Late in 2007, I wrote a
series of articles documenting the growing causes for concern with the
direction that CE National was heading in terms of compromise with the Church
Growth Movement and the Emerging Church.
I have heard no official
response from CE National but some have contacted me resonating with the
concerns I documented. Others have taken great offense at the fact that I would
dare name CE National as an organization and list their “sins” publicly. I
remind everyone that I merely show from their websites, materials and blog
entries that, at the very least, there is an ongoing fascination and influence towards
and from ministries like Willow Creek, Saddleback, and some in the emerging or
mystical circles including Rob Bell, Erwin McManus, Dan Kimball, Tony Jones,
and Doug Pagitt to name a few. CE National publicly displays these references
and endorsements themselves. I request that any ire over what you read here be
directed to those who actually post these things and not to a concerned FGBC
pastor who is merely acknowledging these sad facts.
I drew attention to the
Lending Library of CE National, which provides the inquisitive with materials
that all but lead them into deepening influence from the mysticism and
questionable ministry techniques being presented (See: http://powertostand.org/ec3.htm).
By way of reminder here is
one entry from CE National’s Lending Library and I think the promotion of this
book is extremely troubling:
Title: Soul Shaper:
Exploring Spirituality and Contemplative Practices in Youth Ministry
Barcode
5526
Publisher Zondervan
Material Type 253 pages
Summary: Hands-down the
most comprehensive primer on the study and use of spiritual and contemplative
practices for the benefit of your teenagers - and especially your own soul.
Tony Jones gives wings to his critically acclaimed debut, Postmodern Youth
Ministry, by lucidly explaining how you can put postmodern ideas to work by
learning powerful disciplines such as Sacred Reading; The Jesus Prayer; The
Ignatian Examen; The Daily Office; Stations of the Cross; Sabbath; Silence and
Solitude; Centering Prayer; Spiritual Direction; The Labyrinth; Pilgrimage;
Service. and eventually implement them into the life of your youth ministry.” http://www.cesites.org/library/library-detail.php?IDNum=5499
The list here is a litany of
erroneous contemplative practices that veer far from biblical worship in many
facets. One can’t miss the prevalent Roman Catholic element, which is gaining popularity
in emerging church style worship and youth ministry. This is truly a
frightening ecumenism at work here.
One only hopes that a change
is coming, a return to more biblical forms and resources for ministry within
the Grace Brethren and to our young people. Perhaps you have heard or seen some
change as a result of these details being brought to light or perhaps the
informing needs to be upped a notch so that some will really understand the
dubious direction that CE National and some other ministry arms in the FGBC are
heading. To recommend a book like this shows a proclivity towards this mystical
trend.
If we truly care and have
love for someone, then we will also be committed to consistently and
unashamedly speaking the truth in love to them (Eph. 4:15). After all, love
edifies (1 Cor. 8:1) and does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth
(1 Cor.13: 6) and I know that those working with CE National have great
affection for the youth of today and want them to be reached with the true gospel
and know the contents of biblical faith. That is their stated purpose and I am
left wondering why there is so much promotion of unbiblical material.
I do not doubt the sincerity
of their ministry efforts but the discernment level in terms of their continued
direction needs serious adjustment. I will try to be as delicate as I can in
sharing some continuing concerns here but make no mistake; I believe these
areas need addressing and even turned from in terms of any kind of future
involvement. Needless to say, I am a bit disheartened to see these recent
events and can only assume that those involved are not concerned in the least
with the concerns I have raised in the past.
Consider these sad items of
recent concern with where CE National seems intent on heading:
Still Looking to
Saddleback and Willow Creek
I’ve documented the
specifics with Bill Hybels and Rick Warren and the plethora of stunts and
stumbling blocks with their version of church and ministry (See: http://powertostand.org/ItsTimetoStand.htm).
Just recently, Bill Hybels
and the Willow Creek gang openly admitted and confessed that their problematic
programmatics had resulted in exactly what many of us have been warning for the
last decade: shallow, weak non-disciples who predictably failed to mature in
the wake of every new program and seeker sensitive initiative that millions of
dollars had been poured into by this organization. Their solution? More
surveys and nonsense to try to figure out how to get themselves out of the
miles-wide inch-deep mess they finally assessed they were in (from more tests,
of course). In the words of one of their patron saints, BONO; “They still
haven’t found what they’re looking for”. I believe they should try getting
back to the Bible, as the standard for your doctrine and practice and true
discipleship will begin.
