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If you want to penetrate evangelicalism with heresy, here are 10 things you can do…
1. Put your heresy in a song with a good beat. It will be sung in churches all over the world.
2. Put your heresy in a song with some sentimentality. Many evangelicals like to sing about how mommies, babies, daddies, etc. are the glory of heaven.
3. Appeal to the sinful nature. “I want to hear how awesome I am; so, tell me how awesome I am.”
4. Appeal to the idolatry of your hearers. If you live in an entertainment-centered society, make sure you entertain while presenting your heresy. If you live in a postmodern society, make sure you say nothing absolute while appealing to the only truth you know: “I’m not sure.”
5. Dress it up in new clothes. Don’t present heresy how previous heretics presented it, instead dress up in new clothes. Present the heresy like a politician does. Use catch-phrases that sound biblical. Most people will walk away thinking, saying, and believing your catch-phrases.
6. Change definitions. If you change the definitions of words, you can sign any document or agree with any orthodox doctrine. You know what you mean, just make sure no one else does. Try to please everyone a little bit; for, after all, when it comes to doctrine and evangelicalism, you don’t have to be orthodox, you just need to sound orthodox.
7. Appear cool, sweet, metro, or simply different from other pastors. Spike your hair and dress cool. Say curse words from the pulpit occasionally. Be “edgy,” a type of “shock-jock.” Be the “Howard Stern” of the evangelical world.
8. Get everyone to like your personality. If everyone likes you, then you can almost say anything. Always be positive and encouraging.
9. Grow the crowd numerically. If your methods produce visible numbers, then you can almost say anything. In evangelicalism, numbers equal success; and success, not biblical obedience, is the goal.
10. Increase giving and baptisms. If you’re bringing in money and numbers, you can about do or say anything. Make sure the world thinks you’re a big deal. If the world likes you, the evangelical church will like you as well.
What are your thoughts?
This article was originally posted at my site. Only some of my articles are posted on SBC Voices. If you would like access to all of my articles, you can follow my feed here. You can also connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.
On #1: I visited a Methodist church in the early 1990s where the special music was the Bette Midler song about what if God were a slob like the rest of us, just watching us from a distance.
Pretty sure you are referring to Joan Osborne. Catchy tune though.
You’re right. The fog of old age rolls in occasionally.
Blasphemy is often catchy according to the flesh, but it is repulsive to the spirits of the regenerate.
“5. Dress it up in new clothes. Don’t present heresy how previous heretics presented it, instead dress up in new clothes. . . ”
‘Oh, what big teeth you have, Granma !!!!! ‘
There was Joan Osborne’s “One of Us” and then Bette Midler’s “From a Distance.”
Both were pretty lousy theology.
Bette Midler’s From a Distance has got to be one of the most maudlin songs out there. Whenever I hear it I want to spit up. But you ahve to udnerstand someting. Pop culture and divinity have recnetly converged in our culture and that’s a point of opportunity. But Jared, what are you getting at? I hope this is not some iconoclastic approach to doing things. The purist path makes no sense to me. Paul was a realist; we take the world as we find it. And we had better have patience and tolerance for frailty, becasue we don’t see the half of what’s inside ourselves.
I was a teenager in church when someone sang “From a Distance” for the special music.
The pastor got up, left his sermon notes in his chair, and rebuked the singer, the song, and went on to preach about how God is not distant, strictly from his head/heart.
It was the best sermon I heard him preach. It was also the last time that particular person sang in church. Would have been better for the music minister to have pre-screened. Or for the church to have made disciples adequately that she would have known it was not a Biblical portrait of God.
I think it was sad for the singer who may not have known.
Christiane, how do you think the apostle Paul would have handled this situation?
Hi JARED,
St. Paul ? That great powerhouse of fierce passion for the work of Our Lord ?
I think we both know what he MIGHT have done. But we really can’t say for sure, can we?
. . . there came a time when St. Paul wrote of himself in humility that he was ‘the greatest of sinners’
and we know of his great teaching, that he treasured a belief that Christ-like love was to be shown forth in this way:
“. . patient and kind . . . ;
not arrogant or rude . . .
not irritable . . . ”
Can I answer your question honestly ?
