The Church
is in trouble in America in a strange kind of way—the political against love
and faith.
Almost six months ago, I stated I would keep
adding to my review of Megan Basham’s book Shepherds for Sell, beginning with my posting on chapter 3, “Hijacking the
Pro-Life Movement.” I spent too many weeks not wanting to read at all, and then
I listened to a review by an evangelical pastor, I can’t remember his name.
While he said he agreed with some of the book mostly he was disappointed with
it and would not finish reading it. His reason, there were simply too many
statements by Basham based on only two or three word quotes from those she was critiquing
to back up her assumptions about their faith. He had no desire to do that much
research. Also noted by others her critiques are not particularly theological. I
suddenly, as I listened, realized why I no longer wanted to read—any book! I
was forcing myself to deal with nonsense.
I decided I
would no longer review the book—but there is still something I have to say that
is connected to that book and to other sources. And this will take me far
beyond any book review.
This will be
a bit political at first but I promise to return to a theological and biblical outlook.
Since I wrote the review on chapter 3, we have elected a new president. Some
are concerned by a candidate for the President’s cabinet who is friends with
Russia’s Putin and the now disposed ruler of Syria. Many are concerned about the lack of morality
among some of the candidates. But important for what I am writing many are
troubled by enemies lists, by an insistence on retribution.
One of Trump’s
choices for a cabinet position, director of the FBI, Kash Patel, has an enemies
list in his book, Government Gangsters. Some high officials, some mostly
unknowns, at least one news person is on that list. And this is like a dark shadow
in my thoughts about the Church—there are Christians who are also forming an
enemies list. I see that when I see a link to a Christianity Today
article on Facebook and someone in the comment section states that “that
magazine has been dead for a long time.” I see that list when I hear Eric
Metaxas referring to Tim Alberta author
of The
Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism,
as a Marxist, globalist, and his book as
coming from the “pit of hell.”
There is a
whole list in Megan Basham’s book Shepherds For Sell. There Is Gavin
Orland, Beth Moore, Tim Keller, Karen Swallow Prior, Russell Moore, too many.
All of the people on the lists are faithful Christians; they believe in the orthodox
teaching of the Church, the truth of the Scriptures, they are pro-life and
honor the biblical teaching about marriage. Above all they are faithful to the
Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ.
In a
troubling time when the secular political culture of the United States has those
who wish to do damage to others via courts and institutions and the extremist
on both the left and right wish to do damage via violence and courts, to see those
who call themselves followers of Jesus begin their own battle against brothers
and sisters is grievous.[1]
If someone is a heretic say what their false teaching is as it applies to Christ
and his church. Are they denying the Trinity, the bodily resurrection of Jesus,
the deity of Jesus, the redemptive work of Christ on the cross, but if they are
not do not lie about their faithfulness.
I intend to
keep posting on Facebook and X any of these people, (I include David French
among them who has been badly persecuted) when I see good videos and articles
by them. And I predict that those in the Church who keep insulting and defaming
faithful Christians will sink (slink) into darker and more troubling areas.
Eric Metaxas has already started down that path with his troubling view of
justification by faith, insisting that Martin Luther was too obsessed by “justification
by faith alone.”[2] When
you do not love your brother and sister well you will too soon start fusing
that contrariness to the Lord of the Church with false doctrine.
Let love
be without hypocrisy, abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted
to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. Not
lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit serving the Lord; rejoicing in
hope, persevering in tribulation. Devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs
of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Bless
those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice
and weep with those who weep.
Be of the
same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the
lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Never pay
back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
If
possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Never
take your own revenge beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is
written , “vengeance is Mine I will repay says the Lord.” (Romans 12: 9-19)
[1] The
Haman Effect: MAGA Looking Forward to Hanging Enemies Naming
His Grace: The Haman Effect: MAGA Looking Forward to Hanging Enemies
[2] Eric
Metaxas' Letter to the American Church and the Rest of the Story Naming
His Grace: Eric Metaxas' Letter to the American Church and the Rest of the
Story