Read about all this here:
http://moriel.org/articles/discernment/church_issues/bill_hybels_admit_done_it_wrong.htm
http://www.oldtruth.com/blog.cfm/id.2.pid.811
http://www.svchapel.org/Resources/articles/read_articles.asp?ID=142
If that’s not enough reason
to steer clear from the dangerous reef, try wrapping your discerning head
around the recent appearances and standing ovations at Saddleback for Barack
Obama and (gasp!) pro-abortion, pro-homosexual rights Hillary Clinton! http://lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/index.php?p=414&more=1&c=1
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/index.php?p=897&more=1&c=1
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN29245613
Its truly tragic and I think
its high time that FGBC leaders and churches who are in the Willow Creek
Association, trying to get others to join and constantly promoting Rick Warren
books, and being trained at their seminars need to repent and renounce this
Schuller/ Hybels /Warren weakness.
Oh, by the way, Hybels and
Warren signed, along with some emerging church teachers, the recently
introduced document entitled “A Common
Word Between Us and You” drafted my Muslim clerics. Read all about it and weep:
http://caribouyah.blogspot.com/2008/01/more-on-common-word.html
http://www.newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctor137.htm
http://newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctor138.htm
http://www.yale.edu/faith/abou-commonword.htm
We could end now with enough
to ask the pertinent question: What else do you need to see to recognize how
wicked this thing is becoming? Please anyone justify the continued promotion of
anyone in the CGM or emerging church as anything or anyone we should still be
enamored with or tell other people to read. If I sound cranky and terse, hey
perhaps I’m getting a little more ornery in my old age, of 36, but seriously I
care about what’s going on in this fellowship and I want to see GBIM, Grace
College, CE National and others flourish by remaining true to the Scriptures
and stop looking out into the maelstrom of false teachers and wacky, windy
doctrines that actually undermine our effectiveness. Lets learn some lessons
together.
Grievous as the developments
are and as off course as the leadership is veering in the CGM movement, CE
National still has fondness for pointing people to these places. In Dec. 2007,
CE National advertised the “Conspire” conference for children’s ministry
workers put on by; you guessed it, the Willow Creek gang:
12/29/2007 Spring
Conference for Children's Workers
“CE National's Children's
Cabinet would like to invite all children's workers and those who are
interested in children's work to check out the Conspire Conference put on by
Willow Creek Community Church, April 22-25 in Chicago. The goal of the
conference is to bring together the best minds in children's ministry for the
sake of each child.
For additional
information and to see the schedule, speakers, workshops and registration
details, go to www.willowcreek.com/conspireconference
. The Children's Cabinet members will be attending the conference and urge
others to be part of the wide variety of workshops, be challenged by diverse
speakers, and enjoy the interaction with those with like passion for children's
ministry.” http://www.cenational.org/cenational/newsBlog/index.asp?IDNum=1889&eventCode=
Question: Why? Why not stand
against some of the dangers in this movement rather than tell people to
continue to pay these people cash? I’m merely drawing attention to the fact that
here is yet another conference put on by Willow Creek and there has been no
stand concerning the dangerous elements in this movement.
Surely CE National
leadership wouldn’t still be looking to Rick Warren’s Saddleback for how to
minister to our young people. Guess again: They recently featured Kurt
Johnston, Junior High Youth Pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern
California at their TNI Module training:
CE News Online Email
1/10/2008 TNI Module a Success
“The National Institute's
module class, Strategizing for Church and Campus Youth Ministry, took place in
Norton, Ohio, last week.”
http://www.cenational.org/cenational/newsBlog/index.asp?IDNum=1901&eventCode
One guesses that Johnston
was considered a representative of a “model ministry” that CE National brings
in to show how youth ministry should be done.
Doesn’t it mean anything
that the ministries these people represent have admitted to being wrong in
their direction or worse haven’t even acknowledged their recent compromises of
biblical truth? In a pragmatic perspective, what matters is numbers and fame
and it is sad to see that even many in our fellowship are drawn to ministries
that demonstrate low discernment, unbiblical ministry experimentation, and
compromise with staggering frequency. Folks, some of these people signed a
document with points of agreement with Islam! Does that matter to anyone?
