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Thursday, June 3, 2021

The New Evangelical False Gospel of Unity - By REFORMATION CHARLOTTE

Found here. Our comments in bold.
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This article is a blizzard of assertions, half-formed thoughts, and superficial Bible exposition. The cowardly author, hiding behind the Reformation Charlotte moniker, doesn't bother to explain the nature of true Christian unity. He doesn't seem able to write a coherent narrative that develops an idea to a rational conclusion.
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There tends to be a great amount of resentment towards discerning believers who are quick to confront other Christians who are in sin or even false believers who are masquerading as Christians. The argument is that it distracts from the love of Jesus and unity among the brethren. (The first thing the author does is recycle the well-worn trope routinely promulgated by so-called discernment ministries: "We're not being divisive, they are." This means he and his ilk can use the most egregious and insulting language against supposed false teachers, he can be as mean and unchristian as he wants to be, and he can have no regard at all for anyone who is deemed a heretic. 

But of course, that's not divisive. 

He would say he is telling the truth, and telling the truth is not divisive. Notice that this statement is a Category Error, for one can tell the truth and still be divisive. It's a question of method and motive. And the methodology of these truth tellers is scorched earth.) 

Titus 3:10-11 is possibly one of the most twisted passages of Scripture used against discerning believers.

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Unity has become the gospel in modern Christendom. Ecumenism is the new rage. (Term switching. Unity and ecumenism are different things.)

Everyone is into it.

So then why kill the buzz? Isn’t it good that everyone is getting along?

Jesus came not to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34). (So what, then? Unity is not possible?)

He did not come to tell everyone that they could believe what they want to believe, worship whatever idols they want to worship and seek whatever God they want to seek. (Well, of course not. Who is suggesting this sort of thing?)

First and foremost, God hates idolaters. (Sudden topic change.)

So much so, that His first two commandments are devoted to this eternal truth (Exodus 20:1-6). (Rather than quote the reference, the author simply links. We will discover that he does this because he doesn't always correctly tell us what the verses say.)

He doesn’t even want to hear from or be consulted by idolaters (Ezekiel 14:3). (Let's quote it:
Ez. 14:1-3 Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. 2 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling-blocks before their faces. Should I let them enquire of me at all?"
With the verses before us we see that this is a specific circumstance, that the nation of Israel has turned to idols, and God is pronouncing judgment upon them. The elders of Israel have sat before the prophet to get a prophecy. But because they have defiled themselves God will cut them off.

How these verses might apply to us is left unexplained. We are not Israelites and are not inquiring of a prophet. 

He is citing this verse to set us up for his eventual errant conclusion.)

Idolatry is equated with a rejection of God’s word and seen as a rebellion against Him (1 Samuel 15:23). (The author remains content to simply cite Scriptural references. We shall quote it:
1Sa. 15:23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.
So we find that arrogance is like idolatry, not rebellion. In addition, there is no mention of the rejection of God's word. Further, we need to note that this was spoken in judgment against King Saul. 

We should be careful about applying these things as prescriptions to contemporary things.)

We are commanded to take no part in idolatry or the unfruitful works thereof (Ephesians 5:11). (Sigh. Let's quote the verse:
Ep. 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Paul is writing about people who do not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God [vs. 5]. Paul commands, do not be partners with them [ vs. 7]. "Partner" is summetochos, which means to be a co-participant. That is, Paul is cautioning us to not jump into sin along with sinners. So borrowing the author's words, we are  to take no part in JOINING IN idolatry or the unfruitful works thereof.

The author continues to take us on a hopscotch ride to his conclusion, based on these flawed applications of Scripture.)

We must flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14, 1 John 5:21). Believers can therefore in no way be united with idolaters. (Suddenly the author offers a statement without a biblical reference. Hmm. What he writes is perhaps true, but we can't be sure. We don't think he's offering it for honest reasons.)

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? 1 Corinthians 6:14-16a (ESV) ([sic] This is actually 2 Corinthians.) 

The Bible is very clear that spiritual enterprise between believers and unbelievers is no different than practicing the idolatry itself. (Expanding on the idea of idolatry, he now wants to establish that unity and yoking are the same thing. He does not explain what it means to be unequally yoked. 

We shall do so. The word is heterozugeó, from a compound of heteros and zugos; to yoke up differently, i.e. (figuratively) to associate discordantly -- unequally yoke together with. The word is drawn from the idea of oxen pulling a plow. They are not properly matched to pull evenly.

Unbelievers (literally, "without faith") are unable to be equally yoked by definition. They have different goals, thinking, and pursuits. Paul is commanding that we not join together with those who because of their unregenerate hearts cannot pursue the Christian goals of godliness, spiritual fruit, and maturity of faith. 

This is not about unity.)

No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. –1 Corinthians 10:20

Many of these Pagans masquerade as true believers; they speak Christian language and affirming certain Christian orthodoxies (2 Corinthians 11:13). (Sigh. Paul is talking about men boasting about being apostles:
2Co. 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
This text is not about unbelievers.)

Many charismatics such as the New Apostolic Reformation, Roman Catholics, and religious cults fall into this category. On the surface, they look like Christians. They hold to some Christian morals and values. They have a form of godliness, but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:5). When you truly examine their beliefs, you see that they have abandoned the truth and hold to damning doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1).

These are the ones that cause divisions. And it’s these who Titus 3:10-11 is referring to–those who hold to false doctrines. I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. –Romans 16:17

It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. –Jude 19 

(Now we have landed. The author's train of thought:
  • Jesus does not bring peace, so there is no unity
  • Jesus is not standardless, and those who believe other things are standardless
  • He hates idolaters
  • Idolatry is rejection of God
  • Christians cannot take part in idolatry
  • Being unequally yoked is taking part in idolatry
  • Unity with Charismatics is being unequally yoked.
  • Charismatics are idolaters and have the doctrines of demons.
  • Charismatics are the ones who are divisive.
This has been a whirlwind of leaps of logic, unjustified conclusions, and misrepresentations of Scripture. All done in order to try to establish that unity with people who believe different things is wrong.)

These people are false converts; they do not know God or have His Spirit. Whatever appearance of holiness they have is only a facade–it is not of God (Romans 10:3-12). (Now he runs with his conclusion. He somehow knows who is saved and who is not. Placing himself in the position of God, he pronounces judgment on millions people.)

God does not save through a false Jesus or a false Gospel.

To be co-belligerent with those who deny the true saving Gospel of Jesus Christ for the advancement of the purposes of God is to deny the power of God himself. It is to partake in the wickedness and idolatry of those who reject Him. It is to elevate your own purpose above His. Just as the people on earth tried to build the “tower to Heaven” (Genesis 11:1-9), God, in His infinite wisdom, knew their intentions and knew that their purposes would ultimately lead people away from God–so He destroyed it. God knows that partnering with those who are lost will serve only to compromise the Gospel and lead people away from Him.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. –2 Peter 2:1-2

Believers must be united around one thing only–the truth of Jesus Christ. Any other unity is superficial and forbidden by God. (Waaaaait. So unity is possible? On what basis? Exact conformity of of doctrine? The author is very confused.)

We must be of the same mind and judgment–and that is only found in the Word of God (1 Corinthians 1:10).

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