Danger, Danger Will Robinson!
Yes, that line from Lost in Space made me think of that old T.V. show. I can’t remember the name of the guy with the thin mustache (the semi-villain), but I could see the robot flopping it’s arms around and flashing it’s lights to warn Will of some impending danger.
There are a lot of dangerous things in the church and the world that we need to beware of, and to warn other believers about, so they can avoid.
Rereading in Acts 20:25-32 got to me again yesterday. The warnings to elders (yes, elders) for three years, day and night in tears. Paul cared about those who would come from outside to savage the flock. He warned about those who would come from within perverting the truth.
(Note: Please try to refrain from identifying yourself (or others) as the person I am speaking about. If you are in a different doctrine, and teaching it to others, I will come and let you know beyond a shadow of a doubt. I will publicly say so. I will not leave you wondering. You will know I have marked and avoided you since you have refused to hear any Biblical refutation from others. In the below first case, many, many came to her to question what she and others were pushing. Each person mentioned knows who it is as I went to them personally.)
Paul cared greatly and it is why I mourn the loss of those who have changed to a different doctrine than the one we learned. You become a mentor to someone, nurture them like Paul said, like a nursing mother, and they may still fall into error (like one sister recently who fell into the hypergrace movement as she follows after a certain youtube teacher). I still pray for her and love her.
You mourn the loss of one who believe the same on the gospel, yet in the same breath say they do not agree that eternal security belongs in the gospel. That particular person drew some followers after herself insisting they block me (for saying eternal security is the message of the gospel. It is God’s Promise). I still sorrow and think on those people who are no longer in my life. I understood her weakness in that area (because her husband believed you could lose salvation), however, we cannot compromise the gospel for that purpose no matter who we love.
Marking and Avoiding
I sorrow over those who do not agree with marking and avoiding these errant doctrines or people (Rom 16:17; Eph 5:11). Or heaven forbid, if you should even ask a question regarding a doctrine you have a problem with (such as inclusivism or as one put it, trans-dispensationalism — a new one on me).
Those who disapprove of you marking, avoiding, or questioning who they say are sound teachers, will suggest that you are slandering, vitriolic or divisive (happened recently regarding a few and their favorite teacher). If he is ‘sound’, then why not gently answer those with questions without offense or accusations towards others my friends?
It is not an answer regarding the error to ignore the questions and repeat over and over that they are ‘sound’. I say sorrow because Paul had no trouble calling out his brothers Peter, James, and Barnabas publicly for not being straightforward about the truth of the gospel. I understand a bit of their point in that sometimes people can go overboard in separations. Pastors face hyper-criticism on every side. They need our continual prayer and support. So, we should be very, very careful when accusing an elder.
However, on the flip side, no elder should ever criticize someone who is questioning what seems to be errant doctrine in the light of His Word (Acts 17:11). They shouldn’t in reverse slander those who are questioning the teachings, suggest they are troublemakers, tell them to ‘chew the meat and spit out the bones’, or use the ‘nobody’s perfect’ retort (I know this very well by the way, I live in my own skin, it can go unsaid).
I even mourn the loss of those who have been particularly unkind or nasty in their responses or actions later (such as malicious gossip or working in dividing friends or sowing discord). One such event was years back regarding Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The person was so terribly angry that she literally contacted the author of the book on Bonhoeffer, slandering my name and warning them to expect me. They were prepared with their lawyers at the public meeting at a church she knew I was going to, in order to ask questions (which I did). They called what I said about Bonhoeffer denying the resurrection and Christ’s Deity — ‘internet rumors’. I had the books, the publisher and date, and the pages but I don’t believe they were interested. Bonhoeffer didn’t die for you. Christ did my friend (if you’re reading). And as for other kinds of division behind the scenes, dividing friends, we need to be very careful what we say — all of us.
My mourning is not for me with these (I have hundreds of stories). In the beginning, I confess, it personally hurt when people would call me arrogant, haughty, a slanderer, even an anti-christ (although I admit the shock of that made me chuckle out loud, another story). Previous friends have mocked me, laughed at me, and called me ‘reprobate’. The anger of some has gotten so out of hand we have been called ‘whores of grace’ (my friend Kimberrly and myself when answering some in the Hebrew Roots movement). Jezebel probably tops the list of names I’ve been called.
