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There was such great discussion in the last article, My Twitter Conversation with a Pastor about Doctrine and Truth. Thanks to all who participated. The comments continue to come in. In the comments of that post, I mentioned how those who evangelize (ie, door-to-door or street evangelism) sometimes say the reason they experience conflict with others when witnessing is because the Bible says that the cross is foolish to those who are perishing. I then commented that this verse often encourages them that they are doing it right when people are disturbed by their message. In my former church, I can picture the pastor smiling about this as if it was a victory. He was a fool for Christ. Yet, in my mind, I didn’t see love. Another related post is False Teachers: The Hard Gospel and Grace.
I also mentioned the “free” car washes our church had. This comes from the website:
During the summers, on designated Saturdays, we wash cars for free, no donations accepted. While the cars get washed, the gospel is proclaimed to the drivers and passengers! (Source)
Cars lined up and were actually hemmed in as the car owners and passengers became a captive audience to listen to an evangelistic message whether they liked it or not. They could not leave until the car in front of them left. Church members were all on board with this ministry effort. It never sat right with me. My husband and kids participated in these car wash “outreaches” by holding signs at street corners, washing cars, etc. If the sign said, “Free Car Wash and Evangelistic Spiel,” then my feelings would be different on the subject.
I really appreciated Gary’s comment:
Yes, the Bible says “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing. . . .” (1 Corinthians 1:18a, ESV). However, Jesus says “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, ESV). Jesus laid down his life on the cross. The word/message of the cross IS love.
I wish to be careful here, but it may well be that some (many?) of those who use the Corinthians 1:18 passage as a pretext for acting in unloving ways are, in fact, perishing. That they would redefine the meaning of love is simply a red flag warning of their great danger. A good tree does not produce bad fruit. Matthew 12:33. Hateful conduct is NEVER the fruit of love. Unfortunately, if my assessment is correct, it is likely also correct that those who are so perishing will be among the most difficult to evangelize.
Ok, going out on a limb here. I am surely to ruffle some feathers with this post and will most likely get to add more names to my running list of negative names people call me here: Negative Responses. But this is something that I just cannot get settled in my mind. The video which follows came highly recommended on my Twitter feed. I watched it. I read the comments. They did not match up with what I was feeling. I just did not feel the love.
Many of you know that I am trying to sift through the rubble of what certain pastors spoon-fed me. I’m trying to see if these actions/ideas/beliefs are of God or not. This is part of that rubble. Help a girl out. Take a look at this. I couldn’t watch the whole thing. I skimmed ahead and it was the same stuff. I skimmed further – still same stuff.
The same ol’ stuff went on for more than 40 minutes. F.O.R.T.Y freakin’ minutes. It made me have a lot of questions: What fruit did it produce? Did it produce love? What message did it send? Were people changed by this exchange? Did it cause anyone to seriously take a look at what they were doing? Did it save lives? Did it connect with anyone on an emotional level? Furthermore, it was recorded. Why was it recorded? Did they get permission to record these strangers? Who did this benefit? Was God honored and glorified?
My main question is this: is this love?
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On the flip side, if that video does not look like love to you, what does love look like when dealing with moms and dads who are facing an unwanted pregnancy?
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Spiritual Sounding Board 
JA-
I can’t watch the video where I’m at right now, I’ll have to do that later. I was wondering what the video was about, and then I saw your last line of the post…”what does love look like when dealing with moms and dads who are facing an unwanted pregnancy?” I’m a little worried now about how, what I am guessing are “Christians,” are treating people that are in a very sticky situation. I’m going to guess, even without seeing the video, that they are lacking in grace. I’ll leave my final idea for when I actually get to watch the video though, and then post another comment.
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JoeJoe – Just picture a street evangelist with a mic outside of an abortion clinic speaking loudly to passersby and people entering/exiting the clinic. Obviously there is another person videotaping, too.
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It is interesting what “truth” he chose to broadcast. Not once did he say God loved the women, the babies or the man who was standing up to him. “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”
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The atheist guy asked the Chrisian if Jesus would stand out there with a loudspeaker and shout at young women? He made some very good points around 36. Why aren’t you serving the poor? Have you personally adopted any orphans?
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See, that’s exactly what I’m thinking, kbonikowsky. What does he have available to him right now, in his back pocket, $$, resources available, etc, to help someone practically – – you know, that compassion-in-action thang?
