From time to time we get watchdoggies (watchdoggie apologists) point out that Elijah made fun of the prophets of Baal or that Paul was quite forceful with Judaizers, or some other such example of an OT prophet or NT apostle going all buck nasty on someone. The latest was Mike Ratliff in the comments.

So the question I have here is this: why is it ok to use the example of men who were in direct contact with God as a template for behavior, and ignore their admonitions to peace, gentleness, kindness, and humility?

I’ve asked this like 4,000 times, but I guess I’ll just continue asking until I get a reasonable response.

In Part I of this article, we examined what, according to the Hebrew Scriptures, the people of Israel were “chosen” for:

1. They were to be blessed in order that they would pass that blessing on to the world.
2. They are to live in such a way that the world may know that Yahweh is God, the one and only true God, of the world.

When we reconnect with the people of Israel in the gospel accounts, 400 years have passed, during which time they have demonstrated that their ‘addiction’ to worshipping other gods has finally been cured. Without this change of heart, it would be impossible to claim Yahweh as the One and only God.
Where their struggle laid was with the fulfillment of their ‘chosenness’ – being freed from the bondage of their sin and the continual need for sacrificial atonement, and understanding how to live in the ‘kingdom of God’ – the orthopraxy of ‘being a blessing’ and ‘living in such a way that the world may know that Yahweh is God’.

Jesus’ Mission

When Simeon blesses the 8-day-old Jesus in Luke 2:30-32, he uses a turn of phrase that sometimes we miss in the English translation:

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.

Taken literally, Simeon says that Jesus will be a light to bring light to the Gentiles, which hearkens back to the language of God to Abraham, who would be blessed to be a blessing to the world. In John’s gospel account, his opening statements describe Jesus in similar fashion:

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

This language is not accidental. If he was to be the Messiah, then his purpose would have to be the purpose of his people.

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In his article “A Storm is Coming“ brother Ken Silva plays the trump card. He says that those that are being deceived are not saved, that is why they cannot hear his words. God is a stranger to them and therefore Ken’s words are rejected. He says: 

“The children of their father the Devil also follow him because they know his voice. Can you see that this would mean God is a stranger to them and that’s why they cannot hear what we are telling them.”

And in the very next paragraph he says, “Keep in mind that if we are teaching people from the Bible and they respond in anger or fear, you now know the reason why. And no, we will not know for sure whether they are saved or not, but because of this backward time in which we are now living my brothers and sisters, we are going to have to turn away from prevailing views of “love” and instead – “judge righteous judgment”

The lava flow you see is the incredible pride connected with this teaching. The reason some cannot hear what Ken is telling them is that they are not saved. Warren, Bell, Hybels, Graham, and all the rest are not saved. So instead of preaching the gospel to them Ken rebukes them with words they cannot hear because if they were saved they surely would agree with him. The self serving “spokesmen for the remnant” settings in which they place themselves INSURES that no one will listen, even when they might be legitimately used. Although I am one who sees a falling away, I am also one who knows there are probably some who I would not see as saved who are.

Think about it, if I am not saved and I read his article am I going to say, “Wait a minute, the reason I do not agree with Ken is that I am not saved!”. When you leave presenting a calm, confrontational, and Scriptural argument about truth you must now play the “unsaved” card which is the Siamese twin of the “God’s insight” card. I am a seer so I can see that you are not saved. And the reason I know this – you don’t agree with me. There must be a deeper Greek word for arrogance that applies here.

I don’t normally address the fringe watchdoggie websites here. However, since a Paula decided to grace us with her presence, I decided to check out her blog. The first article I found really revealed how most of the watchdoggies are operating these days. Paula found an article about a scandal that took place at Calvary Baptist Church of Yorba Linda (no link provided). The story was as follows:

YORBA LINDA – A three-member faction of the board of Calvary Baptist Church of Yorba Linda that opposed informing members of alleged misdeeds by two former pastors gained control of the church Sunday night.

The three met without the other two board members Saturday to pick five new board members, who were all approved by a vote of the congregation Sunday night.

Members who wanted to nominate other candidates were silenced by board member James Hutchings, who told them, “If you can’t get with us, then go.”

Paula’s one and only closing remark was

Well looks as though they’re lining up the yes-men! And YES they are PD, in case you hadn’t guessed.

I nearly rolled over with laughter. Does she really believe that Purpose-Driven theology caused this church drama? And I would find it very hard to swallow that she actually believes that Purpose Driven churches are the only ones with church splits, hostile board take-overs or leadership scandals. I have been to pleanty of good ol’ fundamentalist churches where business meetings looked more like a war zone than a house of worship. Next time I hear of a church splitting over the color of the carpet, I should probably blame it on the church’s theology. Again, sound like the juicy headlines are out of season these days.

It seems to be a new Christian [bad]Research Network tactic to take great quotes from Christian leaders and make frail attempts to discredit them. Sometimes I wonder if these guys are reading the same scriptures that I am reading. The ever so elusive editor at CRN has written this piece against Rob Bell, in which Bell basically says that God still wants to bring salvation to all people and we are one of the instruments for that purpose. Yet, CRN comes back with a rather random scripture cocktail as their rebuttal; I have yet to figure out what they are trying to say with it.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind”… “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled… All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him”…

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God… But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness… Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. (Is. 65:17; Matt. 5:17, 11:27; Romans 8:7-8; 2 Peter 3:10-11; Rev. 21:1)

Is it that God isn’t trying to save the world because He is preparing heaven for the saved? Is it that the only person who knows God is Jesus, and he is not choosing to save anyone else? Maybe God doesn’t have a good plan for His people because He is going to throw the whole thing away eventually.

I had a conversation with some friends the other day on this subject. There are two mindsets on eschatology that really drive one’s whole life. The first is that Jesus is coming back soon to take his people and destroy the world, which He hates. Churches and people that view life in this way will spend 80% of their time keeping their church members “saved” and ready for the rapture. Evangelism is an added bonus, if there is time after all the bible studies and small group meetings. If someone is reformed and has this view, they will usually at best become completely apathetic to the outside world, or at their worst will create hate websites towards other Christians.

The other view would say that Jesus could come back at any moment, but we don’t have a clue when that could be (see scripture cocktail above). And, God is still working and moving thru humanity, making his will known. Because of that, we still are on mission with him to do his work here continue bringing light and hope to a dying world. Essentially, God is still fixing brokenness and bringing beauty to the world around us. That radically will change how you live your life.

Anyhow, it seems like CRN is just plain out of material. From recycling solid interviews from McManus to scrapping for heretical quotes from Bell (heck, they did an article on Brad Pitt for goodness sake), these guys are in desperate need of a juicy headline.