Nailing Jello to the Wall...

Just to get some thoughts off my chest: Trying to pin down an answer to a question with most 'Emergent' people, and those who are 'Contemplative' is like trying to nail JELL-O to the Wall!

IT CANNOT BE DONE!!! It is humanly impossible. However, Emergents (as will we all) will some day stand before Almighty God and have to answer one important question.

Let us begin the I FEEL Meter Running! It is a good tool for us to determine the level of Biblical knowledge. It is an inverse relationship: The higher the number, the deeper the slide into the Theological Pit of Pseudo Humility (aka 'Arrogance')

Last year the Baptist Press ran an article where Al Mohler (President of Southern Seminary) and Brian McClaren, the Premier Emergent of Today (henceforth known as PEOT). A question was asked of both of them:

"When asked whether a person must trust Christ as dying on the cross to make atonement for their sin in order to be a Christian:"

Dr. Mohler: "Absolutely."

McClaren: "I (1) wouldn't say that having that understanding is all that it means to be a Christian. I think (2) that some people might have that understanding and not be interested in following Jesus. They want Jesus' blood to pay for their sins so they can go to heaven, but they aren't really interested in following Jesus in this life." (Has he answered the question, yet?)

McClaren on Homosexuality, Adultery, Divorce, etc: no comment, except: "This issue has become inappropriately political. I (3) have my own opinions, but I (4) don't believe that the smartest thing for me (5) to do is to go around and make those varying opinions a reason to separate myself (6) from other Christians. I (6) fellowship with Christians who have a diversity of opinions of homosexuality." (How about the Bible, PEOT? What does it say?)

Huh? McClaren = 6


Dr. Mohler: When it comes to issues such as the exclusivity of the Gospel, the identity of Jesus Christ as both fully human and fully divine, the authoritative character of Scripture as written revelation, and the clear (Hey, PEOT: There is a hint for you!) teaching of Scripture concerning issues such as homosexuality, this movement (Emergent) simply refuses to answer the questions. (Amen!) A responsible theological argument must acknowledge that difficult questions demand to be answered. (What PEOT is incapable of doing) We are not faced with an endless array of doctrinal variants from which we can pick and choose."

Dr. Mohler = 0

FEEL Meter:
Mr. McClaren: 6
Dr. Mohler: 0

Matthew 7:20-23

Ways Contrasted, Fruits Contrasted

20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.

21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of My Father, who is in Heaven.

22 Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'

23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."

That is the last thing anyone wants to hear on Judgement Day. Over the next few weeks, we will be going through the basic doctrines of the Christian Faith. There are some that are ESSENTIALs of the Christian Faith, or specifically spoken and commanded in the Bible. Then there are those that divide us among denominations that are merely opinions or interpretations of Scripture on which Scripture is not explicit: these are the NON-ESSENTIALS.


A denial of an Essential- is a Denial of God. Scripture is 'crystal':

1 John 2:23 is clear: "Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also."

Matthew 10:33 is 'Waterford' here too: "But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in Heaven."

And for those of you who say that God is all about love, peace, and that we need to 'agree to disagree' and get along: How about we read the NEXT VERSE, putting the whole passage in context:

34 Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Others...

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels: and will then recompense every man according to his deeds.

In Matthew 23:1-36 'Woe to you' seven times to the Pharisees, then proceeds to call them (in public): Hypocrites,
False Teachers
Fools
Blind Men
Blind guides
Rotting on the Inside
Serpents
Finally: Verse 33: "You Brood of Vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?"

The Bible was written to Believers in Jesus Christ. These verses are to show us how serious Jesus is when He was on earth. It is not to be taken lightly. We are in a spiritual battle. We cannot let the enemy into our camp. Jesus is clear about false teachers. What constitutes a false teacher?

Discernment. Judgement is for God, Discernment is for Christians.

Nailing Jell-O to the wall- only God can do it!