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PS – God bless you for watching so much of that. I was getting nauseated.
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Julie Anne,
Abortion is such an emotional issue, that has turn heated by both Pro-Life and Pro-Choice. I’m not able to download the video so it is hard for me to see who is antagonizing who.
We know Pro-Life groups have been taking a verbal beating by Pro-Choice groups.
I don’t condone Evangelist who conduct themselves in a manner in which they recklessly and verbally abuse or attack people that is Un-Christ-like.
Nor do I condone the millions of Abortions that are performed in America which is the most irresponsible form of birth control and has become an accepted part of American society, that only a miracle from Heaven can change.
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Let me just say that I think the message was loving, how many of us would dare go stand outside of an abortion clinic and preach the gospel? we may disagree with how it was done but how can we say we are loving these people any more than him? are we there with a caring heart when they enter or leave that place? are they going to ever hear our message if we don’t go to them? To be honest the kinds of churches and individuals who would have a more loving message don’t go to these places.
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Welcome, Robert. Is it a loving message if it is annoying people who can’t shut it off? Is it a loving message having a camera zoomed in on you? Help me understand you. How does it draw someone to Christ when the method creates so much animosity? Is it building up walls or tearing down walls to future conversation?
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That’s a really good point, Robert. I thought the same thing when I first heard him. And, I was reminded of John the Baptist, who probably didn’t come across very loving either. 🙂 If you listen to him, and I did…the whole 40 minutes… he does not come across very approachable. If I were a woman going in, he is the last person I’d approach if I wanted another option. It seems like there could be a better method, a more successful one.
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I couldn’t even get past 20 seconds of the video. The music and “Cross Centered” screaming at my eyes did me in. I probably would have cried if I had watched further to see someone with a bullhorn in someone’s face. But I have seen this before.
I don’t think Jesus approached people this way. He offered truth, eternal life, healing, grace. He didn’t force it upon anyone and some walked away, but most came looking for him and were crowded about him wanting what he offered.
I didn’t watch the video so I don’t know the emphasis. Was it anti-abortion, or the Good News of the Gospel? Even if it was the Good News, if the delivery is loveless . . .
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I’m not going to watch the video so I may be mistaken. But I strongly suspect that this was in no way “preaching the gospel.” I suspect it would be more accurately called preaching (his personal interpretation of) the law.
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Our example:
He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
Isaiah 42:2-3a, ESV
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I can’t watch this video yet. I think I would throw up and run through our glass patio door.
However, I have been told by people I respect very much that some Christians have a “prophetic” gifting which comes across as more confrontational and less seeker-friendly or sensitive to contextualization. These friends believe they have such a gift, btw.
My (prophetic) friends tell me that such prophetic gifts are needed just as much as merciful approaches, since some unbelievers actually respond well to such exhortation (perhaps unbelievers with prophetic proclivities?).
A case in point was a recent talk hosted by a ministry I work with where the speaker gave a highly confrontational talk, and students of this speaker’s same ethnicity responded and several believed in Jesus. Other students were greatly offended. I was sweating bullets and had to self-soothe by counting repetitive number sequences in my head.
Such “prophetic” giftings, when not balanced with love, do indeed rub people raw. And that’s not okay. I once heard Mark Cahill speak about aggressive evangelism at my undergrad. He then came through the lunch line where I was working behind the counter. As the lunch lady passed him his tray, Mark said, “Ma’am, if you died tonight, do you know where you would go?” in front of everyone. He didn’t even know this lady. And it was a Christian school. I almost brained him with a vat of mashed potatoes. Such aggressive tactics may appeal to a certain type of person, but I find them distasteful, egocentric, and mean. As the bumper sticker so wisely says, “Mean People Suck.”
Love knows when to speak and when to listen. It doesn’t use duplicity, capture an audience in a car wash, or practice bait and switch tactics.
I’m a Christian, but if you use one of these techniques on me, I might dump mashed potatoes on your head.
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To me, being hateful and evil is always being hateful and evil, no matter what the subject is.
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JulieAnne, I had the same feeling a couple of years ago, when members of a church near my home stood in front of it and faced the street with their abortion protest signs. Over a hundred people, surely, with their small children in tow, all holding signs and waving and making eye contact with the people in the cars. There is no abortion clinic any where near here, by the way.
