Guest Voice:David Cloud – In Essentials Unity

This is a reprint of an article written by Missionary David Cloud, a Fundamentalist Baptist Missionary and founder of Way of Life Literature. David Cloud’s writings and tireless research into the history of Pentecostalism and my personal doubts with its core doctrines were the reasons why I left that movement in 2004.

Here David Cloud makes a strong Biblical case for Christian separation. One of my personal gripes with the evangelical Christian movement as a whole, is an outright acceptance of Churches, who teach doctrines, which are in direct conflict with the Word of God. This article tells the truth about this sort of “Unity” among the apostate Churches. It is my pleasure to reprint this on my blog.

(Link to original article)

The evangelical philosophy is often stated by the dictum, “In essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things charity.”

Though commonly attributed to Augustine, it was apparently first stated by the 17th-century Lutheran Rupertus Meldenius (a.k.a. Peter Meiderlin).

It became the rallying cry of the Moravians, who had a wonderful missionary zeal but retained such Romanist heresies as infant baptism and an ordained priesthood and who promoted unity above the absolute truth of God’s Word for the purpose of “revival.”

The “in non-essentials liberty” principle was adopted by the fundamentalist movement of the 20th century. Fundamentalism focused on a unity built around “the fundamentals of the faith” while downplaying “minor issues.” The pragmatic objective was to create the largest possible united front against theological modernism and for evangelism and world missions.

“Historic fundamentalism has always been characterized by a core of biblical, historic, orthodox doctrines. … Most fundamentalists would be content with terms like ‘major doctrines’ or ‘cardinal doctrines’ to describe their consensus. … [T]here are other doctrinal distinctives that some may claim for themselves as fundamentalists. But to make these beliefs articles of fundamentalist faith would cut the movement’s channel more narrowly than history will allow” (Rolland McCune, Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal, Fall 1996).

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Defending real Christianity from Daniel McCarthy’s smug papist idiocy

I have quite a number of sites in my RSS reader, one of which is the decidedly anti-Semitic — to the point of the publisher of the attending an occupy AIPAC demonstration —The American Conservative. In it today, I happen to see a blog posting by a one papist Daniel McCarthy, in which he basically accuses the Protestant Christian world of supposedly “loosing it’s mind.”

He then goes to blather on about how much more vastly superior the liturgical version of Christianity and the Roman Catholic Church is to the knuckle-dragging Bible Believing Protestant Christians. Which, in this writer’s opinion, says a bit, about this man and the condition of his heart. Furthermore, it does reenforce my belief that Roman Catholics are not Christians at all. I know that might bother some, but I have Bible scripture to back that up, as I am sure you know.

My direct response to Mr. McCarthy is: I suppose Priests, which are forbidden in the Bible —defending the abusers of children, as being victims, is the sign of how much more superior your papist doctrine and supposed “Christianity” is to ours? Furthermore, I suppose that the Roman Catholic Church Inquisition towards various people, including my Baptist forefathers was a sign of the vastly superior papist doctrine and so-called “christianity” to ours? Also, I suppose that the systematic sexual abuse of young children, and coverup and justification by the Roman Catholic Church and its so-called “priests” is proof positive of the vastly superior papist doctrine and so-called “christianity” of the Roman Catholic Church? I really would love to see Mr. papist McCarthy answer these questions.

You see this, is why I have such an issue with so-called Christian bloggers, especially ones who are papists. The Bible has a word for it, it is Highmindedness. (It is defined here.) It is the very silly idea that somehow, his Church, which, by the way, is riddled with false doctrine; is somehow vastly superior than anyone else. This is why I steadfastly refuse to ever own or write at a “Christian Blog.” For the record, this blog is not a Christian Blog at all. It is a Conservative political blog, that happens to be owned by a Christian. This is because I will be the first to tell you, that we Independent Fundamentalist Baptists are far from perfect, as recent events have proven. Although, I will be the first to say, that there were many of we Fundamental Baptists, including myself, who saw that recent coming from a mile away.

In closing: While the title of this blog posting might suggest otherwise; this should not be taken as an ad hominem attack against Mr. McCarthy. But rather a defense of Protestant Christianity and Fundamentalist Christianity from those who have an agenda against it. A perfect example of that agenda is in the writings of Mr. McCarthy. Mr. McCarthy and those of his ilk have tried to discredit protestant Christianity for years and this is proof of that. Well, someone has to stand up for those who choose not to submit to the utterly Satanic and without Christ Roman Catholic Church and it may as well be me.

