Most of you who read here belong to a traditional church of some sort. I want to first say I am not against the “traditional” church, though I disagree with them on many critical issues, especially over the last 9 months. I guess I would also struggle with most of the house guys if they begin to isolate and insulate themselves from others in any divisive manner. I think in some sense many traditional churches, regardless of how hard they try, will begin to lose the family aspect of the New Covenant Community especially once they cross the line of around 100 members. Then once we throw in buildings, mortgages, pastor salaries, employment positions (I wonder how much you would charge your child or brother, or mother or sister to serve them 
) the Church loses the motif clearly presented in scripture and begins to function sort of like an organization/corporation/entity versus a loving close knit family eager to love and serve one another for the greater good of that member! However, this is not an apologetic for the way to do church but an eager plea to pastors/elders/shepherds/bishops or any other name one will take as the leader(s) in the local church.
What do you mean by masquerade Lionel? Great question! Glad you asked! If you have ever had the experience of attending a masquerade ball you will know exactly what I mean. Everyone dresses up in ball room attire, and it is meant be a social and interactive gathering; however, there is one spin! You all have on masks, thus I really never get to see you for who you are. For example if someone were really good at disguising their voice they could easily become someone else, though you may know them quite well. Or to put it another way, you never really get to know me, because you never really see me for who I truly am. The mask keeps you at bay thus I have real chance at being found out, unless I take the mask off and expose myself.
I think for the most part this can describe many Churches and their is a weekly ball! Everyone comes with their masks on and they use them to keep you at bay. So we waste all of our time and give our money, and read our bibles and sit next to each other, sing the same songs, listen to the sermons, pray the same prayers, recite the same liturgy, shake hands, park in the same parking lot, exchange the same pleasantries, even serve one another by ushering, deaconing, pastoring, leading worship, being parking lot attendants and even keeping one another’s children in the day care, all the while never getting to know each other because the masks stay on.
Think about it, what if you were a child born into a family where everyone wore masks? At the wedding the bride and groom wore masks, at home they sleep with their masks on, they eat dinner with their masks on, have children and the children wear masks so the other brothers and sister don’t get to see them. We would label that family at best weird at worst lunatics! But it happens every Sunday and pastors are the big reason why! I know, I know, Lionel you are making sweeping and broad assumptions! But the truth is in a recent study it showed that 80% of pastors have no relationship with those in the church they pastor, another 10% have very little relationship (they are a little more hospitable, but the masks never come off) and the rest had some form of relationship but not where they would like to be.
Why you ask? It is simple! The pastor is considered the spiritual leader in the congregation. I was reading something and it said that the pastor should be careful not to fraternize too much, if so, they may risk their authority! What the heck (I would prefer another word)!!!! I wonder how that works? I wonder what America would look like if the husband said “I only will fraternize with my wife to produce children and to set our yearly budget”?! But in most local churches the only relationship the pastor has with those he pastors is when he is leading some type of discipleship class! Nothing on any meaningful level. Though he teaches and proclaims the necessity of community we find him lacking in his own life.
So what do I mean about the perpetuating of the masquerade? You are asking really good questions! If I am correct in this analysis my thesis will prove to be correct, if not then what follows fails. So, here we go. Relationships=Vulnerability! Or Relationships=Authenticity! Or Relationships=Knowing and being know! If I can’t know you I can’t have a relationship with you, from the true sense of the word. I may be around you, we may do a bunch of stuff, we may even get much benefit from one another but we don’t have a relationship. Because we don’t have a relationship our commitment to one anothers development stops where we can no longer benefit from one another. That is why CEO’s and Managers, and Athletes, and even what we label friendships today are like revolving doors. Sine I can’t receive any real benefit from you I no longer need you. Because this is only about how you benefit my selfish desires then that will be the extent of our relationship. If that sounds like a family then it is the epitome of dysfunctional!!!!!
