History
Several years ago, an evangelical spokesperson said, "It is time that evangelicals are known for what we are for, not, just what we are against." A cogent and reasonable appeal.
Why was it necessary to make such an appeal? Because the usual approach to polemics in the evangelical world is ad hominem attacks. I may not have the best case, but I will surely make you wish you had never engaged the discussion when I am through trashing your person, character and maybe even your family! Sadly, none of what I have just written is unusual.
Knee Jerk Reaction
The tragic typical response on the part of many has been to abandon the clear and unambiguous declaration of the text of Scripture. We now must deal with such bewildering nonsense as 'Open Theism', 'Post Modern Hermeneutics', the 'New Perspective on Paul', ad infinitum, ad nauseum. **PLEASE NOTE** I addressed issues not personalities. Each of us must stand for and by the positions we articulate. However, in such dialogue all parties should appeal to the accurate exegesis of the text of Scripture. It is never wise, prudent or permissible to permit the dialogue to degenerate into personal attacks. Humor, satire, but not ridicule or attacks.
A Better Way
The following is a first draft attempt to restore sound exegesis and biblical authority to the ministry of the evangelical church. I welcome your dialgoue on this subject. Principles essential to this process are:
1. An uncompromised conviction that the Bible is God's Word and is fully sufficient for faith and practice.
2. The Bible addresses either in precept or principle every aspect of life. We may draw clear direction for life and ministry by correctlyunderstanding God's revelation.
3. The foundatin for all such dialogue must be the accurate exegesis of the text on the given subject.
4. The Holy Spirit intended one interpretation for each passage of Scripture.
5. The possible outcomes are:
a. you are correct and I am incorrect
b. I am correct and you are incorrect
c. both of us are incorrect
d. but it is not possible to arrive at differing interpretations and claim
that our exegesis is correct
6. The end of the matter must be Applied Theology.
God's people when coming face to face with the declarations of Scritpure must surrender (Luke 9:23), be Transfromed (Rom. 12:2), and live as Salt & Light (Matt. 5:13-16)in an increasingly dark and decadent America. We must bring Life in Community to the fabric of the evangelical church through obeying the one another commands of the text. Jesus has given us the means. Do we have the courage as Pastor/Shepherds/Leaders to apply the text to life?
In Grace,
Tom
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
Less Than 10%!!
I am a Baptist by affiliation and conviction. One of the cardinal tenets of Baptist life is Regenerate Church Membership. We seek to do all that is possible to guide people on the path of eternal life. The crulest hoax perpetrated upon mankind is to deceive them about the real condition of their eternal soul.
The NAMB (North American Mission Board - SBC) did a study of persons who had been baptized in SBC life. They sought to determine where they were in their spiritual walk one year after their baptism. Less than 10% were still affiliated with the church and involved in any semblance of spiritual growth. I hope that offends and stuns you. It surely should.
What do you in terms of "Due Diligence" to baptize only those persons that show genuine evidence of conversion? What do you offer to other pastors that will help them in this matter?
The NAMB (North American Mission Board - SBC) did a study of persons who had been baptized in SBC life. They sought to determine where they were in their spiritual walk one year after their baptism. Less than 10% were still affiliated with the church and involved in any semblance of spiritual growth. I hope that offends and stuns you. It surely should.
What do you in terms of "Due Diligence" to baptize only those persons that show genuine evidence of conversion? What do you offer to other pastors that will help them in this matter?
Friday, November 16, 2007
Flu Shots & Innoculation
Today my wife & I complied with conventional wisdom. We received a flu shot. On the way to our appointment, we first "fueled up" at STARBUCKS. Supposedly we will not succumb to the flu this winter, at least not a version that will be deadly.
This makes me ask a disturbing and probing question. Have those who participate in the life of the church been inoculated? Do they have just enough relationship to make them a genuine disciple, a real follower of Christ - - but - - not a threat to become a wholly devoted passionate world changing, world shaking ???????
Seems to me that there is a very real and binding command that I must obey daily. It is a command to die (Luke 9:23). Further, that death is by crucifixion - - deny self, take up your cross daily. That is the petibulum, the cross member of that most cruel of deaths.
Then and only then am I ready to Follow. Just wondering.
What do you think?
This makes me ask a disturbing and probing question. Have those who participate in the life of the church been inoculated? Do they have just enough relationship to make them a genuine disciple, a real follower of Christ - - but - - not a threat to become a wholly devoted passionate world changing, world shaking ???????
Seems to me that there is a very real and binding command that I must obey daily. It is a command to die (Luke 9:23). Further, that death is by crucifixion - - deny self, take up your cross daily. That is the petibulum, the cross member of that most cruel of deaths.
Then and only then am I ready to Follow. Just wondering.
What do you think?
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
TRUTH - - Hidden Under a Bushel??
