On Drilling a (Relatively) DRY Hole: Yes, God has used (and does use) the Gentile contingent of the EKKLESIA, despite the horrendous TRIPLE-root of her distortions/problems. There ARE other camp-SPECIFIC problems (Trent; TULIP; and PRE-Trib, to name but three!); but, the three problems cited below, came in very early on in Ekklesia history (indeed, problems 2 and 3 were budding even in Paul and Johns day: Romans 11:17-22; 3 John 9-11); these three are MULTI-camp problems that came in way before even Constantine and Augustine threw their mega-wrenches in (STATE-alism and FATALISM respectively!). PROGRESS-wise (or rather, NON-progress-wise!), for far FAR too long, the EKKLESIA has been drilling a near-dry hole; if these three primary/root errors were put right, oil (so to speak) could finally gush forth. Problem 1) The LOSS of TRINITARIAN evangelism (and disciplehood). At best (AS A RULE), Yeshua is seen by the EKKLESIA as Lord, Savior AND Judge; at the tickling worst, as just a Savior. But (IN THE MAIN), He is not rightly seen as Yeshua the IMMERSER (in the Holy Spirit); no, and alas to say, not even among Pentecostals. Immmersion in the Holy Spirit is seen by Pentecostals as a subsequent event for SOME (AND primarily for power); rather than as being for ALL (and actually for companionship, sanctification and guidance). The idea that signs and wonders - and the nine gifts of the Spirit - have ceased, is known as Cessationism. Home truth be told, Western disciples are Trinitarian in creed, but (in many cases) BINITARIAN in practice; and this tragic situation is evident in both evangelism and teaching. Note: IMMERSION in water has been reduced to a wet witness; lip service aside, it is now seen as totally unconnected to salvation/regeneration (this stance would be news indeed to Peter, Ananias and Paul; not to mention Yeshua: Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; Mark 16:16). What about APOSTOLIC, Choice-based repentance and faith? Theyre OUT (!!!): Augustinian, TULIP-based PRE-repentance/faith regeneration is IN! In regard to Yeshuas role as IMMERSER in the Holy Spirit, and to rectifying the seriously sub-scriptural evangelism of our day, do go see this 6-part video presentation (which could alternatively be entitled TRINITARIAN Midwifery 101): https://youtube/watch?v=sp8Su1_XRTU&list=PLI07tDzXM52pGlu8h8Tu_E7DEnP7P56LN Problem 2) The loss of (PRACTICAL) Olive Tree Theology. The EKKLESIA (in the main; but especially the Trent and TULIP streams) has moved FROM apostolic to Augustinian doctrine (and thus largely lost her Abrahamic/Jewish roots). Israel is no longer seen as an Olive Tree into which Gentile branches are grafted; but as a CATERPILLAR, from which a Gentile Grace-Butterfly called Christianity has flown. (This tragic misteaching on Israel is known as Replacement Theology; RT.) RT is strongly held by those of a Reformed/Calvinist persuasion; but, because the error came in way before Augustine came on the scene, even Scripture teachers uninfected by Calvinism tend to portray the (narrow) Way as if were some new faith/religion that is totally distinct from Judaism. In regard to recovering an Olive Tree theology, do get this GAME CHANGER: amazon/Our-Father-Abraham-Jewish-Christian/dp/0802804233/ref=cm_cr-mr-img Problem 3) The loss of COMMAND-based gatherings (1 Cor 14:38). The EKKLESIA has moved FROM a God-breathed manner of leadership and gathering, to an INSTITUTIONAL lord-over, HIGHER-archy, clergy-laity, Building-Pulpit-Pew model (BPP). The institutional higher-archy model came in very early on in EKKLESIA history, through a number of disciples, including a man called Ignatius. Both Jewish and Gentile disciples have adopted the man-breathed, synagogue-ish model. The EKKLESIA (via Constantine) has REVERTED to a Levitical, Temple-based, State-partnered/yoked building/staff format (pastors have inadvertently become Curtain Menders; and stitched together what God tore asunder: Matthew 27:51). The EKKLESIA has gone from living stones taking up their cross, to decommissioned stones taking up their trowel; from gathering around the Advocate in family homes; to