Friday, March 19, 2010

Atheists in the Pulpit

Over at Albert Mohler's blog, an article that is both depressing and reassuring!

Depressing that there are churches without good leadership.

Reassuring, because this is exactly what the Bible says about such things!

We can start with Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (also, Acts 20:29)

Then, let's fisk the article:
"Darryl is candid about the fact that he remains in the ministry largely for financial reasons."
I encourage you to read the whole article, before this, we saw several examples of pastors straying from orthodox doctrine (disobeying Titus 1:9 "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." and performing verse 10 "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers"). Then we come to this point, which is verse 11 "Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake."

"Adam ... stays in the ministry because he likes the people and, 'I need the job still.' If he had an alternative source of income, he would take it. He feels hypocritical, but no longer believes that hypocrisy is wrong."

This is a beautiful point. Many atheists complain about how Christians are hypocrites, but why (assuming atheism) is hypocrisy wrong?

"John ... stays in the ministry because of finances."

The blame cannot be wholly placed on these men.
"Many churches and denominations have adopted such fluid and doctrineless identities that determining who is a believer and who is an unbeliever has become difficult ... the churches must muster the integrity to eject them."
Which brings us to 2 Timothy 4:3
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears"
Bad rulers are a form of punishment for bad citizens. Bad pastors are judgment for bad church members.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Very interesting Ned. :)