BODY BUILDERS MINISTRY

Much of my concern with the recent expressions of Biblical fundamentalism can be expressed in the same terms as Christ’s complaint with the Ephesian church. She has left her first love. In Revelation 2, Christ gives His church the solution to her love problems. It is three fold. Remember that which you have lost. Repent, turning from the wrong loves that you have pursued. Return, going back and beginning again those things which were done at first.

To understand the injunction, it is necessary to fully understand the complaint. The church left its first love. Leaving the first love is the departure from the early commitment to the Word and obedience to Christ for something, anything, else. This leaving the first love is not an emotional problem, it is a lack of commitment and obedience. In Matthew 24:12, Christ tells His disciples that in the last days (which we are in) the love of many will grow cold as a result of the increase of sin. In short, we have left our first love because we turned aside after sin. The only solution for us is a return to a Word filled, God exalting, doctrinally robust ministry.

Nothing in the letter to the Ephesians suggests they needed more emotional involvement or a greater feeling of something. The command given to them is to return to their original deeds. The solution to a departure from the original love is not an increase of “praise and worship” music. The correction to having left the first love is not found in a series of emotional personal testimonies. The only Biblical and profitable response is to return to those works which were done at first. The Word of God does not leave us guessing to what deeds Christ is referring. Acts 19 gives to us glimpses into the early events surrounding the starting of the Ephesian church. In that chapter, three things stand out. In verse 9, the church was daily gathering together for Biblical instruction. In verse 20, the Ephesians were ruled by the Word of God. In verse 17, they lived lives that glorified God.

The solution for fundamentalism found in Acts 19 begins with a rock solid commitment to ongoing instruction of the Word of God. This is a major problem within fundamentalism. The clear instruction of the Word has been replaced by catchy outlines, pet peeves and oratorical chicanery. To put this very bluntly, we must stop ordaining and calling men who treat the text as the diving board for their opinions, who preach their personal opinions as if they are Divine revelation or who act as if the Biblical text was given as an idea farm for their creative sermonizing. We need to be teaching, promoting and seeking sound, exegetical preaching that diligently explains the authorial intent of a given passage and that carefully applies the original intent to our current circumstances. We need to do away with gamesmen, showmen, comedians, con artists, bullies, braggarts and performers. We need faithful men who will strive for nothing less than the faithful exposition of God’s Holy Word.

We need listeners who desire something more than entertainment. We need church members who yearn to have the Word of God opened up before them. We need church members who diligently and daily study the Word on their own. We need church members with the gumption and gravity to examine every message to ascertain if what was presented as coming from God’s Word actually is in God’s Word, in the place it was said to be found. We need church members with the discernment to know that large crowds or great numbers of decisions are not clear markers of Divine truth and blessing. We need church members who know that faithful obedience to the Word is far more important than gripping sermons and moving illustrations. We need church members who are so hungry for the Word that they will listen attentively, study diligently and obey faithfully. We need a fundamentalism filled with believers who are committed to constant instruction in the Word. The solution to our departed love starts with saturating ourselves in the Word.

In the weeks ahead we’ll consider the other aspects of Christ’s solution to His church.