So pastors by not allowing those whom they shepherd to see failure, to give insight to their lives, to not let them see you lose it with the kids, argue with your wife, to not allow them to see that no, you don’t have all the answers (unlike our good brother Hannegraf), to not allow them to see you struggle and to keep your distance both relationally, and from even opening your life for accountability and constructive criticism on this journey, or in other words, to make it seem like you have arrived (though Paul says I “press”), is to force the congregation you are responsible for shepherding to also relate in the same way. The brokenness, the struggles, the burdens, the late nights, the fear of unanswered prayer, and the real wrestle with Jesus and all He is, is what your congregation needs to see. You really do set the tone, especially today in the world where our pastors are second only to celebrities.
Its funny (as in odd) to me that a pastor wakes up one day and just walks away from it all. I have actually seen this praised by those in the House Church as burn out is the mark of one “really seeing the light”. However if this catches his congregation by surprise there is some intrinsically wrong. That wrong is that this pastor has perpetrated the Game Show Host shepherdship that plagues many churches today. Again and that is why in many of churches, husbands and wives smile every Sunday and sing the songs, and hold hands and rub each other back and next week they have different apartments. This is why a parent has to surprise the congregation with the news that their son is in rehab, that they are about to lose their home, that they are separating because the husband has been caught too many times with pornography, or that they are embarrassed because their oldest daughter just moved in with her lesbian lover!
Sunday after Sunday we listen to nice sermons and sing Christ Centered songs and we are dying at alarming rates. People are leaving their fellowships, they hate one another, they are looking for the first reason to leave and that is because the Church is not a loving family struggling through life together but a Masquerade where all the masks are smiling faces and pretty clothes.
I close with this. If you are a pastor or aspiring to be a pastor I have some words of wisdom. Your congregation needs to know you and you need to know them. If you find yourself more comfortable at a “shepherd’s” conference around other church leaders than those whom should be your family that is a problem. If you feel more comfortable with the church leadership than you do with the new disciple that is a problem. If you would rather hide your life behind your sermons, pulpit and authority versus spend your life loving, serving and being held accountable by the newest of Christian, then that is a problem. You may be a really good bible teacher, you may know theology really well, you may even be a good leader from the world’s perspective (many church leaders today) but you are not a shepherd. You are only contributing to a problem that seems to make Christianity a thing to do on Sunday or a set of beliefs to regurgitate but not be lived. You are inviting people to the masquerade and they will only continue to dress up and wear the mask and community will be more elusive as ever.
BINGO!!!!!!!!!!! The grand prize goes tooooooooooooooo Lionel!!!
Are you sure you did not go to my church?
Brilliant synopsis bro. Lionel. My sentiment exactly.
You made great points here Lionel. It’s a shame that something which is truly so logical should sound so profound.
I’ve really been enjoying the articles of late, and must say that I agree wholeheartedly with what you had to say about the masquerade that goes on, calling to mind my childhood, where when we got home that we couldn’t wait to get home and get out of our monkey suits, as we called them and go outside and play. I’m grown now and feel the same way about the monkey suit! can’t wait to get out of it just to be me.
I have no bragging rights in or out of the House of God, but I do serve in a capacity. And it tires me to see where some will serve and others are very content to sit. (got to be careful not to be like Martha, while Mary has chosen the better part) But I’m noticing a trend that most are wounded and are quite content staying wounded, while others seem to play it off as if they’ve got it going on, but the facade is still there.
I’m hoping and praying that God gives me the needed grace to arise above my feelings of occasional disdain for the dissimulation that abounds, while letting me be me as I overcome. Phonyism is a state of being that I’ve soured of quite a while.
So being real is preferred, instead of keeping it real (Just because I hate that phrase now) is what’s needed. Masking is terrible and I’m very happy that you’ve brought what was in the back of my mind to the front, in a personal attempt for something else to strive to be about.
No smiles when I hit my thumb with the hammer, just refrains!
This is very convicting, not for just the pastor, but for the church member as well. What hurts is that some church members come with good intentions to get involved in sharing their lives. But as they see more masks get put, we get lost in the sauce. How do we stay Christ focused, biblical and loving when we live in a society that loves large congregations? The mask mentality brings about a comfort of staying closed up. For instance, I am not going to lie, I like being in a church service not having to watch my kids because they drive me crazy climbing all over the place. It’s even embarassing have to correct your child in public eye because you don’t want them to see you lose your cool. So why not put on the mask, makes everything look right? Keeps people from having to see the real me, the one who will correct his child in a minute. I shoot first, take names later kind of parent. Nope don’t them to see this. This mask I wear wants you to think I am Godly and a husband that has his house in order. Masks me feel safe right?