Need more? http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue89.htm
http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue80.htm
http://www.understandthetimes.org/commentary/c73.shtml
Where’s it all headed? Read
EVERYTHING on this blog: http://herescope.blogspot.com/
In Nov 2007, CE National
held its training summit and Chuck Bomar, Bob Hetzler, and others
were there to train young leaders:
http://www.cenational.org/cenational/newsBlog/index.asp?IDNum=1832&eventCode=
You may recall that Chuck
Bomar, who has left or is soon to leave official ministry at Francis Chan’s
Cornerstone Church, gave some nods to emergent teachers like Tony Jones, Brian McLaren,
and Dan Kimball at the 2007 Momentum youth conference. Take a look at this
article about that and ask yourself:
Where do some of these men’s influences come from? http://powertostand.org/ec5.htm
Summit Organizer Bob Hetzler
is a “Millennial Generation Consultant” in California and he definitely points
people to the EC in his ministry. Just visit his blog (http://www.cenational.org/cenational/bobsblog/index.asp
) and you can be directed to several emergent ministries such as Spencer
Burke’s theooze.com , contemplative promoter Dallas Willard’s
website, and Youth Specialties’ Relevant Magazine blog. His influences
are clear.
All I can say is that
some of the elements in this training at these summits concerns me greatly.
They assure us:
“CE National is looking
at further; regional conferences in the future with other respected college
pastors and speakers. These events would cover topics from starting a college
ministry to mentoring/discipleship to reaching and keeping 20 somethings in the
church.
Look for more information
about these conferences in the future.” http://www.cenational.org/cenational/newsBlog/index.asp?IDNum=1832&eventCode=
CE National, please tell us
that CGM and EC speakers won’t be involved.
Looking to Rob Bell
The 412 Commission is an
outreach adventure for students who want to get really serious about serving
God. Not only CE National is involved but many across the board in the FGBC as
well. The premise is good:
1 Timothy 4:12 gives an
amazing charge to young adults "...set an example for the believers in speech,
in life, in love, in faith and in purity." The 412 Commission is an
exciting program designed to nurture young leaders in an effective discipling environment. http://www.cenational.org/412commission/412Home.asp?homePageLinkCode=homePage
And again, support for it is
widespread: http://www.cenational.org/412Commission/page3.asp?secondLevelLinkCode=pastors_47212&homePageLinkCode=pastors
Jeff Bogue hails it as a
wondrous opportunity for ministry and training, even looking at model
ministries as various churches are visited. What could possibly be a problem
here? http://www.cenational.org/412Commission/page2.asp?homePageLinkCode=pastors
The problem is made apparent
or nearly apparent by one glowing example of who the leaders of 412 Commission
believe to be a model for creative ministry. Here’s how it went down:
412 students this past year
went all over ministering and being ministered to by many. For the most part,
it seemed to be awesome and encouraging and I am sure the young people who went
would agree but then something troubling emerged in the details of this past
mission. 412 Commission students were to go view “model churches” as stated on this web page: http://www.cenational.org/412Commission/page2.asp?homePageLinkCode=pastors
One “model church” in
particular seemed to stick out:
“On Sunday, September 9,
the 412 Commission visited a church in Grand Rapids Michigan. This “mega
church” has around 9,000 attendees every week with only three services. The
team got a tour of the building and learned that they have a youth group of
over 1,000 students. After church the team went to the local mall in Grand
Rapids to get lunch and do some shopping.” http://www.cenational.org/412commission/news.asp?IDNum=1780&eventCode=
Interestingly, this account
from their church visit failed to mention the actual name of this church saying
only it is a “mega church” near Grand Rapids. Oddly, every other church they
visited as far as I am aware from their travel log was specifically mentioned and
the pastors named as a running account of what was done where and when, except
of course this mysterious unnamed congregation near Grand Rapids.
Here’s a clue though. Rob
Bell, of Velvet Elvis and Sex God fame, has a church called Mars
Hill. It happens to be large; in fact near 9000 attendees, and what do you
know? Near Grand Rapids! Questions arise. Can this be proven to be a reference
to a visit to Rob Bell’s church? It seems to imply that but does not state it,
but a quick phone call to CE National confirmed that indeed they had visited
Bell’s church on this trip and this was the church that was referenced here.
Why would anyone object to
visiting Bell’s church? Keep in mind, among other things that Mars Hill is
“egalitarian”, I. E. believers in women being allowed to pastor. One must ask,
how good of an idea is it to visit it as a “model ministry” given what someone
might be taught there?
I was accused of being way
too rigid and legalistic in my concerns about this visit and that I should see
the merit of being able to “learn” from pretty much anyone, regardless of the
presence of some serious error. The concerning factor is that 412 Commission
was made up of young adults and we ought not to be leading them to churches
that demonstrate false teachings or dubious ministry practices. I was accused
of being “Bob-Jones like” in my “legalism”.
Steve, why so concerned?
