Satan's Strategy to Curse Christ's Congregation

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Contents

Foreword: By Dr. Andy Woods.........................................................................................................................xixPreface.............................................................................................................................................xxiiiIntroduction: Satan Hates Christ and His Bride......................................................................................................xxviiChapter 1. Faith Expressed in Love: A Prerequisite to Any Presentation..............................................................................1Chapter 2. Satan's Stealthy Strategy to Saturate Saints with Sin....................................................................................7Chapter 3. Recognizing the Foundational Signs of a Healthy Church...................................................................................17Chapter 4. A Four Prong Church System of Non-Negotiable Essentials: Doctrinal; Epistemological; Hermeneutical; Apologetical.........................41Chapter 5. God's Revelation States Each NT Church Had Elders........................................................................................63Chapter 6. Voting In or Out Elders is a Sign of the Drift Towards Apostasy..........................................................................95Chapter 7. Some Main Arguments by Congregationalists Examined by the Testimony of Scripture and Logic...............................................103Chapter 8. Twelve Practical/Experiential Benefits of an Eldership Team..............................................................................139Chapter 9. Common Questions About the Doctrine of Eldership.........................................................................................165Chapter 10. To be a Church of Faith, Hope, and Love there must be Spiritual Parents to Rule in Love Over the Spiritual Children.....................181Appendix: Southern Baptists, An Unregenerate Denomination, by Southern Baptist Pastor Jim Elliff....................................................185Bibliography........................................................................................................................................197

Chapter One

Karl Barth, the famous liberal (Neo-Orthodox) theologian, once noted that a "theological work is a good work when it is permitted to be done in love. It is a good work only there (but nevertheless there with certainty) where it is resolutely done in love. Therefore, love alone counts." Though I'm personally a firm believer in the divine and verbal inspiration of Scripture unlike Karl Barth who erred and believed in a form of partial inspiration, it remains true that his point applies equally to all people alike today regardless of theological tradition—conservative, liberal, moderate, Catholic, Protestant, or any other persuasion or mixture of faith.

Regretfully, speaking from an evangelical position it appears that in many cases conservative, Bible-believing, evangelical Protestants have the right doctrine yet the wrong spirit or attitude, especially when defending some doctrine from the sacred Scriptures. Such attitudes have been noted by many others, such as within Roman Catholicism. Writer Philip St. Romain has noted that those coming from the "fundamentalist" version of Christianity often "tend to be very intolerant of others whose beliefs differ from theirs, and they don't always express this in respectful ways."

In the eyes of many, some defenders of the faith have presented their positions from a cold and less than loving demeanor. This act of defending the faith (Jude 3), which is certainly important, without a proper attitude of respect towards those with different views remains a "log in the eye" (Matt. 7:4) of many who claim the title of "conservative."

When such things happen, every true evangelical ought to agree that "Christian faith is not merely a matter of who has right doctrine, but of empowering people to know God in Christ and to love as he loved." For it was Apostle Paul who clearly stated, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love" (Gal. 5:6 ESV). Furthermore, it was Paul who said, "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest is love" (1 Cor. 13:13). As Barth noted, "love really counts. It builds up." A serious danger looms over the horizon for both the presenter and receiver when love does not lead the way of presentation.

Though it is recognized that Jesus Christ lived a very controversial life, probably the most controversial life known to earthly history, one must never use that as an excuse to intentionally cause a controversy. Should, within God's providential rule, controversy naturally arise from the presentation of the doctrine itself, even when done in the proper manner and right time, then a person may rest comfortably within the peace of God.

But to intentionally cause conflict violates the doctrine of love and such acts receive a sharp rebuke from God who said Christians ought to have "nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies" for such situations "breed quarrels" (2 Tim. 2:23). Interestingly, Paul's admonition rests within the context of counsel to "flee youthful passions" (2 Tim. 2:22). It may very well be that he, Paul, recognized how younger people in the faith (maybe even physical and spiritual age youthfulness) like to wage war against the people that are perceived to be antagonists towards the truth. Certainly Proverbs notes the strength in young men (Prov. 20:29).

Therefore, it seems probable and reasonable to believe that a youthful person in spiritual maturity will more easily engage in diabolical debate than, say, an older person would simply due to the emotional and physical levels of strength he or she may have.

Having noted that, however, one should not conclude that debate, dialogue, or even defense of doctrine automatically excludes love. Paul certainly stood as one of the most adamant defenders of the faith in his day. He defended the faith tirelessly in synagogues, within the city, and even within wayward geographical churches and did so in the Spirit of love. Sometimes people mistakenly assume that aggressive or avid articulation of some doctrine means a person is less than loving. One need not make such a hasty conclusion (Converse Accident error), which is in and of itself a violation of not only love but the philosophical principles that exist within the very concept of love.

Yet if such reasoning were allowed to stand without a swift denunciation one would have to conclude that not only was Apostle Paul unloving for defending the faith, but that even the God-Man, Jesus Christ, lived an unloving life, for he debated, denounced, and dialogued over doctrine throughout his entire ministry on earth, especially with the religious leaders of his day. Such ideology has grown from the root of postmodern philosophy that has blossomed under the practical emphasis known as the "New Tolerance." It attempts to assert that if a person defends one position as right above another position that he or...