I was sickened. I mean, I’m glad they chose to do it on their own property, that they weren’t harassing pregnant women, and I fully support their right to do that, but… honestly? 100+ people standing along the street for 3 hours — what did they accomplish? That’s 300 man-hours alone that could have been donated to a crisis nursery, or a women’s shelter, or repairing a home or babysitting for single mothers. They could have actually used their dedication to DO something that might have helped their cause — instead they wasted a lot of time, effort, and posterboard making a public statement…
I can’t speak for their hearts, maybe they thought they were somehow being loving. But I seriously doubt anyone on the receiving end experienced anything that could be called “love.”
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Ken – – From what I heard, it was OT law-based telling of their sin.
Ang – You brief comment spoke volumes to me.
Final Anon: You are speaking my language – and perhaps the language of those who are in a crisis pregnancy. Which speaks more of the love of Christ – someone telling them of their sin, or someone who has love with shoes on – (Compassion in Action)? I have a hunch that the latter speaks far louder. Anyone can spout off in a mic and embarrass someone, not everyone wants to listen to the cries of a sad and hopeless mom.
Steve: Dumping mashed potatoes on someone’s head is a lot nicer than some of the things I’d like to do 🙂 I loved your whole comment and I’m wondering how I would have responded to Cahill. The sad thing is he probably thinks something is wrong with you for not reaching out like he did. I spoke with some from my old church who didn’t go to some of the evangelism outreaches and they always felt guilty, like they were sinning for not going. They were probably just at home caring for their children – – you know, just being a mom or something useless like that. 😦
Sorry, the sarcasm . . .
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It’s so weird that that man thinks that he had successful afternoon evangelizing. He thinks “I got the word out” “I caused someone to think” “I may have saved a baby today”. I don’t think he realized he probably didn’t do anything except harden hearts and cause people to think he’s crazy. He feels good that he was “harassed” because he was “suffering for Christ”. Serving meals at a soup kitchen would have been more Christ-like. Jesus didn’t picket brothels. His disciples didn’t spend almost an hour debating those hard-of-heart. They spent time with people on their turf, doing things normal people do during the day, listening to them, eating meals with them, partying with them, sharing their time and abilities.
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I agree Julie Anne with what you are saying here about the video- it is definitely not worthwhile to stand there battling with words against an unbeliever- completely defeats the purpose. He clearly did not sit down with the man and speak in love.
However, in the light of the case against the Philadelphian doctor Gosnell and the horrors of what goes on in these clinics I can understand the anger- I am angry. These live babies were stuffed in shoe boxes and toilets and struggling to get out of them, gasping for breath- this is outright infanticide! I think of the story of a monk St. Telemachus (in the time of the Roman Empire) who stood in the midst of the gladiator revelry and spoke out of how wrong it was. He was then stoned to death; in the end, the Emperor Honorius put a stop to the practice. I feel there is a time to step up, speak out and be bold even it means to be persecuted- the prophets sure did and so did Paul and what they said was not too nice either. So I do believe there is a time and a place to speak out against such atrocities like these, but one must do it with careful consideration on what their heart looks like first. Are you speaking truth in love or does anger place 1st place spot in your heart?
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Whenever I see this kind of “evangelism”, I am always reminded of the Golden Rule. Would we like to be on the receiving end of such tactics? Would I want to be asked bluntly (and out of nowhere) by a total stranger if I knew where I was going when I died? If I was in a desperate situation, would I want to be told of my eternal damnation via bullhorn? I know that I tend to be pretty sensitive so I don’t respond well to aggressive tactics of any kind. Perhaps a crash course in suffering and compassion would help those prone to these tactics. I’m sure any of us would volunteer to lead this course.
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Hi Julie Ann,
If you didn’t see the woman who interjected from about 19:17 to 20:10, you should watch that part (an notice the on screen comment about her). Had you been there, I think that would have been you…
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Sorry, I meant Julie Anne. I hate it when people misspell names! 😦
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LOL, Tom – – Ok, if I must, I will go and check out that part. Now I have to figure out why you think that would be me. The height??? the red hair? the mouth? lol
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Hannah: (BTW, I always have to cheat and look at the e-mail address to see if you’re my kid or not and in this case you ARE). GREAT comment, daughter! My favorite part: Jesus didn’t picket brothels. LOL That’s not what I have read in the Bible, anyway! Love you!
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Tom – – “blasphemous Christian”? Ugh. She seemed very sweet. I’d like to meet her. (And thanks for the compliment.)
