Protestantism and the Gnostic Resurgence
Mind triggers. Every time I see one of these advertisements for a “Christian” Alaska cruise I am reminded of how our present age is truly defined: it is a resurgence of the exact same Gnosticism that wreaked havoc on the 1st century assembly of Christ. Whether a pricy cruise/Bible study hosted by the Protestant philosopher king of your choice, or a Christian conference in Palm Springs, it is indicative of the fact that Gnosticism has always been a rich person’s game.
Why? First, money affords one the opportunity to wallow in a stimulating philosophy that doesn’t really work in real life. People who make between 20,000 and 50,000 per year with both spouses working do not have time for mysticism and would certainly end up homeless if they stopped long enough to partake in it. Protestantism is the same old song and dance of ancient caste which goes hand in hand with Gnosticism.
The institutional church in general, and the Protestant church in particular, is totally controlled by the rich and powerful. The power is defined by authoritative expertism and elitism; aka, the gnosis. When John MacArthur Jr. and many others host pricy events that exclude the serf class of Christianity by virtue of money alone, nobody even blinks.
So, these congregations are “families” and not caste institutions? Since when do families go on vacations with only part of the family? It’s a valid question; the church is earmarked for pricey events that exclude the church serf class. The only exception is potluck dinners where the serfs do most of the work. In fact, here is a better illustration: in caste societies, the elitist educated class does little work in the same way that pastors are supported by the working serfs.
Moreover, pastorates are cushy elitist jobs occupied by some of the laziest people on earth. Pastors spend most of their time hanging out in their offices reading the latest book by some other Protestant hack, going out to lunch and dinner with other pastors and rich congregants, or attending conferences paid for by the church serf class.
Pastors are little more productive than congressional politicians. I know, I was a Protestant pastor for years and experienced the pastorate culture up close and personal. I remember, while at a conference, hearing one staff pastor laugh about being able to go golfing after long elder meetings while the lay-elders had to go to work the next day, or in essence, that morning. And if I stated the guy’s name here in this post, most readers would know who he is.
As far as studying to show themselves approved, most pastors use canned orthodox outlines. Few professions on earth are more useless.
Like Catholicism, historical geo-economic conditions fail to hinder the building of splendid infrastructure and the lifestyles of elitist priests. This is because the serf class has bought into the ancient idea that salvation comes by approval from those who have the gnosis of Gnosticism. Regardless of financial hardship, God will smile on doing whatever it takes to support His “authority on earth” to the degree that they think they need supporting. Degree of assurance is measured by the degree of self-sacrifice that benefits these lazy self-proclaimed mediators that replace Christ as the only true mediator between God and mankind.
The better way is God’s family meeting as a family in a family home where all are recognized as part of “God’s holy nation of royal priests.” A literal family in a family setting naturally transcends caste elitism. In such an environment, the head needs more of a variety of gifts than the ability to give money because so much money isn’t needed to fund self-proclaimed authority by serial narcissists. This is a family setting dependent upon a fully functioning body that recognizes ONE authority and ONE mediator.
That being Christ, and Him alone. The Solus Christus of the institutional church is a lie, that mantra is only lived out in home fellowships.
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
“The only exception is potluck dinners where the serfs do most of the work.”
You forget, in the protestant/reformed church there is no such thing as a “potluck” dinner because every dish was pre-ordained by their sovereign god.
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It rather looks like an ad for a queer “Love Boat” cruise. It’s nine nautical miles past pathetic.
For “country”? Which one? For “King” Which one? Why? In Alaska? Huh? So, does God hide somewhere there in the cold? And then on the next tour, He is found somewhere else. The gullible is everywhere.
Want to read something beyond hilariously mind numbingly dead? Here you go:
http://www.inspirationcruises.com/-/blog/2017/02/08/a-european-tour-five-centuries-in-the-making/
This promo ends with these brain dead conclusions: “As you tour these fascinating landmarks, your appreciation for church history will deepen. Your love of the Bible will expand. Your understanding of the life-changing Gospel will reinvigorate your relationship with God. Come with us to explore the culture-shaking power of Scripture and reexamine the foundations of the Christian faith…The Reformation changed the world. Join us on a Reformation tour that will change you.”
LMBO
Money, money, money….
Sigh, there are even “spiritual tours” to Canada and Mexico? Pot involved? Saucy nightclubs and dirty women too?
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Brief comment regarding “….where the serfs do most of the work….” Having “been there”, I’d say it’s the female serfs that do most of the work, not only preparing a dish that will travel well to the potluck site, getting the kids ready, and then convincing the dad he really wants to go. Other female serfs are already at the potluck site preparing the tables, paper plates, etc. 🙂
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Agreed. Somebody ought to make a detailed hierarchy chart of the church caste system. I made a basic one, but there are many levels.
