Got Fruit ?

Early this evening I spent an excessive amount of time browsing the Internet.  Though not the topic of this post I’d like to point out a guy named Alonzo Rachel that has some commentary on this nation’s current state of affairs given the outcome of this year’s election results.  For the record: "No, I don’t think the sky is falling nor am I convinced that any seals in heaven have been officially broken, now that Barak Obama will become the next President of the United States." 

As it is with the "magic" of the Internet, I clicked on one link, which led to clicking on another link, and then another, and another….  Before I knew it I found myself revisiting a topic that I danced around a month or so back.  I’m referencing a short post where I announced some Po-Mo posters created and provided by Team Pyromaniacs (TP).  Now I didn’t actually get back to my own post per se, but rather ran across this post from 2007 that references the Team Pyromaniacs "crass" (CRN.info’s opinion) behavior for poking fun at the Emergent Movement through it’s Po-Mo posters.

I think it’s a good idea to make an argument for CRN.info that given a year has passed since it’s original post, it’s possible that their opinions of Team Pyro’s motives may have softened. Regardless, one point to today’s post is that reading the CRN.info post prompted me to revisit Team Pyro’s Po-Mo posters section and to reevaluate if I had in fact propagated an unloving or crass perspective.

Upon revisiting TP I’m convinced that their motives weren’t unloving or crass.  Viewing the entire selection of Po-Mo posters and taking into account my understanding of both Orthodox (traditional/historic) Christian and Emergent Church doctrine I actually see the big picture, painted by TP as an accurate reflection.  But don’t take my word for it, have a look at this article covering the EC by Sound Witness, and as always reach for The Bible as the final word and authority.

So it occurs to me that taking this position I’ll come off as being "institutionalized", fundamental, close minded, or judgmental by some folks which is fine.  The primary thoughts behind today’s post are however not to "prove" any opinion I have for the sake of being right, nor to pick at the comments of CRN.info.  The thought that occurred to me is "How should a Christian react to false teachings or doctrine?", "What attitude should a Christian take toward such teachings?" 

In Matthew 12:34-37, Jesus it seems had no problem busting a verbal cap in the butts of the Pharisees.  Take notice that Jesus is not only chastising the Pharisees but naming their transgressions in the process, which is a case of careless words spoken.  See Luke 3:7 for similar tone by John.

Matthew 12:34-37
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

In Galatians 1 Paul defends the Gospel, dismissing the myth makers and their mythical gospel with some not so warm and fuzzy language:

Galatians 1:8-9
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

Finally Paul, in Galatians 5 addresses the church which has been thrown into confusion by "agitators" that are preaching circumcision as a means to justification. Though not addressing the agitators face to face notice that Paul does not mince his words.  See also 2nd Peter 2:14. ("…an accused brood!")

Galatians 5:7-12
7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. 11 Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

The previous Scriptures were used as examples, not to give license for being crude in behavior toward those folks that need to receive the Good news of Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross.  The point was an illustration of how people that attempted to spiritually poison the body of Christ with false teachings were dealt with.  The individuals being thumped were supposed "religious" people, either in the church, infiltrating the church or masquerading as being of the church.  For anyone having problems or heartache with "sniping" false teachers perhaps this closing thought and final passages will ease your minds and present a new perspective on dealing with false teachings.  Consider that unlike The Old Testament times, we in New Testament times as believers in God are no longer required to stone people that compromise the "community".

Acts 20:29
I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

Jude 1:3
3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

Grace and peace be with you.