Ok, so there I was tired, burned-out, feeling like a mindless stooge about tithing and the KJV only issues. I had put Sunday School teaching on hold due to my college work and consequently felt like the Pastor didn’t quite like me like before. (I know that’s petty but feelings are feelings.) I began to starve spiritually, the messages were all about "serve, Serve, SERVE!"
I wanted, no needed, encouragement, exhortation and edification but I wasn’t getting any. My acceptance seemed to be tied to my performance. That seemed to be the entire gist of most of my Christian life. "Saved by Grace, blessed (and consequently liked) by performance." It seemed the way of the IFB and that’s the God they taught me to serve. Church was becoming the primary source of misery. Our kids were picking up on this. We started missing services because of the sheer misery we felt when we went. There was absolutely no joy. It was gone. I tried to eat so to speak at the spiritual table. I remember vividly when the pastor was preaching about the woman caught in adultery and how the Lord said he that is without sin cast the first stone. I got excited. I thought, "Yes! Let’s hear of the marvelous grace of our Lord Jesus!" Only to have the pastor turn it around and preach against sin, hellfire and damnation.
We started going for drives on Sunday morning. We would get all dressed for church, load up in the car and then drive by church and keep on going. We would drive out of town so we can legitimately say "we went out of town last Sunday" when asked. It was refreshing to us as a family. We started to miss Wednesday services as well. It made Wednesday’s a lot easier. Kids got to bed at an appropriate time, I got my college assignments done, and we all got to sleep more that night.
I was getting more miserable and disillusioned as the Sundays kept coming and going. I started questioning the structure of our services and invitations and wondered how many people got saved in their seats by simply believing silently to themselves versus those that were "compelled" to walk the aisle. I started to wonder if we had become so rigid and mindless that we no longer thought for ourselves. I sat through services that twisted scripture in an effort to guilt people into giving. One mission conference the visiting preacher told everyone to think of an amount to give to missions, then double it. He warned them not to go home and do the math and see what they can afford because that’s when the devil and the flesh influence you against giving. I thought to myself how tragic, we throw wisdom and scripture to the wind and we call it being "led by the Spirit". I started to notice the right-wing conspiracies that were rampant, from the "Y2K- Here comes the Anti-Christ" to the "government checks that require the appropriate mark on your right hand or forehead in order to cash them." I started to notice the arrogance from the pulpit, the "I’m glad I have a ticket to heaven/rapture and this world is going to hell" attitude. I simply couldn’t find Jesus in the pulpit anymore. He wasn’t there.
Next Week, Part 7: "God, if that’s the kind of God you are, kill me now! KILL ME NOW!"
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Part 5: “Now about this KJV-Only-ism . . .”
Warning: Sacred-Cow alert. If you are afraid turn back now!
Fine, don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Of all the issues I have covered so far, reading and or encouraging the reading of a different version of the Bible would alienate me the most from my In-Laws or most of the IFB’s I’ve ever known. Some are so zealous on the subject they wouldn’t hesitate using physical violence. I know I was one of them.
After examining the issue of tithing I started to wonder if there was anything else I may have been mislead on. So I turned to the issue of KJV Only-ism. I had been taught by my IFB mentors about the evils of modern translations. I had also read a couple of books. “Let’s weigh the Evidence” published by Jack T. Chick; “The Answer Book” by Samuel C. Gipp. Even examined a book by Peter Ruckman. I had taught against the NIV, ASV, and several others during my tenure as Sunday School teacher. Often citing scriptures that omitted words that the KJV did not omit. I often summed up my teaching with totals like “the NIV omits the words ‘son of God’ [x] amount of times, the word ‘God’ [x] times, and denies the deity of Christ [x] times!” (Where [x] is some number I can’t remember.) I started examining this issue with the same “reset button” mentality as before.
I’ll sum up my findings but encourage those who would want to know for themselves to research this. The internet is a great resource.
First some basic groundwork. There are basically 2 or 3 different styles of biblical translations depending on who you talk to; Formal Equivalence (aka Literal), Dynamic Equivalence, and some have argued, Paraphrase. The Formal Equivalence style attempts to translate from the manuscripts word for word and often ends up being very accurate but can be difficult to understand due to word usage changing over time. The KJV, NKJV, RSV, NRSV, NAS are considered Formal Equivalence translations. The Dynamic Equivalence versions; NIV, NAB, NEB, attempt to preserve the general meaning of the verse and often use words understood by the target audience but sometimes at the expense of accuracy.