Some of us too have a fear of being loved in the right way. I was speaking with a friend yesterday who is afraid to go to the church about problems in their marriage. Why? Because of what the leadership might say or do. Thing is the leadership has stated that they seek to love and want to help the sheep in need. But putting on the mask is simpler for my friend, that way no one gets in and loves them, builds them up and leads them in the way of Jesus Christ.
Overall I pray that as we read your post here, we all take note and seek to love like Jesus Christ. I pray that more pastors, church leaders and congregations began to take off their masks. It is a time to get real.
Karsten Miller
I think the erroneous “imported public speaker” model of of “pastoral ministry” (and I do use that term very loosely) has a lot to do with the American church landscape.
Lionel,
I charge my wife and kids 20% of their income every week.
JOKING of course…
I wholeheartedly agree with your post.
I have been around many people in the church building who are really good at hiding. Then weeks or months later you find out they are getting a divorce etc.
We are not the family described in the Bible.
Steven O
Steven and Seeker! Thanks a bunch!
I went to a church once where the pastor and his wife would open their home during the Christmas holiday for the congregation to pop in and visit. The congregation was divided by alphabet and each family was given a one hour time frame by which they could drop by and visit the pastor er I mean paid public speaker.
It was kind of like being granted an audience with the pope, just be sure to kiss his ring when you greet him!
Stacy and I always took a pass!
KM,
Dude I had to address you seperately bro! Whew!
I agree that people come with good intentions. Especially those who have not been part of the Christian Culture that Western Evangelicalism produces (actually evanglicalism and western are synonymous). They have heard the good news of Jesus and have been born of the Spirit. If they come from a shakey background they really come with the intentions to grow in Jesus. Then something happens. They really do come to church and begin to see that most of them are shallow and can’t meet their needs.
They are left with two options. 1. They just conform or 2. They go to seminary!. Option one is the ususal step, but option two happens quite a bit. You have explained what happens in the first option quite well, but the second option is worst. They now become indoctrinated by a certain seminary and becomes the pastor who perpetuates.
Here is what I know. It is easier to stay flakey! It is easier to not be figured out and worked on, and have my life spoken into. It is easier to study my bible learn a bunch of stuff, read books learn a bunch of stuff and then have the be the extent of my Christianity. Again I am judged off of what I know today. I don’t think the intentions are wrong, but the fruit produce is rotten to the core. It is much more difficult to love and be loved (yes receiving love is just as hard as giving love). It is much easier to run to school and jump in the pulpit than it is to know and be known. It is much easier to serve in some “ministry” of the church than it is to know and be known.
Those things are the extent of who we are today and again I believe the traditional church setting perpetuates this first by the pastors then by the structure. It is much easier to preach than it is to spend time with those you are called to shepherd. As a matter of fact preaching is a technique and a science, while loving, knowing and serving takes a work of the Spirit.
Let me ask you, how much time have you spent with those who are called to shepherd you? That is a serious question brother? If it is a bunch then I think that is good, if it is little to none then you don’t have a shepherd this guy is something else.
Hutch,
You know they have pastor’s conferences and pastor’s wifes conferences to attend. To perpetuate the masquerade!
I know, I’ve been there done that…I have attended the Shepherds Conference in California and I took all the expository preaching electives, I was a true student of how to craft a sermon…some people told me a was a pretty good pulpit meister!
Never again.
Lionel
Well being that I have just joined a new fellowship, I have had a lot of attempts to spend time with the leaders. What I mean is I back off because I am not used to people genuinely wanting to get into my life. It amazed me that the pastor knew my name before I even got a chance to introduce myself to him. I was at a men’s fellowship and couple of the elders really desired to know from me who I was. I am not used to that. I am used to “get in a mininistry, be quiet, and ride that thing until you grow”. But these guys want to love you, for real. The church is growing in numbers, so I see the mask mentality coming bro. People smiling and hugging there wives etc, but what is really going on? Pray for us bro.
