There are many Christians who believe slander about other believers. Instead of reading their books, watching their videos, or going to them directly, they believe snippets of what others have said or videos that have been pieced together making them look evil. They will also take a few sentences from what a person said, completely out of context, for the sake of getting their point across.
Whenever I write anything critical about anyone, I link to their words directly so all of you can read what they said in context and come to your own conclusions. I think it is very wrong to listen to someone criticizing others without having access to what they really said and in context.
Pastors criticize other pastors. I believe it is okay as long as they clearly link to what the pastor they are criticizing actually said. We have a right to stand up and say what we believe and speak the Truth as we know it but we should never listen to someone distort, pull out of context, and lie about what others have written or said.
Instead of reading blogs or watching youtubes that criticize other believers, read those believers words for yourself. Give them the benefit of the doubt, especially if their lives are exhibiting beautiful fruit. For love "Believeth all things. Takes the best and kindest views of all men and all circumstances, as long as it is possible to do so. It is the opposite to the common spirit, which drags everything in deteriorem partem, paints it in the darkest colours, and makes the worst of it. Love is entirely alien from the spirit of the cynic, the pessimist, the ecclesiastical rival, the anonymous slanderer, the secret detractor." {source}
The next time you hear or see criticism of the Pearls, the Duggars, John MacArthur, Mark Driscoll, etc., don't believe it. Go to their websites directly and read their words or watch the videos they make. They are all godly people who desire to impart God's Truth to others. You may not agree with everything they teach but that is okay. The only book you should agree with 100% is the Bible.
Love...Bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
I Corinthians 13:7
Logging you in...
Rebecca · 565 weeks ago
We all have to be more discerning. Not all who say they have the truth really do. And if the salvation message is not at the core, the very base of their beliefs, if it's not shiningly obvious in everything they write and speak, then they definitely don't have the truth. Because in the end, that's the only thing that matters, everything else is just a lot of 'sound and fury, signifying nothing,' as the bard of Avon once said.
Lori Alexander 122p · 565 weeks ago
Rebecca · 565 weeks ago
It's always a very fine line, isn't it?
Lori Alexander 122p · 565 weeks ago
"And these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, receiving the word with all readiness of mind, daily searching the scriptures if these things were so." Acts 17:11
Love being his wife. · 565 weeks ago
It is sad that we cannot follow a Pastor blindly now days just because they say they are following God because sometimes they are not. I feel so sad saying this; but it is so sad that it is true.
I think we need to know the Word of God for ourselves and pray, pray, pray!
The Bible tells us prove all things and now we know why!!! Jesus warned us of wolfs in sheep's clothing! So I do believe if Jesus thought it was important to warn us, then it is important for us to do it!
Love being his wife. · 565 weeks ago
And not rely on others beliefs of these people and what they teach; we are all bias at some stage or another. Sometimes that is good and sometimes not so good!!!
Lori Alexander 122p · 565 weeks ago
Love being his wife. · 564 weeks ago
Love being his wife. · 564 weeks ago
Danielle · 565 weeks ago
Ken · 565 weeks ago
The same applies to the Pearls who are wonderful people with a fabulous ministry. We may not agree on everything, but they would not expect us to agree completely, but to use our brains and or own search of the scriptures to determine before God what is the truth. I recall Michael Pearl saying regularly, "Do not take my word for anything. Do your own study."
I do not understand how one cannot respect a man like that. He speaks what he sees is God's truth and challenges us to prayerfully think for ourselves. If you expect any person to hold all the truth you deceive yourself. If you are going to lose respect fora person because they speak what they believe is the truth you are being judgmental. I respect every minister who proclaims Christ alone as Savior, who are winning many to the Lord, because God obviously respects them and their ministry. These men are not leading cults, but are instead advancing the Kingdom of God.
Love being his wife · 564 weeks ago
Thank you!
Ken · 564 weeks ago
Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement)
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)
Most evangelical believers hold to most if not all of these tenets of the Christian faith, but some of us would question a few ion the degree to which they are applied.
For instance, I believe in Election and God's choice for who will be saved, but he scriptures are clear that God also gives each of us who hear his Word the choice to accept it or reject it. A strong Calvinist might say that the is little or no human freedom of choice when it comes to God's calling and grace. If He calls you, His grace is irresistible. If he does not call you you are out of luck as the Potter can do what He wants to with His clay.
