Category Archives: Theology

A Clear and Present Danger

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Danger Contaminated Area Sign

The modern Church in America has fallen prey to a great many things that have proven detrimental to her health and mission. One of the most overlooked and therefore least understood is the so-called “cult of personality.”

This cult of personality could also be called the cult of celebrity pulpiteers. These monikers describe the same enigma. American Christianity has never been more captive to a few well published pastors and church leaders who by virtue of their celebrity status are sought after for their viewpoints and commentary on every issue of importance. Unfortunately, in many instances the celebrity pastor is off base theologically and out-of-touch relationally with actual church life and practice.

The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthian believers about this issue when he warned them about quarreling over which pastor or teacher they would listen to and follow. Paul said, “For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:11-13)

Simply stated, the cult of personality is the development of a person or group of people becoming the focus of attention within a local church body. It is most often the pastor but can also be the board of elders, prominent financial supporters, or the most vocal supporter or critic.

Outrageous stories abound such as congregations who have been trained to rise to their feet anytime the pastor comes into the room, or the strange idea of the pastor having a “posse” that follows him everywhere in the building like bodyguards who effectively form a ring of protection that shields the pastor from contact with the other members of the body.

So how can you know if a cult of personality has enveloped your church? Here are some telling signs that would indicate problems within the body:

  • Does the pastor or other individuals teach that they are to be treated in a manner that is beyond or above any other member of the church?
  • Does the pastor or other individuals cultivate an environment that severely restricts asking questions?
  • Does the pastor or other individuals receive praise and borderline worship for the ministry or does God alone receive the praise, honor, and glory?
  • When the body of believers considers what their future would be without the pastor or other individuals do they believe that God will continue to direct their path or do they believe the church could not go on without the pastor or other individuals?

Folks, pastors are not rock stars and when we treat them as such we are creating a clear and present danger for the church. Pastors are to be servants of God and His people. When we forget that we set ourselves up for much heartache and even disillusionment. Be a Berean today and hold you pastor and leadership accountable before God.

Matthew 3:13 – 4:11

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matthew-study

I remember reading a story last year during the annual fires that seem to rage uncontrolled through the forests out west.

One national magazine sent a photographer to take some pictures of the devastation. He was told to go to a certain small airport where a plane would be waiting for him.

When the photographer arrived at the airport he found a plane with engine idling waiting for him on the runway as promised. Hopping into the front seat of the two-seated plane the photographer told the pilot, “Ok, let’s go.”

Once they were airborne the photographer told the pilot, “Now, I want you to fly over the north front of the fire and make 3-4 low-level passes.”

The pilot looked at the photographer and asked “why?”

To which the photographer responded “because I want to get some close-up shots of the fire.”

With a “deer-in-the-headlights look” the man in the pilot’s seat said “you mean you’re not the instructor?”

Assumptions can be very dangerous!

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Be Offensive In Love (Part 5)

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Thus says the Lord of hosts,“Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the Lord. “They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The Lord has said, “You will have peace”’; And as for everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, They say, ‘Calamity will not come upon you.’ Jeremiah 23:16-17

Friends, we have been discussing the changing cultural norms in America in this five-part series. We started this conversation by observing that tolerance has been redefined to exclude the original idea of freedom of expression to the now sacrosanct notion of celebrating every behavior as normal and right.  This new freedom does not include the freedom to disagree so it is really just freedom to walk in lock-step with the prevailing enlightened ideals of those opposed to historic, biblical Christianity. Clearly this is not freedom in any sane, logical, rational sense but merely Orwellian double-speak.

What does this mean for Christian evangelism?  It means that Christians need to sharpen their minds and focus on exactly what it is we are trying to speak to our neighbors and friends.  Old techniques of evangelism don’t work for the simple reason that people don’t see anything “good” about the Gospel.  For the most part all they hear are do’s and don’ts. This leaves us needing to rethink our approach.  In other words why is the gospel good news to those we want to speak to?

It is precisely at this point that the Gospel is most clearly seen as relevant to every culture, time, and place.  You see, the problems mankind has wrestled with and sought answers to – namely where is hope to be found, can I find acceptance for who I am, who will love me truly and intimately, and even where can I find tolerance for my views – are all wrapped up in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hope is found in our new identity in Christ, an identity that He hand picks for each of us as His special creation. Acceptance is found in the unfathomable grace we experience as God accepts us in Christ and declares us holy and just in His eyes.  Intimacy is found in the midst of an ongoing love that lifts us up in every circumstance. Finally, even tolerance as the present world defines it is turned upside down as Jesus Christ shows us how to love those different from us and yet remain faithful to proclaim the truth that Christ alone saves.

Friends, don’t be dismayed by the current condition of the American culture. See instead great opportunity to share why the Gospel is great news for everyone.  It truly is a transforming truth.

