Questions & Answers 1, from the series, "Will the Real Rick Warren Please Stand Up?

Questions & Answers 1, from the series, "Will the Real Rick Warren Please Stand Up?
Brad Reiches
May 28 2007 11:06PM

I want to thank the many of you who prayed for me and encouraged me throughout last week.  I deeply, DEEPLY appreciate those of you who are interceding for me in these volatile, spiritual times.  There were some sincere concerns that were expressed that I would like to address this week.

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Tuesday, May 29, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"Questions & Answers  1"

Regarding Last Week's Series:  "Will the Real Rick Warren Please Stand Up?"

  

One sincere subscriber wrote,

"Once again your messages are always insightful and I always find them to be
true...however there is no reason to have a specific name in your e-mails...

The ideas your are promoting I perfectly agree with...judging Rick Warren I do not.
Judge and be Judged. If you truly think he has lost his way.. take it up
with him, not everyone else behind his back...that's gossiping."

This subscriber brings up three legitimate concerns:  a)  Naming names, b)  Judging others, and c) Gossip. 

So let's take a look at scripture and find out what we come up with.

CONCERN #1:  Naming Names?

The Bible says,

"Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness

but instead even expose them."

Ephesians 5:11(bold mine)

expose:  original Greek, Elencho, meaning to "refute, convict, reprove."  Literally, "to cross-examine."  Public documents require public "exposure."  Thus, the appropriateness of last week's series (see below for biblical examples of "naming names).

DID YOU KNOW THAT JESUS HIMSELF REBUKES CHURCHES AND SENIOR PASTORS WHO TOLERATE UNBIBLICAL TEACHING?

In Revelation, chapter two, the church of Pergamum was harshly reproved because they tolerated "doctrinal error" and did not "expose" and "repent" of it (Rev. 2:14,15).  It is never right to tolerate false teachers!  They are to be tried by the Word of God, and exposed.  The Bible further states,

"Keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances

contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. "

Romans 16:17

Indeed, the Bible clearly teaches us to be ON THE LOOKOUT for false teachings and "expose them," and "turn away from them!"
Paul warned the Galatians,

"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him (Jesus)...
for a different gospel...there are some...who want to distort
the gospel of Christ.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven,
should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached
to you, he is to be accursed!...If any man is preaching to you a
gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!"
Galatians 1:6-9

Lest there be any doubt, the Bible is saying here that if I, or Rick Warren, or ANYBODY teaches ANYTHING different from what the Bible says (even if his teaching used to be right on!), expose it, and turn away from it. Indeed, multitudes today are preaching a "different gospel."  And, INCREDIBLY! one such "gospel" says that "we are supposed to cooperate with them in evangelism and Christian work."

Failure to expose false prophets and false teachings, is a failure to follow the examples of Christ, Peter, Paul, and the true prophets of Old; and a failure to adhere to the adament teachings of scripture.

For further study on this issue, please click on, IS IT RIGHT?  To Judge, To Expose Error, & To Call Names?
Also for further study:

1.  Biblical examples in the church where names were literally used.

            -2 Timothy 2:14-20.

            -2 Timothy 4:10-15.

            -2 Timothy 1:15.

            -1 Corinthians, chapter 5: 1-13.

            -Acts 5:1-5.

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