A very good friend of mine pointed out to me that I seem to have a need to find a worthy adversary. He could very well be right. My mother has always told me that I was forever in search of a cause, and maybe I found one or two in my time.
I think about these things and wonder about some of the recent journal entries.
I would like to think that there is a difference. I’d like to think that no one really seems to give an answer to this guy and that someone should. I strive to live our Titus 1:7-9. Not as an elder, but as one entrusted to oversee teaching efforts in the church where I am a member. I do not want to be overbearing or quick-tempered (a struggle). I want to be hospitable, holy and disciplined (also a struggle). I strive for sound doctrine and I am not afraid to refute bad doctrine. This is also a struggle.
Why? Because it seems that no one wants to be the bad guy and get into the business of refuting bad doctrine. Fine. I’ll be the bad guy, but I have a clear conscience. I don’t want to be the bad guy, though. Seriously, I want to live my life for God and take care of my family and the church I attend. Surely there are better uses for my time than to deal with false doctrine hundreds of miles away.
However, no one seems to speak plainly in these matters and that is quite frustrating. Why not me? I will gladly stop if someone will show me that they are speaking out in plain, direct language.
How many papers were written about the need to change and avoid going back to what we were? Now, people from all over think that he has some magic plan to get folks back to the mission. Compare documents, and I don’t mean being nitpicky, I mean look at the message being preached and compare it to the Bible. Look at the message presented in 1987, 1991, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2005. The message has not changed ONE BIT. It is the same as it has always been. If this message wasn’t right in 1979, it doesn’t become right twenty-six years later.
Matt 28:18-20 is still being twisted to say something it doesn’t. 1 Corinthians 4:17 is being used to defend an unhealthy heirarchal structure. One-over-one relationships are preached and considered biblical mandate instead of a controversial method. Those that disagree are chided with 2 timothy 4:1-4. UpCyberDown is coming back as UpsideDown21. Plans to ‘replant’ ICoC congregations were made and stated as a goal. History is being revised or omitted, and I don’t mean the number of baptisms. No one has spoken about Indianapolis or Milan. Is it my business? Yes it is. Former members of Indy are here in my church and the former leader of the team to Milan lives 40 miles from here. It does have a personal effect here.
Seriously, am I crazy? Am I supposed to just pretend that this minister is not doing everything the same all over again? Am I supposed to pretend that his doctrines are opinion matters?
In Chicago 2003, I asked aloud about what are we going to do with this man.
Shrugs.
Apologies were made for letting things get this way, so I asked how I could prevent it from happening again.
Shrugs.
I declared then as I declare now:
I will not apologize for doing nothing 10 years from now when all of this comes back again. I will not be the one that shrugs when your children ask me what to do with this man’s followers. Not on my watch.
Shame on the cowards, now. This includes me, I went along with all of this as well. Yes, shame on the timid and cautious that offered praise when rebuke was needed. Shame on not teaching against false doctrines, so that those dying for spiritual noursihment return to their vomit like dogs. I don’t blame them - it’s all they know. I blame the so-called leaders and teachers that went along with all of this in the first place. Shame on all of you for taking some kind of middle course. Jesus was not Buddha, but we like to think that Jesus preached a middle course the way we conduct our affairs.
No, this is not me being bitter and refusing to move on. This is a cry for sanity in a place where people are calling for peace. I want real change. I want devotion to God’s Word. Is it really worth preserving some kind of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” style unity instead of defending the truth? Instead, we pretend that it is okay that folks go to this man’s church for training. Wasn’t there enough of his training already?
I do not want to be famous, or quoted or invited to think-tanks or seminars. I don’t think that everything should be the way I see it. I am not always right, nor am I some kind of prophet appointed by God to save the ICC. My life has meaning outside the ICC.
I am a man, only, and a sinful one at that. I read my Bible and ask questions. I do my best to obey the Scriptures. I pray a lot and I pray for real unity and peace. Honestly, I think I state only what is obvious, but I’ve been wrong before.
That’s when I think back to what my friend has told me. That’s when I reflect on my mother’s words. Am I in this only to be a part of a great cause? Will I always charge at windmills?
I would like to think that this is not the case, but that is a question with which I will always wrestle.