For years it has bothered me that Christians spend so
much time and effort to prove others within the faith wrong. We
see Calvinist/Reformed folks casting stones at those standing in
Arminian theology, and vice versa. We see those in the Free
Grace Movement continually casting stones at what they call the
Lordship Theology believers. We see Legalism Theology folks
condemning those in the Literal Theology pews.
And we see continual fighting over which Bible translation is the real Word of God.
Folks, just imagine how we would impact the world - if we would only spend that time and effort to reach the unsaved of the world.
Let's take a moment and look at the Great Commission:
Do you see anywhere in the Great Commission - which is Jesus Christ's marching orders for all His church - that He is telling us to quibble and argue among ourselves? Do you see anywhere that He tells us to stay within our own little circle of friends and within our own little local family of believers? No. Nor do I.
What does Jesus Tell Us? Hasn't He told us to go into all the world seeking to save the unchurched, the unsaved? Or has He suggested we prove other Christians and churches wrong? Has He suggested that we lure people away from other churches - in this way, bringing them, their friends, and their families into our church? Or has Jesus told us to go into the highways and byways, i.e., to the unchurched and unsaved, and bring them into His house (Matthew 22:9-10, Luke 14:23)? But how can churches reach out to the unsaved - when they spend all their time arguing over church methods, traditions, and theology issues with other believers?
Although I am not a fan of Pastor Rick Warren's Social Theology, nor his Purpose Driven Movement, nor his views on inter-religion ecumenism - I am a strong fan of his ideas on church growth. In his book, published in 1995, titled "The Purpose Driven Church," Warren wrote, "The Saddleback (Church) statistic I'm most pleased about is the fact that 80 percent of our members found Christ and were baptized at Saddleback. We have not grown at the expense of other churches" (page 50). In other words, regardless of how we view Rick Warren on other issues - the fact that, in 1995, 80% of that large congregation was composed of people who had been unchurched and unsaved - and had been brought into the Saddleback Church through evangelistic outreach efforts.
In response to accusations that he supports Chrislam, Warren responded, "As an evangelist, I spend much of my time speaking to non-Christian groups. You cannot win your enemies to Christ - only your friends. So we must build bridges of friendship and love to those who believe differently so Jesus can walk across that bridge into their hearts. . . . . In the past 10 years, Saddleback Church has baptized over 22,000 new adult believers - simply because we express love to those who don’t know Christ yet." ("Rick Warren Addresses Rumors He Supports Chrislam" - https://www.charismanews.com/us/32322-rick-warren-addresses-rumors-he-supports-chrislam)
During the seven years I was posting on the Religion Forum of my hometown newspaper, the TimesDaily, I had a number of folks from differing Legalistic churches joining with agnostics and atheists to condemn me to hell, declaring that I was preaching nothing but heresies. The most vocal was a gentleman who was positive that everything I posted was from Satan. During those years I told him that I am Baptist and that what I share is from conservative Baptist teachings, from a literal Bible view. But when I asked him, just to know where he found his theology, which church or denomination he attends or follows - he would never tell me. He was absolutely adamant about not disclosing his church or denomination affiliation. But it was obvious that he held to an extremely Legalistic theology.
I told him that I hold to a verbal plenary inspiration view of Scripture, that I believe all 66 books of the Bible are without error in the original manuscripts. "Verbal" meaning that every word of Scripture is God-given. "Plenary" meaning that all parts of the Bible are equally authoritative. "Inspiration" meaning that every word in the Bible is divinely inspired. Yet when I asked the basis for his view of Scripture - all he would tell me was that my view was wrong.
So, why did I debate the issues with him? While I admit to being a bit uncomfortable spending so much time refuting his claims, I felt that I had to offer Biblical truths to offset his claims. On that Religion Forum each day there were typically 20, 30, 40 members posting - but literally thousands reading our posts. How do I know that is true? Each day the TimesDaily Religion Forum would post those statistics: XX Members Posting - XXX (often XXXX) Readers. I posted, not for those other members who were actively posting, but for those hundreds or thousands of readers who seldom posted, but came to the Religion Forum to read what was posted. Would my time have been better spent just sharing the Gospel to unbelieving readers? Yes. But when you see someone leading folks over a cliff - can you justify not warning them?
"But, Bill, isn't that what you accused the Calvinist vs the Arminians, the Free Grace vs the Lordship folks, etc., of doing - arguing over Biblical issues?"
While discussing differences between theological issues is the heartbeat of Apologetics, there is one big difference in these two situations. Most often the differing theological proponents within apologetics are debating with other believers. And while that is productive toward helping believers mature and encouraging them to dig deeper into their personal study of Scripture - it is not addressing the main issue of the Great Commission - which is to be His witnesses to the unsaved of the world. So would that goal be better served if we spent less time on Apologetics - and more time sharing the Gospel to the unsaved? Yes.
