If any man teach otherwise,
and consent not to wholesome
words, even the words of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
doctrine which is according to
godliness he is proud, knowing
nothing, but doting about questions
and strifes of words, whereof cometh
envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
perverse disputings of men of corrupt
minds, and destitute of the truth,
supposing that gain is godliness:
from such withdraw thyself.
But godliness with contentment is
great gain.
1Timothy 6:3-6
The early Church had to face many obstacles to their faith and so do we today we face many obstacles to our faith and not all from those outside of Christianity, for much comes from within. We all have heard of "sugar coating" something, and this is to hide or veil the truth of a matter. The Bible calls this "tickling of ears." Some who preach have the idea or concept or invariable, essential Christian doctrines would be contrary to a proper and healthy "conversation" as they experience the "Story of God" in their lives and the lives of others. Think upon this: Absolute truths necessarily mean there are absolute errors. In this present culture, a pluralistic culture where by everyone has "truth" or "truth beliefs" and those who are teaching and preaching other doctrinal theologies believe that to address the essential truths of the Bible would alienate and hinder the ability to reach the unsaved. Truth is truth, and not "truths." Yes truth must be conjoined with love, but not sacrificed to love.
The Emerging Church, a doctrine presented by some Churches and hard to define as there are many shapes and are often in constant changes, but in the foremost theology there is similarity one to the other, and is often seen in their unorthodox methods for reaching the lost, this they do by the use of candles, couches, statues, sculptures, poems, open microphones, musicians playing wild rock music, dressing as the world dresses, using open microphones, relying on testimonies, etc., which if used right can be useful. But the Emerging Church movement is known for its relativism and weak theology, even and updating of the Gospel that really is not the Gospel at all. Some pastors seem to be more concerned with being nice, having a "touchy' message to touch people's hearts, rather than teach the actual truth of the Gospel that was given by our Savior Jesus Christ, inspiring men to write by the Holy Spirit. Is it all bad? No! But if I had a gallon of pure water and put a teaspoon of dirt in it, is it still pure? It may be drinkable, but you are not drinking pure water. In time more and more dirt is put into the gallon of water and soon a person comes to acquire a taste for this impure water. Some of the heresies being preached and taught is a denial of hell, who deny the absolute necessity of faith in Jesus Christ, and by this deny that Jesus is the only way, even to teach that it is ok if someone did not want to believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some teachers and preachers of the Emerging Church movement do not openly deny the essentials of Authentic Christian Faith but consider them to be somewhat irrelevant to their view of the "Christian Movement."
What is the "Emerging Church" emerging from? It is emerging from the established, modernistic (rational), traditional Church that appears to be stuck in traditionalism, and is out of touch with the postmodern society. The Emerging Church want to do away with what they consider as a sterile religion and are reassessing the need for a new, more adaptive and relative approach to reach the unchurched. In other words, they have fallen into a place where truth is relative and it is very and even more important to have the conveniences of life, home, food, entertainment, all which is so pervasive in this society.
God's word has not changed, and the doctrines of God have not changed, and the method to reach the world has not changed: We are to take to the world in a simple, quiet, and respectful to God way, the Gospel, the truth and not attempt to mold the truth in such a way so as to dupe people into become "Christian." The words of Jesus are harsh, demanding, and many do not like this and attempt to modify His words to a more pleasing "ear tickling" way which is not the way of Jesus. In fact Paul in writing to Timothy instructs that we are to shun such people. More will be written in regards to this seemly harsh requirement. Hold on to your seats for this may be in opposition to what you have come to believe, but it will be straight from God's word. In complaint about it: take it up with God.
Yea, mine own familiar friend,
in whom I trusted, which
did eat of my bread, hath lifted
up his heel against me. But
thou, O LORD, be merciful unto
me, and raise me up, that I
may requite them.
Psalm 41:9-10
Run from evil
Richard L. Crumb
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