In Revelation 2:1-7 Christ rebukes the Ephesian church for leaving it’s first love. I’m afraid modern day fundamentalism has reached a point similar to that which the Ephesian church reached at the end of the first century. Fundamentalism has left her first love. Christ does not rebuke the Ephesian church for a diminished feeling or passion. That is our modern definition of love. The Biblical definition of love for Christ is obedience to His commands (John 15:14), rejection of the world (1 John 2:15) and love for one another (1 John 4:8). Fundamentalism has done a pretty good job of rejecting the world.  Obedience to the Word and love for one another have suffered. She still has the right doctrine. She is militant and aggressive in maintaining that doctrine and in separating from those with wrong doctrine. That right doctrine, though, has been divorced from a deep commitment to the Word and personal obedience to the Bible. Many fundamentalists would be screaming at this point that they are absolutely committed to the Word. Yet, the commitment that exists in practice is a commitment to a set of standards, a particular translation, a traditional practice or a well received program. A commitment to the Word is evidenced by more than just holding the right doctrinal statement (the Ephesians had the right doctrine). A commitment to the Word is evidenced by an absolute commitment to obedience to and reliance on the Word in all things. This is not true of much of fundamentalism. For example, expositional preaching has been expressly rejected by many because, according to them, people will grow bored and go else where. That is pragmatism. The response of people to truth should not have any impact on the faithful proclamation of truth. Sadly, large chunks of fundamentalism long ago stopped preaching the Word and began preaching about the Word. They refused the straightforward explanation of what God has said and accepted ear catching homilies that stirred interest and drew crowds. Fundamentalism has left her first love. She has left a complete reliance on the sufficient Word of God and turned to trust in programs, schemes and manipulations. She has replaced the supreme glory of God with a desire for decisions, numbers, influence, tradition or someone’s personal agenda. She has turned aside for pragmatism, ritualism and personism. She is doctrinally straight but doxologically bent.

Christ gives His church the solution to her love problems. It is three fold. Remember where you used to be. Repent, turn from whatever you have been loving. Return, go back and begin doing those things which you did at first. Next week I’ll address how fundamentalism can and should apply this three part solution.

This post was originally a two parter, beginning with “Bad ways to proclaim you’re a fundamentalist”. As I typed them I pondered the Sunday School lessons on Christlike communication that I am currently teaching. I have been forced to conclude that though they might have been amusing, the list of bad ways would not have been kind and profitable. So I give you the second half of the original article. Below are some suggestions of excellent ways to reveal to the world that you are a fundamentalist:

• Practice an uncompromising commitment to the sufficiency of the Word of God for every area of life.
• Faithfully and continually proclaim of the gospel, publicly and privately.
• Read and study your Bible daily. Meditate on the Word continually.
• Preach the Word of God. Don’t high from a text into your opinions. Don’t use the text as launching pad for your great outline. Read the Word. Explain the Word. Apply the Word. Preach the Word.
• Clearly and frequently articulate why Jesus is the Son of God, God made flesh, Who purchased the only means of forgiveness for all men.
• Imitate Christ. Constantly, compellingly and carefully.
• Fight for the gospel.
• Fight for the perfection, authority and sufficiency of the Word.
• Fight for the Deity, perfection and sacrifice of Christ.
• Fight for the truths of salvation.
• Remain gracious and kind as you fight for the fundamental truths.
• Separate over doctrine.
• Offer clear Biblical explanations for your separation.
• Allow your separation practices to be challenged and changed by the Word.
• Never forget those you are separating from are either brethren in need of repentance or condemned in need of salvation.
• Unapologetically proclaim God’s Word as authoritative for all men at all time in all places.
• Unapologetically live under the absolute authority of God’s Word at all times in all situations with all men.

Sunday I began filling the pulpit at Manistique Bible Church. Since the resignation of their pastor the church has had a few different men preaching for them. They have been blessed to have men available for lengthier stretches of time, and I am able to step in immediately after several weeks of ministry by Evangelist Keven Brownfield.

I will be preaching each Sunday until sometime in early June, at which point I will be starting the summer VBS schedule. While in Manistique I plan on preaching through the letters to the seven churches in Revelation, learning from Christ what is necessary to be an overcoming church. Aside from preaching, I will carry a few other responsibilities in the church, including doing some visitation and offering advice to the pulpit committee. I will not be serving in a pastoral role, but as a helper alongside the work.

The last several months have been challenging for the church. Those who have filled the pulpit have already done much to help heal and strengthen the flock. My desire is to further strengthen Manistique Bible Church that they may come to a common vision, for a common purpose in a common obedience that they may stand and overcome together.