Confirmed: Jerry Falwell was a flaming hypocrite, when it came to Biblical separation

First of all, what you have to understand is that, as a Christian, I am a Fundamentalist Baptist, of the David Cloud stripe. (He is not my Pastor or guru or anything like that, I simply agree with about 99% of his writings.) For all intents and purposes, this here, can be considered my Statement of Faith.

I have for many years held the belief, that Jerry Falwell was a not a true-blue Fundamentalist Baptist, but rather a “go along to get along” soft evangelical that would sell a Fundamentalist up the river for the cause of political and religious unity. This posting in the Christian Post about a book that has come out, confirms what I suspected for years:

WASHINGTON – Michael Sean Winters, a biographer of the late Jerry Falwell, said that the controversial preacher and Christian Right leader helped remove the stigma conservative Protestants had working alongside Roman Catholics and Mormons for common political goals.

Winters, author of God’s Right Hand: How Jerry Falwell Made God a Republican and Baptized the American Right, was a guest speaker at an event Monday that carried the same title as his book. The event was sponsored by the Center for American Progress and the People For the American Way Foundation (PFAWF).

“He dispensed with this idea that you could not be yoked with nonbelievers or non-fundamentalists,” said Winters to The Christian Post.

“[Falwell] was very proud of the fact that even in the early years of the Moral Majority it was 30 percent conservative Roman Catholic.

[……]

At the discussion-based presentation, Winters talked to those gathered about how one of the amiable qualities of Falwell was his “capacity for friendship.”

“He has this incredible capacity for friendship, which extended to people who were not like-minded,” said Winters.

Winters noted as examples that Falwell’s friendships included people like Ted Kennedy, a liberal political figure, and Larry Flynt, a pornographer who fought Falwell in the courts over issues of defamation and libel.

“Every time he was in Los Angeles, Jerry Falwell would always visit Larry Flynt,” said Winters.

“When Falwell died, Flynt wrote this very moving tribute in the L.A. Times how ‘we agreed on nothing but he was my friend.'”

This above proves what I pretty much knew about Jerry Falwell. To be fair; I should point out that this was not always the case with Falwell. At one time, Falwell did preach the hardcore Fundamentalist stance on Biblical separation at one time. However, as Falwell became involved with politics, he toned down his message of separation. This was because Falwell knew that his hardcore stance on Biblical separation would not be popular with the Republican Party establishment. I also feel the need to point out that Jerry Falwell was a dishonest snake; I say this because of his baldfaced lies that he told to then-Pastor Jim Bakker, when he had his troubles with his Ministry. Falwell simply wanted the television network and nothing else. When Falwell saw that he could not get said network, he pushed that ministry into bankruptcy and washed his hands of it.

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Baptist Christian Missionary is in need of help

I don’t normally post such stuff, but I am a Christian and I am a Baptist. Sometimes there are some things that are bigger than politics.

This news comes via the Victory Baptist Press, which sends me e-mails of various stories of interest:

John Gray, veteran missionary to Papua New Guinea, is still recovering from typhoid and is temporarily in Brisbane, Australia, with his wife, Mary, the daughter of Dr. Don Green of Lansing, Michigan, who is there for treatments fighting for her life from liver and lung cancer. Their medical expenses have the Grays in an emergency need. John is in a desparate situation: The way they operate in Australia is that they don’t let the bill get really big. They expect payment or they discontinue treatments. That’s why this is so important!

From the website of Missionary John Gray:

The following is a synopsis of my battle with my cancer.

Let me take you back to the beginning of this journey….

Our daughter Ilava graduated from the 12th Grade in December, 2005. In the preparations for everything (including my parents coming for the celebration) I did a lot of cleaning. I began to experience pain in my chest and felt it was only a pulled muscle. When the pain persisted, I flew to the city during our April school break. I had a mammogram and a tumour was found in my left breast. It was removed and found to be only fibrocystic.

