Posted by Farmer on May 26, 2011 at 08:46:43
In Reply to: Re: Romans 2 and the epistle of James belongs for every believer posted by long time exer on May 26, 2011 at 02:22:02:
My son got my attention some year or more back for Paul Washer...I saw a few youtube-sermons...but I don't think all fully.It'd be a premature judgement whatever I say...and in a way that is always the case...we're never fully informed...but my gut reaction/feeling is, that he dwells a lot on the will to serve the Lord...doing more...kind of giving with the right verses people the feeling of being failures for & with the Lord.
Kind of higher demand faith
I think I read then something in the internet about him and was sobered about him...forgot what it was.
Strange thing is...that people are a bit like "cattle"...herd-syndrome so to speak...man is not really made to be totally for very long by himself ...and with that come group-dynamics...peer-pressure...people do what seems to be expected of them...instead of looking for what they really have faith for...as a result there were several children in TFI affected with meningitis and in consequence lost hearing....very...very sad.
The parents wanted to have faith...as it seemed to be expected in TFI...but did they have it???The outcome casts doubts on the whole agenda.
That is why I would never become a member again ...I think...although I fellowship in the same church for 11 years now.My reason mainly is...that then I would become involved in addressing matters...the church doesn't do/adhere to anyway nor seems to want to...and that would cause friction...would get the pastors... elders involved...and I believe they wouldn't want to change anyway...one theme is e.g. divorce and remarriage...long story.
There is not a perfect church IMO...so why your relatives think they've "got it now"...beats me.
This is quite a helpful way to "see the sins & mistakes" of every church possible or concerned...and have it listed in front of ones "inner eye"...to remind oneself...that nobody is perfect...same also for early churches...as e.g.
Corinth...or as seen by the first chapters in revelation.
So that should sober people up and not expect the extreme of oneself and others...though the holiness/separation from the world-theme...is not "meant as a joke" either...it's serious...but it's a journey with ups and down.
TFI also expected too much especially of the teens and failed terribly.Your relatives should be warned by all that...helpful are also some good detailed volumes about church history...e.g. Calvins rule in Geneva...or some Anabaptists in Munster/Germany etc. etc....not to speak of the big churches...even the Lutheran kings allowed the inquisition in their parts....all that is a shame
Berg wrote that big..early epistle...prayer for love and mercy...and did they/he always adhere to it???The terrible case of Mene shows: no...So what...if she did have some problem with pride...one should add...supposedly...as I think she just happened to say the truth about the rotter...
But even ,theoretically/assumed for arguments sake, if...does one "drive that out" seriously by beatings...absolutely nuts by Mr. Berg IM lateO (sad to say, I didn't have the discernment in TFI)....instead he behaved like the "big witch-doctor"...
I think I should call that/headlines beware of extremists...but it's something I adhere to myself since having left TFI...and it's not meant as an "order" for others, as in TFI...sounds like a Bergian letter-headline...kind of like journalism...trying to catch attention...
Jesus said ..."kind of the right extremist", sorry for that...being extremely sacrificial...come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden...and I will give you rest...rest from so many works and also self-efforts...trying to be so very good...
Libertinism is not the good alternative either...but rather trying...doing...and then resting acknowledging Him only, apologising for mistakes and not getting depressed in frustration...than lifting oneself up in pride.
I think this is rather directed at your relatives than you...because your stance happens to be different now ; )
But you know that...I suppose