“Some dear church people, even in our day, do not know the Gospel when they hear it. When a minister comes to a church for revival services, if he is a master teller of sob-stories, causing people to weep or to clap their hands and shout, some think that they have had a great revival. Another minister may come, preaching only the pure Word of God, lifting up the blood-stained banner, delivering pure Gospel from the minute he steps into the pulpit until the last ‘Amen’- and these same church members never shed a tear when he proclaims the crucifixion of Jesus and pictures the horrible treatment He received at the hands of His enemies! They do not call this Godly man a great preacher, but one who can make people laugh or cry is an outstanding minister in their catalog.”

- Oliver B. Greene

Sunday was one of those days in ministry that I thoroughly enjoy being a part of. Faith Baptist Church installed Pastor Ben Boeshaar as their new pastor. We had a great day together as a church, with a potluck after the morning service and then the installation service. Three local pastors and one of the church’s missionaries joined us for the service. Each man gave a brief charge to Pastor Ben and the church. Pastor Laflamme encouraged him to listen to and love the church and to preach the Word; Missionary Stanley Stankovich challenged him and the church to pray, to pray for an open door for the gospel and for souls to be saved; Pastor Dwelley encouraged him to pray and to be patient and he challenged the church to follow Pastor Ben’s leadership; Pastor Jolls taught everyone of the message, method, man and manner of the gospel. I concluded the challenges with a brief message from James 3 on what a wise leader looks like. Following the challenges, all these men and the church board gathered around Ben for a time of public prayer. The time of challenge and prayer was a very sober reminder of the task ahead for Pastor Ben. The days ahead will be filled with great challenges and great blessings for him and the church.

We are rejoicing in how God has led the ministry at Faith Baptist. His hand has been evident throughout the previous year of ministry. His guidance and providence directed us through the pastor search, interview and selection processes. It is my prayer that God will continue to clearly guide and greatly prosper Faith Baptist Church in Munising. I encourage each one to pray earnestly for Pastor Ben, his family and the church as they begin their ministry together.

Last Wednesday I shared with the church family a few a lessons from Paul’s requests for prayer in his letters to the churches. I have attached the outline of that message that you may be helped in praying for Pastor Ben and for your own pastor.

Hebrews 13:17-18
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

Ephesians 6:19-20
a.    He will speak the gospel
b.    He will teach the gospel
c.    He will be bold with the gospel
d.    He will be faithful with the gospel

Colossians 4:3
a.    He will have an open door for the gospel
b.    He will clearly communicate the gospel
c.    He will faithfully proclaim the gospel

Philippians 1:19-20
a.    He will not be ashamed in the work of the ministry
b.    He will be bold
c.    Christ will be magnified in his actions

Romans 1:9-11 (cf. 1 Thes. 3:10)
a.    He will have safety in ministry travels
b.    He will serve effectively
c.    He will strengthen the saints

Romans 15:30-32
a.    He will be delivered from evil men
b.    Reception of his ministry by the saints
c.    He will accomplish ministry desires

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
a.    God’s Word not be hindered
b.    Gods’ Word be glorified through obedience
c.    God’s servant be delivered from opposition

Over the past year I have attempted to lay a basic foundation for understanding Biblical fundamentalism. A right foundation is essential for correctly viewing and assessing modern day fundamentalism. In the months ahead I want to consider bits of fundamentalism’s philosophy and methodology and what can be done to return to a right application of Biblical truths in the American culture of the 21st century.

I remain committed to the idea and to the movement of fundamentalism. Though I am deeply troubled by many things currently happening in fundamentalist circles, fundamentalism is well worth preserving. In its original inception, fundamentalism was a commitment to sound Biblical doctrine and to steadfast obedience to Biblical commands. We need a revival of that kind of fundamentalism. I am afraid that much of the fundamentalism of today has lost it’s commitment to sound Biblical doctrine. While many still maintain the right doctrinal statements, I’m afraid many have allowed subtle errors to creep into their preaching and ministries. Frustratingly enough, on the other side of the coin it often seems as if those who genuinely maintain a strong commitment to sound doctrine have lessened their willingness to practice Biblical separation.

