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News & Views, May 2003 - Edited By E. L. Bynum
BBFI Web of Compromise Continues - By E. L. Bynum
Wishy Washy Warriors - By Norman H. Wells
In the August 2002 PBC I published an article that I had written entitled "Baptist Bible Fellowship in the Pit of Compromise." Since that time I have seen no reason to soften that headline or the article that followed. The BBFI is still in the pit, and they are now trying to drag other Fellowships into the same quagmire of compromise. The April 2003 PBC dealt quite extensively with the proposed merger between four different organized Fellowships. We cannot reprint all of the above two articles, but we would urge our readers to read them both again.
The BBFI was getting ready for the big national meeting that was upcoming in September 2002. There was a good bit of unrest because the meeting was going to be held at the Bethlehem Baptist Church, David R. Stokes, pastor, in Fairfax, VA. The compromise of that church and pastor was being criticized by a number of the more conservative pastors. Pastor Stokes wrote a somewhat lengthy letter to try to calm the tempest. We published a copy of that letter August 2002 PBC. The letter in no way answered the accusations and questions that had been raised. Of course the broad-minded leaders of the BBFI went ahead with the planned meeting at Fairfax, in spite of questions that continued to be raised by some of the brethren.
You can get some idea of what kind of a Church this is by reading the following quote from the Washington Post, April 4, 2001. "Smooth Moves and a Subtle Message. Christian rock throbs inside the small gymnasium off West Ox Road in Fairfax, just a few decibels louder than the clacking of wheels. The room is awash in T-shirts and baggy jeans and the pimply, pubescent faces so common among skateboarders." This is the kind of truth destroying junk that is creeping into once sound churches all over America.
Below we are reprinting our analysis of David Stokes' letter dated July 3, 2002, that we printed in the 2002 article.
The Bethlehem Baptist Church has abandoned traditional methods for contemporary methods. They are taking a gigantic step toward new-evangelicalism and liberalism. Here is what the pastor said: "Bethlehem Baptist Church has `transitioned' from a very `traditional' approach to methodology to one somewhat more contemporary."
It has been rumored that Bethlehem Baptist Church might be planning to drop the name Baptist. Here is what he said: "We are not planning a name change. There has been no discussion whatsoever of this in the church . . . I have on occasion had casual conversations with young staff members or other pastor friends speculating on the value of such a move. (Emphasis ours.) But nothing has been initiated and nothing is planned. I will not say that it will NEVER happen, because that would be presumptuous and would ignore how the Lord might lead us." He further wrote, "I have no problem with churches that have determined not to use the term `Baptist' in their name - as long as they remain true to sound doctrine and practice. And, if I were to start a church today - I probably would not use `Baptist' in the name. (Emphasis ours) I would however be `Baptistic' in polity and sound doctrine." This certainly means that they have already abandoned true Baptist doctrine.
They have gone contemporary with their music, and they have four young women leading the worship service. Here is what the pastor said: "Our `style' of music is probably more contemporary than some of our churches . . . Four young ladies are coordinating and leading the worship in our services. Two of them are graduates of Baptist Bible College in Springfield. The other two are my daughters (Jenny and Debby-our youngest daughter, Brenda - helps as well). They work as a talented team . . . Sure it will be a BBF `first' to have a team of young ladies leading worship." This means that they have adopted the methods of the Charismatics, new-evangelicals, and liberals.
Bethlehem Baptist Church has abandoned the King James Version, and has adopted the apostate liberal corrupt Bibles. Here is what he said: "As to the issue of the King James Version - we voted as a church more than two years ago to remove the `King James Only' clause from our church by-laws. I preach from several translations on a regular basis (include, NKJV, NASB, and NLT). Several translations as well are used throughout the Bethlehem Family of Ministries. Various translations are available in our church bookstore as well." You can see that this Church once stood squarely on the KJV, but now they have accepted the liberal position.