One friend in person called my friend (now with the Lord) Pastor Jack Weaver (expreacherman) a false teacher — all because he taught the word repent did not mean turning from sin. She became very angry when I spoke up regarding lordship people she admired (such as the Duggards, Billy Graham, Duck Dynasty). She decided she would not attend the same Bible study as me (she lived where I did, so she switched classes). Turned out she did not like attending the morning one, so instead she came back and made sure if I spoke to her, she slightly turned her back to me, did not look at me or respond to me. I share this only because this does harm to the body. I am not angry with her personally, but this is why we need to clear up (not gloss over) any problems we can. Because later, she ended up sneaking behind the scenes on phone calls, emails and private messages on facebook. Tripping up young ones who believed in Him, making them question their salvation. One of them called her on it publicly. She did not behave kindly to it. Later when I saw this, I marked and avoided her — I blocked her.
I felt terrible for those she had affected in her stubborn error. Each has to make up their own mind if they associate with these, but I wonder how many I inadvertently caused to stumble by bearing with her (2 Cor 11:3-4)?
Another darling older couple got so mad when I was asked a question about Billy Graham that they told my teacher that they would never attend the class again if I spoke again about him. That one did make me personally sad. A friend, Marian had actually come to town and visited my Bible study. It was an open Q & A and Billy Graham came up. A couple people (including Marian) had mentioned some of his errors. I didn’t say anything speculative about him. Someone asked me outright something about his gospel, and knowing older people were there, I was careful to say that the Word, the gospel is what is the power of God unto salvation. So whatever Word he spoke people could still be saved from it if they believed it. I didn’t question his salvation or motives, but that the clarity of the gospel is what is so important. I briefly explained that he added works at times that either changed it or made it confusing. I would have loved to answer those people myself face to face, (I loved them), but my experience is that they close off very quickly when you mention their favorite teacher.
Remember Your First Love
I don’t look back too long, I pray I use these things only to learn or refine, and to hopefully do better the next time in the areas I may have failed in. One thing I pray that I’m ever cognizant about (when exposing error) is the warning to the church in Ephesus. We can’t so hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans that we inadvertently forget our first love.
I was reading a book last night, and there was a man who had a journal written, (his wife had not looked at but asked him what was in it). He was reticent to answer as he said he rarely discussed it. He thought for a moment and mentioned that it was just a place he jotted down private prayer requests that came to mind, he wrote them out and later he prayed over them. He said how he would sometimes look back on the years and check off things it was apparent God had answered. And it dawned on me, how often do I go back, check off the things (in my mind) that God has answered so well for me — and thanked Him?
How many times have I been like the 9 lepers, the very thing I do not want to be?
So, I began to thank Him for my children, and the times we were brought through troubles, trials, illnesses and even death. I thanked him for the extra time he granted Gilbert, my dad, my mom, Adam, Jason, even though Gilbert and my dad are with Him now, I do not mourn as others do (like you all). I thanked Him for other answered prayer as my mind wandered through my memories.
All of this thinking had branched off from another blog I’ve started (and may or may not finish) on the disciples. Specifically, Jesus and later Peter walking on the water, and also the other storm Jesus stilled, (and the disciple’s response to several miracles).
The event of Peter walking on water, was right after Jesus fed the 5000, yet they were still not getting it. And even so, they would not ‘get it’ again and again. Or they would forget. And their faith would ebb and flow like the tide (as does ours). The disciple’s response to Jesus walking on the water, and Peter’s momentary ability to do the same? “Truly, You are the Son of God.” Or, in the other storm, “What kind of man is this that even the wind and the waves obey Him?”
Job said, “He alone spreads out the heavens, And treads on the waves of the sea.”
The Psalmist Ethan said,
“O Lord God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. You rule the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.” (Ps 89:8-9).
God’s Word was being acted out in front of the disciples (as it is with us – Rom 15:4), and still, so often, we are of ‘little faith’. I was pondering that — how patient He is knowing how fragile we are as humans. How He loves us with such great love that we will never be separated from.
It is why I do what I do. His truth has set me free over the years as I’ve gotten to know it, (and also become a Berean with more of what I read). There is no shame to checking the Scriptures against what someone says. I will not apologize for it to anyone (as long as my speech is sound and my manner gentle, patient, etc). I will defend no teacher who compromises His truth, wanting others to chew the meat and spit out the bones. No! call me noble instead of chastening me for question your favorite guy! (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1).
