The True Followers of Christ (Jerry Jenkins)

Mark said "Jerry has hit the nail on the head." I'm not so sure. It sounds a bit like the construction foreman who sent the new kid out to buy a left handed hammer. Made perfect sense to the new kid until he got to the hardware store and found out there was not such thing as a left handed hammer.

I like Jerry a lot. But that particular litany was perhaps too inclusive without some additional clarification. Specifically his next to last paragraph and the two points prior to that.

N MacDonald

Hello,

I would like to briefly critique Jerry's response.

First, though he says he would point others the Bible for them to learn how to become true followers of Christ, he only gives us a questionably related verse (John 14:6) for one to know more about servant Christianity.

Second, he says that the true servant are the ones who don't claim anything. That would disqualify all of the disciples, all the prophets, Paul, Jesus, the martyrs and many throughout history who did the exact opposite and proclaimed the gospel. The fact is that to be a servant of Christ does not mean we "don't claim anthing," but that we claim what is true as has been revealed in Scripture. This is often unpopular, but it does speak to matters of politics, abortion, homosexuality, brothers in sin, and the like.

Third, Jerry says, "A true follower of Christ - loves gays." While I know and have shown care and concern to a number of gay people, that is not a defining element of being Christian. Honestly, apart from sharing the gospel that they are in sin and in need of repentance to avoid eternal damnation, a "sevant" life of "love" will amount to nothing. That is the gospel and only by proclaiming the gospel of Christ can love be shown to them.

Fourth, he says, "A true follower of Christ - votes his heart and conscience." This is a post-medernistic answer and only undermines the work of the Spirit in the life of the Church. One's conscience is to be always subject to the Spirit through a proper understanding the Word. There is no contradiction in the Godhead, thus He will only lead His people to do that which is right. If two people vote differently on serious, ethical and moral issues, yet they vvote their conscience, we cannot say they are being led by the same spirit and, in turn, cannot say they are both "true followers of Christ."

There are other points I would like to make concerning Jerry's worldview, but I have not the time nor space to do so here. Without passing judgment on his relationship with the Lord or his spiritual state, I can still confidently say that he has a faulty epistemology, has fallen into the trappings of the post-modern, emerging/emergent church syndrome and is lacking in knowledge of a proper biblical hermeneutic. If any out there is interested in a more complete support for my biblical position, feel free to post a response and I will provide it.

Having read the responses from a number of those interviewed, it is almost like asking a number different people to describe the color "red" and getting some fairly descriptive answers. The only problem is: each of them is colorblind to the color "red."

Thank you for making these things possible to discuss ini an iontellectual, gracious manner.

Blessings,
jt

Now I think Jerry has come close to hitting the nail on the head.

It is unlikely, were you to pull five "authentic" Christians off the street, that you would get them to agree on most of those issues. So I suspect the real question becomes does it matter? Does it matter that I am a Calvinist or Arminian? Baptist or Methodist? Pre or Post Millenial? Sprinkled or immersed? Republican or Democrat? Really...does it matter?

Or is what matters -- whether or not I love the Lord with all my heart, my mind, and my soul and love my neighbor as myself? I think Scot McKnight calls it the "Jesus Creed". Short of stripping the Gospel of grace and diluting it of its power to convict and convince - social responsibility, in many respects, is what makes love equal life.

"...Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will never center the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:20)

Oh, I forgot...yes I think it does matter - around the "coffee table", but not in the street where people are hurting and dying for the love of God!

We should just have nothing to do with people that support abortion and homosexuality. Both are behaviors that "certain kinds of people" will not repent of. The New Testament record supports this.

Maybe the evangelical wing of Christianity is changing, because in my mind for as many yrs as I can remember it has been a group of intolerant follwers of Paulian Christianity that didn't really care much about what Jesus said, only what their brand of Christianity taught, which seemed to be all the things you just mentioned.

Hating Homosexuals, (unless you happened to be a leader that was one) Hating sinful nature, (unless you were sinful) Hating enviromentalists, ( unless your local river was so dirty people were dying)
and suporting a President even if he got us involved in wars that were indefensible.

I was a Reagan Democrat, but now I am going back to the Democrat Party for good, as I am sickened at this presidency.

I pray that Evangelicals will keep to their promise to leave the Republican party as well, maybe the Party can get back to being the party of Goldwater.

Peace,

Buckle

I am tired of Christians being blamed for hating homosexuals. Is it Christians or even regular church goers who harass them, beat them, or kill them? Do those who do so even know who the names of the major Christian leaders?

Don't non-Christians bash gays with jokes and comments that are not politically correct.

Many non-Christians find the lifestyle unacceptable. The schools promot the acceptance of the life style and when parents object we are blamed for pushing religion.

In The End, (or really our beginings) God will judge all. If one makes assumptions simply based on not understanding, then they risk standing in judgement. It is human nature to judge, so it isn't a simple task and takes a lot of compassion to try to understand something foreign to them, be it gays, prostitutes, drug users, and way worse things. The Bible makes clear about homosexuality, but we should not hate the people, just the sin. Will homosexual child molester priests be judged harshly by God? my guess is yes because they know better and are in a place of honor and guidance. obviously they let sin get the better of them. And there are two parts here, one being child abuse. It is one thing to have consenting partners, and quite another thing to take advantage of innocence, and ruin a young life forever.
I hope that God has a special punishment for those that do hurt children. My personal hope. Am i being judgemental? I don't see how anyone could NOT be in a case like that.
I know Jesus understands my heart. I think to live in this age, we have to find when it is right to judge, when Judging is standing up for your belief without condemning anothers.
Thank God this will all be over soon, and restored to what it all was originally- a world with no sin!