We who have achieved some degree of maturity in God's Word have two responsibilities: First, to reach the unsaved for Christ. And, second, to help new believers and others grow more mature in their knowledge of God's Word. In doing that, we who might be leading or sharing will also grow more mature in that knowledge, for we learn as we lead.
"Bill, you initially mentioned arguing and inbreeding within the Christian faith. What do you mean by 'inbreeding' within the Christian churches and denominations?"
Glad you asked. Have you ever noticed that when local churches have guest speakers - those speakers are most often from within their own tight little circle, i.e., clique, of local churches - always from within their own small family of churches? How often do we see our local churches, on special occasions which might call for a guest speaker, invite someone from outside their circle to speak?
There are many highly qualified speakers, i.e., pastors, missionaries, theologians, even Christian businessmen, politicians, and musicians - who can be discretely checked for theological beliefs and invited to speak on special occasions in our local churches. But it has been my personal experience over the past 30 plus years that local churches seldom reach out t to such people, preferring to have one of their own come to the pulpit. We often see a tight little group who stand as mutual guest speakers within their own circle of churches.
All across our Christian nations there are gifted speakers to call upon. While I cannot speak personally for other parts of America, in Southern California I know there are many gifted speakers who could be invited to speak. Just off the top of my head, I am thinking of Dr. Harold Sala of Guidelines International Ministries, a great speaker. Then there is my Friend, Leon Patillo, a gifted Christian musician and pastor who gives great messages and tops them off with a professional musical presentation.
Another Christian Friend, Jun Polistico, who, when he is back home in America, would make a great speaker at your church. He, too, is a gifted professional singer. With a little effort your church can connect with such Christians who will be happy to help encourage, motivate, and edify your local fellowship. Could a speaker from outside that family circle bring new and invigorating Light within your fellowship? Food for thought.
Why do I call that practice of "staying within your circle of churches, large or small" a form of inbreeding? Let's look at it from a Biblical view.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1) - and how many times have we heard, "Where did Cain get his wife?"
Yes, in the beginning brothers, sisters, cousins, etc., intermarried. But God knew that once the ball started rolling, He had to change the rules to stop the results of long time inbreeding. It is a well known fact that inbreeding within a family will cause problems, i.e., deformities, lower mental capacity, and a number of other problems. And in a Christian fellowship family, could that not also happen and hinder the working of the Holy Spirit?
These are thoughts which have been on my mind over the years. And I want to just toss them out for consideration. I pray that the Holy Spirit is moving strongly in your church fellowship family. If not, maybe a special guest speaker can help boost a Holy Spirit revival. Just a thought.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
And we see continual fighting over which Bible translation is the real Word of God.
Folks, just imagine how we would impact the world - if we would only spend that time and effort to reach the unsaved of the world.
Let's take a moment and look at the Great Commission:
Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and Make disciples of all the nations, Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' "
Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
Mark 16:15, "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.' "
Do you see anywhere in the Great Commission - which is Jesus Christ's marching orders for all His church - that He is telling us to quibble and argue among ourselves? Do you see anywhere that He tells us to stay within our own little circle of friends and within our own little local family of believers? No. Nor do I.
What does Jesus Tell Us? Hasn't He told us to go into all the world seeking to save the unchurched, the unsaved? Or has He suggested we prove other Christians and churches wrong? Has He suggested that we lure people away from other churches - in this way, bringing them, their friends, and their families into our church? Or has Jesus told us to go into the highways and byways, i.e., to the unchurched and unsaved, and bring them into His house (Matthew 22:9-10, Luke 14:23)? But how can churches reach out to the unsaved - when they spend all their time arguing over church methods, traditions, and theology issues with other believers?
Although I am not a fan of Pastor Rick Warren's Social Theology, nor his Purpose Driven Movement, nor his views on inter-religion ecumenism - I am a strong fan of his ideas on church growth. In his book, published in 1995, titled "The Purpose Driven Church," Warren wrote, "The Saddleback (Church) statistic I'm most pleased about is the fact that 80 percent of our members found Christ and were baptized at Saddleback. We have not grown at the expense of other churches" (page 50). In other words, regardless of how we view Rick Warren on other issues - the fact that, in 1995, 80% of that large congregation was composed of people who had been unchurched and unsaved - and had been brought into the Saddleback Church through evangelistic outreach efforts.
