A Free-Writing Theses: The Silent Identity Crisis of Western Evangelicalism
As Western Christians, what do we want to call ourselves? The assumption among evangelicals is that you are either Catholic or Protestant. There are Catholics, Protestants, and their denominational variances, and “cults.” This is the generally accepted motif due to the traditions of men and misinformation. If we understand a proper definition of each, a fourth category is needed. This is the silent identity crisis of Western Christianity; few of us know who we really are.
“Evangelicalism” sought to be that fourth option in the 18th and 19th centuries. The problem with that follows: the movement held fast to the basic premises of Protestantism. This middle of the road option sold big because of a fundamental en mass misconception of what the Protestant gospel states.
The fact is, you can scarcely slip a playing card in-between the gospels of Protestantism and Catholicism except for the fact that Catholics are more honest; they readily admit that justification is not a finished work and you need the church to help you finish the work. Luther and Calvin admitted that believers have to participate in the finishing of justification, but Calvin asserted that it is really not works salvation because God predetermines who is going to persevere and who isn’t. Wonderful.
However, this is all prefaced with a like caveat: Calvin’s “power of the keys.” Whatever the right pastors bind on earth will be bound in heaven. Being interpreted: if the church likes you, you’re probably going to make it. Have you ever wondered why religion is such a big business? Have you ever wondered why the church is preferred over justice? Clearly, Calvin believed in elder absolution in the exact same way that Catholics believe in priestly absolution. In no uncertain terms, Calvin stated that a perpetual forgiveness of sins needed to sustain justification can only be found in the institutional church.
Why does this surprise us? Luther and Calvin were Augustinians, and the three never repented of being Catholics. In fact, Catholics and Protestants both claim Augustine as the father of their orthodoxy. “Orthodoxy” is a more contemporary form of mythology. In ancient times, mythology was the catechism, creeds, and confessions of the first religion institutionalized by the kingdom of darkness: Spiritual Caste. Instead of ONE mediator between God and man, the enlightened are mediators of truth between God and the great unwashed unenlightened masses. The enlightened understand truth that the masses will never understand, but in order to guide them to the hereafter, they publish truth that can be understood by the unenlightened masses; ie., orthodoxy which is a more polished form of mythology. The latter is part and parcel with the earliest forms of Spiritual Caste. The former is historically attached to the Reformation. And from the very beginnings of civilization, Spiritual Caste is one and the same with state—the union of faith and force.
Cults were born with the advent of separation of church and state. Principles of cultism transcend all stripes of religion because cults replace the enforcement of orthodoxy by the state with mind control, manipulation, propaganda, and fear. Evangelical academia is the Catholic form of Popeism and a major tool of that propaganda. Cults are an 18th century phenomenon and the etymology of the word does not precede that era. Non-cults are Protestants that restrain themselves from their lust to control and be a mediator other than Christ; therefore, they are not cults, but cultism aways lingers in the Protestant heart.
A true and real fourth option must emerge. It will recognize that justification is a finished work and sanctification progresses separately. It will recognize that sanctification is powered by regeneration and not justification. Those who protest that some Protestants believe this should also insist that such people defer from calling themselves Protestants. Catholicism and Protestantism both are based on progressive justification.
An endeavor for the definition must come forth. This movement must reject Protestantism and all of its bastard children out of hand. It must recognize Protestantism for the false gospel that it is. It must throw out the Protestant baby with the bathwater. It must know that a “little leaven leavens the whole lump.” It must insist on individual responsibility regarding a relationship with the one mediator and reject the traditions of men. It must uphold the freedom of the individual to seek God on their own and reject religious collectivism. Though it recognizes the necessity of fellowship and unity in the truth, it will emphasize the individual and the gifts granted by God to every person born into the world. It will see every member as crucial to the functioning of the body.
This is where true revival for God’s glory will take place. This is where the fellowship of believers will see God working for themselves without a play by play interpretation by the spiritual elite. Yes, it is a call to fear God more than men.
Are Christians Losing Their Voice in the World Because They are Just Plain Stupid?
I was born again in 1983, but being saved by God does not automatically fix stupid in the here and now. The first stupid thing I did was to join a Baptist church because, by golly, I was saved and I was going to do this Christian thing the right way. Though a selfish sinner ruled by lust, like all of humanity, I had some good God-given qualities; i.e., I took satisfaction in doing a quality job. I brought that quality with me into my Christian life.
