This is an interesting video that gives insight into the thought process of the emerging church. Note the words he ends the video with........ I am the gospel?
Although, I would agree with Rob that the church should be much more involved in the lives of people than it is today, the greater way to make a difference is for us to reform our view of God and not promote how wonderful we are.
A dear brother in Christ just shared with me over lunch a local churches decision to install lighting and disco balls for a "youth" group to the tune of $8K. Miraculously a donation came in for $8K and of course the local church saw this as a "sign" to buy the lighting kits.....
How many people will starve in the world today while each of us pour money into our own version of "lights"?
How many children will be blinded by conducive atmospheres only to to miss the true light in the end?
John 8:12
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”"
3 comments:
That's puzzling, but so dangerous. It is so inspiring and encouraging to some.
Did God really say...?
Does "You are the Gospel" differ much from "you are a letter from Christ" in 2 Cor 3:3? What is the problem you find in the exhortation to be a living proof that Christ rose from the dead?
Yes, I feel that it differs in the most extravagant of ways.
The context of 2 Cor 3:3 is the authority of Paul over that of false teachers. Paul gives the indication that the Corinthians are being lead astray by "peddler of God's Word".
2 Cor. 2:17
For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
He is giving a defense that he needs no human written letter of recommendation (2 Cor 3:1) as some do. They are his letter, they are the proof of his apostleship.
So, what Paul says here in fact is not necessarily an exhortation to the Corinthians, but rather instruction to them.
I will agree that there is absolutely nothing wrong at all with providing exhortation and encouragement for our brothers and sisters in Christ to be a living witness of the power of the gospel. However, that proves my point. They are living out the power of the gospel, they themselves are not the gospel.
Paul goes on to say:
2 Cor. 3:4-5
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Note the statement by the apostle, "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us. This is in direct reflection of what the apostle John would state concerning John the Baptist:
John 3:25-30
25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Rob Bell made no mention of the cross or the atonement that rests at its feet. This is dangerous and misleading and is in fact leaning more towards new age mysticism than towards the risen, crucified Savior.
Thanks for the comment.....
Until He Returns,
Post a Comment