Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Believers Old and New Are Clueless about the Claims of Christ and Other Biblical Doctrine

From The Christian Post:

"The preaching to questions posed by young believers [in Q&A Emergent churches] comes at a time when Christians are increasingly addressing the failure of churches and seminaries to equip believers with the truth and how they can defend their faith. In a culture where truth is relative, more Americans are abandoning a traditional view of God and the Bible, according to The Barna Group, with only nine percent of the "born again" population holding a biblical worldview.

Focus on the Family launched The Truth Project last year to introduce believers to the Truth claims of Christ and tackle the pervasive problem ill-equipped Christians. Also, more Christian authors and leaders have published books answering some of the most common questions both believers and nonbelievers have about God and Christianity."

The Emergent Church Movement is HARDLY equipped to answer with sound biblical doctrine as their heart is one of rebellion against one VERY fundamental doctrine: the Lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Barna's definition of a Christian isn't even biblical. How would he even know what is a "biblical worldview" when he can't even biblically define a follower of Christ (he assumes Roman Catholics can be Christians for one thing, not to mention how he defines "Born again Christians" at his site]?

There is no room for error on what we believe about Jesus Christ. What we believe about Jesus has eternal consequences.

Joh 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins."John 8: 58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” See Ex. 3:14.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Joh 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.

Col. 2: 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

2Jo 1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. [See Matt. 28:19-20 below--this is part of the Great Commission.]

Another problematic quote is FOF's goal through their Truth Project is to "introduce believers to the Truth claims of Christ and tackle the pervasive problem ill-equipped Christians"

What makes people think these are believers?
What gospel did they hear and trust in?
Could it be that the "ill-equipped Christians" aren't even Christians if they aren't saved in Truth and by Truth (John 8:24, Romans 10:9-10)?

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Why aren't the local churches teaching the truths of Christ?
Why are "Christian leaders" writing books instead of preaching to their flock?
How are these para-"church" organizations such as FOF and miriads authors (there's no unity of faith and knowledge of Christ even among them) being held accountable?
Why does FOF speak for Christians?
Where's the discipleship of new believers?

Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

The role of the local church IS to equip each believer until we are unified in the faith (not a false unity, but one set upon Truth AND Knowledge of Christ), and are a MATURE MAN, no longer being children tossed around by every wind of doctrine that comes our way. The local church is where teaching and accountability meet. Not a seminary where there is little accountability and where the faculty has no clue who is coming or going.

Eph 4:11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Easy believeism, mass alter calls, and a gospel without the proclaimation of Christ Jesus' deity, sinlessness, death on the cross for sinners, repentance of the sinner, the resurrection from the dead on the third day of Jesus, the wrath of God on sinners, is not gospel. Its no wonder that so many people think they are saved but have no clue about Jesus. The Lord, however, commanded us to declare HIS Gospel, make disciples by investing in their lives, baptizing them in the name of the Triune God, and teaching them all He has commanded us in Scripture.

1 comment:

Prodigal Knot said...

Denise,
Once again, you speak the truth about so many of the churches today. It's frustrating to find so many people who claim to be Christian, yet do not llive like it or care about God. It seems every other person I talk to is a "believer". I just don't buy it though. If it were true that every other person was saved America would not be the Babylon she is today.

So many have forgotten the clear instructions in Matthew 28:19. We cannot tell people to "Ask Jesus into your life" and then figure we're done. I am very thankful that the church I attend has a dedicated outreach minister who is teaching us, not just telling us, how to be disciple makers through bible studies and prayer. Unfortunately, it seems to always be a small group. So many in our churches, including mine, would rather miss church than a ball game or TV show. These people are earthly minded and Paul tells us "For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things."
(Philippians 3:18-19 ESV)

Thank you for your faithfulness to the truth!

P.S. Is there a way to contact you directly? I would love to get some inside info on some ministries that have attracted me to their projects, until I found out what they practice is in conjunction with the "laughing" Charismatics.