C. Peter Wagner of the Church Growth Movement seems to love redefining Biblical texts to fall in with his own misconceptions of what the Scriptures are really saying.
It is quite clear to me that the church is no longer in the business of discernment. Especially when it comes to drawing people to the church.
However, when it comes to doctrinal purity, the church has come to a complete stop! It amazes me that so many churches and their bookstores are still peddling material that are very doubtful as to its doctrinal purity, even up to complete heresy. Material from the Word-Faith movement from people like Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Joyce Meyer and others abound in these bookstores. Many think that the doctrines taught by these people are the best things since sliced bread, but the fact is that they teach false doctrines to the point of heresy. In fact, these people will be the weeds that will be removed from the harvest when Jesus returns!
Furthermore, there are preachers and singers (T.D. Jakes, Tommy Tenney and Phillips, Craig and Dean) that do not believe in the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, yet their books, CDs and DVDs are sold in these same bookstores.
The amazing thing is that there are pastors that read documentation on the false doctrines of these people; however, they still allow these materials in their bookstores. Either these pastors do not think that there is a problem--which points to the fact that they themselves are not schooled enough in proper Biblical theology, or they do see that there is a problem with these false teachers and do nothing about it--which points to the fact that they do not really care about their flock and will be judged for that!
(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? (3) You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. (4) The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. (5) So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. (6) My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. (7) "Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: (8) As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, (9) therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: (10) Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.
Ezekiel 34:1-10 ESV
It is up to the pastors to take a lead in spelling out the need for pure doctrine and not to let the flock be devoured by wolves in sheep's clothing! If a pastor is unable to do this, then I am afraid, he doesn't fulfill the Biblical requirements of a pastor!
It certainly is time for the church to stand up against these devouring wolves in order to protect the flock!
Discernment, Please!
Just thinking...
2 comments:
Unfortunately, it is not PC to protect the flock.
I find it so ironic that these pastors call themselves the shepherds of God's flock, but none of them is willing to fight a lion or a bear like David did to protect the flock. I suppose they believe in survival of the fittest, not the protection of the weak by the fittest!
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