America's Basic Problem Is A Pastor Problem

By Chuck Baldwin
May 11, 2005
www.chuckbaldwinlive.com

This column is especially difficult for me to write. Being a pastor for thirty years, I have come to know, love, and appreciate hundreds of fellow ministers. In fact, some of the dearest friends I have on earth are pastors.

Beyond that, since I am a veteran pastor, I know firsthand the trials and afflictions that beset every pastor. I doubt that there is a tougher, more demanding profession than that of local church pastor.

A pastor is never "off duty." He is literally on the job "twenty-four seven." For example, I cannot remember the last time my wife and I took a real vacation. It is even hard for me to remember the last time that I had a single day away from work, much less an entire week.

In addition, a pastor's work is, for the most part, vastly under-estimated and under-appreciated. And on the whole, his pay is barely adequate. His wife and children live under microscopes and virtually everyone lays claim to his time.

Furthermore, pastors are some of the most criticized and denigrated people on the planet! They constantly find themselves at the butt end of jokes and sarcasm from unbelievers and are even castigated and harangued by people within the church.

Therefore, it is no wonder that pastors are leaving the ranks at record numbers and are wandering from church to church like gypsies. No wonder so many pastors' children turn out bad, and no wonder so many pastors are having stress-induced heart attacks.

With all of that said, however, it still behooves me to very frankly say that America's basic problem today is a pastor problem! Our nation is collapsing from within because pastors are sitting idly on the sidelines, refusing to be trumpets for truth!

With all of the duties and responsibilities associated with the pastor's job description, no duty or responsibility is any greater than that of being God's watchman! Unlike any other, the pastor stands as a voice for truth in the midst of a cacophony of lies and distortions.

The pastor's job description cannot be written by a church committee, denominational council, the Chamber of Commerce, or the U.S. Congress. His job description has already been written. It is contained within the pages of Holy Scripture.

Upon close examination, one can clearly see that one of the most important of all the preacher's duties is that duty which God gave to Isaiah: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression." (Isa. 58:1) Furthermore, Isaiah was not the only under-shepherd to receive such a charge.

God told Jeremiah, "See, I have this day set thee over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant." (Jer. 1:10)

Remember, too, that John the Baptist went to prison and eventually lost his head, not for preaching the Gospel, but for boldly denouncing Herod's adulterous relationship with his brother's wife. Furthermore, the boldness of men such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and John the Baptist has been the pattern of genuine preachers
throughout history.

Men of God throughout the ages have possessed the same sort of grit and character as was found in Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Simon Peter, and the Apostle Paul. They were courageous, uncompromising men! They feared no man, be he politician or potentate! They attempted to please no man or group of men! They were untouchable, incorruptible, indefatigable proclaimers of truth!

When Germany and Switzerland needed reformation, there was Luther and Zwingli. When Scotland needed liberation, there was William Wallace, supported by numerous Scot preachers. When England needed someone to help rid it of slavery, there was Wilberforce and his band of committed clergymen.

America, especially, has enjoyed a plethora of firebrand preachers. In fact, the American revolution would never have taken place but for the preaching of Jonathan Edwards, John Witherspoon, John Leland, and hundreds like them.

So, what has happened to the current generation of preachers? How is it that there is such a dearth of leadership from America's pulpits? Where is the loud, clarion call for truth? Where are the preachers who are willing "to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down"? Where are the courageous, fearless,
undaunted men who would rather die than compromise?

Instead of championing truth, today's pastors champion political parties. They cater to wealthy contributors. They wiggle around controversy and grovel before government bureaucrats.

With an all-consuming passion to "succeed," they avoid preaching "negative" sermons. They take great pains to never be confrontational. Their current pastorate is merely a "stepping stone" to the next big opportunity. They read all the latest and
greatest "how to" books. Their messages are more noted for what they do not say, and they don't mind talking about sin as long as they don't have to name it.

Of course, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that today's avant garde preachers are being cheered on by a host of friends and supporters. After all, look at the "big" churches in America today. What do you see? Do you see "big" pastors marching in pro-life rallies? Do you see them carrying placards outside of abortion
clinics? Do you see them rushing to the side of Terri Schaivo? (In this regard, the Rev. Jesse Jackson was willing to do what not one "big-name" evangelical leader was willing to do. Amazing!) Do you hear them challenging President Bush when he refuses to assist Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore or when he increases federal spending for abortion providers or when he appoints numerous open homosexuals to high public office?

