*****UPDATE**** 

Let me add an important point. The quote Ken uses is incomplete. This is the entire paragraph including the last phrase that Ken purposely left out:

“In their fleshly attempt to magnify the sovereignty of God they have changed His truth, formed them into doctrines, and now idolize them. Some of them anyway.”

In this drive by posting Ken Silva, after referring to me as a “would be theologian” and my view as a “straw filled rant”, says that no one can seek God and he uses a verse in Romans which, in context, was used by Paul to teach that being a Jew was no better than a Gentile when it comes to sin and one’s standing before God. But instead of taking my entire article he takes issue with one comment and makes an incomplete Scriptural assessment. Of course this word “seek” is eκζητeω which is also used in Heb.11:6. The writer of Hebrews says that only faith pleases God, and that he that comes to God must first believe that He exists and that He rewards people who diligently seek Him. These are sinners who seek God and find the glorious reward of salvation by faith.

God has given the measure of faith to all people and only fools say there is no God, but sinners can seek God and by the power of the Holy Spirit come to Christ. God rewards seekers and especially diligent seekers. And many who get born again have come with a distorted or incomplete knowledge of who God truly is but the Holy Spirit teaches them. Even Paul told the Greeks that God (Acts17:27) has ordained that all men should seek Him. Many, many people have sought after God and some have found Christ and some have been deceived, but God has sent the Spirit(Jn.16) to draw all men unto Himself(Jn.12:32). His own creation draws men to seek Him.

I have a limited understanding of the original languages although I can use resources, I do not desire to be a theologian, and openly admit my utter dependence upon God’s grace for everything. But He has called me to speak His truth and with that I hope to please Him. I will continue to be open to a humble and complete dealing with Scriptural subjects such as this, but a one verse vs. one comment misrepresents my entire article which can be found on this blog and “Following Judah’s Lion” and after reading the post see if “straw filled rant” applies. We must construct our truths carefully and with respect for the entirety of God’s Word even when we strongly disagree. I do not defend myself, I humbly yet vigorously defend what I believe to be the truth. 

If we desire truth, then let us compare Scripture with Scripture and give complete exegesis to our views, not just a post which demeans someone and quotes one comment. That is not doctrinal exchange, that is Scriptural laziness.

In this post Ingrid claims that Barna’s research which shows hostility by unbelievers to Christianity is due to the seeker type antics by some churches. It is their antics that turn the community against Christianity. What? How many times has she and others claimed that these mega-church antics are placating unbelievers and hence the reason for their growth? So I guess when you want the seekers to be blamed for placating you can, and when people are turned off you can blame them for that also. You don’t need logic for posts, just a blog.

But the continuing thread in all these type of posts is that there is never – I said NEVER – any self examination that results in even a wisp of a thought that they may have played a negative role in anything. You see, when a store clerk is rude you take it to the manager because your money means something and like the karate instructor said “mercy is for the weak”. There it is, they have it completely right and all the clowns and Elvis impersonators provide an easy shield from allowing God’s Spirit to reveal the powerlessness and self righteousness of their own entrenchment.

There is not enough blame to go around according to some.

The article starts off with the title: “Emerging Church: The Art of Cussing and Suggestions on Proper Cussing Etiquette”. So, I assumed that it would be about swearing, cussing, etc. The author gives an example by a writer and then tries to tie it into McLaren, Bell, and Kimball. I’ve read and heard a lot by those three men and I’ve never heard them swear. To make matters worse, the author labels the article under McLaren, Bell, and Kimball. I’m confused. What do these three men have to do with swearing?

It sounds like the author was just trying to increase his click throughs.

This week Brant Hansen chats with us about the way the church does things. I want to encourage everyone to listen to this one. If you’ve got any interest in the church at all I think you’ll find this, at the very least, thought provoking. Download it here or listen to it below.

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 Justice and Mercy #14 - Brant Hansen: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download