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LOL, Julie Anne — no, no, nothing like that. I hope you will see what I mean when you see the contrast of her words and attitude to that of the megaphone preacher and when you see the commentary about her by the video editor. 🙂
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I think they were both unkind to each other. I think they both had good intentions but came woefully short. I think they both made very unproductive use of their time.
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Ok, you saw it already. I’ve seen your “Negative Response” page, so I know you’ve been called worse than “blasphemous Christian.” But I really could see you doing what that woman did — trying to show the man another side of Christianity to the abusive yelling.
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My heart is more than disturbed by this video. So, this man, he doesn’t struggle with lust, he doesn’t murder in his heart? Yea, right. Would he ever even consider that his impact on people is pushing people farther away from the love of God?
Did he not read or understand Paul’s words, (and I know that some say Paul was talking to weak Christians) but Christian or not, Are we not all weak in some areas of our lives?
“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”
No, Julie Anne, I don’t perceive what he is doing as Love. He is lording it over the lost, the hurting, and he is bringing out anger & defensiveness in people. He is not engaging anyone in conversation, and not finding common ground. Wow, his style of sharing Christ’s message of mercy, forgiveness & grace, makes me want to sign up with the atheists. Glad I know better. UGH.
I think Gary W nailed it once again. April 26, 2013 @ 2:36 P.M Our example:
He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
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Hannah, You are brilliant, I am laughing with tears over: “Jesus didn’t picket brothels.” Best comment, I hope you don’t mind if I borrow that.
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Another Tom – – It’s funny – you’ve never met me in person (to my knowledge), but you are absolutely right. I definitely would have walked up to the guy and said something – yup!
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Hey Julie Anne- I just realized that Hannah is your daughter from your comment at 7:55. Right?
O, man, she does her mama proud! The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree aye?!!
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Yes, Gail. That’s my Hannah who was also sued.
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No, Julie Anne, we’ve never met, but I can tell where your heart is from your blog — that’s why we read it! Besides, I am a total pushover for tall, beautiful redheads … 😉
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Julie Anne- Hannah sounds very wise & strong.
I am so sorry that you two were sued by your pastor, how crazy and hurtful is that?
My daughters have gone AWOL from the faith for now…
Prayers & Thanks for what you offer & give to those of us who have suffered at the hands and words of Pastors…
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Although I don’t comment a ton, I’ll distinguish who I am from now on… I’m Julie Anne’s daughter and I’m proud of it! I am blessed to have such a wonderful woman as my mother. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s so wonderful to have that relationship. Just to be clear, I don’t identify as a Christian anymore…. That doesn’t mean I don’t know (having been raised in it for 21 years) how Christians think and ways try to show the hypocrisy that can be prevalent. I don’t have anything against Christians, I’ve just seen so much hypocrisy and been hurt so much I don’t think I can go back to it. I still have many amazing Christian friends, and can discuss this with an open mind, knowing from personal experience how believers and unbelievers think and approach things.
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My mind is in so much turmoil right now after watching the start of the video and then a few spots here and there after that.
I think a message asking people to protect the unborn is a loving one.
After listening to the opening and seeing some of the actions of the “Christian Protestor”, I wonder who he was doing the protesting for. Of course, that isn’t the topic here is it.
@Hannah (APRIL 26, 2013 @ 5:26 PM) – you hit the nail on the head.
Let me first say in response to @Hannah (April 27, 2013@12:08)… I no longer call myself a Christian. I do, however, call myself a follower of Christ. I believe the two are distinctly different.
The video in the post is the reason why. There is so much in the word “Christian” that has baggage.
I believe Christians (and followers of Christ) are often so far off the mark that we can’t see how far off we are. I know that is a little confrontational.
Anne Lamott has a quote that I like: “You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.”
The illustration here in this video is that we’ve created a god who is a bully not a God who is love. We then call that bullying love so it aligns with the book (Bible) that we say represents the god we created.
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Well the “love” is for the children right? So I think his view that the anger of murder against them justifies his rebuke of the guilty parents.
But I don’t buy anymore that for most evangelicals that the anger is really coming from a place of compassion. If it did, I would expect the same level of compassion and anger at directed at those who harm children who have been born.
Those standing against SGM and the child abuse that happened there aren’t nearly as angry as this guy, but they get rebuked for their attitude. There is a huge disconnect here.