Make no mistake about it, the actions and inactions of "big-name" pastors are meticulously calculated. They have been well-schooled in the art of what is socially and politically acceptable and what is not. And they are rewarded, are they not, with bigger and bigger congregations and greater and greater notoriety? So, where is the incentive for the "little" preacher to speak out?

For example, I could not count the numbers of people who have privately told me how much they appreciate my public stand for this issue or that. They have slapped me on the back and said, "Go get 'em." But, where do they attend church? Where do they give
their financial contributions? At the "big" church where the pastor won't say "boo" to the devil. Whether they attend my church or not is not the point, of course. I'm only attempting to point out that the American people have chosen with their feet and with their wallets what kind of pastors they want!

However, is not the man of God instructed to be faithful "in season and out of season"? I would further argue that when truth is unfashionable, the true prophet can be counted on to preach it with even more conviction and clarity!

As Martin Luther said, "If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at the moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the
soldier is proved. And to be steady on all the battle fields besides is merely flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."

In addition, has it ever been popular to be God's man? Did not the prophets and preachers in Bible days sometimes pay a horrific price to be faithful? In fact, try to name a Bible preacher that wasn't thrown in jail at least once! I submit that it has never been easy or popular to be a man of God, but what I want to know is,
when did men of God decide that it should be?

I truly believe that if enough preachers would decide to be the courageous proponents of truth, as were our ancestors, and would determine to preach the truth without fear or favor regarding any person or political party, they could turn our ship of state around post-haste! I further believe that if they don't do it soon, it will be (if it's not already) too late.

Furthermore, if and when the funeral wreath is hung on the door of America, historians will correctly record that it was our pastors who let her die. Solve the pastor problem and America's basic problem is solved.

© Chuck Baldwin

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HERETICS AND HYPOCRITES?

By Paul Proctor

May 8, 2005
NewsWithViews.com

Every now and then I get a terse email from someone who has taken exception to my candid comments on Rick Warren, asking questions like: “Have you ever spoken with him personally about your objections and concerns and tried to work through your differences privately as scripture teaches, rather than attack him publicly as you do?”

The scripture they usually cite is, of course, Matthew 18:15-17

“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

This is probably one of the more misunderstood and misapplied scriptures quoted today, especially among those who ingest Church Growth Carcinogens and Purpose Driven Lies. Because we have been inappropriately taught that unity and relationships are the most important things for Christians to pursue and protect in the church, these verses are often touted as the principal directive we should follow when addressing false teachers, which frankly, couldn’t be any further from the truth and only ends up protecting, sustaining and empowering them, which is probably why they teach it.

There is absolutely no biblical record of Jesus or any of His disciples ever taking a heretic off to the side for coffee and donuts after they led someone astray distorting the Word of God. They didn’t shake hands, exchange hugs, kisses and phone numbers or set up appointments on their PDAs to dialog their doctrinal differences over lunch in the quiet corner of a favorite restaurant at a more convenient time.

No, Jesus dealt with heretics harshly, publicly and immediately, as did Paul and the other disciples. And, keep in mind; we’re talking New Testament here friends. In the Old Testament, false prophets were simply taken out and stoned to death for their lies. That’s how serious God is about His Word being rightly divided and properly proclaimed.

So, what was Jesus referring to in Matthew 18? Look again carefully at how he begins:

“…If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone…”

You see, the Lord is referring here to a personal offense, grievance and/or misunderstanding between two people – something that has broken their fellowship and has little or nothing to do with anyone else. Personal and private matters of wrongdoing should always be dealt with personally and privately first, so as not to unduly disrupt the unity of the body. That is indeed, biblical.