To some degree I am not at fault. How was I to know that Baptists are Protestants? How was I to know that Baptists would teach me the ways of Protestant orthodoxy? How was I to know that the fathers of Protestantism despised reason?
Are Protestants stupid? Sure they are. What other breed of homosapien would invest thousands of dollars to learn extensive knowledge about a religion founded by men who believed mankind to be totally depraved and unable to properly understand reality? Stupid? Maybe “sane” is the better question; who endeavors to earn a PhD in total depravity? Moreover, consider the fact that men who earn these nomenclatures of knowledge that plunges the depths of man’s incompetence are themselves men of renown and respected as knowledgeable about knowing nothing.
Yes, supposedly, according to Calvin and Luther, when Paul told the Corinthians that he knew nothing but Christ and Him crucified, he wasn’t talking about knowledge of other gospels, he was talking about the “foolishness of the cross.” Hence, the world rejects the cross because they believe man can know something of value other than the salvific work of Christ. They therefore see the cross as “foolishness.” Calvin and Luther mocked the thinkers of their day and ridiculed those who proposed that the Earth was round and the solar system was in motion. Their serial killing children, the Puritans, attributed the exploits of Benjamin Franklin to demonic powers. Any knowledge other than the cross is not the “cross story,” it is the “glory story.” The glory of man rather than the glory of God.
The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. As a pastor, I saw no need whatsoever to learn any “vain philosophy,” and certainly didn’t learn any in high school or seminary. In both cases, Plato is a touchy subject. The Colonial Puritans were ridiculed for being Platonists by their Aristocratic detractors who were children of the same Enlightenment movement that clearly saved Europe from being a third world country shrouded in superstition. The Puritans founded our public school system. They also founded the Ivy League schools from which all of our seminaries came. These were prodigies of Socrates and Plato who defined true wisdom as knowing nothing.
From that gene pool came the Gnostics who defined the “secret knowledge” in the same way. Basically, they were peddlers of happiness in the midst of knowing nothing: “Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” And if you messed up the unity and happiness of the communal group led by those with the gnosis, you died a lot sooner.
So, what in the world philosophy inspired this rant? Some time ago, it came to my attention that an atheist website reposted one of my articles in a favorable light. Even after being awakened to the importance of world philosophy and ideas by church historian John Immel, I was horrified. Certainly, I had to then consider that what Calvinists say about me may be true; am I really an “enemy of the cross”? Worse yet, this is a website that has a global rating of 609 with Alexa, that’s #609 worldwide (Google is #1). This multiplied the horror of my evil deed even more. Certainly, if these atheists liked what I wrote, it was pure evil!
Fearfully, I reread the post in order to come to grips with my horrific folly. Soon the fear turned to utter disbelief. The post pointed to the authoritative wisdom of God in the Scriptures. Huh? I reread it again; why would they promote these ideas on their blog? The post, at least in my estimation, assumed metaphysical interpretation via the Bible. So, I stuck around and read some other articles on the website. Clearly, I perceived more of a problem with stupidity than with God. In fact, I couldn’t find any article that had a problem with God in particular; the consistent theme seemed to be that Christians are anti-reason, and my friends, it is no less a fact that Luther called reason a filthy whore that should have dung rubbed in her face to make her ugly.
Now enter what I perceive going on among contemporary Christian youth in our day, especially after our mission to the Cross Conference in Louisville this past weekend. The youth that were attracted to that conference are thinkers. Granted, they are hindered by Churchianity, but the desire is to be thinkers well equipped for battle in the arena of ideas. That is what draws them to this vein of Calvinism from the T4G camp—it is perceived as being an intellectual Christianity. It’s bogus, but nevertheless, T4G does a good job of selling themselves that way, compliments of hard cash from the working class laity. Hence, this particular group of youth are ripe unto harvest if you make your case. My friends, this is good news.
Now consider the Passion variety of youth (Louie Giglio versus Al Mohler et al). They are where the Louisville group will eventually end up if something isn’t done. The Passion group is quintessential Gnosticism. Louisville really hatched a vision for us, but we are researching in order to ascertain whether or not the Passion crowd is too far gone at this point. Furthermore, the youth we encountered in Louisville are more likely to be heard by those beckoning for Christianity to show itself reasonable. By the way, John Piper is the bridge between the two movements. But with both movements, a transition from less teaching to more experience orientation can be clearly seen.
