Rick Warrens man made programs work and fill seats and make profit for the businessmen who now rum our churches.
We should also not be surprised that after countless warnings and exposes people still send Benny Hinn money.
Robert Titlon and Peter Popoff are back with a host of other false teachers.
And sadly Jim Baker is back to selling stuff on TV after repenting of all the same actions.
Again keep in mind this verse and search the Scriptures in everything that is taught to see if its true.
I was personally heart broken when I saw that another church I used to go to has caved into the Purpose Driven program which will be launching again at the end of this month.
Rick Warren has been very successful in taking the Holy Spirit out of the equation with his programs and its fruit is that of a weakened Christianity.
Another church in town to my surprise ran the Purpose Driven Life program which surprised me because this was a independent fundamental Baptist church.
They now have a program where if you attend on a regular basis and bring friends you earn points and have a chance to win 50.00 dollars.
Paying people to come to your church what a sad day for this church indeed.
Sad to see the fruit of Rick Warren and others who choose to follow the broad road.
There will be a day where there will be no turning back and you will remain deceived.
So for all the discernment ministries evaluate your style of writing so that it will be effective in aiding the Body of Christ in this time of great deception.
Recently Ingrid Schulter's website "Slice of Laodecia" has shut down for whatever reason.
My hope for Ingrid is that she will stand back and take a good look at herself and her writing as well as her often unChristlike attitude toward others in her writing. I also pray that God heals whatever problem is really bothering her to affect her writing and communication with others.
2 Thess 2:3-12
"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
posted by Tim Wirth | 3:09 PM
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