Now, as for wolves in sheep’s clothing that stand in pulpits and on stages before vast audiences with microphones and television cameras proclaiming demonic doctrines (I Timothy 4:1) as the Word of God, the scriptural directive is altogether different:

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” – Galatians 1:8

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” – Ephesians 5:11

(“Reprove” is another word for rebuke)

“A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject” – Titus 3:10

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (2nd John 1:10)

Jesus didn’t request a closed-door session with the Scribes and Pharisees in order to find common ground, build relationships and promote unity in Jerusalem. He condemned their blasphemy before one and all and repeatedly warned His disciples about their leaven. And when His number-one disciple challenged Him about His own up and coming crucifixion, Jesus didn’t put His hand gently on Peter’s shoulder and effeminately whisper: “My friend, you just don’t understand.” No, He lashed back at him with power and authority in front of ALL the disciples saying:

“…Get thee behind me Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” – Matthew 16:3

Why? Because, Peter was publicly contradicting God’s Word and Divine plan, which is the equivalent of proclaiming Jesus to be a lunatic or a liar.

Did the religious leaders stone Stephen to death because of all the cute and cuddly things he had to say about them? I don’t THINK so. Stephen spoke the cold hard truth that day and they hated him for it because God’s Truth is always "evil" and intolerable in the ears of the unrepentant. He told them:

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears…who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”

You see, defenders of today’s religious leaders almost always resort to calling their critics, among other things, “legalists,” for incessantly using scripture to rebuke unbiblical teachings and practices; comparing them to the Pharisees of Stephen’s day, when, in reality, Stephen might just as easily say to Rick Warren and others like him:

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears…who have received the Gospel, but have not proclaimed it.”

Of course, when someone reprimands today’s religious leaders for their unbiblical teachings, they are silenced, shamed, slandered, marginalized, isolated and/or asked to leave. But, isn’t that exactly what the religious leaders did to Jesus and His disciples?

The Pharisees were a lot of things but they were not “legalists.” They’ve merely been labeled as such by the religious liberals of OUR day in order to try and discount the importance of studying and obeying scripture. In fact the word “legalist’ does not even appear in any version of the Bible I searched. It is just another contemporary twisting of the truth to forward a corrupt agenda and steer people away from God’s Word to something more flexible, entertaining and endearing.

“Legalism” is defined in my dictionary as the "strict adherence to a literal interpretation of a law, rule, or religious moral code." Under this definition, is not Jesus Himself a legalist? You see, without the law, there is no need for a cross; which probably explains why both are being expelled from the church and society today as outdated and offensive relics from the past.

So, according to Stephen’s own testimony, if the religious leaders indeed “received the law but have not kept it,” they don’t even QUALIFY as true “legalists” but only as lawbreakers; or, as Jesus repeatedly called them; “Hypocrites,” which is another word for “actor,” meaning, they only pretended to keep the law.

And THAT, my friends, is what today’s Purpose Driven Pastor is – an actor – a hypocrite and a pretender, because he CLAIMS the Word of God but does not actually believe it nor proclaim it. If he did, he would preach the Bible and nothing else; verse by verse, for the rest of his ministry; not The Purpose Driven Life, chapter by chapter for 40 days. He would quote The Almighty with power and conviction before a trembling and uneasy congregation, instead of quoting Rick Warren with purpose and ambition before a casual and comfortable constituency.

When church attendance and revenues are down, closet liberals, be they Purpose Driven or otherwise, often minimize, in varying degrees, the importance of the Bible in a Christian’s life, calling it “legalism” whenever one encourages the brethren to obey God’s Word or dares to chastise those who refuse. Well, THEY might call keeping God’s commandments “legalism,” but Jesus Christ calls it “love.” Don’t believe me? Read it for yourself:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” – John 14:15

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” – John 14:21

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.” – John 14:23-24

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” – John 15:10

“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” - 1st John 2:4

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” – 1st John 5:3

Keeping God’s commandments will not gain you entry into the Kingdom of Heaven anymore than attending church will make you a member. That only comes by faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for our sins. (Ephesians 2:8-10) But for those of us who claim Him, there is no other way to exercise that faith and prove our discipleship.

Loving God is not having a hand-raising, hip-hopping, wave-making, emotional experience in a Hawaiian shirt and sandals before a rock band in some downtown arena full of shrieking Seekers, Creekers, Promise Keepers and Passionate Purposeites. The only true act of love, worship and service to God is obedience to His Word. Everything else is distortion, distraction, deception, delusion and destruction.

And, when you set your Bible aside for some other book or teacher or preacher, you are neither loving, nor following, nor obeying the One you claim as your Lord and Savior. Oh, you might be Purpose Driven or Seeker Sensitive; but more than anything else, you’re a hypocrite.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” – Matthew 7:21-23