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I live very close to the “Death Star” of the SBC: Nashville, TN. I can attest to the fact that the church culture here is very disconnected with reality. Having attempted to get involved at a local homeschool co-op, we did not fit in at all. Lots of people there involved in expensive hobbies like horses and cruises. It’s not uncommon to have some hack from the ERLC pop in an guest preach at your little church.
Just 30 miles to the north of Nashville, you can still find what I would call “normal” churches. This is where the preacher is called by the title of Brother and the term “layperson” is not in the vocabulary. I’m sure some nefarious persons are working overtime trying to figure out how to ramrod contemporary music and dude bros into those situations. It’s interesting because up “on the ridge” where I am from, you won’t find many SBC churches, they are all Missionary and General Baptist Association churches. In the annals of the missionary baptists from the early 1900s, they decided the SBC was apostate. But you cannot find a Southern Gospel radio station here in Music City USA. You can, however, find Gnostic, commercialized contemporary blaring on at least five stations. Not the Southern Gospel is any better sometimes, but I find it odd. When I lived in Knoxville, I found a much different church culture.
The problem of the institution remains the same. What I see is a merger of the public school system with the workplace. When people go into that building, the psychologies of those environments take over and prevent the body acting as a family. Like Vernon McGee once said, “the Church began in the home, and it will end in the home.”
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I have had a long and interesting career in org development. After being in and out of zillions of organizations over the years nothing prepared me for the mega church world behind the stage. The day to day of what it takes to make the “production” and image possible is nothing like what the pew sitters think. I was ashamed of myself for not seeing it before then. Seriously. And that is my message. Stop and think about what it takes to make all of it possible and why it has nothing at all to do with Jesus Christ.
Now that is the mega world. But many of the same problems occur in smaller churches on a micro level. It’s all about the caste. I chuckle at people disgusted with the SBC who join the Episcopalians. (Liturgical is growing) I enjoy the music and simple messages of the Cathedral here now and then. Some of my daughters friends are musicians there so we visit. But seriously. It operates as a closed caste system with a strict hierarchy who decides who goes where. I mean, how do people really know what they are supporting up the caste chain? . Another friend’s older children left the mega disgusted and now attend Mass. same problem. Closed caste system. Which is why such heinous evil went on so long and was protected all the way up the caste chain. They simply get a new guy and it supposedly has all ended. Talk about naïveté!
I just don’t buy into the concept of Christianity as a “vocation” anymore. I first saw this in a big way behind the mega church stage years ago. It requires too many things are the very antithesis of the basics of Christianity. Such as Image, perception, continual flow of money, buildings, nicer buildings, entertainment, control, the cognitive dissonance of “servant- leadership”, etc.
I had to rethink it all. What had happened to me or to what I thought was Christianity? I grew up in a totally different church environment. The pastor was a employee and a brother. The members voted on everything including line items on budgets, etc. that sounds bad but the point was anyone who wanted to was involved,. Everyone gave their opinion or expertise then a vote. It’s not perfect but a far cry from the commercialized cult of personality and/or closed caste systems with special titles representing Christ…..that are popular now.
It seems as if Our entire society, in general, has decided that others know best for them and should take care of them whether it is spiritual or material. Self determined adults seem to be a memory of recent history. Don’t people see that the more power concentrated in a few –the more abuse and control there will be? They spend their lives looking and hoping for “godly leaders” or government solutions. And they convince themselves the ones they are supporting are just that.
I just disagree with that whole concept. It’s like being a perpetual child.
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“I just don’t buy into the concept of Christianity as a “vocation” anymore. I first saw this in a big way behind the mega church stage years ago. It requires too many things are the very antithesis of the basics of Christianity. Such as Image, perception, continual flow of money, buildings, nicer buildings, entertainment, control, the cognitive dissonance of “servant- leadership”, etc.”
I’ve said for years that being a pastor/church official today is a fake job. The only way it “works” is if you preach a doctrine where the plebeians need to have the transcendently enlightened constantly interpret reality for them (which boiles down to: tell you where and how to give up your resources, 10% + whatever you think not going to hell is worth).
With the age of literacy and access to all the manuscripts, not to mention blogs like this one, where Paul and Andy routinely and cleanly dismantle the gnostic lie, there is no point to the church besides making money for money’s sake. You might get a half decent social club out of it if you’re lucky.
I saw this push for profit, too, in SGM. You didn’t “have” to buy the CDs and the books, but on the other hand, if you were a “committed” member (read: a Christian; read: SAVED), you’d buy them because God wants you to. And you don’t say no to CJ…er, God.
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