In the Old Testament, false prophets were stoned.
Some things never seem to change.
The crazy stuff said by modern day false prophets shows they’re still stoned.
Seriously, they need to get a grip on reality …
And stop smokin’ that illicit weed.
Category: Simple Truth
So why the difference between the diverse, flat leadership found in relational participatory churches as taught in the New Testament …
And the monopolistic, pinnacle leadership often found in institutional churches that are rooted in post-New Testament presumptions and traditions?
There are many, but here’s an important one:
Church “leadership” and “ministry” are not about hierarchical organizational charts with titles and positions.
That has more to do with personal privilege, advantage and control …
Than humbly learning to dynamically function together as we prefer one another above ourselves in our different callings by using our diverse gifts to serve each other and submit one to another.
The former comes from the world of secular corporations.
The latter, from the heart of God.
Don’t be deceived by false claims of “compassion” by repressive “progressives.”
Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek, to give the coat off our back, and to help the poor.
But He never said to use government coercion to do it for us …
Or to force others to pay for it.
You can’t find a single instance in all of Scripture, by example or precept, where government is given authority to usurp our individual obligation …
To be our brother’s keeper.
And thus we are left with the fundamental error of repressive “progressives,” who want government to assume the burdens of compassion which they won’t bear themselves …
While compelling everyone else to pay for it.
Scripture has lots to say about the proper role and authority of civil governments.
For example, God primarily tasks civil authorities with an obligation to protect the innocent from evil doers …
So we may live peaceable lives that allow us to fulfill our own obligations to take care of ourselves and each other.
But nowhere in Scripture does God empower government to usurp our personal obligations of individual responsibility and charity.
Turn to Scripture and prove me wrong.
Otherwise, you make an idol out of government power, expecting it to do and fix what God commands of us as individuals to do and fix …
Through personal initiative and voluntary cooperation.
Nothing in the original language or context of the New Testament even remotely matches our current, prevailing concepts of …
“Church,” “pastor,” “teach,” “preach,” “tithe,” “ministry,” “communion,” “worship,” and so much more.
Which begs the question:
What do people think they’re actually doing each Sunday morning?
Is it just an edifice built on post-Biblical human traditions and contradictions …
Continue readingWhen “faith” is reduced to individual subjective beliefs and perceptions …
Truth becomes hate speech and virtue an outrage.
Effective, liberating forgiveness can’t occur unless we fully acknowledge the underlying wrong that plagues us;
How wrong the wrong is; and
What our heart truly feels because of it …
Whether committed by us or against us.
Only when we stop minimizing, rationalizing or excusing the offense …
Can we fully give it to the Lord.
And be free.
Moral norms or normalized evil?
When it comes to the basis for our laws, there is no neutrality …
There is no middle ground.
So when you vote for those who want to make them …
Choose wisely.
Don’t waste your life:
If it ain’t worth dying for …
Then it likely ain’t worth living for either.
Often, we had no choice over bad things that happened in our past …
But whether we let them define us or instead turn them over to God is always our choice.
Failing to fully surrender them to Him, however …
Is why experiencing relational participatory church is so difficult for so many.
Consider this:
Actual relational participatory church is impossible …
Unless we learn to prefer one another above ourselves.
Continue readingFreedoms and opportunities created through your own sacrifices for others are fleeting …
If they won’t likewise sacrifice to preserve them.
This is as true with individuals …
As with nations, cultures and generations.
Plumbline Faith 