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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'm going to agree! I think we're seeing a rapid departure from the Gospel as MacArthur suggests. The truth of 2 Timothy 2:15 is on the verge of becoming a lost art. Consequently, Bible knowledge and study of the Word are seriously neglected and even ignored! We see this magnified immensly at an evermore increasing rate on the likes of TBN. I encourage people to watch, simply to see the abberant doctrines and end-runs around the Word of God. The majority of the "teaching" is nothing more than spiritual "junk-food". It may taste good and even fill you, but in the long run it's harmful. It is a sad, yet telling picture of our times. Yet, we're not ignorant of satan's devices. We need to proclaim the truth, relevance, and authority of God's Word more than ever. I often ponder the meaning of Phil.1:15-18 and wonder if we've not strayed! Certainly some of the growth of "Mega-Churches" and the like can be attributed to God's Spirit moving in peoples hearts. I don't want to discount or minimalize that. However, I do feel that much of this is because of the "watering down" of the Gospel message, etc. to make it more appealing and draw larger numbers. Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |