The Myth of Non-judgementalism

There is a very dangerous teaching going on
in our churches today. It is the thought that we are never to judge, never to
render an opinion on whether or not something someone is doing is wrong.
 While on the surface this seems like a good thing, it is the stepping
stone for all kinds of evil teachings to enter the church. We are to be ever
vigilant about the things being said and done around us and be willing to
render judgment about it.  It always sets me on edge when I here someone
taking a verse about judgment out of context; or to scream about being
judgmental, or lacking tolerance.

I think that a lot of this teaching comes
from Romans chapter 14. In it is a discussion about not judging our brothers
who are weaker and not being a stumbling block to our weaker brothers. 
The context was over what people ate but could be extrapolated to anything that
is not specifically a sin.  The problem is when this is brought over into
the realm of unrepentant sin on the part of a believer.

You see the Word also teaches us to be
willing to be judged by the same measuring stick that we use to make a
judgment.  Taking this kind of approach is humbling and in the true spirit
of His teaching and love. Yeshua judged those who were against Him and living
out sin in their lives, He did it in a loving way to those who were willing to
change and to those who were not willing he allowed them continue in their sin
knowing that eternal judgment would come, Yet he still judged them. The
scriptures teach us that we are not to make judgment lightly, but to make the
blanket statement that we are never to make a judgment about what is going on
in the world can lead us down a path right to the evil one just as assuredly as
making unwarranted judgments.

Posting Woes

Sorry about the lack of posting. Life just sort of took over. I had a trip to L.A. that I ended up having no computer access for several days. All of this to find out i need to fly back out to CA in the next couple of days. Have I mentioned how much I hate flying? Sardines have more room. I will try to keep up the posting more here while I am out this time though as I will have a computer then.

It Has Been a Year

It has now been a year since Samuel's death. The year has been at times difficult, at other times it has seemed like it never happened. In some ways I think that may be my own denial or or method of dealing with it when times get rough. We have had quite a few downward turns in our lives since that time, but Yeshua has been faithful.  After several downturns including the loss of two vehicles and my primary employment, G_d has been turning things around for us. I now have a better job than I had before, we have a larger vehicle capable of holding our large family.  Through all of that we learned about the generosity of complete strangers and how good a landlord we truly have. The latest blessing I think is the best of all and one that comes with only His perfect timing. To find out though you will need to read Birdie's blog.

A Valid Point

On my last post Triton and Morris each had a valid point. What do you do when the problem is systemic? There were enough clues in the article to allow you to come to that conclusion, and I had to some point thought about that angle.  I was thinking more along the lines of what should be done with one single heretic in a position of power.

Triton and Morris are right that the problems within the Anglican church are larger than one heretic behind a pulpit. The fact that the Church of England has no problem with not following the guidelines set forth in the Word as to who should be in church leadership is not only problematic, but probably led to this man being able to make such outlandish claims.  The real question is at what point do we abandon a church group as not being truly Christian.  This is a significant question as a good portion of my ministry will revolve around it.  I am calling those of faith to true repentance and a return to their first Love. So at what point do I leave them to their own devices so to speak?  I know there are those who will take me to task for this type of thinking but there is Biblical precedent for it. I cant help but think about the instruction to wipe the dust from your feet of the town that would not listen to the message of Yeshua's love.

My Hackles are Raised

While sitting around recovering from the flu bug I got at work, Birdie calls to me and says this is going to make me mad. Was she ever right. First go read the story:  Idea Christ died for sins 'insane,' claims Christian pastor

 
I am not sure where to begin with this over-the-top heresy. This is not some crackpot on the street corner, but a man behind a pulpit. I do not think that I need to get into the fact that he does not belong in the pulpit due to his "lifestyle" choices, but I digress. This man is attacking the very foundation of the Christian faith.  The substitutionary atonement is the foundation upon which our faith is based. Without Yeshua's death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection there would be no Christian faith. To turn and make His sacrifice into this statement "share in the worst of grief and suffering that life can throw at us." is beyond the pale. The man is a heretic and should be removed from the pulpit.

One simple verse in the Word is enough to refute this bozo:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

The need for His sacrifice is the central theme of the entire Word.  To deny this is to deny Yeshua Himself.  This "pastor" should removed from his leadership role until he can honestly repent of this heresy.