I’m afraid not. I know from Scripture that St. Paul struggled with his own humanity as we all do, but I know that Our Lord chose him, in spite of those weaknesses, for a great service to the Church.
St. Paul was not perfect.
Would he ‘RE-ACT” as Christian people often do. . . when it is better maybe to ‘PRO-ACT” with patience, and kindness, and with something of a grace far greater than can be summoned from our own human frailty ?
I don’t know the answer to your question, Jared.
But it is a GOOD question.
Well, Jared, he sure wouldn’t have been so unloving as to suggest there was something theologically wrong. He would have followed the Royal Law of Christ which is “It’s all good”. Here, listen to some Gregorian Chant and feel the love.
(note–that was me in my blog thread Halloween costume. I’m dressing up as L’s 🙂 )
I agree Christiane.
I think Paul would have given the truth about God in his message without berating the singer, which is what the minister should have done.
I also see the word heresy thrown around much to casually and much too often.
I can’t say what Paul would do for sure; but, I have a hard time believing he would be silent concerning false teaching in worship. Virtually all of his New Testament writings prove his lack of silence. He even rebuked the apostle Peter publicly.
Instead of saying, “poor 1 person,” we should instead say, “poor 100s of Christians that heard false teaching during worship!”
Now, I’m not saying I would have handled the situation the way this pastor did. But, I don’t think the way he handled it was “sinful” or “wrong.” Pastors will be held accountable for the teaching they allowed under their charge. We must hold one another accountable. And, yes, there are times for rebuking someone publicly. I’m amazed that people think they can teach something publicly, but they don’t want to be corrected publicly.
I am glad to hear that this singer was publicly rebuked. I hope she was ashamed of what she did and came to realize that the church is not some place to do nightclub kareokee. If she wanted to perform, she should have found another venue.
Debbie, what do you do with the different times when Paul delivered certain church members to Satan (1 Tim. 1:20)? When he rebuked Peter publicly (Gal. 2:11-14)? When he told Timothy to rebuke elders publicly (1 Tim. 5:19-20)?
I’m fine if you disagree; but, where do you get the basis for the argument that Paul would not hold the individual who taught this untruth as truth accountable? Where do you get that Paul would only confront the false doctrine, and not the individual?
> how do you think the apostle Paul would have handled this situation?
Maybe like this:
“[11] But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. [12] For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. [13] And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. [14] But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” (Galatians 2:11-14 ESV)
Paul’s attitude was not one to take slander towards God lightly:
“[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—[7] not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. [9] As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. [10] For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-10 ESV)
“humility” does not equal “not being bold”. Paul certainly was humble, but he was also sold out to defending the gospel with a ferocity that is rare today.
What we have done is sought after unity at the expense of truth.
As far as this account goes though, a pastor who lets someone come up and sing something with no clue about what they are singing is not doing his job. I would not let someone come up and speak from the pulpit unless I knew them well enough to know their theology or knew what they were going to say. And yes, I would even extend that to inviting someone to give their testimony. I have heard a number of “personal testimonies” that were nothing more than works righteousness with Jesus tacked on at the end.
Jeff, you’re absolutely right. True unity is not the absence of truth, but agreement upon it (1 Cor. 1:10).
Jeff–
That was part of a long-running conflict in that church. The pastor was told that the music guy would handle all of those issues regarding songs and such. The deacons told the pastor to stay out of it.
Let’s just say that Jared’s concern for the 100’s that heard false doctrine is well-intentioned but overestimated. But most Baptists know this: big power struggles happen in small churches. And far too frequently, I’ve known pastors (and once been myself, though not now) who were grateful to have the right to pick their own sermon topics without too much meddling from the sidelines.
Story probably needed more context in the first place. Sorry I didn’t give it.
Jared: It was a song for crying out loud! I don’t see Paul rebuking her. That is being a jerk. I’m sure the singer was doing it out of ignorance not heresy. Good Grief. There are more grace filled ways to handle it.
When doctrine becomes more important than how a person is treated I have a problem. Christiane was correct on this.
All the minister would have had to do is preach the sermon. That would have said all he would have needed to say concerning the song. Christ wouldn’t have rebuked her. Correction yes, gently. Rebuke in this instance? No.
