My brother in Portland has written much over the past three months. In his latest article, he concludes with a quote from JFK that condemns those perceived as ‘neutral’. In essence, you are with him or you are against him. Jesus had a different idea in Luke 9:50. Paul was also unconcerned about motive as long as the gospel was preached (Phi 1:17-18). In short, the good is celebrated. In the first case, a man was driving out demons, in the latter, men and women heard the gospel. In the churches that previously made up our fellowship, there is much that is good that should be celebrated. It is true that there is much more that is still evil and corrupt: these things should not be ignored, nor will I encourage anyone to pretend that we should just be happy and silent and thankful that we are still “in the church”. What I am saying is that we can choose to build bridges or destroy them. I believe that the progression of writings from Thomas in recent months serves only to promote himself at the cost of any that have the slightest objection.
Destruction is quick and relatively effortless. For these reasons, it is favored by the lazy and weak-minded (Proverbs 14:9). Building is slow and often painful work. The ark took almost 100 years to build. The walls of Jerusalem took Nehemiah and other workers at least thirteen. With so much pain and upheval, goodwill is a rare commodity, but is necessary for healing. As such, I do not pray for unity as much as I pray for those that promote and foster goodwill. All of us should do something to promote goodwill between churches, leaders, and each other, but it only works if all of us try. (Prov 13:12).
People are still becoming Christians and that should be celebrated like that angels in Heaven do. However, it seems that if a person does not learn faith+repentance+confession+submission to church authority+evangelize the world in one generation before baptism, then they are not really saved at all. I had thought that disciple=christian=saved was difficult enough to teach and live, now it seems, as an online acquaintance has written, that the equation is now ‘fired up’ disciple=saved. In the greek that would be, mathaytes = kristianos = sodayzo has been replaced with hypothermodynamathayes = sodayzo. For that reason, when I use the word disciple in future articles, I will differentiate the sense of the word. Disciple meaning ‘follower or student’ will be simply disciple. Disciple meaning ‘one who is saved’ will be believer. ‘Fired up’ disciple will be disciple(htdm).
JFK said many memorable things, but these three seem appropiate to the present time and circumstance.
“I know there is a God – I see the storm coming and I see his hand in it – if he has a place then I am ready – we see the hand. “ – John F Kennedy
The storm is already on the horizon and making its way east and south. It is still possible to work out differences, but the window of opportunity grows short. As the bitterness of a disposed ruler spreads, I will be ready. The Bible is clear about false doctrine and those that spread it. If it continues to threaten those under my watch as a leader in a church, then I will fight hard and I will not shrink back. (Titus 1:9) Until that time, I still hope for some kind of resolution that doesn’t involve choosing sides, yet.
“To state the facts frankly is not to despair the future nor indict the past. The prudent heir takes careful inventory of his legacies and gives a faithful accounting to those whom he owes an obligation of trust. “ – John F. Kennedy
I was not a part of the campus ministries in the 70s and 80s. Contrary to the wishes of those that seem to be pillars, the next generation of members come from those that joined in the 90s. The next generation was not the children of Crossroads or the children of so-called heroes of the faith. The next generation has already produced its share of leaders now as well an untapped pool of wisdom from those who have served for 10+ years.
It is not wrong to see where we can improve. It is not wrong to see what is lacking. It is never wrong to repent of evil and pray for forgiveness from God and others. It is wrong to marginalize the past or somehow minimize it. It is wrong to refuse ownership for the present circumstance and it is the height of arrogance to believe that one night of atonement can undo the damage of 20+ years.
I am responsible for the wellbeing of the church I attend. This is not because of some imperative of leadership or personal conviction, it is because I care. If I no longer cared, I would attend church somewhere else. I have stayed because I see hope for brighter days, but I would never demand that someone stay. Some have to leave to heal and many more will do so as events progress. I pray that I am not a stumbling block to their faith because of my church membership.
In any case, I look at the legacy of destruction and pain and see areas that must change, and change quickly. I also look at the legacy of good done for some and seek to embrace that as well. I will speak my mind and offer criticism or praise at every turn. I do not apologize for believing that this is healthy. One day, I will have to give account to God for my words and deeds: I hope that he smiles at me.
“Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others. “ – John F. Kennedy
There is a perceived weakness in tolerance. Somehow, allowing for a difference of opinion is seen as ‘watering down’ a truth. This is only true given one’s perspective. To the two parties that admit their own biases and prejudices, tolerance is seen as a chance to learn and grow. To an outsider that lives in a black and white world, it is derided as weak, indecisive, and anemic. The two parties fellowship in love and discipleship (meaning an atmosphere of learning). The outsider elevates himself while missing a great opportunity.
This isn’t to say that everything is debatable. There is one faith, one Lord, one baptism, etc. etc. Tolerance is not always compromise. My friends tolerate my views on Revelation and the end times (I’m an amillienialist), but do not condemn me because I do not believe in the rapture. When we talk, I hope we both learn something, I know I learn from them when they talk about their take on certain passages. However, I have not seen any reason to give up my beliefs. I suppose we will see what God has in mind when it happens, but until then, there are more important matters like the needs of the community, the church, and the world as a whole. Jesus said that the sick need a doctor (Matt 9:12), not the healthy. I do not spend my time debating others about the merits of discipling all day. (Discipling is a coined word for an unbiblical concept. Training, teaching, rebuking, learning, loving as Jesus loved us, praying for each other – these are biblical terms for biblical concepts. ) After a certain point, it is no longer beneficial, especially when it becomes a question of semantics. Instead, I choose to try to help, but that’s just me.
In short brother Thomas, if you want to draw lines and choose sides, then I will not follow you. I will not teach others to follow you. I do not believe that you are biblical in your assertions or right to call out a so-called remnant. I do belive that you want to save the world, and that by itself is not evil. However, when I read my Bible and look at the example of Jesus, I do not see him trying to save the few at the expense of thousands. How many more need to be destroyed by your lust for power before you see the damage that it has caused. If you were to change, the others that followed in your steps would change as well.
Call me and we can talk.