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Tim quote "Does Thieme have good things to say? Yes. Of course. But there's some bad stuff in there, too, and I don't mean this just in the every teacher makes mistakes way. I mean that there's horrifying, life-destroying, spiritually poisonous teaching woven in with the good stuff and lots of it."
Dr. Wall would agree with this as stated in his doctoral dissertation. "Serious defect not just academic error. "Critique
The most glaring shortcoming of Thieme's analysis of the objective of the
Christian life is that he does not present a balanced view of what the objective is.
The Christian's life objectives include not only developing grace orientation,
mastery of the details of life, a relaxed mental attitude, the capacity to love, and
inner happiness, but they should also include the development of a deeper
personal relationship with Christ (Phil. 3:10a) learning how to tap divine power in
prayer and daily living (Phil. 3:1Ob), learning what it means to be identified with
Christ in his suffering (Phil. 3:10c), serving God so that everything one does
glorifies God (I Cor. 10:31), and completing every responsibility God has given to
us for the course of our lives (2 Tim. 4:7).
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This last objective includes one's part in fulfilling the great commission of Christ to disciple the nations (Matt.
28:19, 20). This lack of balance is not merely academic. It is a serious defect in
Thieme's teachings for it produces students who are either negative or indifferent
toward active evangelism and ministering to the needs of others.
Also, although Thieme has emphasized some of the characteristics of
spiritual maturity found in Scripture, he leaves a wrong impression of what fully
constitutes maturity. Paradoxically his teaching is at the same time both an
oversimplification and also an overly complex system. The terminology makes
the teaching seem complex, but the analysis itself is simplistic, as it reduces an
extremely broad concept to just five characteristics. The Scriptures describe
spiritual maturity in terms of Christ-likeness (Eph. 4:13), and the character of
Christ involves much more than Thieme's description of the Edification
Complex.
In addition, it should also be observed that Thieme's statements
concerning the "mastering of the details of life" disregard the biblical approach to
one's priorities. Thieme makes family and friends secondary to Bible doctrine.
This is an extremely dangerous approach (as illustrated in the cults such as the
Children of God who define commitment to God in terms of commitment to their
leaders' teachings, and then place the group above family and other relationships).
A healthy set of priorities should place one's personal relationship with God first
(Lk. 14:26), family second (I Pet. 3:1-7; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Tim. 5:8; and John
15:13), and one's relationship to a teacher and his doctrine at a much lower level
of priority (3 John 9, 10)."
Dr. Wall "Paradoxically his teaching is at the same time both an
oversimplification and also an overly complex system. The terminology makes
the teaching seem complex, but the analysis itself is simplistic, as it reduces an
extremely broad concept to just five characteristics. The Scriptures describe
spiritual maturity in terms of Christ-likeness (Eph. 4:13), ...
Thieme failed to teach the most important focus of maturity. Also, Thieme had no "lording over" authority that was necessary to be recognized to begin spiritual learning as clearly is stated in
2 Cor. 1:24 YLT "not that we are lords over your faith, but we are workers together with your joy, for by the faith ye stand."
The focus is always the perfect authority of Jesus.
Thieme abused the translation from greek not to english, but to an extremist "reich-wing" agenda interpretation(ex: brotherly love). And? As such? Rightly as earned the title for his cult followers "thiemites"
I confronted Thieme and I confront all thiemites now. You do not stand for truth when Thieme taught false, you stood for Thieme over truth. You made no effort to discern for yourself.
Thiemite? If the shoe fits wear it. Thieme was unwarrantedly and overly aggressive "in your face" "stare you down" and "browbeat" you (as long as the armed Houston police were guarding the exits and backing Thieme up). I have no respect for thiemites who will not objectively discern the difference of the perfect authority of Jesus and the corrupt authority of Thieme. Nor do I respect thiemites who do not objectively discern the difference between Thieme doctrine and Bible doctrine. Nor do I respect thiemites who do not discern between the words of Thieme and the Word of -od. Why? because those thiemites who fail to discern are cult followers of Thieme and have earned the title of "thiemites".
Never should the focus be on corrupt man. Thieme should have had a cross behind him and Thieme should have got down on his knees and prayed. Not once did I see an arrogant Thieme kneel to -od.
Truthtesty
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/03/2009 10:04AM by Truthtesty.