DISCERN THE TIMES
FEBRUARY, 2012
INTRODUCTION
This article is a transition from a Bible Exposition series regularly appearing on my website. It allows for an opportunity to write and discuss contemporary issue confronting every Christian and church.
January 27, 2012 was a very somber time for me. I celebrated another birthday and it triggered some serious thinking. This day provided me with an opportunity to remember the past. Putting this into a contemporary format, I looked back and thought of what some label, "the good old days." To some this is labeled tradition or traditionalism. To others it is considered old dreams that are best kept to one's self.
As a former pastor, Bible College professor and Seminary professor, it is significant. In a book I authored in recent years, The Camouflaged Church, I discussed the issue in reference to theological change portrayed by the Emergent Church and its leadership. Before discussing a special passage in the Word, it will help to identify the issues and background producing it.
The central focus of this article is familiarity can produce forgetfulness by believers. This principle can be a deadly experience. It is so common that I have chosen to label it as "spiritual Alzheimer's disease." Unlike physical Alzheimer's, it is deliberately selecting to forget God's Word, even God himself.
As I glanced backward on my birthday, I also focused on the present and how it was affected by the past. Although I am writing about changes, I am not denouncing all change as unhealthy or evil. Nor am I denouncing change as unnecessary and unprofitable. What I am identifying is how certain changes are adversely affecting Christians and the church.
Biblically and theologically this discussion is significant for Christians in particular. The issues normally are raised under the subjects commonly known as contemporary versus traditional. It must be admitted up front that there is more heat than light on both sides of the conflict. It is unfortunate that conflict is so centered in one's ego, in one's prejudice, and one's ignorance. Very often spiritually immature believers are misled because of intense dependence on emotions in their development. On the other side, leadership is tempted to misstate and misrepresent scripture on the subject.
TRADITIONAL PAST
My memory bank has mostly very helpful deposits. I became a Christian when I was16 years old while visiting my sister in New Orleans, Louisiana. I was guided to the historic Radio Bible Class with the great Dr. M.R. DeHaan as the teacher. He became my spiritual mentor, guiding me through a verse by verse examination of scripture. He was a traditionalist in that day and I learned what tradition was and how profitable and influencing it was. I mastered Holy Scripture, learning and discerning orthodox Bible Doctrine. I was also guided to a annual summer Bible Conference where I was taught by notable teachers of the Word of God such as Dr. S Lewis Johnson, Dr. J Dwight Pentecost, Dr. Stanley Toussaint, and Dr. Donald Campbell, all professors at Dallas Theological Seminary. These men became my mentors at Dallas Seminary when I entered in 1965! In a word, they were each traditionalists in the largest traditional orthodox theological seminary in the world at that time. The preparation I experienced was superior to that in any other Bible College and seminary. In fact, I graduated from and taught at Southeastern Bible College, an extremely orthodox, traditional Bible College in Birmingham, Alabama and combined, I was twice blessed, prepared for preaching, teaching, service and life.
My exposure to traditionalism and tradition does not cease with my formal education. As stated above, I attended great Bible Conferences in the summer and during the year I attended a great Bible Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. Added to the Radio Bible Class and literature, I was able to mature far beyond my age.
When I hear or read about the evil or inadequacy of traditionalism I sit with amazement. What is meant by traditional or traditionalism? These terms are misrepresented and misused today. The best that is offered is criticism and Contemporary Church and Christianity! It does not take much time to research the Contemporary Church. Careful research will produce nothing really spiritually profitable. My previous book proves this fact without great effort needed. What I desire here is to simply investigate some issues. "Contemporary" is not as superior as one might be led to believe. If by contemporary is meant the common practices of the alleged churches of Jesus Christ then enough is said. It is utter meaningless. If is meant relaxed dress codes, informal services, the pastor on a bar stool, current music adopted by the world system, then contemporary is truly all practices current in vogue in the world and culture at the time of the writing of this article.
TRADITIONAL PRESENT
Before readers conclude that I am anti contemporary let me respond. Being traditional does not make one anti-contemporary and personally I reject such shallow immature thinking. Men of God, especially pastors committed to the Word of God know better and start teaching the truth to their congregations. More on this occurs later in the article.
