Posted: 06/23/2008
A Christian & Missionary Alliance Preacher Speaks Against Emergent Movement Heresy
Political correctness is not something that only affects the world. It is becoming rampant in the Church as well. It has now become very unpopular to say anything that may offend a person. We have fallen so far that now we even question our duty to preach the moral teachings of Scripture. In this “new Christian” way of ministry it is considered judgmental to preach anything that may call into questions the behavior of sinners (of whom I am one as well).
Here is the problem; it used to be that the Church would hold up the standard of the Bible while at the same time knowing that all of us fail and thus are in need of the Savior’s grace and mercy. Now the American Church has decided that it is better to dumb down the biblical standards of morality rather than offend people who are involved in sinful behavior. The idea is not new. Satan tempted Eve by asking a question. The Emergent movement is very skillful in doing the same thing. Look at the following passages;
Genesis 3:1”Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?”
“Hath God Said” – Satan always tries to cast doubt by questioning the truth of what God said. This has been the tactic of the Devil ever since.
Genesis 3:2-6 And the woman said unto the serpent, Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.
Eve clearly understood that God had said not to eat of the fruit from the forbidden tree and yet Satan’s question of the motivation of God moves her. Eve receives the lie through the questioning of the absolute Word of the Lord. This is what the Emergent movement leaders do. Rob Bell for example has seemingly endless questions about the central doctrines of the Christian faith. In his book “Velvet Elvis” He asks “what about Christ’s birth to a virgin?” He asks this in the context of questioning if one who does not believe in the virgin birth could walk as a Christian. The idea over and over again is that the bible should be seen and interpreted through the eyes of a person and their experiences. To the Emergent Movement there is no systematic theology. The questioning of the absolute truth of the central doctrines of Christian teaching is sinful. Why you ask? Because it is not that they ask questions in order to gain greater understanding that would be fine. They ask for the purpose of calling into question the need to hold to the sacred teachings of the central doctrines of Christianity.
We are now told that unity and inclusiveness matters more than anything. Unity at the expense of truth is not something any true Christian is willing to give in to. When people who call themselves Christians begin to question the truth of the virgin Birth, the bodily resurrection, the inerrancy of the Bible, the substitutionary sacrifice, the Deity of Christ, man’s need of Christ for Salvation, and salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, there is a problem.
There is a word for this. It is not a politically correct word. It is the word “heresy.” We no longer have the right to use this word in a world that holds a relativistic world-view. It is pathetic what the Church has come to. The idea now is numbers. Many people are coming to Rob Bell’s church and so that is somehow a vindication of his deviation from the principles of the Reformation. The Mormon’s have millions of followers. Is that the test now? Do we say Mormons are Christians (as Joel Osteen did) simply because they have great numbers and say the name Jesus?
Another in the Emergent movement is Doug Pagitt. He said that the Christian and the Muslim both interact with God in the same way when they die. He says there is no literal Heaven or Hell. I think it important that people are informed on the intense influence that these in the Emergent movement are having. Their postmodern liberalism is infiltrating Christian colleges, church growth seminars, and every denomination (INCLUDING MINE).
The main principles of the Reformation are:
Solo Scriptura – The Scripture alone.
Solo Fide – By Faith alone.
Solo Christo – In Christ alone.
Sole Deo Gloria – To God alone be the glory.
This is too black and white for the Emergent Movement. These are being replaced by a relativistic world-view that places experience and human wisdom above the central doctrines of the Bible. The idea is not that the Bible is true and we come under its authority. The Emergent Movement is more of a “what does it mean to you?” Open interpretation is the view since Rob Bell says that all theological positions are only “opinion.”
Tony Jones, a leading Emergent Pastor was interviewed in "Relevant Magazine"
When speaking about the Emergent Movement he said ,
“We have Republicans, Democrats, Greens, Socialistics, Communitarians, Libertarians. We have everything you could imagine. We have Texas Baptists who don’t let women preach, and we have lesbian mainline pastors in New England… We haven't yet found that there's anything that justifies us breaking fellowship with somebody else who loves and is trying to follow Jesus.” (Emphasis mine)
So I ask the question; If you do not break fellowship with women who call themselves “Pastors” while at the same time are practicing Lesbians who not only practice homosexuality, but embrace it as “God given,” just when do you break fellowship? Since there is no absolute truth with these Emergent heretics, there is no belief that is absolutely wrong and thus never a doctrinal reason to break fellowship. Just put the name Jesus on it and your good to go. Furthermore, even if you do not put the name Jesus on it you are probably ok as well. What is going on?!!!!
Wake up! Here is what is going on;
2 Timothy 3:1-7 “But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away. For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
“Holding a form of godliness and having denied the power thereof” The Emergent Movement leaders are mystics with their feet on the sand of human reason.
1 Timothy 4:1 “But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons”
The teachings of the Emergent Movement are very seductive to the post modern mindset. When these leaders call into question the sacred doctrines of the faith they are indeed being used by seducing spirits and spreading doctrines of demons.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 “ For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables”
This is exactly what is happening. Post modern Emergent Movement teachers are appeasing the human lusts with teaching that tickles the ears of those who do not want repentance as part of their religion.
Galatians 1:6-9 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed”
I want as always to make myself clear. I am not talking about style of ministry. I am talking about heretical teaching and the outright preaching of another gospel. As we see in the above Scripture, anyone who preaches Salvation without the Christ of the Bible is cursed.
Remember Christian it is not the pleasing of men that makes a Christian. It is not the pleasing of men that grows a church. It is not the pleasing of men that makes one successful. As the following scripture says so clearly;
Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ”
If we are Christian we seek to serve God by pleasing Him not human reason or flesh.
There is a catch phrase used in the Emergent movement. This phrase is “missional church.” When I first heard this I thought it was a great term. To me “missional” means to be focused on the mission of winning people to Christ through preaching the truth, and loving people who are lost. I am a Christian and Missionary Alliance Pastor (C&MA). I see the "Emergent Movement" seeping in to my Denomination. Dr. A.B. Simpson, the founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance was very missional in winning souls to Christ. He was focused on preaching the gospel to all people. A.B. Simpson practiced “holistic ministry”. He felt it important to minister to the natural needs as well as the spiritual needs (I totally agree). His motivation in all ministries was to win people to Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s Word. I am extreamly concerned about what is happening to the Alliance as liberal forces seek to push their agenda. You must understand that when the Emergent Movement uses the word “missional,” they mean something else. They have this idea of a social gospel that mixes with mysticism. To them, “missional means getting away from absolutism and engaging the culture with relativistic liberalism packaged in mystical Christian speak.
Wake up and smell the truth! The Emergent movement is bad news. It is heresy pure and simple. I want to warn you though. If you take a stand you will be ostracized by many in your own church for not going along with this ungodly movement. I am sure I will be attacked by those in The C&MA who do not want me to call them out on this. Let them do what they will, and say what they will. I stand for the Bible.
Dr. David M. Berman
Senior Pastor, Author, Convention Speaker
211 Whitcomb Road
P.O. Box 10357
Swanzey, NH. 03446
Phone 603 352 9471
Distributed by www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.com
Read and post feedback
Disclaimer: Worldview Weekend, Christian Worldview Network and its columnists do not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article posted on this site. We do however, encourage a healthy and friendly debate on the issues of our day. Whether you agree or disagree, we encourage you to post your feedback by using the feedback button.
1525 Views
Printer Friendly Version |
E-mail this article to a friend |
Return to home
|