Whew! That’s more technical than I wanted to get, sorry about that. Ok, so I started to do some research. I revisited the spiritual arguments of the KJV only people that the Wescott and Hort/Alexandrian manuscripts came out of Egypt and that nothing good has ever come out of Egypt. Egypt represents the world, the world is evil etc. And of course most modern translations are based on these corrupt manuscripts. Also most IFB’s/KJV- Only defenders argue that older manuscripts are not always better. Some IFB’s will even choose the KJV over the original Greek and Hebrew texts when they disagree with the beloved KJV. Some even go as far as saying that the KJV translators were practically inspired by God. Then I found something interesting that I have not been able to disprove: the original preface to the King James Version 1611. (You can Google this for yourself using the following phrases: “Preface to the King James Version 1611” or “Translators to the Reader”. Or use the links on the left. I plan on creating a blog dedicated to this so check back soon.) The preface is written in King James English but that shouldn’t stop any good IFB/KJV-Only advocate from understanding it. After all they argue that the KJV is written somewhere between a 7th – 9th grade level. In it the translators stated the following:
“Now in such a case, doth not a margin do well to admonish the Reader to seek further, and not to conclude or dogmatize upon this or that peremptorily? For as it is a fault of incredulity, to doubt of those things that are evident: so to determine of such things as the Spirit of God hath left (even in the judgement of the judicious) questionable, can be no less than presumption. Therefore as S. Augustine saith, that variety of Translations is profitable for the finding out of the sense of the Scriptures: so diversity of signification and sense in the margin, where the text is not so clear, must needs do good, yea, is necessary, as we are persuaded”
Ok guys, you are NOT helping the KJV-Only movement with talk like this! Get with the program!!
So the translators themselves recommend a “variety of Translations”. Then I also read in the section titled,
“An Answer To The Imputations Of Our Adversaries”, apparently they also had their share of critics denouncing them for creating a new “modern” translation:
“Now to the latter we answer; that we do not deny, nay we affirm and avow, that the very meanest translation of the Bible in English, set forth by men of our profession (for we have seen none of theirs of the whole Bible as yet), containeth the word of God, nay, is the word of God.”
Guys! Your killing me! Stop it! Your telling me that the “meanest” (def: common, low in quality or grade) is to be considered the word of God? So if the NIV existed in your time you would read it and regard it with respect? Then the clinchers:
About correcting translations:
“But the difference that appeareth between our Translations, and our often correcting of them, is the thing that we are specially charged with; let us see therefore whether they themselves be without fault this way (if it be to be counted a fault, to correct), and whether they be fit men to throw stones at us: O tandem major parcas insane minori: they that are less sound themselves, ought not to object infirmities to others.”
“Yet before we end, we must answer a third cavil [quibble] and objection of theirs against us, for altering and amending our Translations so oft; wherein truly they deal hardly and strangely with us. For to whom ever was it imputed for a fault (by such as were wise) to go over that which he had done, and to amend it where he saw cause?”
About a “perfect” translation:
“There be many words in the Scriptures, which be never found there but once (having neither brother nor neighbor, as the Hebrews speak), so that we cannot be holpen by conference of places. Again, there be many rare names of certain birds, beasts, and precious stones, &c., concerning which the Hebrews themselves are so divided among themselves for judgement, that they may seem to have defined this or that, rather because they would say something, than because they were sure of that which they said, as S. Jerome somewhere saith of the Septuagint.”
“…it hath pleased God in his divine providence, here and there to scatter words and sentences of that difficulty and doubtfulness, not in doctrinal points that concern salvation (for in such it hath been vouched that the Scriptures are plain), but in matters of less moment, that fearfulness would better beseem us than confidence, …”
Ok, that’s it! Now you’re telling me it is ok to correct a translation in general? Your translation too? Your KJV translation? You then tell me that it is impossible to ever have a “perfect” English translation due to the nature of language? Or perhaps God did this on purpose so we can be humbled and fear him? Stop!! I don’t want to hear anymore! You KJV translators are heretics!! Ungodly men! You need to repent and get right!! (I’m being sardonic of course.)
So what is my point? I’ll sum it up for you. I enjoy the King James. It is still my favorite version. I love how it reads, the majestic sound of the King James English. However, I am not afraid to study out of other versions and now recommend it so you can have a complete “sense of the scriptures” (KJV translators). Obviously there are some versions that are better than others and some versions are just plain wrong (e.g. The New World Translation by the Jehovah’s Witnesses read John 1:1 “ a god?”) I have found liberty and strength in this. Let me explain:
Their used to be a time (when I was a KJV only man) when some of the smallest things would tear me apart because of my belief in a "perfect" translated version. An example that turned my faith upside down for a several days was when the New Testament referred to the Holy Spirit as an "it" in John 1:32. After all only Jehovah Witnesses did that.