Karsten
KM,
I think you are in a lovely ministry!
This point was very well stated. I, too, have recently met a pastor who subscribes to the “don’t fraternize with the congregation” mentality. Even more disheartening than that, the guy doesn’t allow small groups or people to get together outside of church (unless it’s strictly recreatonal–nothing remotely close to a bible study or conversation about the such) because HE is the shepard and he doesn’t want them listenening to anyone else’s viewpoint about the scriptures. He even discourages listening to sermons by other pastors because, “you can’t have nobody else teaching your flock and undoing what you worked so hard to teach ‘em in the first place.”
Really? Really…
It’s a sad day in the body of Christ when we have leaders that subscribe to this mentality and look at it as if that’s what God wants them to do. I was embarrassed just to listen to him and know we serve the same God…
Javetta,
Hey I have to email you. Can we hookup Saturday. Some people who were going to join us decided to move it to Saturday because they have a special guest coming to teach and I just don’t want it to me and your family. I will also be hooking up with yall Sunday barring any unforseen hiccups! Saturday around 10 email me and I can give you my number and a place to meet downtown.
You need to read the remix. When you see a “pastor” lording it over those in his care, run, run, run, like Michael when his curl caught on fire!
We’ve all heard the story of the unjust steward that buried his “talent” used as a means to rebuke those in the church from “using their gifts” by, at times, even very well intentioned preachers. But very few of us ever stopped to wonder if the preacher himself along with the structure of the “service” caused many to sit passively by simply because there was no room for their gift to be used.
This is such hypocrisy brother. Don’t you currently attend a traditional church? Have you sent this to you pastor? In a previous post you spouted about attending Lifeline, right? Do you pose these questions to them.
Where is the grace that you always speak about? So who is really masquerading?
Please be consistent I beg you.
John
Jon Paden,
Is that you? You sneaky little devil!
If it isn’t then where is the hypocrisy in what I have written? I didn’t say all churches, and by the way my pastors (Dhati and Calvin) operate much more differently. Dhati would move people into his home where people would live with him for 6 weeks. Calvin discipled me for a year before he was my pastor and even now we have a good relationship (also had one with Dhati). By the way our Church would be as traditional as a black being elected president.
But anyway I think this is Jon Paden! What do you guys think! If not who are you? Show your face or prepare to be trahsed!
Lionel,
I agre with John You really should not write things like that. It is not right. People spend a lot of energy and time forging the correct mask to wear. Pastors spend much energy building an image. Do you really expect a Pastor to show his true colors to a congregant? Come on how ridiculous is that. What like they can actually go get a bite to eat or spend time talking about their personal lives. That’s Ridiculous.
Lionel, I am warning you. If Pastors start acting like that then people will begin to think they have weaknesses and faults. Then what? The church is doomed!! that.
And what about the deep fellowship that goes on in these mega churches. I mean come on. Just the other day I saw a brother in the lobby and said “hey my brother, how are you doing”. He replied “PRAISE GOD! GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!”. Then we went our seperate ways.
Do you really want to ruin this deep spiritual bonding that happens in lobbies?
I beg you STOP!
Steve,
It is good to see the things that Lionel is writing.
The question I have is based on a previous post of him continuing to attend a traditional setting, did he pose this post to his pastors?
If not then this is hypocrisy.
Lionel,
You did not answer my previous questions. I encourage you to continue to write but I just want to know how you continue at Lifeline based on all your writings here?
Thanks,
John
John,
Not trying to be rude but can you read? Here is my statement again.
“If it isn’t then where is the hypocrisy in what I have written? I didn’t say all churches, and by the way my pastors (Dhati and Calvin) operate much more differently. Dhati would move people into his home where people would live with him for 6 weeks. Calvin discipled me for a year before he was my pastor and even now we have a good relationship (also had one with Dhati). By the way our Church would be as traditional as a black being elected president.”
I have a relationship with Dhati still (though he is gone and we don’t talk as frequently) I also have a relationship with Calvin (my current pastor/mentor). Actually my local fellowship is somewhat small so we don’t have this problem as much.