I find many of God's firm truths are balanced by seemingly opposite truths. "Whosoever will may come" seems to clearly imply human freedom of choice.
So I believe in both election and free will and I allow God to reconcile the two. I do not believe that Calvin himself would be a full blown Calvinist as many now define Calvinism. It is best not to put God's Word into a complete system but to believe every verse, even the ones that do not seem to completely reconcile with other verses. God is outside of space and time and if He can reconcile the two, I do not need to fully understand it all. Just believe it.
RTD · 564 weeks ago
People accuse him of child abuse. How many of our grandparents used corporal punishment on our own parents? How many schools? Did Laura Ingalls Wilder accuse her father of child abuse when he used a belt on her? How many of our parents used it on us?
My grandmother used a yardstick on my father and his eleven brothers and sisters when they acted out. All of them cherished their parents and their blessed childhoods. My mother rightfully slapped me when I was out of line as a child, and I learned discipline and respect. Children are much tougher than we give them credit for. The only difference between these examples and the Pearls is that the Pearl family discusses their methods of discipline openly.
helen · 564 weeks ago
Blessings
Helen UK
Ken · 564 weeks ago
Your point is well taken that most of us received far harsher punishments from our parents and turned out just fine with appreciation for the discipline taught to us. Unfortunately, in today's world there needs to be clarification that some of the means of the past, like slapping a child on the face and using belts is not appropriate. Anything can be abused, and if a parent is to err they should err on the side of modest discipline and we believe that most if not all spankings should be completed by age 5-6 at the latest.
The Pearls are maligned for a few things that they write and teach, much of which is misunderstood or mischaracterized. I do hope that some day they will edit their book to show a clearer heart for modest discipline in light of the abuse seem the last few years and make it abundantly clear that all discipline should never leave a bruise, emotionally or physically. It is just one tool, should a parent choose to use it, that should make the point of discipline without any possibility of harm to a child. If you read all of their work and listen to them you realize this is their true heart on the subject, but some hate the idea of "breaking a child's unruly will" by the consistency they teach.
We think making sure the child learns who is the boss in the home at an early age is vital to a healthy home life. This can almost always be accomplished with modest spankings at a young age, and/or other non-physical approaches, so long as the parent is consistent. If a parent feels that it takes more than a modest approach they should seek counsel from other parents who have been successful at raising great kids.
Love being his wife. · 564 weeks ago
I was very sad to hear what he believed on both; however other things he got very right. But being a Pentecostal Christian myself; it did sadden me a lot to hear his views on it.
I think it is so important to remember that every man or women who preaches and teaches does so from their understanding and beliefs not everyone gets it all spot on every time!
However that said the gifts of the Holy Spirit is a big one to get wrong!! He is in my prayers!
helen · 564 weeks ago
Blessings
Helen UK
Ken · 564 weeks ago
Much of evangelical Christianity teaches that some of the gifts of the Spirit "ceased" as the scriptures teach they "will cease." John MacArthur is just one of many great Bible teachers who do not believe that tongues and prophecy in terms of foretelling is for today's church.
If anyone is going to all him and thousands of others a false teacher then they have to go to the other side where these gifts are obviously abused in the church. Churches filled with people speaking gibberish which may be some language, but its manifestation in the church without an interpreter goes against Paul's clear admonitions concerning such things.
Lastly, I find it a much greater harm to the church to have ministers who teach that if one does not speak in tongues they must not be saved, or at least have never experienced the "second work of grace" in their lives. Both of these things are so foreign to the Bible, yet are taught regularly in some churches and denominations. "Oh, you don't speak in tongues?" There must be something wrong with you. Let me lay hands on you, etc."
This debate will go on and it is best to honor both sides of the issue, yet have one's own convictions before the Lord. I can tell you that I do not need to speak in tongues to have a vibrate faith in the Lord Jesus, and I do not care what other believers do in their prayer life, but I do want to worship in a church that looks and is orderly in its worship. This is a non-essential to the faith on both sides of the issue, so allow Christian freedom and the Spirit to do his work in each individual life as He chooses. And allow ministers to teach against tongues if that is what they see in the scriptures without being called names or discredited because they may not be perfect in all that they teach.
Kelly Chripczuk · 564 weeks ago
pjkuhn 23p · 564 weeks ago
Joyfully,
Pamela