Another example is the difference between Matthew and Mark when the Lord is sending the disciples to go forth to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 10:10 KJV reads:
Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
Mark 6:8 KJV: And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse;
Mark 6:9 KJV: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
Did Jesus want them to wear sandals or not? Take a staff or not?
Now granted I'll even succumb to the notion that in Matthew the Lord said no to shoes but in Mark he said yes to sandals, because the underlying Greek words are different. However if perfection is what we are after why not clarify in Matthew or Mark for that matter. But the stave and staff are from the same Greek word. Wait, these are 2 different events, so never mind? When just about every commentary I've read agrees that this is the same event? Granted they could be wrong (man often is), but I don't know about that.
My point is this, stuff like this doesn't bother me anymore. I'm grounded in the Lord, I've matured in my faith. I believe in the fundamentals. But take a Christian, a young Christian who believes that a certain translation is God's perfect revelation and he may struggle over this. And yes before you ask I do believe that God has preserved his word. It has been said that all manuscripts (or witnesses as some call them) of the Bible agree with each other 99% of the time. That is an awesome statistic!
It has been said by Doug Kutilek on his examination of the “Roots of the KJV Controversy” that the KJV only movement was started by a Seventh-Day Adventist. I have not been able to disprove this either. Is there any historical record of the KJV-Only controversy before 1930? If so please let me know in the comments of this blog. If the Seventh-Day Adventist origin is true (and I believe it is) how ironic! That the IFB KJV-Only movement was started by a Seventh-Day Adventist. Someone slap me with a stupid stick!
Next week: Part 6: “Going to church: like a cow showing up at a slaughterhouse”
Fine, don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Of all the issues I have covered so far, reading and or encouraging the reading of a different version of the Bible would alienate me the most from my In-Laws or most of the IFB’s I’ve ever known. Some are so zealous on the subject they wouldn’t hesitate using physical violence. I know I was one of them.
After examining the issue of tithing I started to wonder if there was anything else I may have been mislead on. So I turned to the issue of KJV Only-ism. I had been taught by my IFB mentors about the evils of modern translations. I had also read a couple of books. “Let’s weigh the Evidence” published by Jack T. Chick; “The Answer Book” by Samuel C. Gipp. Even examined a book by Peter Ruckman. I had taught against the NIV, ASV, and several others during my tenure as Sunday School teacher. Often citing scriptures that omitted words that the KJV did not omit. I often summed up my teaching with totals like “the NIV omits the words ‘son of God’ [x] amount of times, the word ‘God’ [x] times, and denies the deity of Christ [x] times!” (Where [x] is some number I can’t remember.) I started examining this issue with the same “reset button” mentality as before.
I’ll sum up my findings but encourage those who would want to know for themselves to research this. The internet is a great resource.
First some basic groundwork. There are basically 2 or 3 different styles of biblical translations depending on who you talk to; Formal Equivalence (aka Literal), Dynamic Equivalence, and some have argued, Paraphrase. The Formal Equivalence style attempts to translate from the manuscripts word for word and often ends up being very accurate but can be difficult to understand due to word usage changing over time. The KJV, NKJV, RSV, NRSV, NAS are considered Formal Equivalence translations. The Dynamic Equivalence versions; NIV, NAB, NEB, attempt to preserve the general meaning of the verse and often use words understood by the target audience but sometimes at the expense of accuracy.
Whew! That’s more technical than I wanted to get, sorry about that. Ok, so I started to do some research. I revisited the spiritual arguments of the KJV only people that the Wescott and Hort/Alexandrian manuscripts came out of Egypt and that nothing good has ever come out of Egypt. Egypt represents the world, the world is evil etc. And of course most modern translations are based on these corrupt manuscripts. Also most IFB’s/KJV- Only defenders argue that older manuscripts are not always better. Some IFB’s will even choose the KJV over the original Greek and Hebrew texts when they disagree with the beloved KJV. Some even go as far as saying that the KJV translators were practically inspired by God. Then I found something interesting that I have not been able to disprove: the original preface to the King James Version 1611. (You can Google this for yourself using the following phrases: “Preface to the King James Version 1611” or “Translators to the Reader”. Or use the links on the left. I plan on creating a blog dedicated to this so check back soon.) The preface is written in King James English but that shouldn’t stop any good IFB/KJV-Only advocate from understanding it. After all they argue that the KJV is written somewhere between a 7th – 9th grade level. In it the translators stated the following:
“Now in such a case, doth not a margin do well to admonish the Reader to seek further, and not to conclude or dogmatize upon this or that peremptorily? For as it is a fault of incredulity, to doubt of those things that are evident: so to determine of such things as the Spirit of God hath left (even in the judgement of the judicious) questionable, can be no less than presumption. Therefore as S. Augustine saith, that variety of Translations is profitable for the finding out of the sense of the Scriptures: so diversity of signification and sense in the margin, where the text is not so clear, must needs do good, yea, is necessary, as we are persuaded”
Ok guys, you are NOT helping the KJV-Only movement with talk like this! Get with the program!!