Consider this entry by a girl who participated on this 412 Mission and what she
has to say concerning the influential teaching she received:
CE News Online Email | See Previous Issue
12/27/2007
412 Commission Semester Wrap-Up:
“School started and with it we realized how exciting
and stretching ministry can be. Along with Liberty classes, we had in-depth
studies on books of the Bible, leadership, and a book of various topics that we
read together as a team. Through Mike’s teaching, along with Rob Bell, our view
of God was blown out of the box we had it in.”
http://www.cenational.org/cenational/newsBlog/index.asp?IDNum=1886&eventCode=
Maybe she is referring to
the fact that the classes they took featured Rob Bell’s books: Velvet Elvis
or Sex God. Perhaps they watched one or all of his NOOMA videos. Perhaps
this is a reference to having visited Mars Hill near Grand Rapids in the
beginning of their trip.
Regardless if it was one or all three scenarios this is great
cause for concern, and I await anxiously an official answer from leadership on
this one. I also imagine that there are some interested parents out there who
might want to know a little more about Bell’s obvious influence on this trip.
It appears that on some level, the participants in the 412 Commission were
being shaped and influenced by Bell and I’m left wondering if this was plain to
the parents and participants initially as they entered their adventure.
For Whom Does Bell Toll?
First, a caveat: 412
Commission has admirable goals and I’m sure these young adults received some
good teaching and valuable ministry experience in many of the places they
visited, BUT I do not think pointing young adults to be influenced by Rob Bell
is a good and safe idea compatible with biblical views on ministry and
Christianity. Harsh? Consider these teachings that Bell promotes and holds to:
Bell would not receive the
label “emerging” or “emergent” but that doesn’t stop him from affiliating with
teachers in the EC: Mar’s Hill has featured Brian McLaren (http://nawbaw.wordpress.com/2006/07/28/brian-mclaren-at-mars-hill-bible-church/
), Donald Miller (Nov. 11,2007: http://www.marshill.org/teaching/index.php
), and Doug Pagitt (http://www.apprising.org/archives/2007/09/doug_pagitt_pre.html).
Read this powerful commentary on this matter:
http://authentictruth.blogspot.com/2006/05/rob-bells-rendition-of-faith.html
Bell has problems with some
teachings that the FGBC have held dear like the Rapture. At his early church
conference, “Isn’t She Beautiful?” Bell describes the doctrine of the rapture
as an escape theory and one that we should beware of. (http://davecrow.wordpress.com/ ), and
claiming that the 1 Thess. 4 passage did not have any kind of rapture in view.
On his “Everything Is
Spiritual” Tour, he constantly refers to the Genesis 1 Creation narrative as a
“poem” and suggests that there’s not a real reason to take the days of creation
as literal 24 hour days. One wonders how he explains the obvious interpretative
tool we see in Ex. 20:8-11. Its clear that God wanted the Israelites to
understand the creation week as a real time week, not periods of millions or
billions of years.
He points people to read
Hugh Ross who is a current purveyor of many liberal-flavored arguments against
24 hr days and worldwide Noahic flood. Bell references his book in the jacket
of his new “Everything Is Spiritual” DVD.
Is this someone we want to
get FGBC young people involved with?
What about his views on
homosexuality? They can only be considered rather soft:
“In Bell's envisioning of Christianity, he's also
trying to bypass some of the feuds that have left many denominations
deadlocked…
Homosexuality? Bell tells gay people the same thing
he tells everyone who walks through the door. It's a powerfully affirming line
that he repeated in his sermon on Sunday: "God loves you exactly as you
are. Period."
The Rev. Brian McLaren, a pastor from Maryland who
has become a national adviser to churches like Mars Hill, said: "Rob's one
of the most courageous pastors in the country. What he's trying to do is move
past the battle lines that have caused such polarization."
http://midwestplanting.blogspot.com/2005/08/rob-bell.html
See also:
http://trevinwax.com/2007/02/20/is-rob-bell-going-soft-on-homosexuality/
http://www.apprising.org/archives/2007/04/rob_bell_on_the.html
Does this concern you, dear
reader? It makes me cringe!
Mar’s Hill has just shifted
to an “egalitarian” ministry model, meaning that women can be ordained as
pastors:
“Women's ordination? No problem at Mars Hill. A third
of the 15 associate pastors who work with Bell are women.” http://midwestplanting.blogspot.com/2005/08/rob-bell.html
For more on this unbiblical
development, read: http://www.gender-news.com/article.php?id=37
Even more dangerous are his
references to New Age sources for some of the information he shares in his messages.
In Velvet Elvis, Bell tells everybody to read Marcus Borg. He does the
same thing in his “Everything Is Spiritual” DVD . http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/index.php?p=905&more=1&c=1
http://www.apprising.org/archives/2007/05/rob_bell_soundi.html
As the above articles show
us, Borg is a denier of many biblical truths.