I am even convinced that most people who post on here may not. Guys like Joe Miller, Brian F, Alan Knox, Hutch (if he were to pastor in the traditional use of the word), Dave Black and others don’t function in such a way.
However, there are some who may have been taught in both seminary or if they are pastors in the more pentecostal setting that they should stay away from such settings.
So if so please read my comment and the post again. I wouldn’t share with you about toothbrush and tootpaste if your breath smelled fine.
How about you provide us with some more details of who you are, because for now you seem to function at an anonymous level which means you will be ignored going forward.
Wow.
Good answer Lionel.
Phillip
John,
I forgot to mention my blog is no secret to you, anyone in my church, or anyone I know. It is on the bottom of my email as signature. You found it quite easy. How did that happen?
John um… er…. (Jon) is just angry that Lionel has had enough after almost a year of tolerating Jon’s hijacking of the subject matter of almost every post to promote his (jon’s) favorite false doctrine.
Jon is just lashing out and being nasty thus showing his true nature.
Lionel can attend whatever type or structure of church he wishes.
Hutch,
What do you think about the Butt Naked Black Baptist Church! Are we free under the New Covenant? You can wear your purple suit and I will wear my Michael Phelps ‘fit!
I’m there…how many buttons are in this year? Mike suit jacket has 30!
make that my “suit jacket has 30!”
Wait a minute…I’m not so sure, you may be a stumbling block to the ladies and you might demoralzie the men!
On second thought delete this comment! Grin.
Lionel,
I’ve been held captive by my wife and kids! We have been iced in and I haven’t got to blog all day until now. I started having blog headaches and my fingers were twitching.
Please pray for me. LOL!!!!!
By the way that so called “John” sure does sound, and smell like “JON”.
Is that discernment?
Steven O
Lionel,
I was really starting to think you were not still a 5% and a Nation of Islam Racist. But I have come to the conclusion that you must be. I am offended.
I thought for sure you would have invited a white dude to the butt naked black baptist church. I could have worn my wife beater t shirt with my boxer draws with black dress shoes and black socks up to my knees. But you did not invite the white guy. I ain’t buying no more bean pies from you.
Steve
Hutch is a white guy!
I’m kind of liek Steve Martin in that movie “The Jerk” – You mean I’m always going to look like this!
Lionel and all other false accusers,
For the record, that was not me posting under “John”. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves.
Jon Paden
In line with the discussion—specifically, the thought that many are apart of church and yet not desiring to love/be loved–I’m reminded of another situation regarding what seems to be a new trend in the Body of Christ when it comes to discussing church issues. Not saying we should not discuss these issues—as I’m more than grateful/appreciative of them–but I’ve seen in various circles where many people did the same and sadly bad results often occured in the process of critiquing The Modern Day Church. And it’s interesting to see the results of what happens when Christianity is badly represented…..or for that matter, when those having issue/being skeptical of it add to the problem of it having a bad image by responding to the solution the wrong way..
I’ve noticed that many folks have decided to leave churches to do their own gig. As another site well said
Hearing this tripped me out, as there have been some I know of which have even stated that many apolegetic/polemic websites dealing with discussing errors in the chuch are in/of itself a church (and for many, the MAIN INTERACTION they’re willing to do with folks who’re believers—-but never with an established church either). The
Though I’ll respond moreso later on the issue, I was wondering if perhaps I could offer everyone here something to check out and that may help in our journeys.. It’s by Joshua Harris and it’s entitled “STOP DATING THE CHURCH.”
As it got to the core of alot of issues I was struggling with when I had issues with churches on differing topics and when I was searching for a solid church.
As said during an interview on the issue
That was more than on point, IMHO…and it’s something that I must battle to keep in mind many times when it comes to Church Leadership and their problems. As much as Jesus dealt with error, He also dealt in WASHING FEET—-and I think many times I’ve been in places where I was quick to call out the leadership on how they were not meeting the needs and yet wondering if I was seeking to aid them in whatever theirs may be
In line with the discussion—specifically, the thought that many are apart of church and yet not desiring to love/be loved–I’m reminded of another situation regarding what seems to be a new trend in the Body of Christ when it comes to discussing church issues. Not saying we should not discuss these issues—as I’m more than grateful/appreciative of them–but I’ve seen in various circles where many people did the same and sadly bad results often occured in the process of critiquing The Modern Day Church. And it’s interesting to see the results of what happens when Christianity is badly represented…..or for that matter, when those having issue/being skeptical of it add to the problem of it having a bad image by responding to the solution the wrong way..
