tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13639235.post113466418872479870..comments2024-02-15T12:08:49.940-05:00Comments on Sojourner: Lost People in the Church: Absurd and Undiscerning?Brad Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197301845256854051noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13639235.post-1134744967572012722005-12-16T09:56:00.000-05:002005-12-16T09:56:00.000-05:00At the Baptist-affiliated school where I teach, we...At the Baptist-affiliated school where I teach, we've had at least four chapels this year that have been "all about" the question(s) of "Are you REALLY saved?" If there is any single parable these kids will remember in their lives, it will be the one about wheat and tares.<BR/><BR/>Overdosing on this kind of preaching (or any type, I guess) is BAD. I agree that it's good to "exhort the people to make their calling and election sure," but the incessant browbeating (usually accompanied with scare tactics and melodramic and, I suspect, untrue, "stories") gets hollow after a while.<BR/><BR/>What scares me is that this kind of preaching is what eventually made me doubt myself and my own beliefs ... "yes, I THINK I'm saved ... but what if I'm misguided? What if I'm really an insincere person and I don't even KNOW it? What if all of those talks with God, all of that sense of security and joy from having a relationship with God has simply been SELF-DELUSION? Oh, no! Jesus, please come into my heart ... AGAIN... really, I mean it this time, that is, if I didn't really mean it last time, even though I really thought I meant it LAST time ... oh no, what if I think I mean it this time but I don't? What if I'm not capable of the kind of sincerity needed for this? Jesus, I REALLY mean it, I promise ..." Repeat this process ad nauseum for a decade or so, and you end up with a seriously messed up person.<BR/><BR/>When I hear these sermons as my school (many using "scare" tactics of "you just might die today and go to Hell--think how bad it would feel to BURN--so are you really, really, REALLY saved?"), I just want to walk out and take those poor, innocent kids with me.<BR/><BR/>I think the constant repetition of such sermons displays lack of intelligence and creativity on the preacher's part. And I feel sorry for these kids because I don't want them to go through the church-induced neuroses I suffered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13639235.post-1134712780688084642005-12-16T00:59:00.000-05:002005-12-16T00:59:00.000-05:00Good points!It seems to me that solid preaching of...Good points!<BR/><BR/>It seems to me that solid preaching of the word, especially on justification and salvation by faith alone is the only way to continuosly be examining themselves to see if they are members of the Universal Church or not.<BR/><BR/>I also think a little concern about possible being one of the tares is a good thing also. As long as it doesn't turn into some overwhelming fear. Spurgeon once said, "Being a little over concerned for your soul and being saved is better than not having any and being lost.<BR/><BR/>DougDoug E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06500435045148530492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13639235.post-1134680221893615392005-12-15T15:57:00.000-05:002005-12-15T15:57:00.000-05:00Preach it brother! Let them sinners have it. :) ...Preach it brother! Let them sinners have it. :) <BR/><BR/>You are not alone in your nauseous repulsion of this oft repeated banter. Could this be the reason why the typical church has only 70 members? How many people can one pastor trust, but wait, he might be a tare as well? Let the witch hunt begin.<BR/><BR/>Well, Daniel at Doulogos is collecting an assortment of oddball quips currently being hashed as truth in our esteemed halls of "higher" learning. Maybe you could add your most favored relativism.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://doulogos.blogspot.com/2005/12/common-knowledge.html" REL="nofollow">Click here to accept</A>Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07281425856398968419noreply@blogger.com