Bethlehem Baptist Church has abandoned any dress code, and people can dress anyway they want. Here is what the pastor said: "With regard to dress and modesty issues, we enforce no rule on our folks. Some people come to our services `dressed up,' others come `dressed down.' ... So, apparel issues are really of no concern to us. Bring several suits or your blue-jeans - whatever. But most importantly bring a heart to hear from God. And, if the ladies want to wear slacks - that's fine. Many of our ladies do - including my wife and daughters. I know this may be quite unlike other meetings but this is how we are around Bethlehem. Make yourselves at home!" Please note that "whatever" is acceptable clothing and that could be almost anything, or almost nothing.
Two Southern Baptist preachers are scheduled to speak at BBFI meeting. Here is what the pastor said: "Finally, the issue of the speakers we have invited has been a point of contention to some. First, there is the matter of having Dr. Johnny Hunt, a Southern Baptist. Dr. Hunt is a powerful preacher of the Word and God is going to use Him mightily . . . Then there is the case of Dr. Jerry Falwell. I have invited him for SUNDAY night - the evening BEFORE the BBF meeting actually begins. He has been our guest at Bethlehem before. Two of my daughters are graduates of Liberty University." Falwell led his Church into the Southern Baptist Convention. The BBFI is drifting in the same direction. (End of our quote from August 2002 PBC.)
You will note that Stokes says that they have no plans to drop the name Baptist. You can see how honest that statement was, in view of things that have happened since. The name that they now use is not Bethlehem Baptist Church, but they now have the name Fair Oaks Church on their web page and on their Church sign. In looking at their web page I cannot find the word Baptist anywhere. On the church directory of the BBFI it is listed as Fair Oaks Baptist Church. To the public of Fairfax, VA, it is Fair Oaks Church, but to the folks in the BBFI it is Fair Oaks Baptist Church. The pastor explained it in the following way according to what he wrote to the BBFI.
From: Revstokes@aol.com To: bbfi-preachers@yahoogroups.com
Subject:[BBFI-Preachers] Changes in Fairfax... Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003
Dear Praying Friends:
Last night we conducted a very special meeting at Bethlehem in Fairfax. The purpose was to discuss the proposal/recommendation I made last week (Sunday, January 26th), to change the name of our church.
I have submitted to the members of this local New Testament Church, in keeping with our tradition of Baptist polity, that we change the "legal" name (for certain legal purposes, and purposes of outside affiliation) to: FAIR OAKS BAPTIST CHURCH.
I have further recommended that we, for all practical and ministry purposes, change the ministry name as it is expressed and known in the community as simply: FAIR OAKS CHURCH. (End of quote from Stokes' email.)
If he wanted to know the legal name, I would suppose that a non-member person would have to go to the court house to get the legal name Fair Oaks Baptist Church, while on the church sign and in their printed material it is Fair Oaks Church. You might expect such sly methods from politicians, crooked lawyers and shysters, but you would think that a church would be more open and honest. When you are on the down hill path of compromise, it is easy to find a reason to conceal the truth. Frankly, I would have a lot more respect for them if they would totally change the name to Fair Oaks Church for a legal description. Then they could stop trying to run under two flags.
This is what the different Fellowships are planning to merge with. The true Baptists that are in these organized Fellowships ought to be sick at their stomach in joining with any merger with people like this.
Here is what Stokes said about the King James Bible. "As to the issue of the King James Version - we voted as a church more than two years ago to remove the `King James Only' clause from our church by-laws. I preach from several translations on a regular basis (include, NKJV, NASB, and NLT). Several translations as well are used throughout the Bethlehem Family of Ministries. Various translations are available in our church bookstore as well." The above reflects the view of the present pastor of what used to be the Bethlehem Baptist Church.
Ben Sanders was the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church for many years. His position on doctrine and practice was certainly much different than that of David R. Stokes, who has not only changed the name of this church but has changed the doctrine as well. This is just an example of the decline in doctrine and practice among fundamental Baptists in recent years. In March 1980, we published the following letter in the Plains Baptist Challenger, which clearly reveals what this Church once stood for.
