Friday, October 27, 2006

After a month Blog Fast, TSK is back!

After a month Blog Fast TSK is back!

Yeah that was old news… about a month old now.

I was reading in his blog and read the post about the discussion that took place “down under” and notice something Andrew stated over and over…

But the emerging church he describes is NOT . . . I repeat NOT. . . [wait . . let me find the bold] . . . NOT the emerging church that i signed up for and NOT the emerging church that i sold the farm for.”

I have to agree. I will say that Andrew has much better knowledge and knows more of the “leadership” (using that term very loosely) than I might ever have a chance to. Yet here I am in the scope of my own critics, and reading other critics and wondering, “What are they talking about?”

I see many things that concern me, yet I believe the scripture also states the wheat and the tare will grow together and God will sort it all out… I believe Scripture!

Matt 13: 24 - 30. Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
"The owner's servants came to him and said, `Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'
"`An enemy did this,' he replied "The servants asked him, `Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
"`No,' he answered, `because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"


Why do you appoint yourself to do what Jesus said will be done at the appointed time? Do you claim to be greater than Jesus?

As I read criticisms, I really feel like I am reading about another world other than the one I live. I am called a heretic, yet I affirm Christ’ death burial and resurrection. I have more personal attacks than actual criticism of the Emerging movement… in fact mostly what I get is person… from people who have never even taken the time to actually meet me in person. That is very un-biblical… in fact it shows a total disregard for the scripture they claim to believe… which in turn made me realize, maybe they do not really believe what they think they do!

What I am saying is what James says: Chapter 1:22-26

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

I do not see your deeds of love, but I do see you wag your tongue. I see someone who at least to me has a worthless religion, and is trying to get me to turn to it! You are just deceiving yourself with that thought.

Again, I believe Jesus was born of a virgin… began His ministry at His Baptism and did miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit… as He depended on the Father. This same Jesus was crucified, buried and then on the 3rd day rose from the grave… having learned obedience even unto death, to be lifted and glorified sitting as the Lion of Judah and the Lamb that was slain on the Throne of God… this same Jesus will raise all in judgment on the last day and give reward to those who not just heard His words, but did them… to those who did not there will be everlasting separation, which is called the second death.


This is Bible plain and simple. I strive in my life to live as Paul said:

Gal 2: 20-21. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

I guess what I am saying is that if I am not a brother in Christ, then what are you saying?

What I hear is this….

You believe that by reasons and rational thinking that one can read propositions live by them and then gain access to Heaven. Jesus though may be a person, or may not be nothing more than a proposition is/is not the TRUTH. (A bit confusing but that is what I hear you say… how can he both? How can you reduce Jesus to a bunch of words on a page of a book?

I hear that Love is not important because the number # thing on your list is:

“I am doing this blog to refute the Emergent. I do so for a number of reasons. First, Christians are to oppose , expose, and eliminate false teaching at every chance.”

I thought first we are to "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

I hope that that verse looks a little familiar…I will let you look it up yourself. I think though these being Jesus’ own words… they should be believed!

You hold logic over the Holy Spirit revelation.

You hold knowledge and belief over a relationship with Christ.


I believe no one can be saved except by the power of the Holy Spirit. I believe it is by our relationship in Christ that we are a New Creation, having our minds renewed and our spirits regenerated.

The whole and only reason I do my blog is to share Christ Jesus in my life… to share the wonders and the change that has happened in me… and that is what you ridicule!

I am way past being angry. Anger does nothing but harm the person that is angry, so I released that to God and forgave you, living out my conviction by the Holy Spirit and by the same Power… and you mocked me again?


I find myself in a quandary as to how you expect me to “repent” when you have no idea how I actually live my life? Who are you to judge anyone? Again I turned to scripture to appeal to you “logic and reason” yet you rush it aside… which really only proves my point as to the fallacy of human reason…

Romans 2: 1-4

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?


Both my critics claim to have knowledge of Greek and one claims to teach Greek and Hebrew… Yet neither can read plain English! I believe the scripture… I see it for what it says and I fear for you on the last day! I pray for you daily so that God will reveal His Kindness and Love to you. I pray daily for you to receive the Mercy and Grace of this awesome and wonderful God!


And you still mocked me.

So, what do I do? I will continue to Live for Christ.. Let Him be my very life and continue to preach and teach Jesus as I have come to know Him… He is my Lord, Savior, King, Teacher, Friend, and Brother. (Don’t those words seem a little relational to you?)

My only appeal is to not let your reasoning, and propositions (which I do not deny but need to be in proper perspective in relation to Jesus) get in the way of the Person of Jesus.

As far as the caricature that you have drawn of me and others… I forgive you and will continue to as Jesus said to… so receive it or reject it… that is oft the proof of the condition of your heart not mine.

Blessings,
iggy




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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

well, since everyone is giving you such a hard time . . . let me join them

now thats a silly cap you are wearing in that photo !!!

[good to hear from you iggy!]

Unknown said...

LOL!

Oh, the personal attacks never stop!

LOL!

You made my day!

BTW, my wife likes the "silly cap" and I think I better value her opinion...

But doesn't it make me look so "cool" and "Postmodern", I mean I have the grey beard like Brian McLaren, though I do have a better hair line... for now... I even have candles burning for atmosphere... now I just need to think how to creatively use some swear words in my next blog and sermon I give....


Blessings,
iggy