The Blind Leading the Blind

[aspen]

i think a contemporary example might be, the fat preaching the latest diet crazy to the would be fat.

american evangelism is rooted in the idea that preaching the perfect gospel, which is perfectly supported by the inerrant Word of God, which is perfectly researched and found to be perfect by the redeemed, formally evil massess, who have now been perfected by hearing the perfect Word......

i think we have it all wrong - it is akin to knowing the perfect diet for losing weight and preaching in the American style - the informercal - broadcasting it to world in order to help all the fat people in the third world - with the belief that 'knowing is the key to change' and ingnoring the fact that we are the fatest nation on Earth, ever.
So is hearing the word over and over and over and over again, going to change anyone? Nope. Only God can change hearts and He is not interested in transforming anyone into a groupy for Jesus or as Andy shared in his signature, a scripture monkey. instead, he wants selfless lovers like He knows and sees in Jesus. The God-man who spent His life on Earth, not preaching a perfect parroting of the OT, but living it through selfless love. He brought it alive - as alive, as Himself and we got so angry at His freewheeling, by the seat of the pants methodology, we labelled Him a heretic and murdered Him. i think we need to learn from our history and stop reveling in our clanging doctrine-gospel, shut up and practice our sanctification by loving others selflessly though service. This is the true gospel - preaching the gospel always and using words when necessary. Amen

 

[Poppin]

Hi aspen :)
I liked this post.
Thank you for reminding me what is important.
grace and peace to you.
Poppin

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. - 1 Corinthians 7:19

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. - Galatians 5:6

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 1:3

 

[ajdiamond]

So is hearing the word over and over and over and over again, going to change anyone?

Yes, of course. By grace are ye saved through faith and faith come by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Eph 2:8, Rom 10:17)

hearing--But what is hearing? There is the natural hearing employed when you listen to the radio or watch TV. But, there a higher hearing, not of the 5 senses. that need be developed: He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

the word--One of the biggest mistakes in religion is equating the Word with the bible. The are not synonyms. If they were, this would make sense: In the beginning was the bible, and the bible was with God, and the bible was God.(John 1:1) and By faith we understand that the universe was created by the bible (Heb 11:3 ESV) Don't fall for that.

going to change anyone--beware of the exoteric doctrine of improving or reforming or rehabilitating the old carnal man, that ego persona. It sometimes seems that all of religion is concerned with that external doctrine, ignoring that the Great Work is internal and esoteric and concerns itself with the awakening to, the realization of, the resurrection of and the forming of Christ in us. It is a great mystery, just as mysterious to the Pharisees today as it was to their forefathers 2000 years ago.

Man shall not live by bread alone; but by every word this is proceeding out of the mouth of God. When we enter our closet within ourselves and shut the door of our mouths (and senses), be still and hold our peace, the word may come, and from that hearing develops, and from that faith (and wisdom and understanding and knowledge), and from that salvation. We must learn to take no thought and to watch, which is to meditate, without which we remain in ignorance of our inheritance as the offspring of God.

 

[FHII]

ajdiamond.... Don't forget that Paul said after that, "How can you hear without a preacher?"

 

[Poppin]

ajdiamond.... Don't forget that Paul said after that, "How can you hear without a preacher?"

My thought was the same.
Yes, Jesus is The Word (Logos), and (not or):

2 Timothy 3
16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

 

[Suhar]

[SIZE=medium]I have a better example.[/SIZE]

i think a contemporary example might be, the fat preaching the latest diet crazy to the would be fat.

[SIZE=medium]I have a better example.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I grew up in Soviet Union, in severely restricted, constantly harassed, always under surveillance, barely tolerated Pentecostal church. One of two Protestant churches in two million population city. (there was a couple of “orthodox” churches where priest was KGB snitch and you could come and light up candle at front of some icon).[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]In late 1980s as country opened up it was flooded with Hollywood filth, porn and followed was a flood of preachers and “evangelists” from the very same country coming to teach us how to be Christians.[/SIZE]

 

[KingJ]

[SIZE=medium]I have a better example.[/SIZE]





[SIZE=medium]I have a better example.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I grew up in Soviet Union, in severely restricted, constantly harassed, always under surveillance, barely tolerated Pentecostal church. One of two Protestant churches in two million population city. (there was a couple of “orthodox” churches where priest was KGB snitch and you could come and light up candle at front of some icon).[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]In late 1980s as country opened up it was flooded with Hollywood filth, porn and followed was a flood of preachers and “evangelists” from the very same country coming to teach us how to be Christians.[/SIZE]

The good and the bad all come from the USA :). Flies hand around the light.

 

[Suhar]

The good and the bad all come from the USA :). Flies hand around the light.

I do not know about that. Flies hang around some rather nasty things that smell bad.