I’ve noticed that many folks have decided to leave churches to do their own gig. As another site well said
Hearing this tripped me out, as there have been some I know of which have even stated that many apolegetic/polemic websites dealing with discussing errors in the chuch are in/of itself a church (and for many, the MAIN INTERACTION they’re willing to do with folks who’re believers—-but never with an established church either). The
Though I’ll respond moreso later on the issue, I was wondering if perhaps I could offer everyone here something to check out and that may help in our journeys.. It’s by Joshua Harris and it’s entitled “STOP DATING THE CHURCH.”
As it got to the core of alot of issues I was struggling with when I had issues with churches on differing topics and when I was searching for a solid church.
As said during an interview on the issue
Definately feel the post regarding where you’re coming from, Lionel.
But since we’re talking about being real, here’s a hypothetical scenario. Suppose someone was struggling with lust and came to the pastor—who happened to have dealt with bad thoughts that week as well–and asked the pastor for help. If the pastor wanted the man to be real in sharing the intimate details of his struggles and yet asked the pastor in return to share and asked “Have you struggled recently with what I’m battling with?”, how would you respond if the pastor was less than comfortable in sharing his thoughts—-or admitting that he still had struggles?
Or if a young man and woman goes up to the pastor/leaders of the church during a conference on sexual purity and asked straight out “What kind of things do you do within your marriage, Minister? Do you and your wife practice Oral Sex? Anal? Use Toys? How often do you have sex and what can I as a single expect when I get married?” and the minister declined to answer the question straight out, what impression would that give? For I’ve seen these scenarios many times—with others often saying “We need to be Holy”…and yet those same people are often wondering why people left the church and went to hear something real from others, even if they were not saved…
Jon-
I am sorry that I mistook the new anonymous “John” who showed up right after Lionel made it clear that he is not going to allow his blog to continue to be hijacked by you for your own personal agenda.
Please accept my apology.
John-
Why are you so concerned about where brother Lionel attends church?
Hutch,
Apology accepted. We must forgive one another as Christ has also forgiven us.
I was wandering if any of you die hard “Reformers” out there would be able to humble yourselves enough to admit that you were wrong. Maybe Christ really does dwell in some of you. LOL
Thanks Jon-
But have I been with you so long an dyet you woudl still refer to em as among teh die hard “Reformed”?
I can tell you they would not accept me within their camp!
But one thing I can tell you is that Calvinists, Arminians, Dispensationalists, NCT folks, CT people, Reformed and Anabatists alike at elast have one thing in common, they all agree that Universalism is a fasle teaching.
Not that it matters, but just for review (most if not all of this has been mentioned over the past 6 months to a year), here is some insight into what I believe:
Here is what I believe about Creeds:
I am not Creedal; meaning that I do not hold to any one Creed exclusively which has been developed by theological councils (modern or ancient), such as any of the London Baptist Confessions, the Westminster Confession, the multitudes of protestant reformation creeds, or the various Roman Catholic council creeds of pre reformation church history etc.. I recognize that many of the Creeds have disagreements with one another. I also recognize that the various creeds are fallible, whereas God’s original word, is infallible, and I choose not to ignore this important fact. I recognize that the various old Creeds are paramount to being books, or treatises, of theological commentary agreed upon by men who were addressing particular, political, doctrinal, and ecclesiastical, issues prevalent during the time of writing. With all of these considerations in mind, I agree that the old Creeds are generally considered to be good resources, and are useful for study and development of one’s theological views. Further, I recognize that everyone holds to some sort of creed, whether existing in written form, or existing in the mind. Knowing this, I do not take lightly the sacred, and infallible word of God, and I agree that it is the foundational Creed that God has given to us for revelation, study, and practice.
Here is what I believe about Charismaticism & Pentecostalism:
Although I am not a cessasionist, I am not what is anachronistically termed Charismatic, or Pentecostal.