We need a revival of fundamentalism that preaches robust doctrine and practices robust separation. We need a revival of fundamentalism that is not concerned about gaining influence with camps, circles or leaders but is concerned about faithfulness to the Word. We need a revival of fundamentalism that is going to speak the truth in love. We do not need a more relevant fundamentalism. We do not need a more contemporary fundamentalism. We desperately need a more Biblical fundamentalism. Because of that great need, I have chosen to write these articles. Because of that great need, in the months ahead I will be addressing issues and situations within fundamentalism in hopes of presenting a solidly Biblically position.

Though separation is not a pleasant issue to consider and though its applications is at times complicated, separation is one issue which Christians intent on faithful obedience to the Word must seriously work through. Though we should never be defined only by our practice of separation, separatism is an integral part of what makes fundamentalism different from other groups of believers. Separatism remains one of the prime distinctives that keep fundamentalism alive and necessary. However, separation should never be practiced for separations sake. Separation is always subordinate to the prime purpose of bringing God glory in our lives and churches. The purpose of separation is to glorify God through the careful application of His Word to maintain unity and purity within the church.

One thing stands paramount above all other considerations in practicing separation and is the only means by which we can understand how to practice separation for the glory of God. The Bible must be the supreme and sole standard and guide for us in our fellowship with other professing believers. Many times feelings and traditions take greater importance than the Bible. This must not be. God’s Word gives us exactly what we need to know about separation, telling us when and how to break fellowship with fellow believers. The problems regarding separation in evangelicalism and fundamentalism stem from deviating from the Biblical commands. In fundamentalism, we have added traditions and opinions to the Biblical commands. We have gone beyond and created extra-Biblical reasons to separate.

While I am deeply concerned whenever a church or an institution makes decisions that moves them away from a traditional or conservative stance I cannot separate from them over that decision. I may encourage them to return to their former position, but I cannot separate from them. Even though changing music or dress standards may be the first step down a well lubricated decline, unless the new position is disobedient to the Word then I cannot, I must not, separate over such a change. On the other end of the spectrum, I must not maintain fellowship with one who is in disobedience to the Word. No matter what circle he travels in, what history his church may have, how long we have been friends or how many people have been saved under his preaching, if one is in violation of the Bible I must separate from Him.

The Bible has to be the standard by which our fellowship is judged. If there is a difference between myself and another regarding the socio-cultural application of a Biblical principle, I cannot use the differing opinion as an excuse to refuse fellowship. If there is disobedience to the Bible, I cannot use any sentiment or tradition as an excuse to maintain fellowship. The standard is the Word of God, and only when we faithfully apply the Word to our relationships will we practice a separation that glorifies God and strengthens His church.

Should fundamentalists separate from conservative evangelicals? That question lies before us in this particular article.  For the sake of these articles on separation, I have defined a conservative evangelical as one who does not separate from a professing believer who maintains close fellowship with an apostate.  The command to separate from apostates is clearly revealed in the Bible.  The need to separate from those who fellowship with apostasy is also laid out in Scriptures. The answer to the question of our relationship with conservative evangelicals must also be found in the Word of God.  Logical, sentimental and practical answers are not sufficient.  Only an answer from Scriptures will suffice.

Finding a clear, concise answer to this question in the Word is rather challenging, since the universal response to apostasy in the Bible was absolute separation.  We find no clear examples of ongoing fellowship with apostates, much less the other levels of separation that are now being discussed.  Where then do we turn?  I believe there are a few Biblical principles that must direct our thinking.  The principles that apply to this situation are of two different kinds, principles of unity and principles of purity.

Unity argues that these brethren (and whatever else can be said, conservative evangelicals are clearly brethren) should be treated as brethren.  In reference to one who was not a disciple but was casting out demons in Christ’s name, Christ instructed his disciples, “He that is not against us is on our part.” Christ prayed in John 17 that all those who would believe on Him would be one.  In 1 Peter the saints scattered throughout Asia minor were instructed to, “Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren.” The New Testament reveals a definite principle of unity amongst believers throughout the church. Not just within the local body, but between all believers.

