Paul's Passing Thoughts

Noah’s wife must have been an interesting person. Imagine being married to one of the few men on earth who is right. If Noah wasn’t a compromiser, and I tend to think he wasn’t, Noah’s wife would have lived in isolation for the most part. I was surprised to find a significant amount of data on her. Though it is debatable, some think her name was Emzara, but that assertion is mostly tradition. Her major role in Noah’s ministry was behind the scenes, and apparently, she never did anything to rock the boat. Pun intended.

I will admit it, I have the best commenters here at PPT available on the internet. They are not many, but they are thinkers. They also love the truth. Some, like Lisa, are searching. Not for A truth, but for THE truth. That’s important. Lisa is an anti-type of the kind of “Christianity” that the apostles predicted would be prevalent in the last days. Here is her comment:

Hi, Paul-

I have been reading through your posts for a few months. I am on a truth quest, and have been awakening over the course of the last 15 months to the amazing amount if deception in the American church. I must say I am greatly dismayed–it seems that any teacher of note is a fraud of some sort. We spent years in the SBC, then went looking for something “real.”

After escaping the mindless crush of Stepford Christianity (seeker driven/church growth), and awakening to the underlying dogma (courtesy of Peter Drucker), I began looking into the various reformed denoms. Early on, we discarded the YRR/ Driscoll crowd. After some investigation and disappointment, Piper was out. Then, I began to look at the differences between Calvinism and Lutheranism.

That is about where I came across your blog. You make very compelling arguments against Luther, Calvin, Protestantism as a whole, and virtually every remaining pastor I hoped had something helpful to teach. I am not saying I think you are wrong, but I have a pretty good idea of what you DON’T believe, but no clue what you DO believe. What is left? Help!

Thanks!

Lisa

While writing this post, I received an email that echo’s Lisa’s concerns as well. The writer’s identity is protected by referring to her as “Jane Doe.”

Hi, I came across your blog while doing my own research on James MacDonald and his controversies.  I have read through many of your past blogs and comments, in particular those relating to Calvinism.

Honestly, my head is spinning and my heart aching because I don’t know whether I am an even bigger fool than I thought for falling for MacDonald’s dog n pony show, or am I heading down another path of false teaching/opinions.

When I read your blog and others’ with your same opinions I realize that basically everything I listen to on Moody radio is essentially a farce.  YIKES!..  I really thought I was headed down the right path but now I think I might be a Calvinist and I am alarmed by this.

I’m just a mom, raised in the [omitted] tradition. I attended a [omitted] university and over the last 20 years found myself clinging to Moody radio and my local congregation. I’m questioning Moody and am wary of most churches because they all seem to tout McArthur, Piper, Francis Chan, Rick Warren, Platt and guys lined up with JM.

I’m afraid I researched myself out of any affiliation with anyone.  All I can hope for is to read my Bible with fresh eyes.

Sorry, you take the brunt of my sadness.

Jane Doe

Everybody just stop right now. Jane and Lisa are asking the same thing: “Where is THE truth???”  When the truth is hard to find for truth-lovers, that’s a bad life. But Jane and Lisa are in a good place filled with hope. Jane and Lisa are experiencing what the apostles said would be taking place in the “latter part of the latter days.” This is twofold. First, “Christians” will be looking for A truth rather than THE truth:

2Timithy 4:3 – For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Secondly, sound doctrine will not be tolerated.

Is this not descriptive of the day we are in?

As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

This is in a manner of speaking, it won’t be technically as bad (the gates of hell will not prevail against the church), but why do thousands upon thousands of “Christians” pay 100-400 dollars each plus travel expenses to hear from mere men with a bunch of Plato Academy titles after their names? It’s insane. These men will not give an account for our lives before Christ, and Lisa-n-Jane know it. They are taking responsibility for the sum and substance of their own lives before God—the lives that bear their names. Good for them.

Salvation is NOT found in Augustine’s institutional church; Jane and Lisa know that also.

Now, we first address Lisa’s question:

…but I have a pretty good idea of what you DON’T believe, but no clue what you DO believe. What is left? Help!

What we do believe can be found here, here, here, here, and here. TANC is a research institute that is also offering alternatives to the false Protestant church. Like Lisa, we are on a “truth quest” as well. Welcome to the quest Lisa. Christ said that those who seek truth will find it. The quest’s end is assured. TANC is far from claiming to have all of the answers, but we are developing frameworks to help the priesthood of believers in their exodus away from the Augustinian church here, here. and here.

The alternative is the unpublicized massive home fellowship movement afoot in this country. Christians are figuring out that the authority of the church is found in the Scriptures, not an institution created by Platonists. TANC is trying to set the example with The Potter’s House Home Fellowship movement. This is not difficult. We meet every Sunday night at 6pm for a fellowship meal. At 7pm, we have a Bible lesson till 8pm, and then more fellowship.

“But where in the world would we start if we decided to do that?” Well, can you cook and talk? That takes care of the fellowship part. As far as the Bible study part, we have several key studies to help people get started. Our study through the book of Romans is very foundational in regard to a framework to start with. Some people merely print copies of our Romans series, read them, and have a group discussion. This is not a difficult start. Let the authority of God’s word guide you from there.

Have you been duped? I will only speak for my wife Susan and myself. Susan and I have 80 years of Christian experience between us, and we have learned more in the past year than we have in all of our Christian lives. Were we formally duped by the traditions of men?

Yes. Big time.

paul