Reformation or Another Dark Ages?

What will it be? A 2nd Reformation or another Dark Ages? I suggest these are the only two real options left for American evangelicalism. Sadly, all of the muddy middle between these two polar opposites evidence the latter. The proliferation of mega-whatevers, non-pulpit electronic churches, and culturally relevant philosophies of ministry all testify that America has never been more spiritual and less Christian. It seems to me that as the light of the gospel of God grows dimmer Christians would rather adjust their eyes to the incremental darkness rather than pray for a new Reformation according to the Word of God.

American Christianity offers a plethora of spiritual options for the religious consumer. The religion page of my local newspaper this morning illustrates our slide into a spiritual Dark Ages in this country. One article chronicles a 30,000 member church in the Ukraine called The Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations whose charismatic leader hopes to bring a pentecostal revival to America. Now that's just what we need another Osteen, Hinn, or Jakes leading people to new modern versions of worship around a different "golden calf." Another piece tells of a new movie "What Would Jesus Buy?" a film railing against the evils of greed in America. In the same moralistic vain of "What Would Jesus Do," another group has again failed to ask or preach the most important question of the Christian faith "What Has Jesus Done?" Legalism and moralism have long replaced the atonement as the central tenet of Christian faith. Then there is the account of a fourth Episcopal Bishop converting to Rome. Apparently tired of the battle for orthodoxy within Protestantism the Bishop chose an ancient path filled with tradition and order.

There you have it. Pick and choose what suits your spiritual temperament - mysticism, moralism or tradition. Or, you can choose and contend for "the faith once for all delivered to the saints." That "faith" is best found and understood in the doctrines of historic, Protestant, and Reformed faith and practice. Notwithstanding the current famine of the Word of God in American church life all is not lost nor is spiritual darkness inevitable. As long as a remnant remains faithful to the sound expositional preaching of the Scriptures, the faithful administration of the sacraments, and prayer God may, in fact, do great things. Through these ordinary means of grace God shook Western Civilization 500 years ago. May God withhold His judgment and give us a 2nd Reformation radically committed to Scripture and Reformed churches relentlessly centered on God.

Bad Theology Corrupts Good People

Richard Roberts is in deep trouble for alleged financial and personal malfeasance. He is not the first, nor will he be the last, self appointed false prophet to profit off the suffering of people. Since we are all flawed morally I cannot say that if millions of dollars were at my disposal that I wouldn't be tempted to use money not my own for things personal. But frankly my theology would make that less likely. Here's why.

First of all, my God is not a "goody tree" I shake every morning to get what I want. My God is the sovereign Lord who providentially controls all things for His own purposes and glory and not mine. Second, I am just a steward of His provision with no right to receive anything from God apart from His sovereign will. Third, my "faith" is not a power through which I can appropriate perceived wants and needs. The only object of my faith is Christ Jesus and that faith is a gift of God. Fourth, I have no inherent claim to salvation, healing, or prosperity. I only have that which by His grace God bestows freely on an undeserving sinner. Lastly, I fear God.

Richard Roberts and others of that ilk believe that God exists to give them what they need by faith. Since their faith seems to produce the desired result any financial windfall is evidence to them that they moved God. It then follows that what they produced "by faith" is for their benefit. The assumption is the guy or gal with the biggest faith should have the biggest car, house and bank account.

What produces the money isn't faith but false teaching that promises the sick, poor, and suffering that they can believe away the problems of life. Of course, when they don't get healthy, wealthy and blessed like their faith teachers the answer is always "You didn't have enough faith." This is a self fulfilling prophesy that is cyclical in nature and fraudulent in fulfullment. This leaves Richard Roberts and others richer and most everyone that listens to them poorer because they simply didn't have enough faith to move that mountain.

Faith in faith isn't Christian, it's gnostic mysticism in Jesus' name.

The Civil Magistrate and Religious Fraud

Years ago it was the soap opera of religious caricature coupled with the criminal fraud of PTL that caught the attention of the nation and embarrassed Christianity in America. This was just the beginning of the “non-pulpit churches” that continue to fleece the sheep while at the same time preaching a “gospel of man” more reminiscent of the medieval practice of selling indulgences (literally selling the favor of God) than anything close to the Gospel of God.

A few weeks ago Richard Roberts stepped down from his place as head of Oral Roberts University under a cloud of financial and personal suspicion. Now the Senate Finance Committee is investigating the finances of Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer, Paula White, and Eddie Long. Sen. Charles Grassley was prompted to act on allegations of extravagant spending and opulent lifestyles.

I don’t doubt for a moment that these folks and others like them believe that they are entitled to what they have and that their prosperity has been duly appropriated by “faith” and is evidence of the blessing of God. As silly and self-centered as that sounds people have a constitutional right to be wrong in what they believe and the government has no business telling them their doctrine is right or wrong. The 1st Amendment and subsequent Supreme Court decisions have made doctrinal issues off limits to the “powers that be.” Here’s the problem. You have sincerely held (unbelievably wrong) religious beliefs adhered to by millions of people, while at the same time, the government senses fraud that inures to the personal benefit of those selling the favor of God. How does the government proceed without violating the 1st Amendment? I suggest very carefully.

Many parachurch ministries have carved out for themselves a constitutionally protected spiritual “ponzi” scheme. They can make claims of 30, 60 and 100 fold returns on “seed” sown into their ministry and by claiming a religious conviction remain outside the reach of civil authorities. If they were selling securities, swamp land in Florida, or cars only driven by little old ladies, they would be subject to a plethora of state and federal laws governing fraud, misrepresentation, unfair and deceptive trade practices etc. But make an outrageous claim of a promised financial windfall, secured by a donation, in the name of Jesus, and it’s constitutionally protected.

Let’s be honest, this only works on the poor, the greedy and the biblically illiterate. Bill Gates created Microsoft. Gates doesn’t need faith to get wealth. Millions of people in America make a good living and prosper by working hard yet don’t know Jesus at all. At best this group of self appointed pastors, bishops, teachers and healers without theological training or accountability are committing spiritual fraud. However, if the Senate Finance Committee does its job I wouldn’t be surprised that they find criminal fraud under the constitutionally protected auspices of religious faith.

http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Nov06/0,4670,TelevangelistProbe,00.html