Bell promotes Kabbalist
Laurence Kushner http://www.nooma.com/Info/Speaker.aspx
and New Age Buddhist follower Ken Wilber! http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/index.php?p=905&more=1&c=1
Also there is the matter
of a quote, from New Ager Marianne Williamson, often attributed to
Nelson Mandela, but even the words of that quote are problematic if not clarified.
http://www.apprising.org/archives/2007/11/update_rob_bell.html
Of course, Willow Creek
promotes Bell and his NOOMA videos: http://www.willowcreek.com/wcanews/story.asp?id=WN03Q12003
CE National offers his NOOMA
videos in their lending library and Bob Hetzler makes this comment on a recent
blog:
“Videos have been the main staple for teaching this
age group, with Rob Bell's Nooma videos being among the best sellers (Rob Bell
is the pastor of Mars Hill church in Michigan). The problem with most videos
series is that they don't come with extended curriculum beyond the video and
often fall short of solid teaching for a group that is looking to be challenged
in their faith.” http://www.cenational.org/cenational/bobsblog/2008/01/curriculum-for-college-age-ministries.html
Hetzler’s point is well
noted but an even more troubling problem surrounds the promotion of NOOMAS and
that is the fact that Bell brings some of his problematic teachings to young
people nationwide in a way-cool format and the complications compound by the
fact that many undiscerning youth leaders and folks involved with ministry to
them, including some of the leadership of CE National, offer Bell’s NOOMAS
without any warning or clarification as to the dangers involved with some of
his false teachings. Here, Hetzler offers no warning in this discussion of the
NOOMA phenomenon. This is a problem.
NOOMA Reviews: http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/2007/02/rob-bells-nooma-videos-1-5.html
http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/2007/02/rob-bells-nooma-videos-6-10.html
http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/2007/02/rob-bells-nooma-videos-11-15.html
“Ultimately you enter into a very real mysticism
where you realize that there is this risen Christ who changes people's lives
and the stuff that emerges around him and attaches itself to him, the
institutions and whatever, they aren't it. They don't give life. So over the
years I've found that everything but the risen Christ fails. It doesn't
deliver.
That is probably where that comes out of. My own
journey into wholeness and hope and health. And I think you become a mystic
quite fast.” http://www.beliefnet.com/story/172/story_17290_2.html
Q: Do you have a favorite prayer or a favorite mantra
that you like?
Bell: “My favorite and most oft-repeated mantra is
probably, "God, what are you telling me now?" When I'm studying or
running or just trying to make it through a difficult day or work through
criticism or work through praise, whatever it is, "What are you saying to
me through this? What is the deeper stream? What are you pointing out? What is
the thing going on that is missing?" http://www.beliefnet.com/story/172/story_17290_3.html
Read this article about his
mystical proclivities:
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/billygraham.htm
Bell says that we need to “re-paint
the Christian faith” and “re-discover Christianity as an eastern religion.”
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/november/12.36.html
Is this a good idea to
expose our young people to on a 412 Commission, either in person or via
training? Does everybody even know what this man believes? CE National was not
aware of almost every teaching I brought to their attention when contacted.
Rob Bell’s wife, Kristen,
claims that this alleged rediscovery and repainting of Christianity caused her
to realize that she didn’t have a clue as to the meaning of the Bible:
“Rob Bell’s quest is in
“discovering the Bible as a human product," His wife says in the same
article: "I grew up thinking that we've figured out the Bible,"
Kristen says, "that we knew what it means. Now I have no idea what most of
it means. And yet I feel like life is big again—like life used to be black and
white, and now it's in color." http://www.apprising.org/archives/2006/01/rob_bell_fails.html
(see also: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/november/12.36.html).
She doesn’t even know what
the Bible teaches in most areas apparently. Something is definitely wrong here
and dangerous. We all go through dry times as well as times of rediscovered
fervency but this is no excuse for a pastor who leads thousands to depart from
solid understandable truths of Scripture such as that it is inspired, divine in
origin which negates it being accurately referred to as a human product in
contrast to it being divine. Bell would affirm that God’s Word is inspired but
then introduces whopping great wodges of doubt as to whether we can ever really
understand or grasp it and this is dangerous.
God’s Word is “Profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” (2
Timothy 3:16) While there are certainly areas of Scripture that are somewhat
difficult, the notion that most of the Bible is an utterly mysterious document
that most of its truth cannot be discerned is not true. We have the Holy Spirit
to aid us in understanding so we need not resort to mystical practices to
unlock the meaning of Scripture.
