Willow Creek Steps Up to Feed Its 20,000 Attendants

derekwebster »

Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:51 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

I deeply admire their willingness to step into the line of fire from other Christians who have long had issue with them. Interesting that those who criticize also manage to forget the many, many people who today are Christ-followers because of Willowcreek. Lee Strobel is just one example of the hundreds, if not thousands, who today we consider our spiritual family.

In addition, I would venture to state that many others believers in other churches around the nation also crank out knowledge-based believers rather than fully-committed disciples. I absolutely applaud Willowcreek for having the audacity to self-assess, confess, and do something about it.

Interview: Cultural Architect on Rethinking Church Methods, Not Gospel

derekwebster »

Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:42 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Qatonchozeh, I'm surprised at the venom.

I also didn't realize that anyone who teaches in a seminary is somehow an apostate.

Finally, prior to Calvinism and Armenianism, there was the idea that God both predestined and we have free will.

Please quote Erwin saying that he believes that Gospel is conditioned upon works. Find him stating that is his Gospel. I know for fact that he does not believe that works equates to salvation. Likewise, faith without works is dead. My understanding of Erwin's theology is that he believes that Jesus died for all and that ONLY through Jesus does one come to eternal life. Contrary to your opinion, he does not state that one can earn salvation - Erwin is as far from Catholic theology as one can get. Mosaic's entire theological framework is based on the Baptist one. Finally, the Gospel is not conditioned upon man, but man DOES have free will.
We all come to God freely, which is the very definition of love: never forced on people, but with grave consequences for those who choose to reject Him.

Biblically, you should be very certain of those you choose to condemn. It would be a shame if when you died you actually discovered that Erwin helped more people into the Kingdom of God than yourself. Moreover, that you spent your time on earth spitting venom at those you deem unworthy. Yours seems a very Pharisaical tone - highly religious and critical. Jesus reserved his greatest criticism for the highly religious with little grace in their demeanor, while extending salvation to a thief on a cross without him first having to demonstrate a particular theological bent.

Since all seminary professors and teachers are apostates - since you are so quick to condemn the souls of the many you do not know - which camp does this put you in?

I'm going to quit this conversation because it seems to be a waste of time. At the end of the day, chances are you won't change your position or even exchange respectful words. I would encourage you, however, to look at the context of each of the verses you quoted. Interesting how they have more to do with not fully knowing the mind of God, but with His grace and His love evident in the context. He is neither random in His judgement nor unmerciful in His approach.

A Christian Consensus on Culture

derekwebster »

Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:11 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Okay: I've come to seek and to save that which was lost.
or: The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe.
or: For God so loved the world that He gave...
Should I keep going?...

Every transformed human soul transforms the world in which he/she is placed by God. Each one is called by God to reach out to those around them. In doing so, culture itself - the norms based on the values to which a group adheres, or the ethos that precedes culture - is irrevocably transformed.

Nowhere in Scripture is the Christian called to retreat from the world in which God has placed them. Everywhere we are called to engage it and transform it, even as we are being transformed. In that way, we aren't conformed to the world, but we are transforming it by living in the invisible Kingdom of God that longs to transform as many as possible.

Were that not the case, then God had no business coming to seek and save as it would have all been a lost cause. And the last time I checked, all of us until death still live on this planet, so not everyone has/will unite under one banner as of today.

Interview: Cultural Architect on Rethinking Church Methods, Not Gospel

derekwebster »

Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:04 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

Nonsense, KoneWone. Erwin has a very deep knowledge of Scripture and has a very high view of it (more so than McLaren or others). His exegesis is excellent - which is why he is in demand as a teacher in seminaries and conferences. He also began as a church planter and then helped to transition Church on Brady into Mosaic. Church on Brady was also excellent under Thom Wolf (who is equally brilliant). In many ways, he is in the tradition of Ravi Zacharias or Francis Schaeffer - he is a thinker combined with a rare ability to activate those thoughts into reality. Moreover, Erwin actually shares the Gospel regularly and personally leads many people to the Lord. Finally, I know of few other men who call Christians beyond personal knowledge into the realm of personal sacrifice. While many sit around writing 3 points to a sermon, Mosaic actually sends out more missionaries around the world than many realize.

You might want to do a little more homework on Erwin than some poorly written linked articles next time.

Prominent Conservative to be Nominated for Southern Baptist Presidency

derekwebster »

Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:08 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

Actually, Dr. Bill Wagner would be a very effective President. Never before has the SBC voted a missionary as its President, and he has enough contacts and bridges built to bring even the extremes together at a table to talk. His 10 point Contract with the SBC is also worth mentioning, so Baptists will know what to expect before the election and not after.

Can a Christian Deny the Virgin Birth?

derekwebster »

Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:40 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Excellent analysis of the debate and conclusion. The virgin birth is one of those non-negotiables of the Christian faith. It relates directly to the divinity of Jesus Christ and therefore resurrection power of Jesus Christ. Ideas do not redeem. Not even noble ideas redeem. Only God has the ability to redeem. Either that redemption is evident in the person of Jesus Christ or it is not. If it is not, then there are a lot of Christians wasting their lives. If it is, then there are a lot of non-Christians wasting their eternities. There is no in-between.

Southern Baptists Debate Calvinism, Urge Cooperation

derekwebster »

Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:02 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

A couple of quick points:
First, Calvinism does have a direct relationship with evangelism. True Calvinists believe that God will save whomever He chooses and/or has already chosen. The responsibility of "making disciples" lies squarely on His shoulders in their view. This has direct consequences - one that has been played out time and time again. I've watched as many churches gave up Jesus' Great Commission in favor of a theology created by the youngest of the Reformers. One should never forget that the true result of Calvinism is Geneva. Geneva ranks up there with the Inquisition in terms of atrocities committed in the name of "Christian" theology. Calvin was brilliant, but too ambitious both in theology and practice.

The second point is that denominations are actually a natural result of humanity. Christians tend to associate by belief system and practice (though often there is a serious disjunct between the two). Even the commentary by BOC560 comes from a definitive theological bent and it is clear that there is little toleration for any other bent...(and my soteriology states that Christ died for ALL, not for the elect alone)....which makes me wonder with whom he or she associates. Clearly there is association with some like-mindedness, which over time becomes a group of like-mindedness (even listening to sermons that underscore already held theological positions), until there is a denomination.

The question is not 'why are there denominations'. There were Bereans and there were Thessalonians and they were not known for the same things. Even Paul and Peter split. What bound them all together was the direction in which they leaned. They all leaned forward into their world, seeking to reach and tell as many as possible to Repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand. They sought to love the world in which God placed them, and rather than haggle over whom they believe Jesus actually came for, they knew He came for all of them. The squabbles occurred over the methodology and the customs of the groups.

Pre-Calvin this stuff was pretty clear. Jesus died for the sins of humankind. Anyone who chooses to believe in Him will be saved. Our primary task is to go to others, teaching, baptizing and making disciples. Everything else is a distraction.