Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffrey
That's a great question, Barb. I'm not sure I know the answer.
I do believe though that if an idea leaves people feeling like they are hellbound (which many uncut hair proponents would suggest), that it is definitely heresy. It's a teaching that stands in the way of Jesus.
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People are upset that his name is mentioned in any way, whether online or in conversation.
The problem is that people have made stars out of those on the front lines of preaching and singing ministry.
It is more than the respect that one would have for an elder...many are as starstruck with these personalities as those who scream at the mention of the Jonas Brothers.
It borders on idol worship.
Some will scoff at this and strongly disagree with me, but I am as right about this as I have ever been about anything.
When we place a person on a level that they can do no wrong, and their words are sacrosanct, we have set them in a place God never intended man to reach.
So yes, people will be offended to the point of anger that someone would question their star. They are to be pitied, for they have lost their focus.
Our focus should be on the Healer, not the messenger.
Our focus should be on obeying the Word of truth, not following every wind of doctrine.
This does mean we do not respect elders or give honor to whom honor is due...not by a long shot.
But it means that we keep things in their proper perspective and balance.
The writer said, "Follow me AS I follow Christ."
How are we to know if someone is following Christ in their teaching, to the point of following them, IF we do not search the Scriptures to see if they are teaching biblical truth?
It just makes sense.
So questioning and examining is not wrong...it is the only rational thing to do.
Many, however, do not want anyone to check things out for themselves. They want blind obedience.
That is not wisdom on our part...that is the height of ignorance.
If someone makes the claim that waving my hair over an offering basket summons the powers of the angels, they are in error and cannot support this with Scripture.
If someone claims I can take my uncut hair and lay it on the sick and they recover, or that it gives protection to those living in my home, they are likewise in error.
ALL glory goes to God for any and every blessing and healing!
To state otherwise is to take the glory from the Master and give it to man.
If someone claims that we have a guardian angel who looks just like us and can go hither and yon in our stead, they are ridiculously in error!
But the masses who follow the star can't see the error in any of this because they have taken their eyes off of the Star.
They are to be pitied.
What is the role of the evangelist?
To evangelize is to preach the gospel. Period.
What is the gospel?
Everyone Sunday School student knows it is the death, burial and resurrection.
That is what evangelists did back in the day...that preached the gospel.
Camp meetings were for preaching the power down seeing young and old come to salvation.
Revivals were for the reviving of the saints and the saving of the lost.
Today, camp 'preaching' is for laying souls to rest who do not follow their agenda, and revivals are for promoting the same.
Somewhere, somehow the people of God have lost the mark, the reason for doing what is is they do.
And I see no end in sight because people like their stars...
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