Bell references “breath
prayers” and mystical contemplative exercises. Read this yoga- friendly quote
which should cause great alarm for any Bible-believing Christian:
“[In Yoga] it’s not how flexible you are, it’s not
whether you can do the poses, it’s not how much you can bend yourself, it’s can
you keep your breath [breathes in and out] consistent [breathes out] through whatever you are doing.” “And
the Yoga Masters say this is how it is when you follow Jesus and surrender to
God. Is it’s your breath being consistent. It’s your connection with God
regardless of the pose you find yourself in. That’s integrating the divine into
the daily.” (Audio excerpt from Bell’s Sermon: “Barefoot and Breathing”) http://www.apprising.org/archives/2006/11/rob_bell_yoga_m.html
What? Read it again and tell
me you’re not troubled!
Pushing It In Velvet
Elvis:
In his book, Velvet Elvis,
Bell makes the following controversial statement about the virgin birth of
Jesus:
“What if tomorrow someone
digs up definitive proof that Jesus had a real, earthly, biological father
named Larry, and archeologist find Larry’s tomb and do DNA samples and prove
beyond a shadow of a doubt that the virgin birth was really just a bit of
mythologizing the Gospel writers threw in to appeal to the followers of the
Mithra and Dionysian religious cults that were hugely popular at the time of
Jesus, whose gods had virgin births? But what if, as you study the origin of
the word “virgin” you discover that the word “virgin” in the gospel of Matthew
actually comes from the book of Isaiah, and then you find out that in the
Hebrew language at that time, the word “virgin” could mean several things. And
what if you discover that in the first century being “born of a virgin” also
referred to a child whose mother became pregnant the first time she had
intercourse? What if that spring were seriously questioned? Could a person keep
on jumping? Could a person still love God? Could you still be a Christian? Is
the way of Jesus still the best possible way to live? Or does the whole thing
fall apart?”
“If the whole faith falls apart when we reexamine
and rethink one spring then it wasn’t that strong in the first place was it?”
[Velvet Elvis, pg.26]
This is one of the most dangerous conjectures or postulations that
I’ve heard recently from the pen of a professing believer in Christ. This is
reckless. It is not about what one chooses to believe, but what MUST be
believed about Jesus. The virgin birth is a NECESSARY doctrine. This passage is
tantamount to a new liberal questioning of the truths of Scripture. The “what
if” scenario here cant even be considered if Gods Word is truly true and Bell
should be cautious in his musings.
To inject this type of
questioning and to assert elsewhere in his book that issues like the trinity
and the virgin birth are stretchy, flexible doctrines to be worked out with
every new spiritual community is heretical in its implications.
So is it a safe thing to
send young people to his church or view Mars Hill as a model ministry? Should
CE National feature this book in their lending library?
John Haller says it well:
“ I know Rob Bell will say that he believes in the
virgin birth. But, he then says (implies) that if it is found out to not be as
we thought, we can (1) say “so what?” or (2) redefine what the language has
been interpreted to mean for the past 1,970+ years. The implication is that the
virgin birth might turn out to be another of the myths.
· In the context of what I was teaching that by
contrast proved my point: the virgin birth is essential and foundational.
·Would Rob Bell apply this sort of reasoning to the
resurrection? Probably not. If not, then he’s incorrect in applying it in the
context of the virgin birth.
· What’s worse: denying the virgin birth outright or
planting seeds of doubt as to its importance (and not just in the sense of
salvation but also in the sense of the truth of scripture and fulfilled
prophecy).” (John Haller, from an
email on this matter)
Rob Bell from Velvet
Elvis:
“Heaven is full of forgiven people. Hell is full of
forgiven people. Heaven is full of people God loves, whom Jesus died for. Hell
is full of forgiven people God loves, whom Jesus died for. The difference is
how we choose to live, which story we choose to live in, which version of
reality we trust. Ours or God’s?”(p.146).
He implies in some of his
statements a universalism of sorts and this is not anything we need to expose
young people to. See also: http://www.apprising.org/archives/2007/12/rob_bell_univer.html
http://www.apprising.org/archives/2006/10/rob_bell_says_a.html
Concerning Bible
interpretation, Bell says:
“Everybody’s
interpretation is essentially his or her own opinion” (Velvet Elvis, 053). He then discusses “an
intense meeting” where leaders within his church “were discussing
several passages in the Bible.” Finally one of them said that after
studying them out thoroughly she had “decided to get back to the Bible and
just take it for what it said” (ibid).