Very often confusion is promoted or permitted by many pastors on this subject. For instance, when did a service become contemporary worship when it only promotes contemporary music? Does anyone know the definition of contemporary? It used to be a contemporary service because someone played a guitar! Now it is a praise team or band dressed identically like secular musicians, sounding exactly like them. Whether you prefer that dress and sound is not the issue. The issue is: Does biblical worship occur? What amazes me is it is called worship as opposed to when I directed Bible Churches and had all traditional hymns, totally different from secular society and sounds. Does anyone get the point here? I hope so! Worship is not external as the contemporary church teaches by example. Worship is much more than a set of high powered emotions led by a popularly dressed musician.
It is unfortunate to observe the church battles over music and worship. I learned a valuable concept many years ago. He who makes the rules wins the game every time! This is one factor prominent in the discussion and experiences today. When will God's people, especially pastors, emerge with discerning hearts and cease playing church, blaming, music and tradition? When will they identify the real antagonist rather than blame other believers?
TRADITIONAL PRACTICES
I am using "Practices" to identify areas that believers should understand and areas of concern in contemporary Christianity. A disclaimer is that these areas will remain a mystery as long as the church limits its vision and ministry to evangelism. This is not understood and I am more than willing to maintain its validity in spite of such disagreement. What follows is a brief discussion of sample areas needing attention.
Philosophy. The most dominant characteristic of contemporary churches is the common philosophy believed and practiced with great pride. What is held sacred is evangelism. It is easily demonstrated in and by many existing, rapidly growing mega churches. All that is needed is to attend, listen, and observe the focus of every service and ministry. The attempting to get sinners saved and involved in church life is clearly the intent and dominant factor. Before the reader misunderstands and has a coronary let explain. There is every thing right in desiring to see sinners saved! There is every thing dangerous structuring all ministries addressed to unsaved sinners. The New Testament will not support this hypothesis and practice. The New Testament is equally clear that the Great Commission addresses reaching the unsaved with the gospel and discipling the saved. Both are required in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 The New Testament is also very clear concerning the churches responsibility to those saved and gathered for edification and worship. To neglect the saved is a dereliction of the church's duty. The purpose of the local church is not either or, it is both, evangelism and edification. The local church is instructed to equip believers to take the gospel to those out of the church, lead them to Christ and then incorporate them into a discipleship ministry in the church. What is popularly practiced today is simply not what God orders in the Great Commission. Dr. Gene Getz said it several years ago, "The church gathers for worship and instruction. It goes for evangelism."
Worship. It is clear the contemporary church also misunderstands what is worship practiced by the local church. Contrary to most, worship is not traditional or contemporary. The Bible knows nothing of such a distinction. There is worship, period. There is also praise music and worship music. Some of it can be contemporary and some traditional. This is not being taught and in many cases people remain victims of ignorance because in many cases leadership is confused. Jesus stated in John 4 a significant truth: "You must worship in spirit and in truth." Two important ingredients are unmistakable and simple. This means that worship requires the Word of God, truth, as well as man's spirit invoked by that truth. It also means worship occurs in the human heart, not necessarily in a power centered, electrifying musical experience. Worship can be absent even when music is superior, when the service is highly emotional, and when a sermon occurs! If the sermon is only evangelism for the lost, even the saved may not worship.
My observation of the church today is it can easily focus on the sanctuary and its beauty, the talented musicians, and those who sing specials, and an eloquently delivered good sermon that contains little to no explanation of the Word of God necessary for Christians to grow spiritually. Certainly there exists contemporary and traditional music but not worship. The Bible only recognizes one worship, not two. All else is unacceptable to the Lord.
Word. A close examination of far too many contemporary churches today seem to simply substitute a powerful musically dominated service on Sunday as being synonymous with worship. The obvious absent element is the teaching of the Word of God. It appears most congregations simply do not demand it nor miss it! This to me is tragic. The Bible is clear. The Word of God provides the basis and content for biblical worship. The expression, "He is a good pastor but a poor teacher" is true but also a tragedy, isn't it? No man can assume the role of a pastor without the spiritual gift of teaching! This makes him a great pastor! Is it not clear that a biblical pastor leads and feeds the flock? If he fails in this, he fails as a pastor.