Purity argues that these brethren should be separated from lest their compromised fellowship lead others into fellowship with disobedience.  This is no idle concern.  Thoughtful observation of the last 60 years of church history in America will find many have been set adrift through their fellowship with those not separated.  However, practical observation is not the standard or the rule.  The Bible issues some clear commands regarding purity. In 1 Corinthians 5:11 Paul enjoins the believers to not eat with one is living in persistent sin.  The one who refuses to separate from “new evangelicals”- those who fellowship with apostates- are in sin.  They are clearly not heeding the commands of separation, such as the one found in Romans 16:17.  (As an aside, it seems to be a silly thing to apply the commands of separation only to those things found specifically listed in a particular verse.  The list of things from which we are to separate runs the gamut from laziness to immorality to idolatry.  Not to mention the entire book of Romans. Seems kind of silly to say Paul gives us a short list of 8 things from which we are to separate and that is all.)  In 1 Corinthians 15:33 Paul teaches concerning the resurrection.  In addressing the false doctrine, he warns about the danger of fellowship with those hold to wrong doctrine.  Pauls states that we must not be deceived, wrong companions will undermine right living.  Our relationships will impact our righteousness.

The challenge then is to rightly apply these two sets of principles to our relationships with conservative evangelicals.  First and foremost, we must not begin to suggest that these ones are not truly Christians.  We cannot refuse to recognize them as brothers.  Our words to and about them, as in all our relationships, must reflect the love of Christ.  Our words to and about them must also reflect that we are joined together in Christ.  Rather than anger and venom being directed towards them, there needs to be deep concern and sorrow over their disobedience.  However, as a result of their disobedience we cannot minister with them as if nothing was wrong.  The result of their sin is a circumscribed fellowship.  We acknowledge their relationship, but we limit its scope and application lest we or others be drawn into similar disobedience.  In the end, while I greatly appreciate the work done by many of these ministries, I cannot join with them, I cannot relinquish the pulpit to them, I cannot have the same kind of relationship with them that I would have with one who is fully practicing Biblical separation.

In Ephesians 4-6 Paul teaches believers what a life of putting on Christlikeness looks like. The first half of chapter five is taken up with a comparison between the wicked practices of the culture of Ephesus and the Christlike habits that should characterize believers. Of particular interest at this time of year is the instruction in verse 16, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” The command to redeem the time is an explanation and application of the command in verse 15 to walk wisely, not foolishly, in this dark world.

This world, in all its natural sinfulness, has taught men to use the time of their life for their own pursuit, their own pleasure and their own personal satisfaction.  The mantra of pop singers, pop psychologists and popular television is to be whoever you want to be and never let anyone stop you from being you.  The command of Scriptures is far different.  God’s Word teaches the believer is to die to self and put aside self will.  The believer is to be like Christ, not like himself. Redeeming the time is taking this life which has been given to you by God and buying it back, out of the wickedness, selfishness and wordliness of this culture.  Redeeming the time is living this life for Divine purposes in accord with Divine commands.

The time referenced here is not hours and minutes.  Paul is not saying, “Redeem 12 o’clock, redeem 1 o’clock.  Instead, time refers to a season, a short opportunity that is before one. Paul is commanding believers take the season that lies before them and make the most of it.  Not to make the most of it for personal use, that’s what the world does, but to take the season of life that is before us, and make the most of it for the glory of God.  Paul wrote the Ephesian letter to teach believers that they were redeemed according to the eternal purpose and plan of God so that through them He would be glorified in this world, in the heavenly places and for all eternity.  We have been given this season before us so that through us God will be glorified.

As we look at the new year before us, we look ahead at another season of our life.  That season is an opportunity to bring God glory.  Do not waste it. Do not squander it as the prodigal son did his father’s wealth.  Do not bury it as the unfaithful servant did his masters money.  Use it, redeem it as a faithful steward for the glory of God.