When it gets right down to it, Western religion and culture is predicated on the debate between Plato and Aristotle. How ironic that the contemporary Calvinists of our day maximize the use of the very technology that their mentors despised. Though they hate Aristotle and the children he bore like Ayn Rand, without them, Al Mohler would be just another Hindu priest adding to the pollution of the Ganges River with cremation grounds. In the same way that those priests proclaim that horribly polluted river a place of purifying, Al Mohler and company are living contradictions.
At any rate, ignorance of these matters has not served Christianity or our society well. Christians do error if they think that they do not have to choose the reality that they will function in. Until Christians can define their reality, they will look stupid and act stupid. The Neo-Calvinist leaders of our day do not want our youth to know that they must make that choice, for if they do not understand the reality that they live in and how it functions intellectually…complete control is imminent.
Our ignorance of these matters is evident because we don’t understand why 900 people would voluntarily stand in line before a giant vat full of flavored poison. This is not complicated: those who interpret realty for others dictate perception. Why was I so horrified that atheists posted my article? Why was I so horrified that they listened?
I still have a lot to learn about how the world works.
paul
An Answer for Lisa and Jane Doe
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
Does the Law Really Lead People to Christ by Revealing Sin Only?
The insanely celebrated return to our Reformed roots teaches the following about the law:
We are unable to keep the law perfectly. And since a perfect keeping of the law is the standard for righteousness required to live with God forever, our inability to keep the law perfectly leads us to Christ who must keep/fulfill it for us. As Christians, we continue to use the law in this way to “preach the gospel to ourselves.” The more we use the law to show our innate sinfulness, the more we experience “vivification” (a joyful, perpetual rebirth).
The bogus idea that perfect law-keeping is justification’s standard aside, the most popular text that supposedly supports this idea is Galatians 3:24 –
So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
To make that verse work, “guardian” (paidagōgos) is often translated as “tutor.” That’s a stretch. The word is better translated “protector”:
Among the Greeks and the Romans the name was applied to trustworthy slaves who were charged with the duty of supervising the life and morals of boys belonging to the better class. The boys were not allowed so much as to step out of the house without them before arriving at the age of manhood (Strong’s Dictionary).
Furthermore, the Reformed gospel teaches that the law is used by the Christian for this same purpose in our Christian walk—to continually lead us closer and closer to Christ by showing forth sin. This blatantly contradicts the context of the passage:
Galatians 3:25 – But now that faith has come, we are no longer [added] under a guardian,
Reformed doctrine clearly teaches that Christians are still under the law’s purpose to show us a deeper and deeper need for Christ and His grace as we see our own sinfulness in a deeper and deeper way. In other words, for Christians, God’s word still has a redemptive purpose. This is the basis for Historic Redemptive hermeneutics. However, even in regard to the lost, the showing forth of sin is only one purpose for the law, but far from being the only one.
Primarily, the law shows forth life. This is by far the primary theme of law throughout the Scriptures. The law shows forth the wisdom of God, and the wellbeing (blessings) of those who follow it. The law is also framed in the context of promise much more than it is judgment.
This gets into the major crux of the Reformed false gospel; the fusion of justification and sanctification concepts. The blessings of law-keeping can be experienced by unbelievers and believers alike, but such cannot obtain eternal life. The point is that the law shows forth life as much as it does death. It shows both. Again, this is a constant theme throughout the Scriptures. Who will deny that unbelievers will have a higher quality of life to the degree that they follow God’s law? No, it can’t gain salvation for them, but the law brings horizontal blessings by virtue of its wisdom.
Point in case:
1Peter 3:1 – Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
In this passage, the husband is not won over by the wife demonstrating how sinful we are and our subsequent need for Christ; she is showing forth the blessings of being a believer. These are blessings that he is also experiencing because the home is sanctified by her presence:
1Corinthians 7:14 – For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
So, there is a sense in which the unbelieving spouse is blessed by the believing one. The law not only shows forth sin, but also shows forth life. The latter is the way the law leads people to Christ just as much as the former.
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
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