I just returned from investing a week of ministry in Western Europe. This is the land of THE REFORMATION. One of the delightful experiences I enjoyed was a tour of the Delft Blue Pottery Factory. Our guide was a very well informed and gracious lady. She took us through a garden that is impeccably apportioned and groomed. One of the exits from that garden is through a door over which is a mantle with the greek letters Alpha & Omega. Between those letters is a carving of "The Lamb Slain From the Foundation of The World". She knew nothing of the significance of the greek alphabet, and even more egregious, she knew absolutely nothing about The Lamb. I shared both with her. Her primary interest was completing the tour.
My question - How was the knowledge of the liberating power of the gospel lost? Luther, Calvin and a multitude of others to numerous to list here gave their very lives to decalre this Truth. I visited the burial place of William of Orange, credited with founding the Netherlands and a giant in promoting Truth.
Jesus made a statement that still shakes the citadels of Christianity - - A city on a hill cannot be hidden. His imagery in this passage is Salt & Light. He is speaking of those who are His disciples, His followers. When the church looses her saltiness and hides her light under a bushel, evil flourishes and the guide knows nothing of The Lamb.
How far is North America behind Europe? Not far.
My question - How was the knowledge of the liberating power of the gospel lost? Luther, Calvin and a multitude of others to numerous to list here gave their very lives to decalre this Truth. I visited the burial place of William of Orange, credited with founding the Netherlands and a giant in promoting Truth.
Jesus made a statement that still shakes the citadels of Christianity - - A city on a hill cannot be hidden. His imagery in this passage is Salt & Light. He is speaking of those who are His disciples, His followers. When the church looses her saltiness and hides her light under a bushel, evil flourishes and the guide knows nothing of The Lamb.
How far is North America behind Europe? Not far.
Rise up oh men of God,
have done with lesser things,
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of Kings.
How bright is your light - how salty your leadership and life?
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Challenge - Change - Courage
Pastor,
Yesterday I spoke with a Denominational Leader concerning the critical need in the churches he serves to step up to the 'challenge of change'. When he addresses pastors with this reality, he encounters a variety of responses. Almost all of those responses include a reason (excuses) as to why they cannot engage change. They have a family. That family will experience hardship if they launch a change initiative, it fails, and they are dismissed. These concerns are not without merit. This scenario is played out 19,000 times a year in the church in America. Lets examine this together. Then, you tell me what should be done.
Challenge - Between 2007 & 2010 12 -20% of the churches in America will simply close their doors (Barna, Olson , Rainer). Worse, almost none of these churches measures ministry by effectiveness - - fulfilling the Great Commission. They have no intentional process to transform people or to measure that transformation. In short, the have activity that will wear you out, but, no ministry venues that make a difference for eternity.
Change - The focus of ministry must be change (transformation Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor.3:18). Most pastors KNOW they need modification in ministry structures and focus, but, they are utterly unwilling to lead the initiative to incorporate those changes in ministry. In short, they are captive to the fear of man.
Courage - Asa faced wickedness and spiritual declension on all fronts. God sent the Prophet Azariah to him (2 Chron. 15:2). Asa 'took courage' (2 Chron. 15:8). He led a sweeping renewal, removing the detestable practices that dishonored the LORD Jehovah. He had the chutzpah to fire his grandmother (who was erecting phallic symbols across the land as symbols of worship to the fertility gods). Think about it pastor - firing Grandma. Way to go Asa!
So pastor, where are you in this trilogy of "Challenge-Change-Courage? God will bless your efforts as he did Asa (cf. 2 Chron. 15:2,7). You will look back on this time in your ministry and rejoice that you found the courage to ACT. Do it today, right now.
Tom Fillinger
Yesterday I spoke with a Denominational Leader concerning the critical need in the churches he serves to step up to the 'challenge of change'. When he addresses pastors with this reality, he encounters a variety of responses. Almost all of those responses include a reason (excuses) as to why they cannot engage change. They have a family. That family will experience hardship if they launch a change initiative, it fails, and they are dismissed. These concerns are not without merit. This scenario is played out 19,000 times a year in the church in America. Lets examine this together. Then, you tell me what should be done.
Challenge - Between 2007 & 2010 12 -20% of the churches in America will simply close their doors (Barna, Olson , Rainer). Worse, almost none of these churches measures ministry by effectiveness - - fulfilling the Great Commission. They have no intentional process to transform people or to measure that transformation. In short, the have activity that will wear you out, but, no ministry venues that make a difference for eternity.
Change - The focus of ministry must be change (transformation Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor.3:18). Most pastors KNOW they need modification in ministry structures and focus, but, they are utterly unwilling to lead the initiative to incorporate those changes in ministry. In short, they are captive to the fear of man.
Courage - Asa faced wickedness and spiritual declension on all fronts. God sent the Prophet Azariah to him (2 Chron. 15:2). Asa 'took courage' (2 Chron. 15:8). He led a sweeping renewal, removing the detestable practices that dishonored the LORD Jehovah. He had the chutzpah to fire his grandmother (who was erecting phallic symbols across the land as symbols of worship to the fertility gods). Think about it pastor - firing Grandma. Way to go Asa!
