"He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." (Titus 1:9)
Few evangelical Christians are unfamiliar with Houston pastor Joel Osteen. Sadly, even with Osteen's popularity, he still seems to be flying under the radar in the sense that many still consider him orthodox (e.g. his books are still selling big in 'Christian' retail outlets and Lakeside Church in Houston is one of the biggest in the country). Interestingly, when we lived in Orange County, California our next door neighbor (from Lebanon and a committed Muslim) loved to listen to Osteen's weekly television broadcast. Though we tried to share the gospel with her, this Muslim's view of Christianity was found in the message of Joel Osteen. Similarly, one of my co-workers was a big fan of Osteen, but not a fan of biblical Christianity. Didn't Jesus say something about the world loving it's own?!
As John MacArthur points out so well in this short video, Osteen's message is one that appeals to everything the carnal heart desires and is, therefore, nothing short of Satanic. In the next short video, pastor Steven Lawson rebukes Osteen for his cowardly denial of the gospel on Larry King live. Lastly, Way of the Master Radio, has produced a short video contrasting the preaching of Paul Washer with Osteen. The contrast between Washer and Osteen is stark to say the least (especially as it relates to the nature and needs of man).
As long as Osteen remains a hot commodity in the evangelical world, his public false teaching needs to be publicly rebuked as pastor's MacArthur, Lawson, Washer, and others have done. Osteen attracts many with his positivity, charm, and unassuming style . . . but this is also what makes him especially dangerous since his message cannot be found in the pages of Scripture (unless he strips verses out of context of course, which he often does). With Osteen's vast influence we need to pray he will repent of his false teaching, begin to preach the Word of God accurately, and preach the cross of our Lord Jesus. His errors as a supposed pastor are egregious, which makes his popularity all the more disturbing.
Showing posts with label False Teachers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label False Teachers. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Pastoral Malpractice
I have been talking to a couple of friends over the last few days about the concern we have for family members that are attending churches that simply are not very good. Sadly, many (not all) of the worst churches from a biblical perspective (is there any other criteria?) are packed-out every Sunday and some even hold services at multi-campuses for thousands. Though the problems with these particular churches are diverse in nature, there is a common theme and that is the leadership at these churches are not carrying out their pastoral duties faithfully. The Bible says, "preach the Word," but they opt for self-help psychobabble. The Word says, "preach Christ crucified and repentance for the forgiveness of sins," but they teach moralism with Jesus functioning as life-coach. The Scriptures teach that ministers should "teach the whole counsel of God's Word," but these ear-scratchers choose watered-down topical messages/series and twist God's Word by taking verses out of their context. The Lord says, "feed my sheep," but these leaders attempt to entertain 'seekers.' Peter referred to church leaders as under-shepherds, but many of today's pastors see themselves as CEO's of a spiritual business. On and on we could go.
There is a lot at stake in all of this . . . nothing short of the eternal condition of souls. The visible evangelical church is very sick and is not receiving the healing words of the Great Physician. I wonder if medical doctors were as careless and deceitful as these church leaders if they would be able to keep practicing medicine for long? Certainly the word would get out concerning their medical negligence. Their patients would be perpetually ill, they would be sued for malpractice, and eventually get stripped of their licenses. What is perplexing in the spiritual realm is that the malpractice of pastors and elders actually works in growing churches. In fact, one church growth proponent guarantees his pastoral understudies a 20% increase in growth if they adopt his spiritual marketing approach!
Today's post on Unashamed Workman has a searching J.C. Ryle quote from the 19th century that describes well the malpractice of pastors. In a nutshell they are flatterers rather than ambassadors of the Word and tell sick spiritual patients that they are well when they need to hear about their sin and Christ's redemptive work. I tremble to think of these spiritual marketers standing before the Head of the church and giving an account of how they handled His truth, kept unbelievers comfortable in their sins, and harmed His precious bride. If you are in one of these churches, you need to find a Bible-teaching church where the leaders will truly care for your soul by feeding you the Word, warning you of what is false, and preaching Christ every week.
There is a lot at stake in all of this . . . nothing short of the eternal condition of souls. The visible evangelical church is very sick and is not receiving the healing words of the Great Physician. I wonder if medical doctors were as careless and deceitful as these church leaders if they would be able to keep practicing medicine for long? Certainly the word would get out concerning their medical negligence. Their patients would be perpetually ill, they would be sued for malpractice, and eventually get stripped of their licenses. What is perplexing in the spiritual realm is that the malpractice of pastors and elders actually works in growing churches. In fact, one church growth proponent guarantees his pastoral understudies a 20% increase in growth if they adopt his spiritual marketing approach!
Today's post on Unashamed Workman has a searching J.C. Ryle quote from the 19th century that describes well the malpractice of pastors. In a nutshell they are flatterers rather than ambassadors of the Word and tell sick spiritual patients that they are well when they need to hear about their sin and Christ's redemptive work. I tremble to think of these spiritual marketers standing before the Head of the church and giving an account of how they handled His truth, kept unbelievers comfortable in their sins, and harmed His precious bride. If you are in one of these churches, you need to find a Bible-teaching church where the leaders will truly care for your soul by feeding you the Word, warning you of what is false, and preaching Christ every week.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Rob Bell Corrects Jesus' Teaching on Hell?!