I love you all, but I love Him more. Who is sufficient for these things? I am nothing, as Paul said in His Word,
And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3:4-6
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Thank you Holly,
Too often we forget that love, faith, grace and truth is what the Gospel is about. We step off that narrow path and start thinking works are more important but that gets us into trouble.
That’s putting the “Cart before the Horse.”
Love, faith, grace and truth are the essence of His message and where I need to remain in order to be able to do any work. Help me Lord, every to start with You.
Your friend,
Marcie
Thanks Marcie!
I was just talking about Galatians 3 and those who become bewitched by thinking they can finish in the flesh, that which began in the Spirit. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb 12:1-2). We cannot do it as long as we have flesh without His help and the guidance and light from His Word (Ps 119:105,130).
Thanks for reading my friend <3 Love in our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Yes Holly we all need to keep our eyes on Jesus.
Yes so true we need to keep our eyes on Jesus.
Hi Bonnie, thanks for visiting! The comments don’t automatically get entered. Since some of our articles have exposed false teachings, there have been some comments that were beyond just unkind and couldn’t be allowed.
I wonder when people think of Billy Graham’s ministry they paint don’t paint it with a broad stoke and only remember the early days when he brought countless to the Lord at his rallies.
Not remembering that in the latter part of Billy Graham’s, life after the fame and glory, there came upon him a world view, and he relaxed his strong convictions and accepted worldly compromises…similar I think to King Solomon.
I don’t judge his salvation ever, and I hope it is like a King Solomon’s story. But I have no idea how many he brought to the Lord based on people walking an aisle. No clue. But I do trust the power of God’s Word (Heb 4:12; 2 Tim 2:14-15) and the power of the gospel (Rom 1:16-17; 1 Cor 1:17-18). So, the Lord can use His spoken Word, and He can speak through donkeys and through heathen Kings even, so I figure I leave that part up to Him for sure, and I try very hard to only judge with a righteous judgment, which is with God’s Word, next to theirs 🙂 Love you.
Thank you Holly, for this article. I can do a pretty good imitation of the Robot, flailing the arms and “Danger Will Robinson, Danger.” I have not sent you an email in a long time. I need to do that, to catch up. I’m sure that you remember that you are the one that pulled me out of Lordship Salvation and for that I am ever grateful. I have not left the simplicity of the real Gospel. The straight and narrow is 100% Jesus, plus nothing. Anything else heads right into the ditch, but of course you know all of that. On another note, Kay and I have left five churches because of Calvinism and other doctrinal errors and heresies. Two of the churches we left were torn apart by blatant hostile takeovers by Calvinist wolves. The sitting pastors were very fine free grace preachers. Both were unceremoniously thrown out. Fortunately we are in a good church now. I hope and pray it does not change.
Your Friend,
Dennis
Oh Dennis, Jason and I were just talking about you. A friend of his has gone through some of the exact health challenges including AO. I’ve thought of you both many times, but am so thankful that you are both well and have each other to discern these things. Calvinism (as a system of theology) I believe will be very helpful in end times matters for blending religions. Their god will choose their destiny. I knew these hostile takeovers were coming as I saw it in some Calvinist groups I was in. I watched pastors plot to do that very thing. For them, obviously, their god is their system of theology.
It is heartbreaking to go through this, many of the bigger cities have almost completely been taken over.
I think those who do not understand Jesus is that narrow way, He is the gate, He is the door, just do not understand (or believe) what He did. And He is the only One that has (or ever will) fulfilled the righteous requirement of keeping the law. He is our only hope. We have no chance except He save us in Him.
So thankful to hear you are in a good church. I have not held out much hope here, my childhood church offsprings have become something my pastor and those before him would not recognize.
Say hi to Kay, really happy to hear from you. God bless you both. Yes, email some time and let’s catch up.
Hi Holly,
I just need to share after praying about this – here is my concern- you mention a sister you lost to a different doctrine – you mention to hyper grace, but you do not name her- which is going to cause your followers to WONDER who is this sister ? Then they may assume they know who it is , or they may even ask you in private- and they may then mark and avoid this person without even asking them what they believe , you also have three articles on hyper grace – so anyone you accuse of it -is now accused and grouped in your argument with all the false teachings – do not see how this approach can be harmful ?