Like it or not, not everyone agrees when life begins (and actually the Bible doesn’t offer much clarity on this)- however EVERYONE agrees that a three year old is a person who ought to be protected and cared for. When we do not show anger at the mistreatment of said three year old but do stuff like in this video it makes the anger look like a cause, not compassion.
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I recently listened to an interview with a woman who, prior to becoming a Christian, had two abortions. She thought nothing of it until after God transformed her heart. (http://bit.ly/10juvgK)
She tells the listeners that not only was she pro-abortion, she was also quite the feminist. All the signs and protesting, etc. did nothing to influence her… Except one.
She said she still remembers a guy who wore a t-shirt that read:
“As a former fetus, I oppose abortion”
She has some interesting criticisms of the pro-life movement and the way they approach saving the unborn.
The other end of that is I have a friend that travels world wide performing dance/trance music proclaiming Jesus and championing the unborn (http://www.transformdjs.com). They start with a large group and through a series of “If you’re interested in hearing more..” find those that want to talk. I think these guys are loving and still get the message out.
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Hannah,
For fear of saying the wrong thing, I tremble to speak. Yet you move me. Many, such as your former pastor, claim to be Christian, while their behavior appears to me to put the lie to their claim. You, who say you do not identify as a Christian, exhibit a loving spirit that I, at least, would suppose to be our loving Lord shining through you. I probably am almost thrice your age, but as I continue to seek to be transformed into the image of Jesus you, and not the likes of your former pastor (or even John Piper or John MacCarther, etc.) are my example.
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Gary, isn’t that ironic, that my daughter, who claims to not be a
Christian shows the love of Christ far more than a man with the title of pastor?
That is why we MUST remove these frauds in our minds as “pastors.” If we are not seeing Compassion with Shoes on with the kind of love that Jesus modeled, then we are seeing a fraud.
I find it very interesting that got brought Pastor Ken Garrett into my path when the lawsuit went viral. For those who are newer, Ken pastors a church in Portland and the name of his church is so similar to my former church’s name that he got hate e-mails/phone calls from people thinking HE was suing me. So, he sent me an e-mail to let me know about it and also let me know that he had gone through a spiritually abusive church with his family. He really understands spiritual abuse.
But one other thing that he understands is compassion. I remember standing outside his parsonage which is connected to his church right smack downtown Portland. Downtown Portland is very colorful and diverse. In Ken’s area, there are a lot of homeless, mentally impaired, people with addiction issue, etc. In the short time we were standing on the front steps, no less than 5 homeless people walked by and Ken knew each of them by name and greeted them. That touched me.
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Julie Anne, I regret not having included Fred Butler in the list with the former pastor, Piper, MacArthur, etc. Unfortunately, this list of negative examples would be much easier to expand than to prepare a list of people whose love is worthy of emulation. Maybe part of it is that, insofar as what is known to the general public, those who walk in love tend to be careful that their good deeds not be trumpeted.
One way in which I have in my mind dethroned false pastors, as well as false church, is that I no longer give more than token amounts to them. If I attend a service (which I now seldom do), I figure I should contribute to the cost of lighting and heat, but it shouldn’t cost more than attending, say, a professional football game or even a symphony performance. Giving is good, of course, but the attempted imposition of a mandatory Old Covenant tithe is spiritual extortion. How much better to give to the poor, the hungry, the naked, the fatherless and so on, whether directly or through ministries that are dedicated to doing so as their means of sharing the true Gospel, which I view as being simply Jesus.
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joelfredrick,
Simply put, people don’t respond to mean-ness, except out of fear. Usually when I witness people on both side of an argument losing control of their emotions, I’m more focused on their actions and not what they are saying.
Being kind and articulate goes alot further than picking a fight with somebody looking for a fight.
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Gary W
Tithes and offerings are taught in scriptures and at some point, if a preacher covers the whole bible with balance he should bring it up on rare occasions.
Ultimately in my opinion, tithes and offerings are between God and the tither
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Mark,
While I perceive that we likely will disagree whether the tithe is a principle that still applies under the New Covenant, I like what you say about tithes and offerings being between God and the tither. That frees me to give directly to “the least of these” rather than to a 501(c)(3) church organization that will all too often be focused on numbers, buildings, and looking good–just as the people of Babel were focused on building a city and a tower, and making a name for themselves.