Here is what I believe about Covenantalism & Dispensationalism:
I am not what is anachronistically termed Covenantal, or Dispensational. I think that some theological elements in Covenantalism, and Dispensationalism are correct interpretations, but recognize that within the intertwined matrix of each system’s structure there exists certain specious assertions where Scripture is silent, coupled with bad interpretations of existing texts and biblical concepts. I recognize that both Covenantalism, and Dispensationalism with all their various sub-groups are theories.
New Covenant Theology (NCT) The term for what is the Biblical system of thinking that drives my theological presuppositions, hermeneutic, subsequent exegesis, and interpretation of scripture, is what is known as New Covenant Theology (NCT). I recognize that some, but not all views of New Covenant theologians are good. I reject some, but not all, of the views of various New Covenant theologians. The ‘New” in NCT refers to the covenant God promised in Jeremiah namely the covenant in Christ’s blood that He Himself described as new and that the book of Hebrews indicates made the Old Priesthood, Old Covenant and Old Law of no legal binding effect. It is not referring to the newness of NCT nor does it describe a new type of covenant theology. NCT is not a new way of interpreting God’s Word and the truths contained within NCT and proponents of the truths expressed within NCT predate Covenant Theology by at least 1500 years and Dispensationalism by roughly 1800 years.
Here is what I believe about Reformed Views:
Reformed in theology has too many arbitrary definitions given to it by way too many people. Therefore, I will positively state that, when it comes to Reformed views, I adhere to the doctrines of grace; meaning I recognize the biblical facts of what has anachronistically come to be known as TULIP or better yet TUDIP!
Do I consider mvself to be a Protestant?
I do not consider myself to be a “Protestant” as I prefer to refer to myself simply as a Christian or as a follower of Christ.
Although I recognize the great contributions that those who are referred to as “The Reformers” have made to Christian scholarship in the form of a concise codification of the great doctrines of grace known as “TULIP” and the “Five Solas”, I reject the unbiblical system of interpreting scripture developed by these “Protestant” denominations known as Covenant Theology and the false doctrine of infant baptism that has led multiplied millions of people into a Christless eternity by assuming that they are children of God by merely being born to Christian parents and being baptized as an infant. I also reject the Presbyterian form of church government as also being unbiblical as New Testament church government is congregational. Many of the heresies taught by “Protestant” denominations were held onto by the “Reformers” even as they left the false religion of Roman Catholicism. In this we can observe that the “Reformers” only took their “Reformation” to a certain level and that much still needs to be Reformed” in the denominations that sprang from that movement.
It is important to understand that both God’s Word and church history teach us that God is never without a witness and that true believers in Christ have always existed since the beginning of the New Covenant Age that began at the giving of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. These believers and the biblical churches they formed pre-date the Roman Catholic Heresy and have always taught salvation by grace through faith, believer’s baptism, congregational rule and regenerate church membership.
These followers of Christ rejoiced when they saw Roman Catholic priests such as Luther and others leave the Roman Catholic Church and begin to embrace the doctrines of grace. Their rejoicing soon turned to mourning and grieving as it became clear that the denominations that formed out of the “Reformation” would only reform so far and held onto many Romanist heresies. That mourning also turned to horror as it became apparent that the “Reformers Religion” would be just as bloody and ruthless towards those who teach the whole truth of God’s Word in respect to the gospel of grace, believer’s baptism, congregational rule and regenerate church membership.
The blood of millions of true believers who both the “Romanist Heresy” and the “Reformers” insultingly called Donatists, Paulicians, Albigenses and Ancient Waldenses and others, have been spilled by the hand of the “Reformed.” These true believers came to be known by a regular name that applied to a distinct group. These were simply called “Ana- Baptists” and gradually all other names were dropped. The word “ana” was eventually left off, and they were then simply called “Baptists.”
It is this history of those who adhere to “The Faith delivered once and for all” as handed down by Christ and the Apostles who have never embraced any of the Roman Catholic Heresies in their teachings or practices that I identify with.
Ta Da!
I know, who cares?
And of course something that is also very apparent, I am a very poor speller when typing and I’m too lazy to spell check!