I heard this morning on ‘Christian’ radio a couple of all too common assertions. One placed Barak Obama in a category with Nebuchdnezer, Nero, and Hitler. I did not like this when George Bush’s opponents did the same thing, but at least they did not try to claim Biblical support for such stupidity. The other, less obvious but quite common, was a preacher telling his people that the job of his congregation was to discover God’s plan for their lives and to do it. Well, whatever the plan is, the doing is no doubt hard enough without God having to go and hide it on us.
These I toss into the pile of the dozens and dozens of false inferences from the Bible that I can never directly address. It may be a mistake, but I decided some time ago that I cannot answer every false Christian claim in my preaching, so I won’t try. I will write and speak and preach the truth as I understand it, arising form the best practices of interpretation, and let it stand.
This may be a mistake. I am making the assumption that the truth expressed through a demonstrated proper method of handling the Scriptures will strengthen people against falsehood. I am also assuming that a ministry of positive affirmation is a healthier diet for God’s people than a ministry of negative confrontation.
The hard thing is, of course, that should I change my methodology, there are just too many targets out there to chase. I think I’ll stay my course.
Mike
Thanks Randy. Great message today! As one of those lost souls, who at 51+ years of age has NOT heard my calling, I find it frustrating that ‘Christians’ feel it’s remotely necessary to tell me to “follow God’s plan.” I would, gladly, if I knew what IT was!!! In the mean time, just pray with me, worship with me, and teach me. That’s what Jesus did.
You are not mistaken. Stay the course. PLEASE!
TulipGirl
“These I toss into the pile of the dozens and dozens of false inferences from the Bible that I can never directly address. It may be a mistake, but I decided some time ago that I cannot answer every false Christian claim in my preaching, so I won’t try. I will write and speak and preach the truth as I understand it, arising form the best practices of interpretation, and let it stand.”
“This may be a mistake. I am making the assumption that the truth expressed through a demonstrated proper method of handling the Scriptures will strengthen people against falsehood. I am also assuming that a ministry of positive affirmation is a healthier diet for God’s people than a ministry of negative confrontation. ”
This is beautiful. And truly needed.
Even though I get on my soapbox from time to time, what I need to hear from the pulpit is the Gospel expounded from Scripture.
Randy Greenwald
But… this may be simply an excuse for being intellectually lazy combined with a lack of courage. What I have found is that people do not tend to make the connection between the gospel and their pet position without being specifically told, and even then, the pet position, because it is so deeply ingrained, may not budge. But thanks for your encouragement!