(The following letter was sent by Pastor Ben Sanders, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Fairfax, Virginia to these men stating his concern for the preservation of the King James Version of the Bible: Dr. W.A. Criswell, Dr. Truman Dollar, Dr. Jerry Falwell, Dr. A. V. Henderson, Dr. Curtis Hutson, Dr. Tim F. LaHaye, Dr. Clyde Narramore, Dr. James D. Price, Dr. Edward E. Hindson, Dr. Robert L. Hughes.)
The purpose of this letter is to express my disappointment in your part in ". . . making the King James Version Even Better." I am not an extremist on the King James Version. I accept it as a translation that God has chosen to bless and use.
Have you considered that no other translation can boast of any great accomplishments in the advancements of Christianity?
1. Our country was founded upon the King James Version. Every great document is derived from it. (Constitution, Bill of Rights, Mayflower Compact).
2. Every great preacher in the history of modern evangelical Christianity preached from it.
3. All meaningful missionary work has been done with the King James Version.
4. The vast majority of soul-winners use it.
5. To my knowledge, every Fundamental Baptist Church uses it almost exclusively.
Now we need to improve it. I'll be the first to agree that we need to explain some words and what they mean. But, isn't that the purpose of teaching and preaching? You have seven goals in changing the King James Version:
1. Using More Reverent Pronouns for God by Removing "thee," "thou," etc. - Who wants a Bible without these terms? Do we want the Bible to read like a novel? There is no translation that reads with the dignity of the King James Version.
2. Updating the Punctuation and Grammar - The example you give is Hebrews 4:1-2. Your correction in verse one does not do one thing to improve the meaning. Again, the purpose of a preacher is to explain the meaning of such verses.
3. Improving the Understanding of Verbs - Since when did these words become "impossible" to pronounce? We use the King James Version in all Sunday school classes and in our Christian school. No pronunciation problems have come up.
4. Capitalizing Pronouns for God - In 20 years of pastoring, I have never known this to be a problem with any Christian.
5. Preserving the True Meaning of Words - In the brochure, it states, . . . to protect the truth of the King James Version . . . This would indicate that the King James Version is failing and you men must rescue it. Supposing you left it alone and the King James Version fails to preserve truth. Where then would we find the Word of God? This would mean that even God couldn't keep His promises. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word abideth forever!"
6. Adding Quotation Marks - Anyone with any education at all is able to recognize quotes in the Bible.
7. Protecting Theological Terms - You state "all theological words have to be kept unchanged . . . ." If I can't accept all of the King James Version, then how can I accept these terms.
I personally believe that you have committed a grave error. All you are doing is creating another issue for fundamentalists to deal with. Your motive and method is no different from "Good News for Modern Man," "Living Bible," etc. These "updated" versions are found only in liberal churches.
Would you answer this question for me? If the King James Version is not a valid and authoritative translation that God has used to preserve the Word of God, then where is the Word of God? Where can I obtain a copy?
The King James Version is a staunch defense against the trend of liberalism today. I don't know of a liberal preacher today that admits that it's God's Word.
I write this with concern and Christian love. Many preachers are going to wonder just where you stand and what you believe.
I notice that just about every denomination from extreme liberalism to fundamentalism is represented in the brochure. I believe that this is a very subtle plan to remove something that keeps those denominations apart.
It seems that someone is looking for "common" grounds. How in the world can we "contend for the faith" if we don't have God's Word to tell us what it is!
The Word of God is under attack from every side.
The liberals explain it away.
Reader's Digest is trying to condense it.
Now others are trying to improve and update it!
Thank you for letting me unload this burden.
Ben Sanders, pastorIt doesn't take much to see that if Joshua's congregation would have reacted in this manner he would have had a crushing defeat rather than the glorious victory he did experience. It certainly pictures to us why religion is failing today.
With descriptive terms, Coach Bill McCartney set the tone for the 2003 Promise Keepers Pastors and Leadership Conference. "I believe this one event in 2003 will forever change what it means to be a pastor in America. In three short days something supernatural will be seen in the Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix." Later he declared, "We have had a catalytic anointing of the Spirit that is across all boundaries."