You spend all this time writing these LONG posts where many of the paragraphs start with I or me, and i am not the only one who saw this -the other saints who saw this – will not come to you because they say you will not hear the concern and you have been doing this for a long time. but i am coming to you about it -just to ask you to consider this concern about mentioning a saint like this and leaving others to wonder. Your posts have been a blessing to me but something is harmful here and i pray you would please hear the concern.
I am not gossiping about you- I am sad the other people will not reach out to you on this concern. And why is it that you will not write about other things that are harmful heresies like how many of the grace pastors believe or tollerate the rank heresy that JDS ? or that they put you back under the law for the christian life and harsh and like to say GOD is going to beat you ? I know the Lord disciplines us – but for preacher to stand at the pulpit and say things like God will beat the tar out of you, or take you out to the woodshed-as he slams his hand down that is sick and twisted- and it is tollerated where is the article on these things ?
When i shared my understanding of Galations 2 ;19-21 you told me i was wrong and you would get back on it , but you never did. I am resting in the finished work of Christ and have peace with God through Christ.
SOMETIMES teachers have to learn too .
I love you . and I pray you would just consider these things , God bless you sister
Nadine, I appreciate your concerns, but you have written me over and over repeatedly regarding this. I am always open to correction with Scripture. I thought we had settled that we were done speaking about this, so I’ll allow you this one last comment, so that it is public for anyone else who wishes to correct (with Scripture hopefully).
You end with praying I would ‘just consider these things’. I have considered them, several times since the first time you emailed me, and the second, third, and fourth. So let me address each concern.
//you mention a sister you lost to a different doctrine – you mention to hyper grace, but you do not name her- which is going to cause your followers to WONDER who is this sister ? Then they may assume they know who it is , or they may even ask you in private- and they may then mark and avoid this person without even asking them what they believe//
I have not had anyone ask me in private, and I did ask that others not speculate on the article. I also make it very clear publicly when it happens, no one has to speculate as to whether or not I’m speaking about them (as I already told you more than once). I try very hard to be straightforward.
//You spend all this time writing these LONG posts where many of the paragraphs start with I or me, and i am not the only one who saw this -the other saints who saw this – will not come to you because they say you will not hear the concern and you have been doing this for a long time.//
I haven’t had anyone else come to me with this concern, usually when you write something that has to do with an experience you’ve had, it will contain I, me, etc. But I will pray about this as I always do with every concern. I wish to always get better.
I have 2 articles on hypergrace, and 1 on hyperdispensationalism. I was asked to do 3 by several, but it takes a lot of time.
//I am not gossiping about you- I am sad the other people will not reach out to you on this concern.//
Not much I can do if they don’t come to me in person. But what you can do is not repeat it, or discuss it with them.
//And why is it that you will not write about other things that are harmful heresies like how many of the grace pastors believe or tollerate the rank heresy that JDS ?//
I write about many things, only one out of several may become a post. I pray about it, start many articles, and some do not make it to fruition. I am not purposely avoiding any. But that will have to probably be between me and the Lord.
//or that they put you back under the law for the christian life and harsh and like to say GOD is going to beat you ? I know the Lord disciplines us – but for preacher to stand at the pulpit and say things like God will beat the tar out of you, or take you out to the woodshed-as he slams his hand down that is sick and twisted- and it is tollerated where is the article on these things ?//
I have no idea who has said this, or if they said it this way, but Hebrews does say He scourges His legitimate sons. When my parents disciplined me, I didn’t like it, but I did know it was done for my benefit, my growth in Him. I wouldn’t take back any of the difficult times, the discipline, or the wiping away of my tears.
//When i shared my understanding of Galations 2 ;19-21 you told me i was wrong and you would get back on it , but you never did. I am resting in the finished work of Christ and have peace with God through Christ.//
I got back to you as often as I could. But you are not the only one who reaches out to me as I explained and have explained, so many times throughout the years I’ve known you.
//SOMETIMES teachers have to learn too .//
No, all the time teachers have to learn too. I’m not opposed to learning, but because you listen to David Benjamin, Gregg Jackson, etc., you are sensitive to these articles. You send me their links and I tell you I’m not interested, and you do it again. We all have to decide who we listen to. And you have made your decision, although I wish you would instead choose His Word. This will have to be the last comment on it.