In complete contradiction to my post from Wednesday, and in response to my blogging friends Helen and Bullet, I decided to post the following article. I wrote it several months ago, and have wavered about posting it, but never have, for fear of being too critical of those who are critical. So you be the judge: Does the following type of criticism need to be said, or are such things better left unsaid? Notice I don’t name any names…but I easily could. Maybe if I said it with more humor? Maybe I should just go back to bed.
The biggest church fad of all time is carried out by those Christians who take it upon themselves to warn others about all the church fads going around. Every time a new Christian book comes out, these self-proclaimed prophets of discernment send out a newsletter slamming the book and the author. Every time someone preaches something a little questionable, or does something a little edgy in their service, you can be sure this discernment ministry will condemn such practices in their newsletter or next book.
Such “discernment ministries” have criticized the seeker-sensitive movement, the purpose-driven church, the emerging church, and every other attempt that some Christians make to reach this world with the love of Jesus. Meanwhile, they’re not really doing much evangelism and ministry themselves. They talk a lot about grace, but don’t actually live or show it. But they are expert finger pointers.
And I am always amazed at the following that such “truth at all cost” teachers amass!
On the other hand, I shouldn’t be too amazed at how many people follow along. After all, in the 1980’s millions of us spiked our hair, wore fluorescent green shirts, and tight-rolled our pants. And when we emerged from that fad, most of us scratched our heads and said to ourselves, “What were we thinking?” That is happening today as well, as people come to their senses about such “ministries” whose primary purpose seems to bash every other ministry. We’ve had enough. We want ministries and ministers of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, who don’t just talk about such things, but actually live them.
So there I go, bashing other ministries and Christians. I know, I know…Jesus did it (see Matt 23), and Paul (in almost every letter he wrote), and John (see every letter he wrote), and all the prophets (all the Prophetical books), but I’m not Jesus or an apostle.
So I’m torn. I’ve spent so much of my life being critical of others and I want to stop, but at the same time, some things need to be said. I suppose it’s an issue of balance. Anyway, thanks for joining me on this schizophrenic post!
Thanks, Jeremy. I would add to the mix those who are critical, often based on no evidence or hearsay, of for example the Toronto blessing and the current Todd Bentley Lakeland outpouring I have written quite a lot about this, and have been amazed by the negativity of so many of the comments I have received.
Good post. You were able to articulate a disturbing trend without finger-pointing or slandering. The isolation of “truth” in the good news of Jesus has tainted the very essence of the good news. The good news of Jesus is not a mathematical equation, it is a radical newness of life busting at the seems with the love and grace and truth of God.
Thanks for the link, Jeremy.
I think it’s about balance – if you spent all your time criticizing others that would be a problem. But sharing your concerns sometimes isn’t necessarily being overly judgmental or critical. It’s just being honest and sharing what’s on your heart.
Peter,
I have been reading your blog for some time now through my bloglines. I am not sure how I first found you. I do like how you are handling the Lakeland revival. I am quite ignorant about what is going on there, so appreciate reading different blogs about the revival. Thanks!
Helen,
You are right. It’s all about balance. Thanks again for the note. Some things demand loving criticism and a gentle rebuke, while others we need to learn to just let go since “To your own Master, you stand or fall.” I read your blog (and several others there at Off the Map) every day as well!
Michael,
Thanks for the comment and the posts you are making over at your own blog. I really liked the candy bar illustration of the gospel that you wrote about in your post today. Also, I wholeheartedly agreed with your statement that one area of underdeveloped theology in the west is that of the spirit world. I know that it is my weakest link. Keep the posts coming!
I think it is vitally important to expose heresy in the church and I have posted links to discernment ministries.
However, I think there is something utterly banal about the explosiion of discernment ministries.
These ministries are continually harping about errors of various groups and invididuals, but seldom give us any positive Bible teaching.
It is all well telling us what is wrong, but lets have some truth as well.
I think discernment teaching ought to be solely handled by those who have a ministry (and I use this in a very flexible sense) of providing positive Bible teaching.
Notice also that discernment ministries seldom tell us what churches they attend. One wonders if they are Ishmaels who are against every man.
Every Blessing in Christ
Matthew
Michael,
You are absolutely right. I have personally benefitted a lot from various discernment ministries, though sometimes I think they are a little “over the top.” There are others, of course, who just accept everything, hook, line, and sinker. So we all need each other to help keep some balance!
Thanks for the comment!
Jeremy
Every Church and ministry makes mistakes. No one is perfect. But the biggest mistake is the infinite one. All these various ministries may be dead wrong, or partly wrong, or mostly right, but what I see as the most important is whether one has even entered the door. If no one points out to these people that they have not believed the gospel, and hence don’t have eternal life, that is what is tragic. From my experience, most will not receive it, but it is our duty to explain it to anyone who will listen. A person or ministry who has all their “eggs in the basket,” and seems very orthodox, but is not in Christ, is infinitely worse off than someone who is a believer but is doing most everything wrong. Well that is my opinion.
gary
“A person or ministry who has all their “eggs in the basket,” and seems very orthodox, but is not in Christ, is infinitely worse off than someone who is a believer but is doing most everything wrong. Well that is my opinion.”
Well put Gary. If everything depends on a correct recitation of theology then it is no longer Christianity but gnosticism. Being “in Christ” is central.