At the first press conference, McCartney said, "We will reveal God's planks of how to get together in everyone's community. The church of Jesus Christ is in real difficulty. Only 1% of all the churches are growing and 46% of all teenagers do not believe the Bible is the Word of God in fact 9 out of 10 young people in the Church don't believe the Bible is the Word of God. The truth is, denominational distinctives are a big obstacle and so in Promise Keepers our distinctive asked is simply, `Do you love Jesus?'"
Ed Barron, vice president of PK's U.S. Ministries, put it this way: "It does not matter if you are Baptist, Methodist or Catholic. Regardless of distinctives we come surrounded by the Biblical truth that they love Jesus."
While the earlier publicity had predicted 50,000 would be in attendance, only 9,000 showed up in Phoenix. The theme was "Come Near To Me." This was the second ever major clergy and leaders conference. In February of 1996, Promise Keepers held the largest clergy gathering in modern history, as 39,024 pastors, priests and ministers met at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. But in Phoenix, Steve Chavis, Director of Advance Planning for Promise Keepers, said, "We have no other clergy conference scheduled. In fact, we are not getting into that again."
It was in partnership with other ministries that this large gathering of pastors and leaders was made possible. Among those were Alpha, Answers in Genesis, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Campus Crusade For Christ, Focus on the Family, Jews for Jesus, Mission America Coalition, World Vision, Seventh Day Adventists, National Association of Evangelicals, American Bible Society and the Abba Anointing Oil Company. NavPress gave a copy of the Bible called "The Bible In Contemporary Language - THE MESSAGE" to everyone in attendance. It was prepared by Dr. Eugene Peterson, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and recommended by Bill McCartney, Max Lucado, and Jack Hayford.
The Clergy Confab began on Tuesday evening, February 18, 2003 at 6 p.m. with the rock beat of the Maranatha! Promise Band and Marcus Witt as the worship leader. For more than 30 minutes the large group clapped, cheered, raised their hands and swayed back and forth to the pulsating music. Dr. Jack Hayford was the moderator of the entire conference. With great skill he fulfilled his duties as he introduced the speakers and led the audience in joining him in bringing their hands together to indicate praise to Jesus. Hayford also led them several times in reaching out and embracing several sitting nearby and saying to them, "It's about Him and not us during these days." Another time they were to tell each other, "There is no God like Jehovah."
The first keynote speaker was Dr. Max Lucado, pastor of the Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, Texas and the author of 12 books that have a combined 28 million copies in print. His subject was, "Can You Imagine?" Using Isaiah 43:7, Lucado emphasized God's great glory and God's great preeminence. He said, "God is not your co-pilot. You do not give Him orders. So why not declare right now, `I hereby resign from me running the universe.' There is no hope when we say it is about me, and we must understand it does not matter about your denomination it is all about God!"
Dr. Lucado was followed by Rev. Erwin McManus, pastor of the Mosaic Church in Los Angeles and lecturer for Bethel Seminary. McManus said, "Nothing can stop the Church of Jesus Christ but the Church of Jesus Christ! Since 99% of the churches in America are declining, it could be many have forsaken their calling and just have a job. How many of you are willing to be a warrior shepherd? It could be you are longing for the good old days which were never there."
Various Messianic Jewish leaders then led the 9,000 in song with traditional Hebrew dance. In a climactic action "shofars" (rams' horns) were blown simultaneously in a call to worship. Phoenix area Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Bernis addressed the re-inclusion of Messianic Jews into the Christian family by saying, "We ask you not to replace us, but to embrace us."
The second day of the conference began with a half hour high decibel rousing Worship Time. Included in this part was the request for all the participants to move around the arena and to greet one another by saying, "I love God, and I love you!"
Coach Bill McCartney used Job 33:14 for his devotional. It says, "For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not." He urged everyone not to miss the voice of God. He underlined how one player on his football team in Colorado inspired the entire team to a great victory over a stronger Texas team. "We have to be a team," he said. "Just one guy can be the fresh fire taking the lead in becoming a real team that can make differences in our world."