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Hannah,
I’m not sure if people who don’t profess the Gospel can accept an understanding where the 10 Commandments come from. Those of us who profess the Gospel believe it came from our Father in Heaven.
In 1 john 1:8 it is clear that we sin.
So whether we want to grasp that or not I believe most people that proclaim to be a Christian or Not, have practiced hypocrisy, which is why I need to be in church.
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Gary W,
I’m not sure where we would disagree. You are suggesting to be more focused in your giving, whether it be time or financial. That seems to be a wise approach.
Myself, I would find it difficult to tithe or belong in a church that had a $2 million light bill.
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Joel – – I listened to that podcast. Dee Dee was real and so vulnerable – – the emotions so raw. I like her message a lot. Thanks for posting it. I also like the distinction you make between being a Christian and a follower of Christ. Very good!
Gary – You’re right, Fred wasn’t included. He isn’t a pastor, but he is a Bible teacher and in positions of trust/leadership. He should know better.
Jeff S. – – when I read this: “When we do not show anger at the mistreatment of said three year old but do stuff like in this video it makes the anger look like a cause, not compassion.” I got a huge welling up of emotions and anger. I just cannot believe the silence of this. WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY????????
Tithing is surely a controversial topic! This could be fun. 🙂
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I’ve had this song going through my head since seeing the video above:
Derek Webb – T-Shirts
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JA,
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard some hard-core fundamentalists defend their tone and attitude as “loving” because, “It’s loving to tell someone the truth, even if it offends them or hurts their feelings. Their souls is more important than how they feel.” It’s a one-size-fits-all approach, and amounts to nothing but beating people over the head with a Bible. I guess they missed Col. 4:6, which is pretty clear that when we speak to people about God and Christ, we speak to them as individual souls, in their own circumstances, with their own emotions. When food is properly seasoned with salt, it doesn’t leave a bitter taste in the mouth, it leaves one wanting more. Of course, to know how to respond to each person with the Gospel, as a unique individual, would require that you actually care about the people for who each one of them are, and not as just a number to be added to the attendance (and financial) rolls.
People can defend this sort of “preaching the truth” all they want, but it’s really nothing more than harassment designed to bring in unquestioning zombies to their little folds.
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Eric, great comment. I’m going to use it on a post because I found some dialogue on Twitter between Miano and others and it’s good to hear from the horse’s mouth how they respond to the same kinds of questions/concerns we have.
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1 Cor. 9 might be helpful here.
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.
21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
The world may, and does, take offense to the “message” and tbey often transfer that offense to the message bearer, but this is not the same thing as the bearer BEING offensive, rude, loud, unkind, and obnoxious when they share the Good News message.
I believe these people are confused 🙂
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I find this type of behavior disturbing.
1.) He knows he’s not doing this from a loving heart, he’s doing it from an angry heart that is focused on those who think differently from him. He’s just a pastoral bully.
2.) He knows that his continued presence (42 minutes) standing in that location will eventually garner him conversation with someone who takes offense. Lots of people love to argue in public, just like he does.
3.) There is always the possibility that the entire thing was staged from start to finish and he is just another fake and the world of Christianity and the world at large is full of them too. Far too often theatrics are employed as a means to increase “ratings” for those with the wrong message.
To me, this is no different than a mega-church, let’s say, located deep in the heart of Texas; who once employed a child molester and now refuses to stand accountable for it. Furthermore, let’s just suppose one innocent person questioned whether it was true or not. That one innocent question, that wasn’t supposed to be asked leads to a campaign of dishonesty, bullying, shunning, continued denial and deceit on behalf of those who claim to be preaching the same message that this man is preaching.
They all know it’s not from a loving heart that they are doing these things. It’s not for the compassion of others they are speaking out in this manner. They are doing it for one or all of the reasons listed in the first paragraph. It’s pastoral bullying; it’s ignorance and all he is doing is breeding more contempt and dissension on earth instead of promoting peace and understanding. The problem I have with all of it is knowing that they just don’t seem to care that they are only serving themselves rather than the God they have chosen to worship or the humanity that stands beside them on earth.
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Videotaping “so that they may be seen by men”?
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Well, exactly – – knowing my pastor, he’s posting it so that he is the model for all street evangelism, ie, “this is how it should be done, the right way.”
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Didn’t a certain Rabbi from Nazareth have something to say about those “who like to do whatever so that they may be seen by men”? None of it good?
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