I’m not really sure what to make of all of the hype, both among Evangelicals and in the world’s mass media, about the alleged coming disaster associated with the Year 2000 software problem. In the 23 years I’ve been a follower of Jesus, I’ve seen a lot of major bandwagons come and go… a lot of hype campaigns. Of course, I believe that the world system is going to get worse and worse as the rebellion of mankind culminates in the rule of the counterfeit Christ. But when each media hype comes along and each Christian fad sweeps through, I’m concerned about what I call, “the boy who cried wolf” syndrome. The world’s media publicize that Christian’s are all worked up about this flap or that… then nothing really comes of it. The world is inoculated against the truth. When the real “wolf” comes, nobody will pay attention.
Perhaps Y2K will result in major calamity. Maybe it won’t. Meanwhile, the only thing I can “hang my hat on” is the truth of God’s Word. I recommend not jumping on any bandwagon, but I recommend continuing to preach Jesus Christ and him crucified and warning of the coming judgment and global deception.
Overlake Christian Church (6/11/98)
The Clergyman-in-charge of Overlake Christian Church, in Washington State, is accused of immorality in a public restroom and years of fondling young men. He eventually resigns. There is incredible drama surrounding this huge church and their support of their pastor. This is really another example of the unbiblical situations that develop when New Testament concepts of leadership are perverted by “churchianity”. God’s Word never calls for one man to have so much authority; so much power over such an empire; so much prestige by followers. This kind of spectacle is the result of an unbiblical power structure and guruism. And it is not unlike the perversions that have gone on among Catholic priests due to their unbiblical clergy/priesthood system.
Southern Baptists in Salt Lake City (6/18/98)
America’s largest protestant denomination recently held its national convention in Salt Lake City, Utah… headquarters of the “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints”, the Mormons. The mass media reported that the Baptists witnessed door to door to the largely Mormon population, and took controversial stands for the roles of men and women in the family. I rejoice whenever the real Jesus and the real gospel is preached, so I praise God to the extent that it happened during this convention. I also applaud the Baptists taking a stand for the Biblical view of the servant leadership of husbands and the submission of wives to that leadership. Some questions I have for the Southern Baptists, however, are: How many of you are yoked with the unbiblical “Promise Keepers” movement? How do you justify the existence of your vast denominational religious system? How many of you preach the Gospel one minute and the false gospels of psychology the next? How many of you are tolerating Freemasons in leadership in your congregation or your denomination?
The Initiative Against Partial Birth Abortion (6/11/98)
Abortion is evil. Infanticide is evil. They are symptoms of mankind’s rebellion against God. God’s wrath is coming upon the earth because of this rebellion. It is understandable that professing Christians want to do something to save babies. May the Lord give us opportunities. It is Biblical to warn against evil and the coming judgment… in the context of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, NOT to try to reconstruct society. The problem with mobilizing Christians for political action is that it tends to distract from our calling in these last days. And it perverts the Gospel when Christians yoke with Mormons, Moonies, Masons, and Catholics in the name of prolife, traditional family values, and conservative agendas.
Christ Memorial Church – Poulsbo, Washington (6/21/98)
A Father’s Day advertisement in a local newspaper announces, “special guest – Dan Miller has been Robert Schuller’s guest on ‘The Hour of Power’ TV program and with Dr. James Dobson on his national radio program.” The ad goes on to say, “Dan’s is an incredibly uplifting story. His dreams seemed doomed when he contracted polio at age 18. But he didn’t let severe paralysis stop him from accomplishing his dreams. It is the inspiring story of Dan-the-man, an ‘awesome dude’ who offers each of us a whole new perspective for overcoming adversity. His theme: ‘It’s a great day, and I choose to enjoy it!'”
To people in the world reading this ad, this is just another “human potential” success story. Who does it sound like it is exalting? Not the Lord Jesus. It’s praising a man and his positive thinking. Which is no wonder, since his boast is having been associated with Robert Schuller and James Dobson! Schuller was a protégé of the late Norman Vincent Peale, and teaches the false gospel of Self-Esteem as does James Dobson. James Dobson’s teachings are based primarily on Humanistic Psychology. So why does this Assembly of God church organization in Poulsbo promote this “broken cistern that can’t hold water”? May the Lord help us to proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified instead of the false gospels of this world system.
“Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the LORD. ‘For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns — broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 2:12-13
[verse added 8/1/2004]
This guy is a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, and he’s supposed to be a Christian. And yet he takes part in “plunkfests”… the intentional throwing at batters in retribution for previous wrongs. This seems wrong to me. Not a good witness. Of course there have been times that I have not been a good witness. May the Holy Spirit convict Orel about his sin… and me about mine.