Bishop Larry Jackson, senior pastor of Charlotte International Church (N.C.) and founder of Frontliners Men's Ministry, used John 17 as his text. He asked, "Do you want the glory of God to come? We need the glory so we can be one body with one purpose. You are placed in your city to conquer, not just to survive." Then everyone was asked to join raised hands and to call out, "LET THE GLORY COME!" This was followed by encouraging individuals to move around and to lay hands on those who needed help making sure they connect with other pastors. Jack Hayford admitted that some might feel uncomfortable in raising their hands, as is the practice in his charismatic Four Square Church On The Way in California, but they could learn that the Bible teaches in I Timothy 2:8 that men should pray "lifting up holy hands."
The youth culture presentation was given by author Jim Burns. This was followed by Native American Dobie Weasel. Using the acrostic WALK, Weasel spoke on Worship, Action, Listen, and Kinship. He also had several young Native American pastors come forward and give gifts to the elder leaders who had been brought to the platform. Grammy winning musician Tom Bee (Oglala Sioux), a featured soloist, then sang several songs.
The first Hispanic speaker, Noel Castellanos, explained "What is Fiesta?" It means a party, so he encouraged everyone to stand and dance! He was followed by Danny DeLeon who has been the host on the Spanish version of the television 700 Club. He said there are 37 million Hispanics in the USA. Children carrying the various flags of the countries represented by the 37 million ran around the large arena as he spoke, to the delight of the participants.
A Media Roundtable with Dr. Bruce Wilkinson took place on February 19. Dr. Wilkinson is the author of "The Prayer of Jabez" and founder of "Walk Thru the Bible" and is now president of Global Vision Resources based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He has now entered into partnership with World Vision and is issuing appeals for the Church to be unified so they can help in Africa. In South Africa, Wilkinson said, 8,000 people a day die of AIDS and 14,000 contract AIDS every day. He related how a group of Christians were able to raise $6 million in one day. Since World Vision has 6,000 workers, they are the best ones to partner with to help to stem the tide in South Africa. He acknowledged that moral purity has not been taught or preached as it should have been by the national pastors.
After the press conference, in private conversation this reporter reminded Dr. Wilkinson that he had spoken only a year before at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, Tennessee and told everyone he was selling his house in Atlanta and moving to Hollywood. He said he was going to get involved with the directors, producers, and others to help them produce films that included some moral values. He pled with those in attendance in Nashville at NRB to step out from where they were seated in that plenary session and to come forward and kneel before the Lord and join him in this great project of cleaning up Hollywood. A number of attendees in Nashville responded to that appeal. But in Phoenix, Wilkinson told this reporter that he was unable to find a house in Hollywood and had then received the invitation to move to South Africa and to get involved in this battle against AIDS.
Later in the conference, before the 9,000 in attendance, Wilkinson and others pled for thousands of the pastors to go to South Africa and to find out how they could get involved with his organization and World Vision. He wished that God would give them a Damascus Road experience and join him in this needy crusade. (The fact that World Vision is a part of the apostate World Council of Churches was completely ignored!)
Along with the Native American and Hispanic presentation, there was an Asian American presentation with seminary president, Dr. Bruce Fong. He told how Asians face prejudice. He then asked, "Who is going to be the one guy who goes back to each area and charges up the community for God?"
After a film regarding African Americans, Bishop Wellington Boone, Executive Vice President of Global Ministries for Promise Keepers, spent much time talking about the slave traders and said that it took a war to end slavery. He then proceeded to criticize President Bush for his position regarding affirmative action. Boone asked everyone to "commit to relationships, to open doors to affirmative action, to mentor other races and to empower African American Ministries."
Dr. James Merritt. former president of the Southern Baptist Convention and senior pastor of the 12,000 member First Baptist Church, Snellville, Georgia, used Psalm 133:1 for his text on "Unity." He said God wants us to advertise our unity, advocate our unity and advance our unity. He said he had listened as each of the various race groups told of their problems. Merritt declared, "At the cross God offers a new treaty, and we are blood bought and need to move from the reservation to the resurrection. Why not turn from the rearview mirror and look out the windshield? It is time to forgive and to forget."