However, his outlook is to be commended:

Our lives are in God’s hands. He is in total control. His grace and strength have been abundant and constant. We serve an unfailing God. He has met our every need through the lives of others. Especially through the folk of Good Shepherd Baptist Church. He is faithful! Our faith is in His plan for our lives. He is Able!

Now, I know that times are hard, and that everyone is tightening their belts — especially me. But if there is a chance that medicine can save this person. Don’t you think that this man deserves that chance? I do. So, head on over and give a man of God a chance at life.

I always believe that the missionaries of this would are the ones who are actually following the mandate set forth by Christ, which says:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)

This man has done that, he has a great reward coming, when his time is due. I am quite sure that he has much more to do here, before his time. So, head on over and make a big donation.

Thank You so much. 🙂

Guest Voice: Paul Proctor Asks is Christianity All About Relationships?

(Source)

“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” – Luke 6:26

It seems I am receiving a little extra email these days from troubled Christians who have had to give up a church, some friends and/or certain family members in order to remain faithful to God and His Word. I can tell you without hesitation that I certainly have – and on more than one occasion.

No one can lead you down the road of temptation quicker than a close friend, family member or fellow Christian. The downgrading of today’s “Church” along with society has clearly taken its toll on the brethren and is now driving many out the sanctuary doors to preserve their faith in Jesus Christ.

I heard Authority Research founder and director, Dean Gotcher, in a recent radio interview refer to the loneliness that results from the loss of such relationships as the taking up of one’s cross for Christ. When I respond to the heartbreaking email of readers who have had to leave their local church in obedience to God’s Word, I often reply with some empathetic encouragement and a link to a short piece written by A.W. Tozer titled: The Loneliness of the Christian.

For believers new to this column, I realize that the idea of sacrificing treasured relationships, even those we worship with, is probably a stark contrast to what you regularly receive from the pulpit of your local church and the lectern of your weekly Bible study class where most everything these days revolves around establishing, protecting, sustaining and maintaining relationships of all kinds, at all costs – a dangerous notion that is just not biblical.

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” – Amos 3:3

Simply put, it turns people into church worshippers who revere, embrace and obey the consensus of a congregation with a contrived unity rather than God worshippers who put His Word and Authority far and above the fellowship, opinions, theories, life experiences and personal tastes of well meaning Christians and clergy.

This Religion of Relationships has now all but taken over what is called “Christianity” and ought to be called what it really is: “Churchianity” – the worship of and faith in those who claim to be the “Body of Christ” – especially its leaders who treat their own counsel, conjecture, sermon stories and agendas as equal to or greater than the Word of God.

Those who embrace Churchianity will often respond to a rebuking scripture with: “Yeah, but…” as if to be able to trump it with some greater knowledge, wisdom, anecdote or seemingly contradicting verse from the Bible. This is the ugly arrogance of today’s humanistic spirituality and its self-serving, self-worshipping ways.

When listening to a fellow church member, teacher or preacher talk about the Christian life, how many times have you heard them cite that sacred slogan: “It’s all about relationships?”

Baloney!

It’s about repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and our loving obedience to His Word, whatever may come – a faithfulness that will cost you more relationships than it will ever garner you! Our first love and loyalty is to Him, not our fellow man. That doesn’t mean we don’t take up the towel to wash feet, serve others, sacrifice ourselves and love our neighbor – it simply means they don’t come first in our lives – Jesus Christ does. That’s why we call Him “Lord” and not the brethren.

But, when we place our hope and faith in the redeemed rather than the Redeemer and put the words of men over the Word of God, we become no better than new agers who believe that God is in everyone and in everything – worshipping the creation instead of the Creator and in doing so, make ourselves gods to be praised and exalted with reciprocating adulation and acclaim.

“They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.” – Psalm 12:2

If your Christianity isn’t costing you at least some friends and family, both inside and outside the church house, your hope and faith may have turned horizontal. If your Sunday gatherings have become flattery festivals where people are quoted and praised more than Jesus Christ, you might want to reconsider your church membership. If you have friends and family that hate God, but love you, it might be time to reexamine your witness for Christ and your commitment to Him.

“And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” – Luke 21:16-17

Take a sober and discerning look around your church next Sunday and tell me what you see. If it’s all about relationships there, it may be time to hit the door and go find your cross.

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” – Matthew 10:33-39

Paul Proctor’s Archive of hard hitting Articles.