Pastor You Must Be A Theologian – Part 3

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Scripture and compass

In this series we have been examining a great need in the Church today.  While there are certainly many things we could choose to discuss that fall in that category, the primary focus must start with the pulpit.  Pastor do you take seriously your God-given calling to teach people the Bible? Pastor do you reject the common belief today that people simply won’t sit for a clear, systematic, and theologically rich exposition of the Scriptures and push on in your equipping God’s people.

Here is what we have covered thus far in our Pastor You Must Be a Theologian series: you must be because (1) people are perishing without hearing the lifesaving message of salvation through faith in Christ while they are simultaneously entertained with stage props and warm-fuzzy motivational speeches about being better parents, spouses, students, or employees. (2) because God has called and equipped you with His gifts to teach people His Word for the purpose of leading them to a deeper, richer, abundantly full relationship with Him. They will need this equipping when they face persecution for their faith.

Luke records for us these words of Jesus spoken to His disciples as He prepared them to go into all the land to preach, teach, and make disciples:  Jesus said, “I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute” (Luke 21:15).  The context of this encouragement from our Lord was that faithfully preaching, teaching, and making disciples will result in persecution.

I am convinced that the reason so many pastors will not faithfully preach the Bible is because they have abandoned belief it its ability to save.  Perhaps they have forgotten Paul’s declaration that we are not to be ashamed of the gospel because it is what God uses to bring people into His Kingdom. Paul calls the gospel the power of God.

God has promised the power of the Holy Spirit to fuel the efforts of His work. It is the supreme privilege of the church to share God’s amazing love and mercy to all who will believe on Jesus Christ. This simple message has become obscured today through a religious philosophy that suggests people must be made to feel welcome and comfortable in the church so that they will consider God’s offer.

One problem with this approach is that it is not biblical.  If the seeker sensitive era of church history has taught us anything it has taught us that it is bereft of the ability to make disciples of Jesus Christ.  The grandmaster of the seeker sensitive movement – Bill Hybels – recently admitted this very thing and repented of the wasted years and effort that rendered very little to no fruit.

So what must be done to turn the tide?  My personal view is that it is too late for the big “C” church as a whole.  Many who hear this will disagree with this assessment.  They hold out hope that we are not so late in God’s timeline that things can’t be turned around.

Nevertheless, we have arrived at the time of the remnant.  We are past the tipping point. So Pastor, be faithful where you are planted. Pour your best into the people God has entrusted to your care. Do not follow the way of those who advocate for a Wall Street approach to church growth. The entire church growth model is corrupt, worldly, and fleshly in that it is based on appealing to the felt needs of the lost. Trust Jesus to build His church as He desires it to be built.  Jesus’ keys to Kingdom success look nothing like what the church growth gurus are saying today.

Secondly Pastors, trust God and His Word.  Resist the temptation to twist the Bible into some kind of self-fulfillment manual.  The Bible is God’s message of His creation, redemption, sanctification, and glorification of a people who trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross. Do not lose sight of the fact that the Gospel is the power of God to save.

Finally Pastor, and this is equally applicable to every believer, focus your time and energy on making disciples.  That is the last command of Jesus before He ascended to glory.  Be a disciple who makes disciples.

Stay tuned for Part 4 of Pastor You Must Be A Theologian.

Be Offensive In Love (Part 4)

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Thus says the Lord of hosts,“Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the Lord. “They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The Lord has said, “You will have peace”’; And as for everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, They say, ‘Calamity will not come upon you.’ Jeremiah 23:16-17

Some in the Church today have thrown in the towel and raised the white flag of surrender. They have decided that instead of standing firm on conviction and doctrine, it is far more expedient to agree with the latest cultural ideal of equitable treatment.  Unfortunately, those who have given up the biblical position concerning marriage have succumbed to the siren song of postmodernism and have become blind to the consequences of their misguided expressions of love.

Christians who continue to hold to the teaching of the Scriptures concerning homosexual behavior should not be surprised at the rapid turn of events being played out in America today.  The tares have certainly been growing among the wheat so that now in many denominations the tares have completely taken over and crowded out the wheat.

A recent “Relationships in America” survey supports this conclusion.  Respondents were asked to give their views concerning a wide range of sexual activity including viewing pornography, premarital cohabitation, abortion rights, open sexual relationships, and the need for marital fidelity.

The survey’s conclusion?  Those confessing Christians who support same-sex marriage hold the same views as the general population. For instance, on the question of viewing pornography, Christians who support same-sex marriage also support viewing pornography at a level slightly higher than the general population – 33% to 31%%. On the subject of abortion, Christians who support same-sex marriage also support abortion at a higher level 39% to 37%, than does the general population.  Similar results are demonstrated across the board. This is not holiness friends, this is philosophical assimilation in the least and frankly unrighteousness unmasked.

The point in all of this?  Christians who support same-sex marriage are not “cutting edge, compassionate, enlightened, right side of history” types. Rather, they are deceived and drinking the Kool-aide of the enemy who is stealing futures, killing congregations, and destroying their testimony of the God who forgives and saves from all sin.

Stay tuned for the conclusion to this series, “Be Offensive In Love – Part 5.”