Bell then writes: “Now
please understand that this way of thinking is prevalent in a lot of Christian
churches… But this view of the Bible is warped and toxic, to say the least. The
assumption is that there is a way to read the Bible that is agenda-and
perspective-free. As if all these other people have their opinion and biases,
but some are able to just read it for what it says.” (053,054)
Do you see what he is subtly suggesting? We cannot, none of us
ever, really ever know what a passage of scripture is actually saying to us!
This is not what the Church has taught at all. The true Body of Christ has
always taught that we can know what the Bible itself says. Consider this:
“The man without the
Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they
are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually discerned” (1
Corinthians 2:14).
Can we truly understand the scriptures as believers? Apparently
so: Our Lord said – “But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide
you into all truth. He will not speak on His Own” (John 16:13).
The Bible clearly tells us
that if we have the Holy Spirit in us: then we can understand what has been
written:
1 Cor. 2:12 “Now we have
received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we
might know the things that have been freely given us by God.”
Ro 15:4 For everything
that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance
and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
For more on Velvet Elvis:
http://www.apprising.org/archives/2007/07/critique_rob_be.html
http://www.apprising.org/archives/2007/07/critique_rob_be_1.html
http://www.atrueandfaithfulwitness.com/emergingbell1.htm
http://www.atrueandfaithfulwitness.com/emergingbell2.htm
http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/2007/02/velvet-elvis-and-king-has-he-left.html
Read this archive of
informative articles about Rob Bell, where he’s headed and where he’s at: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/robbell.htm
or http://www.apprising.org/archives/rob_bell/index.html
As one can plainly see, those
concerned with safe doctrine and discerning ministry ought not to get mixed up
with Bell and Mars Hill, read his books, or watch his NOOMAS without clear
warning about some of the dubious teachings he holds to and promotes. I believe
that these quotes, although not even a thorough treatment of his teachings and
theology, are evident of cause for great concern. If I may be so bold, I’ll go
ahead and say it! Stay away from men like Rob Bell who demonstrate low
discernment and a proclivity to mix truth with error in cool packaging.
CE National and whoever is
responsible for the visit to his church or the use of his media needs to really
consider what I’ve laid out here. Seriously, discernment and “upfrontness” is
needed.
On Wed., Jan. 22, 2008 I
called up my friend at the CE National headquarters and we went at it in a
loving but firm way for the better part of an hour. I felt I needed to go to
the top on this one and see where CE National is at concerning Bell and the EC.
I was greeted with kind words and then we got down to business. I shared my
concerns and was listened to graciously but it was clear almost immediately
that we were on different sides of this issue. I was accused of being too
“black and white” and even, quite unfairly I believe, guilty of some kind of
“Bob-Jones-university type legalism.
While at once affirming that
my concerns were valid especially on some of these teachings, I was almost
simultaneously told that what I was doing was misguided, rigid, and just plain
out of touch. Here’s a summary of a few other things that happened on this
phone call:
I learned that 412
Commission did indeed visit Mar’s Hill and although there is truth to the
concerns I raised, including the possibility of those young 412ers having been
influenced negatively, I was patently told that I was somewhat out-of-line in
my believing that CE National should refrain from visiting certain churches,
regardless of the fact that there is admitted error in some areas.
I received a promise that
Rob Bell’s ministry would be looked into more closely, but was assured that:
a) a)
a)
I’m way too “black and white” on these
concerns.
b) b)
b)
I “draw lines in different places” than
CE National does.
c) c)
c)
I am supposedly appreciated for standing
for biblical truth.
d) d)
d)
CE National has no intention of changing
directions or no indication was given that there would be a lessening in
looking to CGM, EC, and other said ministries.
e) e)
e)
My old friend and I will have coffee
together when I’m in Winona Lake.
f)
f) f)
We ended in prayer but neither of us was
willing to change our convictions at this time.
I was criticized by this
person for spending so much time, “hours”, to compile and put together these
articles of concern and to that I had to say that me getting informed and
attempting to inform others is preferable to not even being aware that Bell and
some in the EC teach these things, while recommending them, using their
materials or sending young people to their churches. My “labor” in this is
rooted in my love and concern for what we are seeing presented as true and
relevant ministry today. Much of it is unbiblical and therefore unsafe for our
youth. If someone can read Velvet Elvis or Sex God, they can
peruse these articles of concern. It comes down to what you feel is an
important usage of your time in serving the Lord and His people. For those who
don’t have the time or calling to compile reference articles, here they are for
you.
I should also note that
these articles come together over a few months, as I am a pastor with three or
more messages to prepare weekly. I get to it when I can but I will continue to
provide these reference articles so as to attempt to completely give reasons
for why I am concerned at the developments in our fellowship.
