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TurningPointReject
I have some questions about the "unity in the essentials, grace in the non-essentials. In all things, love" mantra. It was first spoken by Augustine. Not Paul, or John or Peter, or Jesus. So I wonder, what unity did Paul have with the false teachers of his day? I wonder, what unity did Jesus have with the Pharisees of his day?
Jesus prayed that his disciples would be one "brought to complete unity" but unity with whom? One another? Teachers who mixed myths with the truth? Jesus said, "just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me". We are to have unity in Christ, but are we really instructed by the Word that we are to find unity with those who engage in false teaching? Jesus claimed no unity with the Pharisees; Paul, Peter and John claimed no unity with false teachers and false apostles.
In the very same prayer Jesus asks his father to sanctify (set apart from the world) his disciples: "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified". How are we sanctified? Is it by unity? No. It is by truth. What truth? John Bevere's Truth? Augustine's truth? No. God's Word is truth. We are to be set apart from the world through God's Word. How can we be sanctified by the Word if teachers are teaching a polluted gospel? And if teachers teach a false gospel how can we hope to find unity in Christ? So why do pastors today seem driven to stand in unity with those in our society who loudly proclaim teachings contrary to Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John...contrary to the Word meant to sanctify?
If you have followed the Radiant Life Church thread you may remember that Mike's mentor, Tony, pushed the unity movement in his community. He was very instrumental in that movement. And what is striking is the silence of the pastors in that community. I do not recall any pastors speaking out on the RLC thread. Only when the press and a local radio show began exploring the Radiant Life issues did pastors begin to speak out. The unity mantra seems good. It can be supported by scripture. The danger is that it is often used as a means to engage in questionable teaching by inoculating the false teacher against criticism of their teachings. The moment anyone questions the teachings the unity card is played and those asking questions are label 'rebellious' or 'divisive'. Hence the silence among scores of pastors in multiple communities throughout the world where false teachers loudly and proudly proclaim a false gospel rooted in a false christ. And many sheep are allowed to be led astray. Do you choose to stay silent? Do you justify your silence, saying "I dont really know what is going on over there"?
Proverbs 24
11 Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
12 If you say, "But we knew nothing about this,"
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
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LearningPoint
To Phun and Everyone on the Forum:
I acknowledge that I returned sarcastic remarks in a flippant manner to Phun's first post. My last post in that series--the one that started "all joking aside" (or something like that)--was not sufficient to take the sting out of those first retorts, it seems...though I did not intend them to sting, only to be thought provoking--to reveal the irony of Phun's approach. I don't explain as an excuse, only as explanation.
SO, while I stand by my positions and convictions, I don't stand by my approach to Phun's initial post, and not as a matter of grandstanding, but as a matter of public record (since the posts are public), Phun, I want to apologize for any hurt or anger I might have stirred in you by those responses. My real heart toward you is one of compassion and hope and cheering for you to know truth and freedom. I wish you no ill or harm.
I hope you will read more of the material here and stay on and dialogue with us. You implied that you have greater biblical knowledge than we do, so it would be helpful if you would share what you know and show us what we're missing.
Thanks.
Christine
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buddyQuote
TurningPointReject
I have some questions about the "unity in the essentials, grace in the non-essentials. In all things, love" mantra. It was first spoken by Augustine. Not Paul, or John or Peter, or Jesus. So I wonder, what unity did Paul have with the false teachers of his day? I wonder, what unity did Jesus have with the Pharisees of his day?
Jesus prayed that his disciples would be one "brought to complete unity" but unity with whom? One another? Teachers who mixed myths with the truth? Jesus said, "just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me". We are to have unity in Christ, but are we really instructed by the Word that we are to find unity with those who engage in false teaching? Jesus claimed no unity with the Pharisees; Paul, Peter and John claimed no unity with false teachers and false apostles.
In the very same prayer Jesus asks his father to sanctify (set apart from the world) his disciples: "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified". How are we sanctified? Is it by unity? No. It is by truth. What truth? John Bevere's Truth? Augustine's truth? No. God's Word is truth. We are to be set apart from the world through God's Word. How can we be sanctified by the Word if teachers are teaching a polluted gospel? And if teachers teach a false gospel how can we hope to find unity in Christ? So why do pastors today seem driven to stand in unity with those in our society who loudly proclaim teachings contrary to Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John...contrary to the Word meant to sanctify?
If you have followed the Radiant Life Church thread you may remember that Mike's mentor, Tony, pushed the unity movement in his community. He was very instrumental in that movement. And what is striking is the silence of the pastors in that community. I do not recall any pastors speaking out on the RLC thread. Only when the press and a local radio show began exploring the Radiant Life issues did pastors begin to speak out. The unity mantra seems good. It can be supported by scripture. The danger is that it is often used as a means to engage in questionable teaching by inoculating the false teacher against criticism of their teachings. The moment anyone questions the teachings the unity card is played and those asking questions are label 'rebellious' or 'divisive'. Hence the silence among scores of pastors in multiple communities throughout the world where false teachers loudly and proudly proclaim a false gospel rooted in a false christ. And many sheep are allowed to be led astray. Do you choose to stay silent? Do you justify your silence, saying "I dont really know what is going on over there"?
Proverbs 24
11 Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
12 If you say, "But we knew nothing about this,"
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
TPR, Very well said. My problem finding a church in Marysville is finding one that is not standing in unity with false teachers. When local pastors have knowledge of these teachings and do not agree with them, and choose not to confront them in love with biblical truth, I just don't get it. Mike and Cyndi, Jeff and Kim are not the only ones teaching this doctrine within the unity group. To me it's black and white if you don't make a stand against it, then your silence is standing for it. Buddy's wife.