theology of man (or I am really pissed off)

This morning while spending my daily time with cows, I wanted to listen to and sing along with some hymns. I had already played to the CD to which I normally listen. I asked Bev to turn the radio to a local conservative radio station. I assumed that they would have hymns and familiar worship music playing on Sunday morning. I was correct in my assumption. They were playing a praise and worship program from Moody Bible Institute.

I normally don't listen to "christian radio". The cows prefer either sports talk (ESPN Radio) or Country music. While I enjoyed the hymns and the worship songs, the longer I listened the more upset I became. The theology or more correctly the source of the theology was pure humanism.

Moody Bible Institute prides itself in their adherence to the Word of God. In fact their website has the following quote: "Our Doctrinal Statement expresses our beliefs about God and His Word. The Word of God—the Bible—is the basis for all of our beliefs."

What upset me was the way the Bible was used to further different speaker's agendas. For instance...one announcer was talking about grace...what it was and what it wasn't. He then went on to quote Paul from Philippians 1.  ...He who by grace began a good work in you will by grace be able to complete it... The problem is that Paul never penned the words "by grace" in this scripture - they are not in this scripture at all.

While adding the words "by grace" does not violate the the Biblical concept of grace, it is blatantly false to say that Paul mentioned grace in these words. Why would a preacher add words to a specific scripture? I think it reveals a deep flaw.

Moody claims that the Bible is the basis of all their beliefs. While that sounds noble, I question the veracity of that statement. When one adds to/distorts the words of scripture, it indicates the source of one's theology. When we form our theology on the basis of human reasoning, we will turn to the Bible to validate our humanistic thinking.

In other words - instead of allow the truth of the scriptures to shape us and our theology, instead of understanding that truth does not begin with us but with God, we become the source of truth and use the scripture validate our self-centered thinking. Deep within our psyche, we are god and therefore the scripture must submit to us.

At the most basic level, this is the greatest of all deceptions. Paul speaks of "the man of sin" who exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped so that he sits as God in the temple of God showing himself that he is God.

The behavior/teaching of the person on the radio exhibits this "sitting in the place of God" fully. He was promoting his teaching on grace, misusing the scriptures to prove a point.

addiction

I haven't blogged much lately. It's not that I haven't been seeing and observing things, it's just that we are in a busy transition time right now. My time spent with the cows affords much time for reflection and hearing the voice of the Father.

Anyway...I have been thinking about the most powerful addiction that derails people, especially leaders. It is not some substance abuse nor is it a sexual addiction. No, it is a great deal more insidious.

The addiction has to do with our desire for power. James and John's mother came to Jesus asking that her sons might sit on either side of Jesus once He achieved the desired (from their perspective) place of authority. Jesus addressed their desire for power by explaining that true power comes not from position and grasping for position.

In my years in the church world, I noticed how quickly a bit of position and perceived authority changed people. It is the addiction...the need to retain control...the need to exercise power over others.

I have seen people set free from all sorts of bondage throughout the years. However it is rare to see someone break the addiction to power.