From the Lighthouse BlogA Doctor’s Plea for His Hometown – “Why are the pulpits silent?”

From the Lighthouse BlogA Doctor’s Plea for His Hometown – “Why are the pulpits silent?”

A Doctor’s Plea for His Hometown – “Why are the pulpits silent?”

 February 27th, 2013 |  Author: Lighthouse Trails Editors

LTRP Note: The following is a letter written by a retired physician who is a Lighthouse Trails reader and a defender of the truth. He is concerned about ”progressive Christianity” (i.e., emerging spirituality) being promoted by churches in his hometown. He has submitted articles to his local newspaper on this matter and has been publically “admonished” by at least one local pastor who finds nothing wrong with the “new” spirituality.

By Tom Baker, M.D. 
Used with permission by Dr. Baker.

Previously on October 28,2012, I wrote about “Progressive Christianity” and how it sharply contrasts with the Word of God. A local preacher is vigorously promoting this interpretive metaphorical understanding of the Bible. Members are taught to “embrace reason instead of blind allegiance to rigid doctrines and dogmas.” They believe the Bible is not the literal word of God; view Jesus Christ as not the only way to God but one of many ways; promote contemplative spirituality seeking an altered state of consciousness and contacting spirit guides.
This is a relatively free country; a man has a right to say what he believes, except for extremes like shouting “Fire! Run for your life” in a crowded theatre, for example. I defend the right to free speech. According to answers.ask.com: “This is one of the rights in the Constitution. It means that you may say what you like as long as it doesn’t harm another person.”

But what if not speaking out might doom dozens if not hundreds to spend eternity in Hell? Of course if you don’t believe in Hell and do believe that all people are shown favor by God irregardless of what they do or what they believe, then it doesn’t matter, does it? Why do local Preachers not speak up and explain their views concerning “Progressive Christianity?” Why are the pulpits silent? Some say they “pick their own battles.” But what does that really mean? Doesn’t the Bible tell us to be ready to defend the Word of God

. . .  holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (Titus 1:9)

[B]ut sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.(IPeter 3:15)

I see a rising tide of false teaching rapidly approaching, threatening to overtake us. Recently I talked with an intelligent, educated young man who explained that he did not want anything to do with “Hellfire and damnation preaching”. He likes his church because the sermon was brief, uplifting (pop psychology), and he “felt good” after leaving the church service.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. (II Timothy 4:3-4)

Multimedia presentation and loud music is no substitute for clear presentation of the Word.

Well, I can tell you this: We are in the “Last Days” as the Bible predicted. Events are accelerating and coming to a focus-whether you like it or not, whether you believe it or not. Here is something else you won’t like- two things actually:

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.  Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.( Rev. 20:11-15)

Here is the “kicker”:

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. (James 3:1)

Tom Baker MD