To to be honest, I was not looking for any positive responses regarding the series I began a week or so ago examining a teaching point being delivered to Discovery Church from their Pastor Jason Ebeling. What I was expecting was more of a defence to the issue on the table, the doctrine. Of course, many people emailed me saying I was mean, low, attacking their preacher. On one comment, I was referred to as a blog stalker and implied I did not have a heart for God and others, and the sort, never once mentioning what the whole post is about, the doctrine. In any of my posts, I never once called anyone, the Pastor, or any attendee of this church a derogatory name such as stupid, dump, idiots, the whole post is directed at, the doctrine. So, the problem must be twofold as I can see it.
First, the responders do not understand the use of the word Ignorant, instead believing I said they were all boneheads over there, which is not the case. Ignorant from the root word "Ignore" means to simply be missing some information or are choosing to dismiss some information Even the corrupted text of the NIV contains the word "Ignorant" so these folks should be familiar with the language. Secondly, the responders are more interested in a person instead of what matters most, which would be, the doctrine.
I was referred to as a "jerk" on the Discovery Church blog by someone that is active in ministry in my area claiming to be on a mission to see the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel (the tabernacle of David) as set forth in Acts 15. What are the chances this person is preaching Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, or making all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery?, but rather they are engaged in an activity God himself has set aside for this present dispensation of the grace of God? But without controversy, the most amazing response is on the blog of the Pastor. Pay attention to what this responder is defending, it is not , the doctrine!
Dean, I'm sorry, but please stop. You might not approve of our pastor or disagree with his theology or even think he is a heretic. That's fine. However, even if he's completely wrong, an ignorant brethren (as you called him in your blog), or not even a Christian, for you to use this as an opportunity to to try and tear him down is just low and mean. I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish by acting this way, but it's not appreciated by any of us. Maybe that will make you happy or maybe you'll use this as fodder for your blog to point out how we are all blinded by the tainted doctrine he's spewing from the pulpit or something, but none of us put any respect into the hurtful ways you choose to make your points.
This, like every responder so far has defended the Pastor and not, the doctrine. I know, it's not popular to actually be a Bible believer, or use the scriptures as they are intended to be used as 2ND Timothy tells us in....
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:- 2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Doctrine, reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness. Doctrine schmoctrine. Reproof, can't have that. Correction, no way, we can't offend the tithers. Instruction in righteousness, that one's okay as long as we follow Jesus. Burger King was not the first to offer a "have it your way" menu, churches have been operating that way for way too long. Perfect, furnished unto all good works cannot be accomplished until you get the doctrine right, and that requires reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. But who cares about the doctrine? Do you?
I care...and God cares. I'm curious to know what you believe is doctrine.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord says to us in Matthew...
Matthew 15
8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
10And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
11Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
12Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
13But he (Jesus) answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14"Let them alone": they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
"If" Pastor Ebeling/Discovery Church is being as you say, and leading others astray with his teaching of God's word (ref. from the scripture, "the blind leading the blind"), he and is congregation will eventually fall into the ditch (not literally of course)...We won't have to give him spiritual directions on how he is getting himself, and others into the ditch; he will drive himself there, along with his followers!
"Let them alone"...This is the word of the Lord.
* edit for correction: He and "his" congregation...being those following Pastor Ebeling's teaching of the Word of God....
ReplyDeleteThe Lord also said keep the commandments. Jesus and His disciples were under the law. We today are under grace. That's what Dean's blog is all about. Teaching people the truth of God's word rightly divided. It's all God's word. Rightly dividing truth from truth. You have to know who the audience is. That's the error being taught today. You cannot take what was spoken and promised to Israel and take it as your own.
ReplyDeleteJenn...seriously now, do you put yourself in the audience of Mathew 15? This chapter is a great example of the ministry of the Lord and also the clear division of Israel from the gentiles. The Lord Himself said....Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The Apostle Paul confirms the Lords statement in Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: How do you place yourself, me, or Jason in the context of Mathew 15 and at the same time maintain the integrity of the scriptures? You just cannot.we do not disregard what was written aforetime, they are for our learning, but not our doctrine. If you insist that Mathew is written for our doctrine, I challenge you be obedient to Mathew 23:1-3. If you misunderstand 2 Tim 3:16 in thinking all scripture is OUR doctrine, you have made an egregious error. All scripture is inspired by God, but not all scripture is our doctrine. It is so obvious if you compare and contrast doctrine for Israel and dcotrine for us in this present dispensation of the grace of God. Mercy, as much as I have made that distinction as to the dispensational aspect you would think it would begin to sink in. Perhaps if you would spend as much time studying the clear doctrinal, dispensational distinctives between Law and Grace, Israel and the body of Christ, prophecy and mystery, you would not be so bound as to defend the error of the teaching from your Pastor.
ReplyDeleteFaithplusnothing has it 100% correct! Thank you so much. Unteaching is much more difficult than working with a clean slate and I appreciate your responses.