An 'Appearance of Godliness' For 'Itching Ears'

This is what happens when good intentions go terribly, terribly wrong.

See, this recent video from Worldview Everlasting is "Exhibit A" when it comes to cold, hard proof as to why I needed (why you need) to escape American Evagelicalism.

I am so very thankful that Pastor Fisk took the time to confront this nonsense head-on.

I mean, it's really so dangerous and destructive to people's hearts, minds, and souls, but they act like it's EXACTLY what our churches need more of today. Nothing could be further from the truth!

2 Timothy 3:1-7 (ESV) 1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 (ESV) 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Galatians 1:10 (ESV) For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Jude 1:3 (ESV) Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

My dear friends, that is the truth of the matter, and that explains why we can find ourselves in a day and age where many Christians will watch that video and conclude that they're listening to pure, unadulterated Biblical truth being preached by such a passionate young man.

That viral video Pastor Fisk critiqued is all the rage with "Christians" these days who agree with him, and yet, sadly, the very thing that should be the foundation of our shared faith (the true Gospel of Jesus Christ) is grossly misunderstood not only by a young man who meant well when he created that video for women, but it's grossly misunderstood by a majority of those who watch that video too.

Galatians 1:6-9 (ESV) 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel -- 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (ESV) 12 And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

What a tragedy to see half-truths and outright lies being paraded publicly as pure Biblical doctrine and truth by another professing Christian. It always breaks my heart even though I know God's Word said it would be this way.

In a Lutheran Layman's terms, sincerity and good intentions do not equal Biblical truth.

Be discerning (Acts 17:11)!

[NOTE: As you know, I am a newly converted Confessional Lutheran who recently escaped American Evangelicalism. That being said, please contact me ASAP if you believe that any of my "old beliefs" seem to have crept their way into any of the material you see published here, and especially if any of the content is not consistent with Lutheran doctrine -- in other words, if it's not consistent with God's Word -- so that I can correct those errors immediately and not lead any of His little ones astray. Thank you in advance for your time and help. Grace and peace to you and yours!]

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