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Pulpit and Pen has become Protestia in order to sidestep the Faceborg thought police, which we admire. However, their approach to those with whom they disagree has not improved, which is part of the reason why we ended up coining the phrase "scorched-earth discernment."
The author with the cowardly moniker "staff writer" does manage to quote a Scripture, and it is actually a relevant one. This is a cause for our joy, since the doctrinal police so seldom quote or reference Scripture. However, "staff writer" makes no effort to explain the Scripture or describe how Lentz violated it.
Pulpit and Pen has become Protestia in order to sidestep the Faceborg thought police, which we admire. However, their approach to those with whom they disagree has not improved, which is part of the reason why we ended up coining the phrase "scorched-earth discernment."
The author with the cowardly moniker "staff writer" does manage to quote a Scripture, and it is actually a relevant one. This is a cause for our joy, since the doctrinal police so seldom quote or reference Scripture. However, "staff writer" makes no effort to explain the Scripture or describe how Lentz violated it.
We should note that our intent is not to defend Lentz, but rather, examine and critic the content the author's presentation.
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Carl Lentz continues to make clear that he doesn’t understand what his role is as the so-called Pastor of Hillsong Church NYC, much to the great shame of all his congregants who keep on attending. We’ve known this for a while, of course. We knew it when he had an openly homosexual couple leading worship years ago. (It matters little to the doctrinal police to do anything more than throw around accusations. The initial situation as described by the author is somewhat true, but like Captain Kirk never bothering to follow up on Khan's progress on Ceti Alpha Five, "staff writer" doesn't bother to learn of the subsequent developments of this situation. This article from five years ago [!!] says:
We knew it a few months ago when he interviewed the infamous Trinity-denying heretic TD Jakes (Another dismissive accusation absent information about new developments. We can easily concede that maybe Jakes has the Trinity wrong. Maybe he is or was a modalist.
Carl Lentz continues to make clear that he doesn’t understand what his role is as the so-called Pastor of Hillsong Church NYC, much to the great shame of all his congregants who keep on attending. We’ve known this for a while, of course. We knew it when he had an openly homosexual couple leading worship years ago. (It matters little to the doctrinal police to do anything more than throw around accusations. The initial situation as described by the author is somewhat true, but like Captain Kirk never bothering to follow up on Khan's progress on Ceti Alpha Five, "staff writer" doesn't bother to learn of the subsequent developments of this situation. This article from five years ago [!!] says:
Lentz (Hillsongs N.Y. pastor) spoke to Houston (Senior pastor of Hillsongs) about the situation and, as a result, asked Canfield and Kelly to step down from their leadership roles.The article goes on to say,
They are welcome to attend, worship, even participate as members. They are eligible to serve in some roles, but not others. Canfield and Kelly, for example, can sing in the choir, but would not be eligible to direct it.Sounds like Hillsongs has a right idea. We can't think of better place for gay people to be than in a church.)
We knew it a few months ago when he interviewed the infamous Trinity-denying heretic TD Jakes (Another dismissive accusation absent information about new developments. We can easily concede that maybe Jakes has the Trinity wrong. Maybe he is or was a modalist.
But we have the ability to find out for ourselves what Jakes has said. We refer the reader to this article from 8 years ago [!!] where Jakes makes some pretty clear statements about his beliefs. It only took 30 seconds to find this.)
about racism and black lives matter, in lieu of a church service, fawning over him and encouraging his congregation to follow him. In fact, it was a little more than a month when Lentz said in an interview that Christian churches might be one of the biggest propagators of racist ideology in our country.
Now, in a recent interview with Logan Paul, Lentz set the context by sharing some false teachings with the assembled hosts, declaring that “religion” is terrible and that he doesn’t believe in it. He tells them Christianity isn’t about religion, but a relationship (This statement is so common that we are surprised that the author takes issue with it. The intent of course is to differentiate Christianity as something different and unique from empty religious ritual.)
Now, in a recent interview with Logan Paul, Lentz set the context by sharing some false teachings with the assembled hosts, declaring that “religion” is terrible and that he doesn’t believe in it. He tells them Christianity isn’t about religion, but a relationship (This statement is so common that we are surprised that the author takes issue with it. The intent of course is to differentiate Christianity as something different and unique from empty religious ritual.)
– taking a swing at Roman Catholics and spouting off other half-burnt theology you’d expect to come out of the mouth of a newly saved 11-year-old girl who just started reading the Message bible.
Because Lentz frames Christianity as a relationship and a two-way conversation, it prompts one of the hosts to ask: “Are you more of a facilitator than a church would you say?” Lentz replies:
So Catholicism for instance, their priests are really necessary. Right? The point of Christianity is for the leaders to not be as necessary. So my job is to teach you, or to encourage somebody else to know God so well, where I’m out of the picture. If anything, a pastor should be a bridge. But if you have a religious construct based on the people who are facilitating it, that’s a problem, because you always need me.It should go without saying that the Bible is exceedingly clear that pastors and elders are a gift from God to the Church, (Which Lentz does not deny.)
So if I’m a pastor or a priest that wants to keep drawing people to me, I’m not going to tell you everything. I don’t want you to be so good. I don’t want you to be so free. I don’t want you to be so free that you don’t need me, so and I’m going to give you a little bit of guilt. I’m gonna preach something that’s a little bit manipulative to keep you coming but we believe the opposite is true. If you preach the truth, people are going to want to keep finding that.
that they are to exist until Christ comes back, (Which Lentz does not deny.)
and that they have a variety of purposes and roles. (Which Lentz does not deny.)
The idea the pastors exist to be a bridge for a time being and then disappear in a puff of vapor because the congregants are so knowledgeable and obedient that they don’t need a shepherd anymore is certainly a new take – credit where credit is due. (Apparently "staff writer" did not read the transcript carefully enough. Lentz did not say this. It is abundantly clear that Lentz is speaking in the context of what catholics believe. Lentz wants individual Christians growing up in the faith and becoming mature, so that they no longer need to be spoon-fed teaching Sunday after Sunday for years upon decades.
What Lentz actually is doing is threatening the pastor's boot on the neck of people, and "staff writer" doesn't like it. "Staff writer" wants people dependent and compliant. For "staff writer," the pastor needs to be at the top of the pyramid presiding over the sheep, and that requires congregants to sit quietly in church, volunteer for children's church, and write their tithe checks. But God forbid they actually not need milk anymore.
He. 5:12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
1Jn. 2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you.)
His novel take is so deliciously awful and tragically misguided, it’s almost enough to make one wonder if he’s ever read the following 5 verses before, which lays out all those very things he denies and brings great clarity to a mind melted by biblical misapprehension.
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:(Apparently "staff writer" hasn't bothered to read past the first paragraph of this passage. Notice the word "till." Jesus gave the fivefold ministries for the church, "till." Paul's expectation was that Christians would grow up, become unified, become full of faith and knowledge, and no longer be children. That is, Paul expects us to grow under the ministry of the five offices "till" we are fully trained and ready to take our place as ministers of the gospel.
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ephesians 4: 10-15
Far from being controversial, Lentz is exactly correct. We are very nearly astonished that "staff writer" does not understand this basic concept.
Also, we note the irony of quoting a verse which denies pastors as being the sole leaders of the church. Further, the author doesn't believe in apostles or prophets.)
This is not the last of wild things Lentz has said in this interview. The rest will be posted over the next few days.
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