God hates Calvinism.
By David Cox
To some people, just the title of this article would be blasphemous. God is against Calvinism. Let me expand on the why of this statement. This article is dual posted here and at http://www.davidcoxmex.com/archives/why-god-hates-calvinism
See our Word Study on the word Grace in the KJV (both New AND Old Testaments). http://www.thewordtutorial.com/word-study/word-study-grace/
No dictators allowed! A false prophets study that examines why pastors are not to be dictators, but rather hands on leaders which first do themselves, and others follow their examples.
For an overview of this, see
False Prophets and Teachers Overview
Pastors are supposed to “get things done” in the local church. But in getting things done, many misunderstand the style of leadership our pastors are supposed to have. It is not an army, where the general sits behind a desk and gives orders. The pastor is somebody who takes the lead by doing things himself, and others see him and because they love him, they follow him.
The “lording over the flock” is exactly the problem with modern churches. It doesn’t work in God’s work.
1Pe 5:3 “not being lord’s over God’s flock”
G2634 κατακυριεύω katakurieuo (kat-ak-oo-ree-yoo’-o) v.
1. to lord against, i.e. control, subjugate
There is a grave problem when a pastor thinks his principle ministry is the controling of the flock of God. Pastors do not control. They are brethren with the sheep. Their purpose is to take care of others, and to lead them by being the first and most faithful one to do the correct thing.
1Pe 5:2 not for filthy lucre,
G147 αἰσχροκερδῶς aischrokerdos (ai-skhrok-er-doce`) adv.
1. to gain in a disgracefully, sordidly manner
A pastor does what he does, striving to get what he deems a worthy goal by a correct method. Motives, methods, and goals are all involved. But when a minister makes spiritual decisions based on how it will economically affect him (personally or as a ministry) we need to take a step back on that one. We should not do things without considering the long range effects of the thing, but the spiritual side comes first and can completely overrule any economic suffering that may result. The Christians of Bible times accepted great economic loss in order to obey God (Hebrews 11 – Heroes of the faith).
Although there should be financial responsibility in every ministry, the pastor has to be distanced from that concept of greediness.
1Pe 5:2 but of a ready mind
G4290 προθύμως prothumos (proth-oo’-moce) adv.
1. with alacrity
Merriam Websters – a quick and cheerful readiness to do something; promptness in response.
Again, the greatest pastors in history and in the world today are doers that do not order others to follow them, but rather by themselves doing the right thing, they inspire others to follow them and do the same.
1Cor 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 1Cor 16:16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
Basically, I have seen two kinds of pastors: (1) those that are hands on pastors, wanting to get involved and if possible lead the charge. (2) armchair generals that normally “do not get their hands dirty with the small stuff.”
When we see a minister that has a dedication to work and work hard, we should follow that man. When we see lazy, do little, do nothing, and brag about what they themselves don’t actually do, we should get away from them.
Note that this concept is very biblical. Some people say, “don’t look at the minister because he will just let you down. Look only at God.” We should not let failures of Christian character get us discouraged. That is a good thought. But if you cannot follow the leaders you have, you need to change leaders and churches altogether.
1Tim 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Titus 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Titus 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
1Cor 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1Cor 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Phil 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
1Thess 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
The point here is that the Bible exhorts us to follow the faith of those spiritual leaders over us. There is a given here that those leaders are spiritual examples in themselves.
There are several considerations here. First and foremost is that God has not given us His flock for us to do what we want with them. We are but stewards of God’s flock, and therefore God will return one day to force accounts with us. If we have abused God’s heritage, we will be condemned by Christ. Being saved, we will not lose our salvation but rather all our rewards in heaven. This is a powerful consideration in its self.
Moreover the example of God is Jesus Christ, and he was at times very forceful, but never abusive. Jesus allowed his followers certain liberties and
See my tracts
ch38 Recognizing a Good Pastor
ch41 Marks of a Bad Pastor
ch43 Time to leave your church?
Covetousness is Idolatry
By David Cox
Covetousness is simply desiring. When desiring something highly, then a desire changes into covetousness. Usually, when we need something physically, like air or water or food, it is not considered covetousness. Covetousness involves a desire for non-essential things.
Note that the worship of something is when it is important to you to the degree that whatever pertains to that person or thing overwhelms all the other priorities in your life, you worship it. If that one thing that overwhelms and dictates how you live your life is not the one true God (Mat 4:10), then you are worshipping an idol. This can be a person (real or imaginary) as well as a thing, like money.
Mt 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
“Mammon” or riches is very distinctly identified as a god (like “g”) that many people worship.
