The Neo-Protestant Happy Death Culture
TANC Ministries is presently in the middle of a book project that will hopefully produce a finished product by our 2016 conference in August. In the midst of the grind, one is reminded of why somebody has to do this. What is the this? And what reminds me of the why?
TANC Ministries attempts to supply a service to people searching for the truth. It’s a valid service because the Bible states that something comes part and parcel with the new birth (salvation); a love for the truth. That is the tie that binds, a mutual love for the truth.
When I was young I didn’t think truth could be known, and therefore, life looked futile to me and I lived it out according to that attitude. But life brings challenges resulting in a search for meaning, and I thought I found it in the Baptist church. I did find God, and then spent 32 years trying to make sense of church. Finally, the right church folk came along and ruined my life, and as a result, unwittingly set me free to pursue truth without their presuppositions. I was so thoroughly betrayed by the church that everything I had ever learned there was not salvageable for any use in the new journey.
Paul’s Passing Thoughts is the blog for TANC Ministries. There are over 2000 articles posted here. They are pieces of the journey. Presently, several people are scouring these articles trying to make their own sense of church. Some keep in regular contact with this ministry, others don’t for whatever reason. It’s painful to watch as I can track their process; some are up to 400 articles.
This is why I am working on this project with the help of other TANC associates; I want a book that I can hand these people and say, “Here, this will explain it.” That’s what I want. I want to be able to summarize the most important things I have learned in the past eight years and hand it to them on a silver platter. I want them to know in one month what it took me eight years to learn. That’s my joy, that’s what I live for.
What is the most important message that people must get in this book? Answer: the Reformation was NOT founded on an exegetical interpretation of the Bible. Yes, that is the filthy lie of the Protestant Reformation, sola scriptura, and behind that lie is the reality of the Reformation: it was founded on a worldview that finds happiness in hating life. When we see a picture of a Middle East terrorist holding up a head without a body with a big smile on his face, we don’t see a Protestant, but we should. Is that an outrageous statement? Get over it…I can prove it.
In my book, no pun intended, standing up at your father’s funeral and proclaiming him a “wicked sinner” with a proud look on your face is barely less honorable. You can add to that idea that Protestantism holds the keys to your salvation through membership in their local churches. No, no, a Protestant won’t cut off your head because of American jurist prudence, they will merely have your name removed from the book of life for daring to refute their authority. Gee, no terrorism there in the least.
This brings me to the post sent to my email yesterday that reminds me of why I have to do this project, and with the help of our wonderful associates, it must be done well. The post came from a typical New Calvinist mommy blog. The article is indicative of how the original Reformation ideology of death is manifested in our present day. On the one hand, the author of the blog is, “a wife, mom, & seeker of joy!” And what is the worldview that brings this happiness? The same worldview she prescribes for her children: “…feel less than. Esteem not yourself. Feel lonely. Feel unworthy. Feel unaccomplished. Feel small. Feel lost. Feel broken. Feel least. For if you believe you are greater than, your father and I have failed miserably. Among the broken you will find Christ. My prayer for you is that you see Him everywhere.”
Well, there you have it. Imagine laying on a hospital gurney, prepped for major surgery, and hoping that the surgeon performing the operation is a Christian. And in fact he is. And so he comes in and introduces himself with a big, big smile on his face: “Hi! My name is Bob! I am no better than Adolf Hitler, unworthy, and unaccomplished; praise God!” Also, per the normal, the article includes at least one snarkey reference to America because this ideology disdains individualism; their nuanced word for everyday “freedom.” Neo-Protestantism is no friend of liberty, and the original article never was.
What kind of havoc will this worldview wreak in the lives of people? I have seen it for 32 years. Many have struggled in the milieu of this ideology for years and are looking for answers in order to know whether to stay or go, and where to go if leaving is the answer. That’s what this project is about: answers for truth-lovers.
And in regard to the researchers coming to PPT, we could use you. If the book fills your needs, that’s the proof that’s in the pudding. If you are a typical dumbed-down Protestant looking for answers—you are perfect. Join the editing committee. If you have interest in that regard, email the PPT moderator, Pearl, at mail@ttanc.com
What you are looking for, what you understand, and what you don’t understand would be invaluable information.
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
As you know, I am NOT Augustinian (nor Lutheran or Calvinist…) but re your comment on self esteem, I just wanted to bring to mind: 2 Timothy 3:2, Ephesians 5:29, Philippians 2:3, and 1 Timothy 1:15…But maybe I didn’t understand what you were meaning.
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M.E.Q,
Let me make sure I know what you are getting at. What do any of those verses have to do with the biblical definition of self-esteem? And I fail to see what statement I made specifically in regard to that subject. Are you speaking of a logical conclusion drawn from what I wrote?
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Well, I wasn’t exactly sure what the Mommy Blogger was meaning about “esteem not yourself”, etc., and also what you were meaning as you responded on the opposite tack. Scripture doesn’t encourage us to think of ourselves more highly than we ought, and we are to put others before ourselves. I think it may be ‘what’ is motivating how we are thinking or feeling, that makes the difference between ‘theology’ and Scripture.
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The Bible is VERY clear on its definition of self-esteem. We are to assess ourselves…TRUTHFULLY. High self-esteem is a reward for pleasing God and doing well, and the Christian is rewarded accordingly. The Bible states that a feeling of accomplishment is a gift from God. Accomplishment builds confidence, and confidence is contrary to fear. Christians are not to live in fear of condemnation, but are to only fear when they don’t do well. Not being selfish and love towards others is altogether a different issue. And trust me, if necessary, I can Scripture stack my case here…if need be. But all in all, moral equivalency is just a big fat lie, and has one primary purpose: CONTROL.
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OK, I guess I was confusing self esteem with being self-centered or selfish. There is a difference when we look for God’ praise/approval as opposed to man’s.
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That is a great analogy with the doctor! Oh, the illustrations that come to mind….the building engineer we trust for sound buildings, child care workers, etc, etc.
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Lydia,
Ya right, let’s do the daycare thing. You bring little Johnny in the front door of the daycare center day one and are greeted by the director: “Hi! My name is Carly Calvinist! How are you? I am no better than Lizzy Bordan, unaccomplished, and unworthy. And, I think humanity is nothing but ‘worms crawling upon the earth.’ So, Johnny, are you ready for your first day?”
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