The final day, Thursday, February 20, began with their Worship Time led by Israel Houghton. Many left their seats to go down near the stage to sing, hop, skip and dance.
Dr. Joe Stowell, Moody Bible Institute President, spoke on "The Challenging Response." He used John 4 for his text. He said that Jesus went through Samaria for the disciples' sake. "Jesus Christ leaped the barriers and talked to a woman, who was a Samaritan and immoral too. Jesus knew He had to embrace someone not like Him in order to embrace a village. If you love Jesus, you must celebrate diversity. If someone's choir sways, maybe yours puts folk to sleep. I have had it with Christians who are ticked off about this generation. I'm starting to be part of the emerging church."
Dr. Jack Hayford then stepped up and called Dr. Stowell back and related that he used to be one of those who as a Pentecostal had nothing to do with Moody Bible Institute. Dr. Hayford said, "I detest that, and there is a oneness between Joe Stowell and me. The walls are broken down."
Dr. Tony Evans, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dallas, Texas, spoke on "Bringing It Together." He also used John 4 as his text. He said that Jesus needed to go through Samaria "because it was a spiritual need. He met the woman at a place of common ground Jacob's well. He put His lips to her cup and asked for a drink of water. Do not let your culture get in the way of your message. Denominationalism is a sin as Christian leaders are divided. Unity is oneness of purpose. As a result, Jesus even spent two days in their village."
Bill McCartney concluded the conference as he spoke on "A Charge to Lead." He said that pastors "are the luckiest men on the face of the earth." McCartney asked those present to make a public decision to reach out internationally and to change the suburban and urban areas while even going global with the challenge of South Africa.
Several thousand went forward and knelt in unified prayer for the churches and communities to which they would return.
1. Since I was in attendance at the first PK Clergy Conference in Atlanta in 1996 and the PK Assembly in Washington, D.C., in 1997, I was able to compare those events with this Clergy Conference in Phoenix in 2003. Promise Keepers now claims to have reached more than 5,000,000 men during the past 12 years of conferences. Even though they have 18 events planned for 2003, the attendance and interest is declining. This is obvious when you recall nearly 40,000 clergy were present for Atlanta in 1996 and only 9,000 at Phoenix in 2003. Also, pastors' wives were invited to this particular conference (not to Atlanta) and more than 900 wives attended a breakout session held elsewhere in Phoenix with Cynthia Heald as their speaker. The press officer acknowledged that some women, who are clergy, refused to go to that breakout session since they wanted to be present for the activities at the Bank One Ballpark.
2. The often used phrase "If you love Jesus" is agreed upon by millions who never have been born again or remain a part of the apostate ecumenical movement. The fact is that one's skin color, ethnic background or socio economic status should not play a part in the body of Christ. Among genuine believers "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). But PK, in their attempt to keep the appeal of their message as broad as possible, has majored on the matter of racial discrimination and minimized other important Biblical truths.
Any attempt to bring everyone, liberal or conservative, Protestant or Catholic, charismatic or Mormon, under the same umbrella is ecumenism no matter what else it may be called. Efforts to reconcile at the expense of truth ought to be immediately rejected.
3. Although there may be individual Roman Catholics who have been born again, the fact is that the Catholic Church, along with thousands of liberal Protestant Churches, denies the doctrine of salvation by grace plus absolutely nothing. Yet according to PK that does not matter, and none are even remotely encouraged to leave churches that espouse a sacramental salvation. The problem of ecumenism is also evident in the individuals used on their platform. If you are well known and popular you can be highlighted at a PK activity. The speakers, for the most part, are among the best communicators available today. With powerful delivery they challenge their listeners and call for an immediate response to the message. But never are they urged to follow Ephesians 5:11: "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
4. The most popular use of tolerance shows up in accommodating non-biblical beliefs and practices. How can one welcome as fellowship partners those who are greatly confused about the Holy Spirit and extra-biblical revelation, with visions and dreams along with speaking in tongues and healing crusades?
