cordell
09-16-2006, 05:14 PM
<font color="0000ff">But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him...For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise... For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
From 2 Cor. 11
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.
From Galatians 1</font>
In light of these passages, how ought those who hold to another gospel which preaches another gospel be treated? Paul says "let them be accursed". Put that in modern day terminology, 'Let them be damned by God.' (FactNet's infamous red dots appeared on my first attempt) Plain and simple.
There is the Jesus revealed in Scripture who is missed altogether by cults and many who pass themselves off as 'evangelical' Christians. Christianity and gnosticism are incompatible. Christianity and mysticism are incompatible. Christianity and legalism are incompatible. When these 'isms' are mixed in with the gospel another Jesus emerges. This Jesus cannot save, heal, redeem or guide.
Getting it right, doctrine, theology, sytematics, exegesis--all these things are very important indeed. But they are not an end in and of themselves, they must lead us to the real Jesus, the Christ of the Bible. If there is a Beezlebub for the religious, it is this tendency to depart from the real Christ.
During the Reformation a slogan emerged: Semper Reformanda--always reforming. This did not mean "always being brought up to date and made more palatable to your average man on the street". It means always returning to Scripture, to grace, to faith, to do all things for His glory, to Christ. It is a slogan that recognizes our tendency to slide away from our first love--we are prone to leave Him, prone to wander away. Sheep is an adequate metaphor. We look for greener grass, brighter light. Our ears itch for some new thing, something to make us go 'Wow'.
Christ is immutable, he is forever the same, incapable of change. If that were spoken of a human being it would be a most boring trait, but in the Lord it is our ultimate assurance. Toward us, He never changes. Woe to them who would deceive one of these little ones, said Christ, it would be better for them if a millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.
If someone were coming into your house to steal away the affection of the ones you love most, how would you react? Would you be 'polite and loving' toward the intruder? Would your idea of Christian humility and gentleness overtake you so that you brought out the tea and scones for a sweet little visit?
Intruders and offenders of the real gospel are not always dressed like the hamburglar--with hat, mask and black and white stripes. They look often like angels, don't they? Could you say with the apostle that they should be accursed?
Damned and castrated?
Or would you break out the best periwinkle china teacups?
From 2 Cor. 11
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.
From Galatians 1</font>
In light of these passages, how ought those who hold to another gospel which preaches another gospel be treated? Paul says "let them be accursed". Put that in modern day terminology, 'Let them be damned by God.' (FactNet's infamous red dots appeared on my first attempt) Plain and simple.
There is the Jesus revealed in Scripture who is missed altogether by cults and many who pass themselves off as 'evangelical' Christians. Christianity and gnosticism are incompatible. Christianity and mysticism are incompatible. Christianity and legalism are incompatible. When these 'isms' are mixed in with the gospel another Jesus emerges. This Jesus cannot save, heal, redeem or guide.
Getting it right, doctrine, theology, sytematics, exegesis--all these things are very important indeed. But they are not an end in and of themselves, they must lead us to the real Jesus, the Christ of the Bible. If there is a Beezlebub for the religious, it is this tendency to depart from the real Christ.
During the Reformation a slogan emerged: Semper Reformanda--always reforming. This did not mean "always being brought up to date and made more palatable to your average man on the street". It means always returning to Scripture, to grace, to faith, to do all things for His glory, to Christ. It is a slogan that recognizes our tendency to slide away from our first love--we are prone to leave Him, prone to wander away. Sheep is an adequate metaphor. We look for greener grass, brighter light. Our ears itch for some new thing, something to make us go 'Wow'.
Christ is immutable, he is forever the same, incapable of change. If that were spoken of a human being it would be a most boring trait, but in the Lord it is our ultimate assurance. Toward us, He never changes. Woe to them who would deceive one of these little ones, said Christ, it would be better for them if a millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.
If someone were coming into your house to steal away the affection of the ones you love most, how would you react? Would you be 'polite and loving' toward the intruder? Would your idea of Christian humility and gentleness overtake you so that you brought out the tea and scones for a sweet little visit?
Intruders and offenders of the real gospel are not always dressed like the hamburglar--with hat, mask and black and white stripes. They look often like angels, don't they? Could you say with the apostle that they should be accursed?
Damned and castrated?
Or would you break out the best periwinkle china teacups?