Comments on: TransFORM: The Devil & His Emergent Church In Your Neighborhood

By: Amy H

Amy H — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:16:45 +0000

Just so you know Michael, Jehova’s Witnesses go door-to-door with so much fervour because the fear of not getting into Heaven or being part of their ‘New Earth’ (reserved for the people above the original 144,000 heaven-dwellers when the JWs became more than 144,000 members and had to amend teachings). This fear is the fuel that drives them to proselytise, NOT the love of Jesus.

Further, why should we take the blame for what is happening in the Emergent chuches? First you state Emergents have rejected things that should be rejected by others, putting them on some moral high ground. Then you go on to say that there is criticism of the Emergents that is ‘expos[ing] emergent for what it is,’ but those who criticise should start with themselves because they are apparently to blame. How is it that you have determined that the Emergent church is both right and wrong, but in neither case worthy of blame? Better yet how is that all worked out Scripturally?

Yes, Catherine, I agree, Michael seems to throw out the baby, the bathwater, and the whole human race except for what he belives, whatever that may be. He seems to have thrown out scope, clarity, thesis, and the Bible too.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:49:29 +0000

I’m curious Michael as to your theology. How do you think one is saved? You threw a lot of names out there, which is all well and good, but do you know anything of what these men teach? Can you point out what is wrong with their teaching? If they are teaching false doctrine, please clarify what that is. You said that they were not speaking the truth so could you be a bit clearer on what they have lied about?

It is much easier to have a discussion on the problems with the denominations you pointed out here, if you can clearly define what it is you believe is incorrect and then back it up with Scripture. Otherwise all you are doing is merely spewing words on the screen that perhaps represent your own opinion, but not God’s opinion. The way debates typically work is that you begin first by clearly defining a position. Currently, I can only make an assumption by your ‘hate crimes bill’ comment that you are ‘for’ homosexuality, which God has a very clear opinion of in Scripture. Could you please clarify your position for the sake of those that are trying to follow this topic? I think Joel was very clear on the theological problems with those that were mentioned, so what do you bring to the table for your proof ?

By: michael ferguson

michael ferguson — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:06:36 +0000

I’m with you Darrell as I’m leaving this comment for you. First, if anyone was paying attention to the particular individual comments, there was much to be desired- many, many things those in institutionalized religion rarely if ever practice. These desires are in the least commendable and should be applauded. Kind of like Jehovah’s Witnesses repeated attempts to convert you from going door to door. These efforts shame most so-called believers.
Much of what Emergent has rejected should be rejected including all man made institutionalized religion, man made church heirarchies and countless traditions of men. Some of what they include, especially the desire for community is excellent. The desire for intimacy with each other, the desire to serve and a willingness to listen and accept others is outstanding.
Sadly, without God’s truth and a willingness to defend it this outreach may likely become next to 12 step programs the most subtle and deceiving counterfeit yet.
Unlike most of those who rightly criticize and expose emergent for what it is, few if any will place the blame where it should originate- with themselves. I specifically mean with those so-called leaders in organized religion. Year after year the same so-called authorities continue to amass larger “churches,” more “followers” and bigger “reputations” and “influences.” Instead of following the Biblical pattern for local assemblies these men continue to justify their “positions,” religious “titles” and man made ministries. Any educated man knows you can’t name a ministry- ministry is simply service rendered. Why do they continue to name “their” ministry, write more books and even have their own names on a Bible? Is anyone listening.
There is good news though. Hopefully the hate crime legislation will make speaking against homosexuals illegal. This will cause all man made “churches” (which God does not nor has ever sanctioned) forced to decide whether they really want to obey God or not. Hopefully all of them will close and force these so-called leaders like John M to be relegated to a simple saint. Obviously some people, whether they be Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanley, Chuck Smith, Jack Hayford, John MacCarthur (or your favorite so-called Christian celebrity) despite knowing the history of the early ekklesia have no intention of telling you the truth- they simply are too proud and have too much to lose. That goes for the rest of you still defending the Baptist, Lutheran, Reformed tradition etc. You are no wiser, nor righteous than those you condemn on this video. Until you repent of your own sectarian spirit please refrain from attempting to inform others of truth or point us in the direction of super spiritual gurus who just arn’t worth following. May God be true, even if all men are liars.

