Monday, September 18, 2006

Reject the dangerous rhetoric of false prophets (3)

The architects of the Portland movement and United Cooperation Group have fallen into old patterns in order to increase and sustain their respective memberships. Why the need to embrace the Biblical pattern of discipleship relations all over again?

McKean has justified the imperative disciple approach as an essential part for salvation. Anything obscuring his viewpoint is devastating false teaching. Kip warned disloyal members not to think themselves “better” than past leaders! How about that standard!

“I believe the lukewarmness that is plaguing many American congregations comes from some leaders, who are ‘super apostles’ (thinking themselves ‘better’ than past leaders) who have begun to preach a more palatable, ‘PC’ (politically correct) Jesus! They preach a different Jesus who says, “You don’t have to come to all church services to be a faithful disciple!” “If evangelism is too much pressure, do it only if you ‘feel’ good about it.” “Only the apostles were discipled. That was a ‘professional preacher training relationship’, no one-one one! Especially no one-over-one!” Sadly many thought these destructive teachings are being ‘led astray from their sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” [Source: I Am Not Ashamed – 4th July 2004]

Paul the Apostle hangs up a signboard in the book of Philippians. It reads: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.” (Philippians 3:2 KJV) In modern English it reads: “Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.” (Philippians 3:2 NIV)

The signboard warns about “a different gospel – which is really no gospel at all.” The gospel of the Circumcision group is recorded in Acts 15:1. “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1 NIV)

The Apostle for the Gentiles spends all his days refuting it. In short, circumcision is not faith and faith is not based upon this circumcision! In other words: a belief system is not faith and faith is not based upon a belief system!

But can you teach old dogs new tricks? Often, it is not that you can’t teach old dogs new tricks; you can’t teach some dogs any tricks at all.

Is Jesus’ discipleship method a theological fantasy?

A careful study on Roy Davison’s Errors of Hierarchical Discipleship (click sidebar on Roy Davison) is either instrumental as “dangerous rhetoric” of a false prophet or heaven send wisdom!

Who is barking into the wind?

In my opinion: “There is a need for urgent fresh thinking!”

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