Debbie, how do you respond to Jesus’s rebuke of the Pharisees?
Debbie, I realize it’s not a 1 for 1 comparison, but doesn’t it seem that Jesus is more concerned with doctrine here than merely the “feelings” of the Pharisees?
In all likelihood, it was done because it was popular song at the time and one the audio recording of was being entered into a talent contest. And she had been cautioned by her parents (though she was in her 20s) that the song was inappropriate for church. And cautioned by friends.
And had been cautioned privately before not to pick songs from the radio that showcased her skills but to find ones that highlighted the idea of “Message in Song.”
But, I was only there for a few years as a teenager. I could be wrong.
I think using the Pharisees in this situation would be wrong Jared.
Really? You are using that type of scripture to justify the minister publicly humiliating a 20 something girl?
I think I’m more troubled that you think it’s OK to have handled it this way than I am the doctrine in the song.
Debbie, I wouldn’t have handled the situation this way, but I don’t think the pastor was wrong to handle it this way. I think heresy, whether it’s intentional or unintentional, must be handled the same way, for the sake of the hearers.
I actually think a sincere heretic is more dangerous than an insincere one. Most of the false teaching that occurs in evangelicalism is unintentional. Whether its through song, preaching, or teaching, its still a truth-claim that either encourages worship to God, or hides His glory.
I wish someone had rebuked me with Scripture early in my ministry. My hearers would have been better for it.
When did we Christians become so sensitive that we’re above being rebuked?
This [woman] was treated just fine. Anyone who read Doug’s description of how the pastor talked to her (and has a lick of sense when reading it) would know that he was not rude not did he behave in an un-Christlike manner. Furthermore, if she was humiliated, um, she should have been. Even if he had been harsh with her, she earned it. If you’re going to proclaim false doctrine publicly, expect a public rebuke.
Of course, certain commenters have no problem with false doctrine being proclaimed from the pulpit–it’s done in their church anyway.
Let me clarify this: rebuked does not equal berated.
He said: “That song has no place in this church and you should not have sung it here. Your talents would be better used on better songs.”
And then went on to explain, clearly, what was wrong with the song.
Other than the opening statement, everything was directed at the lyrics of the song and based in Scripture. It was far from a “berating” of the singer. If Bette Midler had been there (or whoever wrote it), they might have been berated, but that wasn’t the case.
Further, there was history of this singer and the music leader pushing towards showcasing her talents over focusing on worship. The pastor had been trying for some time to correct it privately and with the help of other church leaders. This was the end-point of that.
Good to know. Thanks for the info.
In the circumstances you described, I think the pastor is a man of courage and conviction.
Dave: Obviously that is where you and I would disagree.
That is berating Doug. There is better ways than to say those words in front of the singer and in front of the whole church.
One paragraph is berating?
As in, you’re currently berating me by telling me I’m wrong?
Really?
Shouldn’t you find better ways than in front of the whole blog audience and in front of me? Although how will you correct me? Or how will you correct the misconception of the word ‘berate’ that I have given everyone by my words?
I have been publicly berated. It’s been done to me by a pastor I worked for, it’s been done when I worked in corporate America, and it’s a far cry from being told I was wrong. There’s much more involved.
I’ll even go further Doug. If I would have been at the service this occurred or if you were to do this, I would publicly say something to you. Why? Because you or whoever publiclly said something. This is a young girl. But no matter who it was, private is the key. It was a song and the one thing I do agree with Dave on before he changed it was that I don’t think anyone is going to lose their faith because of one song, not if the preacher is consistant in preaching the truth through scripture.
But no matter who it was, private is the key.
It was sung publicly. She deserves to be rebuked publicly.
There’s a huge difference between some girl who sings a song not realizing she is promoting heresy, in which case a gentle and private reminder would be warranted, and someone who is openly and publicly advocating heresy.
One, Paul would have dealt with forcefully – a wolf among the sheep. But being gracious and gentling explaining things after the service might be the best bet.
I doubt anyone would lose their faith because someone sang a silly song in church – not if the pastor is consistently bringing the Word.