5. While we are thankful for any life changed and those who adopt goals to live a life of integrity and purity, we cannot promote any ministry which embraces leaders who identify with the National Association of Evangelicals, the World Evangelical Association and the National and World Councils of Churches. Truth is always absolute, and absolutes are intolerant. It is strange to see Christian leaders so tolerant that they welcome error into their ministries and then defend that action as being Christlike. Some of the strongest, yes, even the harshest, declarations in the Word of God came from the lips of our Blessed Saviour against religious leaders who tolerated religious error. Christ taught truth!
6. There are those who suggest that Fundamentalism has failed while New Evangelicalism is doing the job, and the proof is seen in the results of these programs like Promise Keepers along with ecumenical evangelism. We are not the first ones who have been called upon to stand in an evil day. The position of Fundamentalism, with all of its shortcomings, is the correct one because of the Biblical position. A great difference between Fundamentalism and New Evangelicalism, as evident in Promise Keepers, lies in the matter of separation.
7. We need to make a choice between a limited message or a limited fellowship. It is either favor with men or favor with God. May God give us the courage and rock like conviction to stand no matter what the cost may be. Let us determine that, with God's help, we will do God's work in God's way!
Copied from The ACCC, A Major Report, by Dr. Ralph G. Colas, Executive Secretary
It doesn't take much to see that if Joshua's congregation would have reacted in this manner he would have had a crushing defeat rather than the glorious victory he did experience. It certainly pictures to us why religion is failing today.
Chapter 12 from the book, "The Religion Racket." Moses had died, and Joshua had assumed leadership of the congregation of Israel. Joshua's main task was to lead his congregation into Canaan and possess the land. After crossing Jordan the first big obstacle that Joshua and his people faced was the strong, fortified city of Jericho.
God gave Joshua the instructions on how he was to conquer the city of Jericho. Joshua was to line up his congregation with the armed men going first, followed by seven priests with trumpets. Next in line was the ark of the Lord which was to be followed by all the people. Every day this procession was to march around the city of Jericho one time. The seven priests were to blow their trumpets each day but all the people were to remain silent. They were to do this for six days. On the seventh day they were to walk around the city seven times and on the seventh trip the priests were to blow the trumpets and the people were to shout a great shout. The Lord's promise was that the walls of the city would fall down flat and a great victory would be theirs.
Joshua, the new leader of the congregation, had to carry these instructions to his people. This is a striking picture. It would be interesting to know what kind of reaction the congregation of Israel expressed to these unusual commands. It would be more interesting to try to contemplate what kind of reaction a modern congregation would have to the instructions given by Joshua. Let's try to picture it. Joshua has just given his instructions on how to take Jericho. How would a modern congregation react?
Typical reaction number one. "Well, I'll tell you one thing. Joshua is not like Moses, our old pastor. Moses would have had more sense than to try to take a city with a stupid plan like that. Joshua just hasn't had enough experience. Before we make fools out of ourselves we had better form a Pulpit Committee and start looking for a new pastor ... one like Moses."
Typical reaction number two. "Now I just don't see why we have to march around the city seven days. If we are going to take it, why not do it today? Why wait seven days? That's a big waste of time."
Typical reaction number three. "Line up and march around the city blowing trumpets! That's no way to capture a city! Anybody knows that much. What we have to do is get better organized. We'll form a steering committee to lay the framework for a Society For Knocking Down walls. I'll serve as chairman."
Typical reaction number four. "That's not the way we used to do it. I don't trust these new ideas of Joshua's. If we are going to take Jericho we will have to use the old fashioned ways. Now when Moses wanted to cross the Red Sea he just held out his stick over the sea, and when he wanted water from the rock he hit it with a stick. I say if we are going to capture Jericho we are going to have to get some sticks and start hitting the wall."