In response to accusations that he supports Chrislam, Warren responded, "As an evangelist, I spend much of my time speaking to non-Christian groups. You cannot win your enemies to Christ - only your friends. So we must build bridges of friendship and love to those who believe differently so Jesus can walk across that bridge into their hearts. . . . . In the past 10 years, Saddleback Church has baptized over 22,000 new adult believers - simply because we express love to those who don’t know Christ yet." ("Rick Warren Addresses Rumors He Supports Chrislam" - https://www.charismanews.com/us/32322-rick-warren-addresses-rumors-he-supports-chrislam)
During the seven years I was posting on the Religion Forum of my hometown newspaper, the TimesDaily, I had a number of folks from differing Legalistic churches joining with agnostics and atheists to condemn me to hell, declaring that I was preaching nothing but heresies. The most vocal was a gentleman who was positive that everything I posted was from Satan. During those years I told him that I am Baptist and that what I share is from conservative Baptist teachings, from a literal Bible view. But when I asked him, just to know where he found his theology, which church or denomination he attends or follows - he would never tell me. He was absolutely adamant about not disclosing his church or denomination affiliation. But it was obvious that he held to an extremely Legalistic theology.
I told him that I hold to a verbal plenary inspiration view of Scripture, that I believe all 66 books of the Bible are without error in the original manuscripts. "Verbal" meaning that every word of Scripture is God-given. "Plenary" meaning that all parts of the Bible are equally authoritative. "Inspiration" meaning that every word in the Bible is divinely inspired. Yet when I asked the basis for his view of Scripture - all he would tell me was that my view was wrong.
So, why did I debate the issues with him? While I admit to being a bit uncomfortable spending so much time refuting his claims, I felt that I had to offer Biblical truths to offset his claims. On that Religion Forum each day there were typically 20, 30, 40 members posting - but literally thousands reading our posts. How do I know that is true? Each day the TimesDaily Religion Forum would post those statistics: XX Members Posting - XXX (often XXXX) Readers. I posted, not for those other members who were actively posting, but for those hundreds or thousands of readers who seldom posted, but came to the Religion Forum to read what was posted. Would my time have been better spent just sharing the Gospel to unbelieving readers? Yes. But when you see someone leading folks over a cliff - can you justify not warning them?
"But, Bill, isn't that what you accused the Calvinist vs the Arminians, the Free Grace vs the Lordship folks, etc., of doing - arguing over Biblical issues?"
While discussing differences between theological issues is the heartbeat of Apologetics, there is one big difference in these two situations. Most often the differing theological proponents within apologetics are debating with other believers. And while that is productive toward helping believers mature and encouraging them to dig deeper into their personal study of Scripture - it is not addressing the main issue of the Great Commission - which is to be His witnesses to the unsaved of the world. So would that goal be better served if we spent less time on Apologetics - and more time sharing the Gospel to the unsaved? Yes.
We who have achieved some degree of maturity in God's Word have two responsibilities: First, to reach the unsaved for Christ. And, second, to help new believers and others grow more mature in their knowledge of God's Word. In doing that, we who might be leading or sharing will also grow more mature in that knowledge, for we learn as we lead.
"Bill, you initially mentioned arguing and inbreeding within the Christian faith. What do you mean by 'inbreeding' within the Christian churches and denominations?"
Glad you asked. Have you ever noticed that when local churches have guest speakers - those speakers are most often from within their own tight little circle, i.e., clique, of local churches - always from within their own small family of churches? How often do we see our local churches, on special occasions which might call for a guest speaker, invite someone from outside their circle to speak?
There are many highly qualified speakers, i.e., pastors, missionaries, theologians, even Christian businessmen, politicians, and musicians - who can be discretely checked for theological beliefs and invited to speak on special occasions in our local churches. But it has been my personal experience over the past 30 plus years that local churches seldom reach out t to such people, preferring to have one of their own come to the pulpit. We often see a tight little group who stand as mutual guest speakers within their own circle of churches.
All across our Christian nations there are gifted speakers to call upon. While I cannot speak personally for other parts of America, in Southern California I know there are many gifted speakers who could be invited to speak. Just off the top of my head, I am thinking of Dr. Harold Sala of Guidelines International Ministries, a great speaker. Then there is my Friend, Leon Patillo, a gifted Christian musician and pastor who gives great messages and tops them off with a professional musical presentation.
Another Christian Friend, Jun Polistico, who, when he is back home in America, would make a great speaker at your church. He, too, is a gifted professional singer. With a little effort your church can connect with such Christians who will be happy to help encourage, motivate, and edify your local fellowship. Could a speaker from outside that family circle bring new and invigorating Light within your fellowship? Food for thought.
Why do I call that practice of "staying within your circle of churches, large or small" a form of inbreeding? Let's look at it from a Biblical view.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1) - and how many times have we heard, "Where did Cain get his wife?"
Yes, in the beginning brothers, sisters, cousins, etc., intermarried. But God knew that once the ball started rolling, He had to change the rules to stop the results of long time inbreeding. It is a well known fact that inbreeding within a family will cause problems, i.e., deformities, lower mental capacity, and a number of other problems. And in a Christian fellowship family, could that not also happen and hinder the working of the Holy Spirit?
These are thoughts which have been on my mind over the years. And I want to just toss them out for consideration. I pray that the Holy Spirit is moving strongly in your church fellowship family. If not, maybe a special guest speaker can help boost a Holy Spirit revival. Just a thought.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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