Paul had tolerance for frailty, but he also prayed that Christians who insist on being carnal be delivered unto Satan for the destruction of the body and the salvation of the soul (1 Corinthians 5:5). I really wish that more people would take a new look at the “old perspective on Paul” 😉
Job, that’s not what I was talking about. That’s not even close. I’m referring to the purist style. I don’t believe in reducing everything to formulae. I believe in living out the Gospel in truth and love. I won’t approach Christianity from the vantage point of rules and procedures. That’s not what we get from Scripture. Scripture is a narrative that tells us what happened. It tells us we’re a part of that story and that it’s ongoing. That we join in, take part, and improvise. True, we are not at liberty to rewrite the story. But we move forward in the tradition of the apostles and early church. We are not meant to copy them precisely or to impose principles from outside Scripture to tidy things up. We are each situated in cultural contexts and immediate surroundings that dictate to us how we are to best live out the Gospel.
Bingo. I love this. I work in a large church and I think you have nailed down a lot we deal with here. #’s are the only game in town.
Debbie–that word is thrown around way too often. I think I wrote something on that about 2 years ago on my blog when The Shack was the bestseller. I might update it and fix the spelling errors and repost it there (or here).
Essentially, heresy ought to be reserved for stuff that masquerades as saving truth but is not. I wouldn’t class old-earth theories as heresy, though I know some that do. I’d say it’s wrong, but if you can miss heaven over that one, I’ve misread a lot about grace. Moreover, such an issue does not automatically mean that a person is going to mis-represent the Gospel of John or Hebrews or such…
On the other hand, I’d put something like the “swoon theory” or anything that denied that the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ was literal, historical fact as heresy. If you take the words “Jesus died for your sins” and twist that to “Jesus kind of seemed to maybe do it, but didn’t really,” that’s heresy. At least in my book.
So, yes, heresy is a major charge and should not be leveled lightly.
Agreed and well said.
Jared,
Brilliant!
Thanks.
I often think of the ‘sinful woman’ from Luke, Chapter 7. She wept at the feet of Jesus and dried the tears with her hair. She wanted to seek forgiveness despite the fact that being in the home of a Pharisee could have well landed her with a death sentence. Jesus forgave her and then spoke of those who are forgiven little, love little. He would have been justified in berating her for sin against the law, yet he didn’t.
The real problem with the “From a Distance’ songstress, was that she wasn’t learned enough in her walk to know it was heresy. Ministers of Music have a serious responsibility to ensure that the music is appropriate and Biblically sound. That didn’t happen and unfortunately this young woman took the brunt of the fall-out. I think back to my own walk at 20 years old, and my brain was full of bad ideas, but I could sing. I hope that the Pastor took the time to meet with this young lady and treated her with the gentleness that Christ extended.
There is a place for public rebuke, but this wasn’t one of them. Those who forgive much, love much.
Hi Chief Katie,
you wrote,
“I hope that the Pastor took the time to meet with this young lady and treated her with the gentleness that Christ extended.”
I wish Jared had asked me how I thought Christ would have handled the situation, instead of St. Paul.
Sometimes we might say ‘St. Paul would have done it this way, when maybe we should be saying, ‘Christ would have done it this way’. Christ the Lord is the golden standard for how a Christian person should respond to someone who is in trouble in some way . . . and if it was perceived that the young woman had done something wrong, He would have known how to handle the situation in a way that healed,
and in a way that taught us to ‘learn of Him’.
I appreciate your comment.
Christiane,
Thanks so much. Everything would be so much easier if we had the knowledge that Jesus does. He knows every heart and motivation, so his response is always correct.
I hold the Minister of Music at fault. He put this young woman and the Pastor in an awkward place. I believe that Pastors should confront sin where they find it, but in general, I tend towards giving someone the benefit of the doubt. The problem is that once the music is out there, you can’t unring the bell.
I agree that we can’t know with exactitude what the Apostle Paul would have said or done. But we do know that Paul wasn’t about to listen to heresy regarding the gospel. He was entirely serious about salvation.
I’m not critical of the other fine people who have a different idea than you and I do. Jesus has opened his loving arms to all who would repent and believe.
In His amazing Grace,
Katie