Typical reaction number five. "Now I don't hold with Joshua's plan but I can't go along with this crowd that wants to knock down Jericho's walls with sticks. One time we were in a battle and we were getting beaten. Our old pastor Moses held up his hands and we started to win. When he got tired and his hands would come down we would again suffer defeat. Finally, Aaron and Hur took hold of Moses' arms and held them up, and the victory was ours. I don't care what Joshua said ... tomorrow we ought to get out there and hold his hands up. We'll need at least three men. One to hold Joshua and one each for his arms. This will get the job done."
Typical reaction number six. "I suppose Joshua knows what he's doing, but you can count me out. I see no sense in getting up before dawn. I've got to get my sleep. We could start this thing at noon just as easily. Tomorrow's the only day I get to take it easy, and I'm not about to get up that early."
Typical reaction number seven. "Now I wouldn't mind getting up and marching around Jericho one day ... but seven days! That's too much. Joshua is trying to turn us into a group of fanatics. One day out of seven is enough. Its none of his business what we do with the other six."
Typical reaction number eight. "I'd tell Joshua just as soon as I'd tell you ... I'm not going to march in that parade around Jericho. I'm unalterable opposed to the entire plan. Its doomed to failure. Did you see those seven men he picked to blow the trumpets? That's favoritism. Why, I can play a trumpet better than any of them. No sir. Count me out."
Typical reaction number nine. "You see? What did I tell you? We got up and marched around Jericho a whole day and nothing happened. I knew it wouldn't work. There is absolutely no sense in going on with this for six more days. It didn't work today, and it won't work then."
Typical reaction number ten. "I'm not going to get out there and march around that city. I'm a singer ... not a soldier."
Typical reaction number eleven. "I've called all of you other ladies together to form this discussion group. We need thoroughly to go into Joshua's plan for capturing Jericho. I'm sure all of you are familiar with this plan, but there are some things of which you may not be aware. You all know about the march around the city, the trumpets, the ark, etc. But did you hear what else Joshua said? Well ... he said not `to make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth.' Now that's censorship. Joshua must think he is a dictator. Well, I'll tell you one thing and I'm sure you ladies will agree. I'm not going to keep quiet for six days. I don't care what Joshua might think ... I'm going to have my say."
Typical reaction number twelve. "I've been an officer in this army for a long time. I was here before Joshua came along. I'm going to sit back and let some of the younger fellows take over. Besides ... I might get my uniform dirty marching around that city."
Typical reaction number thirteen. "What do we need Jericho for anyway? We've got a nice little congregation and things haven't been going too bad. Why don't we just settle down and wait awhile? Jericho isn't going anywhere. After a while, if we still want to, we can always capture the city. What's the big rush? Let's think it over."
Typical reaction number fourteen. "What's all this going to cost? Our treasury is already low. Joshua is going to run us so far in debt we'll never get out."
Typical reaction number fifteen. "Boy! That Joshua! He's something else. Can you imagine what those people in Jericho are going to think when we take this rag tale mob and march around their city? They'll laugh us all the way back to Egypt. They'll think we're crazy. What we need to do is send a delegation into Jericho and work out an agreement. These people are just like us. Let's get together with them and stop all the fighting. The way I hear it things are pretty good inside Jericho. I wouldn't mind joining up with them. How about you?"
Typical reaction number sixteen. "The one thing I don't like about Joshua's plan is that he doesn't have enough music. Think of it. Just seven trumpets for the whole congregation. Personally, I could do with less talking from Joshua and more playing from the trumpets."
Typical reaction number seventeen. "All my life I've been training to use a sword and shield and now Joshua comes along and says I'm not going to need them to take Jericho. I don't know about the rest of you but when he's out there marching around the city, I'm going to be right here polishing my shield and sharpening my sword. I know what I can do with them and I'll trust that any day before I would Joshua's plan."
Typical reaction number eighteen. "If I understand it right we are not supposed to take any of the gold and silver out of Jericho for ourselves. If this is so, what I want to know is, what are we going to get out of it? What's in it for us? Joshua can't expect us to go out there for nothing. I bet he's going to get his."
It doesn't take much to see that if Joshua's congregation would have reacted in this manner he would have had a crushing defeat rather than the glorious victory he did experience. It certainly pictures to us why religion is failing today.