Music. No, the author has not lost his mind! This is a crucial element and ministry specifically in the worship service. I do not intend to debate the issues here. I will simply identify something important. One should resist labeling a service traditional versus contemporary. It is more honest to label it traditional music versus contemporary music. Perhaps it is even maybe a bit dishonest to call it a young person's service versus a senior citizen service if it is Sunday morning? Everyone agrees that sometimes music is a matter of personal taste. This applies to both traditional and contemporary. My point is it is unchristian and unbiblical to attack either youth or seniors relative to musical tastes. It is equally sinful to seek to get rid of traditional hymn loving seniors! It is just as sinful to label traditional as dead, unemotional, boring, and only for the elderly. Remember, even a minister of music will age! Even youth will become elderly someday! Besides all this, the Bible warns about mistreating the elderly and all others.
Gospel. This may appear to be strange but upon a careful understanding it leaps out with great clarity and significance. I covered this issue thoroughly in my previous published book, The Camouflaged Church, A Culturally Dominated Congregation. A brief identifying discussion serves us well relative to the subject at hand. Of all the subjects the church should agree on, the gospel is the vital one. Today, what is being called worship, rapid numerical growth, and mega status can be deceiving. Even if all is done well and there is an unclear confused message at best, all is unacceptable to the Lord and scripture. In these lasts days of the church age, deception abounds on every hand. When the gospel is disguised, distorted, or camouflaged, something is wrong in the professing church, whether contemporary or traditional! The church cannot be evangelistically successful, developmentally huge, and financially rich if they are proclamationally deficient! In other words, a false message negates any and all alleged blessings from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Satan has cleverly deceived even many of the best and formerly traditional leadership, as well as many contemporary pastors and leaders. Yes, reread this sentence, it is absolutely true. All that is needed is an open Bible, and read certain authors today or listen to them in the media and compare what they say and teach to what God says in his Word. You do need two additional ingredients; you must be honest and discerning! Having cautioned readers, let me briefly explain. Satan has successfully deceived and continues to distort the message being written and proclaimed in Christianity today. There are far too many false gospels, all advocating a legalistic message of works as opposed to the message of grace. The best and clearest book to read and study is the gospel of John, as well as Romans 3 and 5-6, and Ephesians 2. The message in a nutshell preached today is that salvation requires faith plus works. The works are called fruit and fruitfulness. Therefore, no sinner can or is saved unless he demonstrates fruitfulness and good works. This is the message of far too many evangelicals who are trying desperately to stop saints from sinning and at the same time call themselves Christians. This is a false gospel and should be rejected. Simply stated, faith or trust is redefined to mean obedience, baptism and fruitfulness. Once works of any kind are added to grace it is works and false. Sinners are saved by grace through faith without any deeds of the flesh. John says repeatedly, about 100 times, salvation is by believing, by trusting Jesus Christ alone to regenerate you and He does this by grace alone in Christ alone. Yes, God expects, even desires, and looks for a fruitful life but fruit is sanctification. The presence of fruit in a life can be evidence of salvation, but the absence of fruit is not necessarily evidence of the lack of salvation. There is such a person as a carnal Christian in Paul's writings, saved but walking according to the flesh and not the Holy Spirit.
CONSIDERATION
I trust when you celebrate your next birthday you will have helpful thoughts and not nightmares. Seriously, resist allowing the world system to define what a church is, what it is called to do, and consider the main points of this article. Most of all, be discerning as you read, watch TV, and listen to sermons. Time is rapidly coming to a climax. Jesus is about to return for his church and He bids us to be busy watching and working for Him. Invest your time wisely. Do not look for signs. Listen for the sound of the trumpet when we, the saints, are raised, renovated with us, and removed to the judgment Seat of Christ!
Thought for the month: Listen for the Sound, do not Look for Signs.
Hear Dr. Raiford:
February 18-24 Grace Bible Church Prophecy Conference, Valdosta, GA
March 22-24, 2012 1st Annual JRM Bible Conference, WAY Radio Chapel, Jacksonville, FL. The doctrine of Christology will be taught.