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Jesus in Matthew 7:15).
" . . . so it will be at the close of the age. The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all lawbreakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear." (Jesus in Matthew 13:40b-43).
"The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of His mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient; for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fullness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards, in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast aside into everlasting torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power." Chapter 32:2 of the 1689 London Baptist Confession.
(Romans 9:22-23; Mathew 25:21, 34; 2 Timothy 4:8; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).
Though this kind of report in today's post sounds crazy, my best guess is that similar things are happening at a church near you. Thus, people that you are coming into contact with from within the church are becoming a mission-field and may need to be addressed in love, but also in truth. Popular emergent pastor and false teacher Rob Bell has just published a book called Love Wins. Bell is the pastor of one of the fastest growing 'churches' in the nation, Mars Hill Bible Church (ironic name, since Bell clearly does not believe the Bible) in Grand Rapids, MI. Bell is known for his inclusive view of 'Christianity' (e.g. he has had the Dalai Lama speak at Mars Hill and teaches that all faiths point equally to God), but his 'Christianity' is no Christianity at all! In Bell's latest attack on orthodox Christianity, he takes issue with the doctrine of hell and eternal punishment . . . claiming that this doctrine is part of the many absurdities that keep people away from Christianity. In short, Rob Bell is a modern universalist and his teachings are heterodox.
We have a big problem here. Jesus taught us more about hell than He did about heaven. Moreover, His apostles continued Jesus' teaching on eternal punishment in the epistles. The doctrine of eternal punishment is seen throughout the Scriptures. While Bell's teaching sounds great to the unsaved multitudes, he pits himself directly against Christ. It can't be stated any other way . . . though one of the characteristics of post-modern thinking is the fallacy that 2 opposing ideas can both be true! Still trying to figure this illogical thinking out, but maybe it is best not to try.
Covering Rob Bell today is also a good chance to expose you to Chris Rosebrough's ministry, Fighting for the Faith on Pirate Christian Radio. Pastor Kevin DeYoung has also posted today on his blog about Bell and the important doctrine of the wrath of God. Chris Rosebrough is on top of the disturbing evangelical scene and covers the latest events in the church thoroughly, thoughtfully, and with a good sense of humor. For his coverage of Rob Bell's latest deviation from orthodox Christianity see this link on Fighting for the Faith.
Pray that Rob Bell would repent of his false teaching and that others would be spared his ideas . . . these are false doctrines, that if believed, sadly land people in the eternal place that Bell believes does not even exist. This is also the kind of teaching that robs God of being honored for His mercy and grace. The mercy and grace that was especially on display as Jesus bore the wrath of God for sinners at Calvary.
" . . . so it will be at the close of the age. The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all lawbreakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear." (Jesus in Matthew 13:40b-43).
"The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of His mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient; for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fullness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards, in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast aside into everlasting torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power." Chapter 32:2 of the 1689 London Baptist Confession.
(Romans 9:22-23; Mathew 25:21, 34; 2 Timothy 4:8; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).
Though this kind of report in today's post sounds crazy, my best guess is that similar things are happening at a church near you. Thus, people that you are coming into contact with from within the church are becoming a mission-field and may need to be addressed in love, but also in truth. Popular emergent pastor and false teacher Rob Bell has just published a book called Love Wins. Bell is the pastor of one of the fastest growing 'churches' in the nation, Mars Hill Bible Church (ironic name, since Bell clearly does not believe the Bible) in Grand Rapids, MI. Bell is known for his inclusive view of 'Christianity' (e.g. he has had the Dalai Lama speak at Mars Hill and teaches that all faiths point equally to God), but his 'Christianity' is no Christianity at all! In Bell's latest attack on orthodox Christianity, he takes issue with the doctrine of hell and eternal punishment . . . claiming that this doctrine is part of the many absurdities that keep people away from Christianity. In short, Rob Bell is a modern universalist and his teachings are heterodox.
We have a big problem here. Jesus taught us more about hell than He did about heaven. Moreover, His apostles continued Jesus' teaching on eternal punishment in the epistles. The doctrine of eternal punishment is seen throughout the Scriptures. While Bell's teaching sounds great to the unsaved multitudes, he pits himself directly against Christ. It can't be stated any other way . . . though one of the characteristics of post-modern thinking is the fallacy that 2 opposing ideas can both be true! Still trying to figure this illogical thinking out, but maybe it is best not to try.
Covering Rob Bell today is also a good chance to expose you to Chris Rosebrough's ministry, Fighting for the Faith on Pirate Christian Radio. Pastor Kevin DeYoung has also posted today on his blog about Bell and the important doctrine of the wrath of God. Chris Rosebrough is on top of the disturbing evangelical scene and covers the latest events in the church thoroughly, thoughtfully, and with a good sense of humor. For his coverage of Rob Bell's latest deviation from orthodox Christianity see this link on Fighting for the Faith.
Pray that Rob Bell would repent of his false teaching and that others would be spared his ideas . . . these are false doctrines, that if believed, sadly land people in the eternal place that Bell believes does not even exist. This is also the kind of teaching that robs God of being honored for His mercy and grace. The mercy and grace that was especially on display as Jesus bore the wrath of God for sinners at Calvary.
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