My long farewell to the evangelical church

I’m going to give you just a few of Pastor Martin Thielen’s quotes.   I will comment on them as we go.  So hear him:

“Ironically, their vision of the church violates virtually all the teachings of Jesus.”

The there in this quote refers to the evangelical teachings. Obviously, Jesus teachings are being misunderstood by someone. Is it by the progressive social gospel interpreters (Martin’s understanding), or is it  the evangelicals?  

Another quote from Martin. 

“I had high (although naïve) hopes that my church and denomination would enthusiastically embrace the spirit of the Social Gospel.”

Martin gives us some hints as to his beliefs concerning the gospel that he embraces as well as Jesus meaning of what Jesus teaches.  But Martin is asking that “his church” and “his denomination” adopt “his thinking” rather than their own statement of faith; which proceeds from an entirely different Spirit apparently; then his own. For they are coming from an understanding where there is Spirit led inspired literal interpretation, as the words of this book themselves teach.  Martin continues:

“”This extreme position that the eternal Spirit of the universe is “bound by Scripture” (written by imperfect mortals thousands of years ago with archaic world views) is a vivid case of “bibliolatry,” where one worships the Bible rather than God.”

Martin’s social gospel, first rules out the Holy Spirits inspirational role in the writings of scripture.  That would be a huge problem for Jesus who is stated by these scriptures as being, the one who He claimed to be: the promised Messiah; The Word of God; the truth, the light of the world. The one whom hell and the grave could not hold. 

Martin met with opposition in his pastoral journey: he relates some of that:

“He also complained that I ‘didn’t give enough altar calls, never preached on hell, didn’t schedule enough revivals[-] meetings, wasn’t a soul winner, and was too liberal to be a Baptist preacher.’”

Let us think of what he said this way: if you don’t accept that what Jesus stated: that one must be born again; that He would give us a counselor (the Holy Spirit) to oversee our learning progress and that we would spread His teachings into all the world; making disciples of others, who would believe these truths as they are taught us using His word; then you have no gospel, except one that you or someone else made up.  Is this where Martin is?  Let’s continue.  Martin is still being opposed by others in his circle:

“He also accused me of practicing ‘open communion,’ which violated the rules of the Arkansas Baptist Convention. And he was correct. I did welcome all to Christ’s Table, in spite of the misguided rule against it.”

Paul makes us aware of the rule. Is it misguided?  1 Corinthians tells us that to take communion without knowing what you are doing is dangerous: it would be eating and drinking judgment on yourself.  So open communion must be understood as being only for the family of God, and even they in the family must examine themselves.  No person who is not born again should partake. 

1 Corinthians 11:29  For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. (NASB1995)

This great divide in thinking apparently is created by three things. One is the understanding of what Jesus taught us to be and then to do; a second is accepting the word of God to be just that His Word to us; and finally a third is being saved which requires a literal understanding of Jesus promise to receive His Holy Spirit to be our teacher throughout our life.  The literal word of God is meaningless without the Holy Spirit in our lives.  My question is: has Martin been born again?

The gospel literally cannot be social. Of course there can be social teachings made part of a sermon, but to have the social override the Spiritual truth of the good news is to have no good news (no gospel). 

John 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (KJV)

If you expect the truth from Jesus and the truth about Jesus to flow out from you to others you must believe in Him as the Scriptures have stated concerning Him. 

If you click on the link above it will take you to Martin’s article posted within the Christian Post comments section. 

Without the Scripture and the Holy Spirits teaching us individually its truth, we would have no gospel.