1Tim 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1Tim 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
The point here is that people have trust or confidence in the things or persons that provide them with provisions and advantages in this life. After a point, that thing or person becomes more and more dominant until, at some point, it becomes like their god. While friends and side jobs can provide things for you, they are not dominant. When you trust in them to the point of making way, moving everything else so that your relationship with them is 100%, then they are your god(s) or idol(s). And really, not even 100% loyalty is necessary.
Col 3:5 Mortify (kill, or make so that they do not have effect on you) therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
The high desire for things, the putting of high priorities on things or on how we procure things, by what means, indicates what our god really is. When prayer and working your life as God indicates is your priority, then the God of the Bible is your god.
Covetousness is when your desire for something eclipses your desire for God. You want something more than you want Him.
It’s surprisingly easy to spot when the thing you desire is withheld: you get frustrated with God, angry and bitter. — Source
Ministerial Requirement Not Covetous
By David Cox
We must understand that a minister that is covetous is disqualified from the ministry. He should step down voluntarily, or his church should retire him, or if they won’t, then his people should leave him.
This post explains some distinctive points of the Church of Church. My purpose in giving this evaluation is not to refute every error ever mentioned in one of their books, but rather to outline the areas where I and others have seen doctrinal impropriety in the Church of Christ. My purpose and point is so that when you read Church of Christ authors that you can be on the look out for these particular problems, and “filter them out” (reject them).
(Note, I am using “Campbellite” here because this traces back to the founding of this group, although they probably do not like it. I mean no offense by this. Additionally, it is my understanding that the Disciples of Christ technically is a branch off of the main Church of Christ group, and the Disciples of Christ deny many of the fundamentals of the faith. They should be distinguished although they have a common heritage.)
I have read a lot of Church of Christ material, and a lot of it seems right down the line with the Bible. I have read the sermons of Mark Copeland, and most every one of them would seem to exactly something that I would preach. (Water baptism is one element that I disagree with him totally, see below.) But some of their teachings are definitely off in left field. I would also note that in my own personal opinion, the diversity in doctrinal positions is extremely wide in this group, and while some are pretty close to Baptist beliefs, others are far afield. Some seem to be pushing things towards a more biblical stance and practice, while others are just a cult and work towards making their beliefs and practices as different from other groups as possible, whether they misinterpret the Bible in doing or not.
TOPICS
I think this is the key concept to understanding and resolving the many problems, errors, and confusion about salvation. Understanding the being of God is very important if we want to get a good grip on how God saves. Continue reading God is Timeless
Be Free: Galatians, Warren Wiersbe. Brent T. says, “This is an excellent commentary on the book of Galatians, that is just right for people coming out of the Assembly. The back cover reads: ‘In order to be a better Christian, I must_______. How a person answers that question is all important.’ This book debunks the false, performance based teaching promulgated by George, and the book is easy to read.”
Calvinism is a true masterwork of deception, with twisting and turning of the truth, to create something other than the truth. This is never more true than in its accessment of God, man, and Satan.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Rev 3:7 he that is true (Christ)
In Hebrew the word for “truth” means firmness, faithfulness, strong, firm. In Greek it has a concept of “reality”, what really is. The essence of truth is the “sameness” between what a thing presents itself as, and the reality of that being or situation. The opposite of truth is a lie, a deception, a projected perception that does not correspond with reality.
A good example here is simply “hypocrite” or actor. A Hollywood actor projects himself (his character, actions, emotions, being) as something that he is not. A magician projects a false reality. He presents to his audience a woman that he puts into a box and cuts her in half, but after apparently cutting her in half, he presents her without any harm afterwards. This is presenting a false reality, and it is deception pure and simple.
It is not part of the character of God that He uses or has deception within Himself, or His character or actions. Continue reading God is truth, Satan is deception
Cults are just false prophets at work. One of the distinguishing marks of a cult/false prophet is that they have refused “out of hand” (with no exceptions) the will of God and the correct doctrine of the Bible. Their reasons are a wonder, but basically they prefer to work their will in their own way of doing things rather than submit to God’s will. This is covered up so that their followers don’t get wise to what is going on and leave the group.
After having studied a number of these kinds of groups, and talking to people personally, I think that in many cases they are “sincere” people, in the sense that they themselves are under the lie and delusion of Satan that this way that they do stuff is God’s way, or approved of God. Continue reading Mark of a Cult: Deception
Is Total Depravity Biblical?By David Cox
Is the Calvinist doctrine of Total Depravity really biblical? Basically, the doctrine as explained by Calvinists is that this doctrine means that “there is no good within man.” Man has no “spark of divinity within him” whereby he has something good to offer God for salvation. Continue reading Is Total Depravity Biblical?