A Final Plea
In conclusion, CE National
demonstrates as we see in these last few articles from 2007 and heading into
2008, that little or no consideration has been taken from the concerns that
have been outlined here and in my initial article: http://powertostand.org/ec1.htm
I am of course open to the
possibility, nay, the probability that most have never even read these articles
so I await further responses as hopefully, more read them.
Keep in mind, that this
year’s Momentum Conference ICARE2008 will again feature Francis Chan, Chuck
Bomar, and David Nasser. Some of the concerns have again been documented here: http://powertostand.org/ec4.htm
I can only hope that CE
National will really look at what has been presented and do what they are led
to do to protect the youth and leadership that they care about so much. I
challenged him to get informed on these things hoping that discernment will
rear up and demand a departure from these directions that have been clearly
documented to be dangerous in many areas. Sadly, it seems that my attempt to
document these concerns and share them with CE National has, thus far, been
deemed a case of someone attempting to impose a legalistic standard of conduct
and doctrinal views on those who see themselves as being relevant even to the
point of looking to the CGM and EC to learn how to do ministry. I’ll leave
every reader of this article to decide and I welcome your input, corrective or
otherwise. Please just say or do something.
One of two things is the
case at this time: either CE National leadership is aware of much of what I’ve
documented here or they are unaware of it and yet still seem to be looking at
these people as models for mentoring and ministry. Both scenarios is
frightening and I think warrants a stand against these directions for the
protection of the flock and in obedience to what the Bible commands about
teaching true doctrine and dealing with false teachers:
Tit 1:9 He must hold firmly to the
trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by
sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Tit 2:1 You must teach what is in accord
with sound doctrine.
1Jo 4:1 Dear friends, do
not believe every spirit, but TEST the spirits to see whether they are from
God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
"Now I beseech
you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the
doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them " (Rom. 16:17).
"Wherefore rebuke
them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith " (Titus 1: 13).
"Holding fast the faithful
word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to
exhort and to convince the gainsayers" (Titus 1:9).
And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them " (Eph. 5:11).
"Now we command you,
brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves
from every brother that walketh DISORDERLY, and not after the tradition which
ye received of us " (II
Thess. 3:6).
Concerning the last days,
he says that some will have "a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof. From such turn away" for such people are "never able to come
to the knowledge of the truth"
(11 Tim. 3:5,7). (Read this excellent article: http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/5doctrines.html
).
I think it’s clear that we
ought to have nothing to do with these compromises and should be seeking to
teach God’s Word in truth and clarity to those we minister to. Only then will
we see fruits of righteousness when all around is such great doctrinal
confusion.
Honestly, if I may speak my
mind, given the phone call and thus-far lack of response, I believe that the
only changes we may see concerning the direction of CE National will be more
along the lines of how the culture shifts and trends dictate. Whichever way is
deemed to be the most relevant at the time will sadly most likely be the
standard which will dictate their practices. I paraphrase Francis Schaeffer
when he observed that the Church should be dictating God’s direction to the
culture rather than the other way around. That would be my parting
exhortation to anyone reading this.
Are there others out there
who are as concerned as I am or concerned at all with this continuing
phenomenon? I believe there are and some of you have contacted me on it. All I
can say to you is stand for the truth here and require explanations by those in
our fellowship who would continue to point young people in these directions.
Make sure you get a thorough explanation of the books, media and ministries
that your young adult will be exposed to on upcoming trips and conferences.
I for one would love to hear
from CE National and make no mistake, if these promotions and endorsements
continue they will hear the truth in love from me. I can do no less until these
concerns are allayed.
Feel free to contact me
anytime with questions, comments, or corrections.
God bless you,
Steve Mitchell powertostand@yahoo.com
For past articles and
commentary visit us at www.powertostand.org
If you are in the Roanoke,
VA area, visit us at
Garden City Grace Brethren
Church
3504 Bandy Rd. S.E.,
Roanoke, VA 24014 Phone; 540-427-0103
2 Timothy 1:13-14
Retain the standard of sound
words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ
Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has
been entrusted to you.
2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present
yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed,
accurately handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by
God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in
righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good
work.
2 Timothy 4:1 -4
I solemnly charge you in the
presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and
by His appearing and His kingdom:
preach the word; be ready in
season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and
instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves
teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from
the truth and will turn aside to myths.
Matthew 24:11
Many false prophets will
arise and will mislead many.
1 Timothy 4:1
But the Spirit explicitly
says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention
to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,...