By: At the Morning Watch… « . . . and the world hears them

At the Morning Watch… « . . . and the world hears them — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:13:05 +0000

[...] TransForm: The Devil & His Emergent Church in your Neighborhood [...]

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:25:22 +0000

I have one other thought on the “baby with the bathwater comment”. What if it’s Rosemary’s baby?

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:22:57 +0000

Yes Amy, I had the same ironic/fun moments in the same places that you did! I learned something else that I did not know previous to watching this. I have terrible posture! Who knew?

By: Lindsey Horn

Lindsey Horn — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:38:58 +0000

The saddest part of the video and the movement is that some of these people are sincere in their desire to be Jesus to the world. Some of these people are immature Christians who need instruction via Bible milk but instead are being fed tainted food by the very ones they depend upon for nourishment. I pray daily for the Holy Spirit to draw out the ones who truly seek to honor God. While all the talk of love sounds good, the problem is that without Jesus Christ, there is no true love. More importantly, all the love in the world will not bring salvation. We can love people to death, but they will still be in Hell when they die. Sad but true.

By: Riles

Riles — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:09:48 +0000

Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

Paul was not happy that the Galatians were abandoning the Faith and going back to legalism. This is what he says about the too often used baby with the bathwater.

By: Amy H

Amy H — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:40:12 +0000

Ironic/Fun Moments for me:

At about 1.55 min ‘…for some people, we’re their last stop on the way out of Christianity…’

at about 2.55 ‘reconciled to (skip a beat) God…’ (since the only vague mention of Jesus in the whole film was NB-W’s term ‘Christo-centric’, whatever that is…)

Dude talking about ‘art therapy’

The use of the words ‘organic’ and ‘authentic’ and ‘conversation’ that we just KNEW people couldn’t escape using as part of the new approved lingo that replaces old worn-out words like justification, sanctification, sin, propitiation, condemnation, heaven and hell, fear of the Lord

By: Rick Frueh

Rick Frueh — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:08:46 +0000

The language is nebulous and utopian, but what is absent is Christ and any hint of evangelism. Perhaps ten years ago we might have though it was just a different focus, but it is far too evident now that eternity and the implications of such are not even on the radar screen.

This is humanism, universalism, and void of any vestige of a pursuit of holiness (pleasing God). It remedies hang-ups and sins through the redemptive process of sharing and caring. Sharing and caring certainly have their place, but without repentance through the mirror of God’s Word, and the forgiveness found only through Christ’s blood, you are left with little else than a support group designed to project the “I’m OK – You’re OK” philosophy.

By: David J Horn

David J Horn — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:49:24 +0000

Joel,
Thank you for another insightful post and warning to us all. I just wish more Christians would drop all the “only God can judge” attitude and actually follow the Bible’s commandments about marking heretics like Rob Bell.

In Christ,

David J horn
Sola Scriptura

By: Soli Deo Gloria » The False Gospel of Rob Bell

Soli Deo Gloria » The False Gospel of Rob Bell — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:48:08 +0000

[...] I encourage you to visit an excellent article over at 5pt Salt’s blog where you can watch Bell’s “gospel presentation” and get a taste of just how blatantly wrong and heretical these issues are at the most fundamental level. [...]

By: Jay Wingard

Jay Wingard — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:40:13 +0000

Joel,
Thank you for posting this and speaking out against the heretical false teachers. I agree with you that in today’s evangelical culture there is absolutely no discernment and anyone who boldly comes out to protect the flock by naming names and telling people to stay away from these wolves is often treated worse than the heretics. I commend great men of God like John MacArthur who are not afraid to not only boldly proclaim the full counsel of God but also to openly call out and warn Christians about false teachers.

Soli Deo Gloria!
- Jay

By: Joel Taylor

Joel Taylor — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:07:18 +0000

Darrell,

It’s not the people, it’s Biblical doctrine that is the issue. We’re talking about Truth here, and truth, as revealed in Scripture, is paramount.

By: Darrell Morgan

Darrell Morgan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:57:18 +0000

This seems a little loose in some respects but why is it becoming so popular?…….maybe the “orthodox” church forgot something along the way. Too easy to throw stones at these folks and not say ok what are people drawn to? Community is not a bad word in fact a biblical principle. Its just dressed in extremes. Dont throw the baby………

Just a thought