gathering around an architect to discuss mega-church building plans. The EKKLESIA has gone from Each-One-Has gatherings according to the commandments of the Lord (NKJV - 1 Corinthians 14:38; see 14:26-40), to Pastor-Has services based on the traditions of men. From PRACTICAL dialogue to ACADEMIC monologue; from servant-elders equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to saints sitting before ministers who decorate their own walls with impractical diplomas. From meaningful familyhood to shallow formalism; from cards on the table, and maturation through participation and accountability to cards close to the chest, and perpetual infancy through passivity and pew-based anonymity/atrophy. Mark 7:9-dynamics are alive and well!: Catholic and Protestant people in seminaries and pulpits have become experts at setting aside the commandments of the Lord, in order to keep their (BPP) traditions. The Protestant BPP entity claims SOLA Scriptura; but POLAR Scriptura is nearer the truth; indeed, BOTH Catholic and Protestant BPP entities are very much Bible-PLUS phenomena. Seminaries basically function as Priest/Pastor Factories. And evangelicals have adopted and adjusted tithing from the Mosaic Covenant, in order to fund the Building-PulpitPew model. In regard to the POLAR Scriptural nature of the BPP model, do get this GAME CHANGER: amazon/Pagan-Christianity-Exploring-Church-Practices-ebook/dp/B00APOW7JI/ref=cm_cr-mr-img ********** Yeshuas main theme (The Kingdom of God), together with the purpose of being CONFORMED to His image, has been largely lost (lip service aside); and in its place we have dry doctrines - doctrines that FAIL to change how people behave in the home, the workplace, and the mall. Calvins well documented words/temper/deeds/behavior being a classic example. Indeed, in Chapter 3 of Leonard Verduins classic book (The Reformers and Their Stepchildren), Luther acknowledged this failure to his friend Schwenkfeld : among us there is no betterment of life. Given Luthers words/temper/deeds/behaviour, Luther was his own example! Zwingli, Luther and Calvin had never even been put through Disciplehood 101, and yet untold millions regard them as competent teachers! (How Alice in Wonderland can things get?!) D101: On agapeying your enemies, and heaping burning coals of kindness upon their heads; NOT yoking with the world/magistrate, to have burning faggots of hatred heaped at their feet. On being conformed to the image of Gods Son - Yeshua; NOT Satan. (Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:20; 1 John 2:3-6; John 8:44; John 16:1-3; Matthew 12:33-37. Not to mention Psalm 94:20-21.) The Gentile contingent of the EKKLESIA will remain very seriously SUBOPTIMAL, to the extent she STUBBORNLY fails to correct this primary, triple, ROOT error. As aforementioned, for far FAR too long, the EKKLESIA has been drilling a near-dry hole; if those three root errors were put right, oil (so to speak) could finally gush forth. Or in other words (and to use an analogy of Scripture, which I believe can also be applied to this tragedy), in order for EKKLESIA fruit to come forth like never before, her roots need to go right back down to the place from which they should never have been removed (Isaiah 37:31; 2 Kings 19:30). I know of a Scripture teacher who is strong on error 1); of some strong on error 2); and of some strong on error 3) - but sad to say, I do not know of any Scripture teacher who is a strong voice (and part of the SOLUTION!) on all three. Do you know of a teacher who would even WANT to get all three things sorted out? You sure?! To UNLEARN mischerished ideas would THOROUGHLY change their theology and/or method of operation; which would be rather inconvenient. * Do watch The Normal Christian Birth 6-parter (or as I would say, TRINITARIAN Midwifery 101). At the least, watch 15 minutes of Part 1. * The FB NOTE version of this piece on the 3 Oil RIG Problems is here: https://facebook/notes/mark-phillips/on-drilling-a-relatively-dry-hole/1506871172905316
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 09:49:09 +0000
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