So pastor, where are you in this trilogy of "Challenge-Change-Courage? God will bless your efforts as he did Asa (cf. 2 Chron. 15:2,7). You will look back on this time in your ministry and rejoice that you found the courage to ACT. Do it today, right now.
Tom Fillinger
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Revival, Impotence and The Church in America
Pastor,
I write with two (2) specific objectives.
1. To Encourage - all those serving as Pastor/Shepherds in this great land of America who honor the Word of God and honor Jesus as LORD.
2. To Inquire - what is your perspective on a scale of 1 - 10 measuring our spiritual vibrancy and effectiveness in accomplishing the Great Commission?
I write with two (2) specific objectives.
1. To Encourage - all those serving as Pastor/Shepherds in this great land of America who honor the Word of God and honor Jesus as LORD.
- For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
2. To Inquire - what is your perspective on a scale of 1 - 10 measuring our spiritual vibrancy and effectiveness in accomplishing the Great Commission?
- For it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Eph. 5:14)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Appreciate hearing from you and knowing your rartionale for the assessment you offer.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Brian/Katie/Charles & Reality
The USA Today (August 29, 1D) has a feature article on the continuing decline in the number of viewers watching the "Evening News". The networks apparently still don't get it. America is NOT even remotely interested in the daily droning of the network annointed guardians of our minds. They do not realize that the average American is quite capable and willing to acquire the facts concerning that days events, interpret them, and draw their own conclusions. All this long before the 'triplets' seek to invade our cherished privacy. We have turned them off and tuned them out. The stats look like this:
Brain = down 7%
Katie = down 7%
Charles = up 3%
Net Results = down 11%
However, this does not deter CBS et al. They continue to whistle through the cemetery as though some new fad, some new feature, some new ? ? ? will resurrect their decades old choke hold on America every evening at 6:30 PM. NOT! NOT! NOT!
The church in America engages in a similar lunacy. The tincture of reality seldom, if ever, graces the assessment of our, to quote Jim Collins, "Brutal Reality". We continue to decline at a rate that accelerates faster than NASCAR. Denominations continue to bring sophmoric and utterly ineffective pseudo solutions to profoundly real problems. Their chief concern is to preserve staus quo and most of all, protect the 'coffers'. Don't do anything that might disturbe the constituency and perhaps cause them to dry up the cash flow. The church in America continues to 'count the numbers on the roles' much like the networks count viewers.
The viewers are disappearing and so are the members. Soon, the church will be forced to face 'Brutal Reality' or resort to counting the dead in the cemetery out back!
We simply must face our 'Brutal Reality'. We must confess that we have become so much like the world around us that there is little or no distinction. We have reduced the responsibility of belonging to a sparodic 'guest appearance' on an occassional weekend when we don't have any other activity that we prefer. We have reduced Pastor/Shepherds to mere managers of the gig once a week with a lot of activity in between, but most certainly, nothing that grapples with the utterly essential dynamic of Transformation, redeemed sinners becoming like the Chirst who purchased a people for Himself and left us here to honor Him as Salt & Light!
So, we either change, or start numbering those grave markers out back. Which will it be?
Tom
Brain = down 7%
Katie = down 7%
Charles = up 3%
Net Results = down 11%
However, this does not deter CBS et al. They continue to whistle through the cemetery as though some new fad, some new feature, some new ? ? ? will resurrect their decades old choke hold on America every evening at 6:30 PM. NOT! NOT! NOT!
The church in America engages in a similar lunacy. The tincture of reality seldom, if ever, graces the assessment of our, to quote Jim Collins, "Brutal Reality". We continue to decline at a rate that accelerates faster than NASCAR. Denominations continue to bring sophmoric and utterly ineffective pseudo solutions to profoundly real problems. Their chief concern is to preserve staus quo and most of all, protect the 'coffers'. Don't do anything that might disturbe the constituency and perhaps cause them to dry up the cash flow. The church in America continues to 'count the numbers on the roles' much like the networks count viewers.
The viewers are disappearing and so are the members. Soon, the church will be forced to face 'Brutal Reality' or resort to counting the dead in the cemetery out back!
We simply must face our 'Brutal Reality'. We must confess that we have become so much like the world around us that there is little or no distinction. We have reduced the responsibility of belonging to a sparodic 'guest appearance' on an occassional weekend when we don't have any other activity that we prefer. We have reduced Pastor/Shepherds to mere managers of the gig once a week with a lot of activity in between, but most certainly, nothing that grapples with the utterly essential dynamic of Transformation, redeemed sinners becoming like the Chirst who purchased a people for Himself and left us here to honor Him as Salt & Light!
So, we either change, or start numbering those grave markers out back. Which will it be?
Tom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
