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NASB | 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God's truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, |
Bible Question:
Here is a news item I came acroos today from Agape Press. I am interested in your comments concerning the article below. Do you agree, or disagree with the author's statements? Pastor Says Some Churches Seizing Christ's Lordship with 'Reinvented' Gospel By Jim Brown January 23, 2004 (AgapePress) - A well-known Christian author and pastor is concerned that a growing number of Evangelical ministers are watering down the gospel message in order to be "seeker sensitive." Dr. John MacArthur says many Evangelical pastors are presenting what he calls a "reinvented designer pop gospel" in hopes of making Christianity appear more attractive or culturally relevant. The pastor of Grace Community Church in San Valley, California, says those who preach in that fashion have a weak view of the authority and power of scripture. "I think it encompasses a weak view of the honor and the power of God and Christ," MacArthur says bluntly. "In other words, I think you're basically usurping the Lordship of Christ over His Church -- you're saying, 'I'm going to stand here and give a message that I think is better than the one that Christ gave.'" Such an attitude, he says, is "a frightening thing to think about." MacArthur believes it is becoming harder than ever to find an Evangelical church that is not compromising the gospel. He says small churches that remain true to God's Word and do not embrace a user-friendly gospel are often viewed today as "archaic" and "unsuccessful." "The huge crowds are drawn by lowering all the standards," he says, citing such apporaches as a "minimalist gospel," an entertainment mentality, and creation of a social environment that attracts people by promising them "the path to success" and better economic status. "You know ... 'You'll do better in your job, your career, your family, your marriage, etc.'" he says. "Those are the kinds of things that are sold on the 'felt need' counter." In his recently published book Hard to Believe, MacArthur contends that many professing Christians do not understand what it means to be a disciple of Christ because they are seeking an experience rather than a person. He also takes aim at the so-called "health-and-wealth" and "name-it-and-claim-it" gospels. Posted by New Creature |
Bible Answer: New Creature I agree 100 percent. But let us also be fair while many pastors are making terrible decisions and watering down the Word the fact remains the congregation "can't handle the truth."(to borrow some words from the movie “A Few Good Men”). People don't want to hear the truth they want their ears tickled and that should surprise none of us. 2 Tim. 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; [4] and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. Think about it for a moment. We have allowed ministry to become a profession rather than a calling. These professional men are seeing their church decline because the people can't handle the truth. They see their careers dissolving, its the only profession they know, what are they do? They do just what we see happening they sell out. But before we lay all the blame on them remember it was the peoples desire not to hear the truth that partially started the whole cycle. I believe a lot of this happened because in our zeal to teach grace we have eliminated any personal responsibility of holiness. We as a society have almost written out responsibility. If we steal it is because the companies are making too much money anyhow. If we kill it is because of our misguided youth, or aggression caused by stress of living. If we divorce it is because we have come from separate backgrounds that eventually made it impossible to us to find common ground. If we abuse it is because we are victims of abuse. If we are drug dependant we have a disease. If we do anything bad it is because of something other than personal decision for which we could held responsible. However it is all us if it is good. As long as the people are satisfied with lies that is what the they will get. When people start hunting for the truth they can find it. God's truth still is taught by many faithful preachers of the Word. However in most cases these churches aren't the fastest growing with the most programs churches these are the little churches on the corneer that get passed every Sunday by the families that are hunting for the church that has something for everyone. EdB |