So the translators themselves recommend a “variety of Translations”. Then I also read in the section titled,
“An Answer To The Imputations Of Our Adversaries”, apparently they also had their share of critics denouncing them for creating a new “modern” translation:
“Now to the latter we answer; that we do not deny, nay we affirm and avow, that the very meanest translation of the Bible in English, set forth by men of our profession (for we have seen none of theirs of the whole Bible as yet), containeth the word of God, nay, is the word of God.”
Guys! Your killing me! Stop it! Your telling me that the “meanest” (def: common, low in quality or grade) is to be considered the word of God? So if the NIV existed in your time you would read it and regard it with respect? Then the clinchers:
About correcting translations:
“But the difference that appeareth between our Translations, and our often correcting of them, is the thing that we are specially charged with; let us see therefore whether they themselves be without fault this way (if it be to be counted a fault, to correct), and whether they be fit men to throw stones at us: O tandem major parcas insane minori: they that are less sound themselves, ought not to object infirmities to others.”
“Yet before we end, we must answer a third cavil [quibble] and objection of theirs against us, for altering and amending our Translations so oft; wherein truly they deal hardly and strangely with us. For to whom ever was it imputed for a fault (by such as were wise) to go over that which he had done, and to amend it where he saw cause?”
About a “perfect” translation:
“There be many words in the Scriptures, which be never found there but once (having neither brother nor neighbor, as the Hebrews speak), so that we cannot be holpen by conference of places. Again, there be many rare names of certain birds, beasts, and precious stones, &c., concerning which the Hebrews themselves are so divided among themselves for judgement, that they may seem to have defined this or that, rather because they would say something, than because they were sure of that which they said, as S. Jerome somewhere saith of the Septuagint.”
“…it hath pleased God in his divine providence, here and there to scatter words and sentences of that difficulty and doubtfulness, not in doctrinal points that concern salvation (for in such it hath been vouched that the Scriptures are plain), but in matters of less moment, that fearfulness would better beseem us than confidence, …”
Ok, that’s it! Now you’re telling me it is ok to correct a translation in general? Your translation too? Your KJV translation? You then tell me that it is impossible to ever have a “perfect” English translation due to the nature of language? Or perhaps God did this on purpose so we can be humbled and fear him? Stop!! I don’t want to hear anymore! You KJV translators are heretics!! Ungodly men! You need to repent and get right!! (I’m being sardonic of course.)
So what is my point? I’ll sum it up for you. I enjoy the King James. It is still my favorite version. I love how it reads, the majestic sound of the King James English. However, I am not afraid to study out of other versions and now recommend it so you can have a complete “sense of the scriptures” (KJV translators). Obviously there are some versions that are better than others and some versions are just plain wrong (e.g. The New World Translation by the Jehovah’s Witnesses read John 1:1 “ a god?”) I have found liberty and strength in this. Let me explain:
Their used to be a time (when I was a KJV only man) when some of the smallest things would tear me apart because of my belief in a "perfect" translated version. An example that turned my faith upside down for a several days was when the New Testament referred to the Holy Spirit as an "it" in John 1:32. After all only Jehovah Witnesses did that.
Another example is the difference between Matthew and Mark when the Lord is sending the disciples to go forth to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 10:10 KJV reads:
Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
Mark 6:8 KJV: And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse;
Mark 6:9 KJV: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
Did Jesus want them to wear sandals or not? Take a staff or not?
Now granted I'll even succumb to the notion that in Matthew the Lord said no to shoes but in Mark he said yes to sandals, because the underlying Greek words are different. However if perfection is what we are after why not clarify in Matthew or Mark for that matter. But the stave and staff are from the same Greek word. Wait, these are 2 different events, so never mind? When just about every commentary I've read agrees that this is the same event? Granted they could be wrong (man often is), but I don't know about that.
My point is this, stuff like this doesn't bother me anymore. I'm grounded in the Lord, I've matured in my faith. I believe in the fundamentals. But take a Christian, a young Christian who believes that a certain translation is God's perfect revelation and he may struggle over this. And yes before you ask I do believe that God has preserved his word. It has been said that all manuscripts (or witnesses as some call them) of the Bible agree with each other 99% of the time. That is an awesome statistic!
It has been said by Doug Kutilek on his examination of the “Roots of the KJV Controversy” that the KJV only movement was started by a Seventh-Day Adventist. I have not been able to disprove this either. Is there any historical record of the KJV-Only controversy before 1930? If so please let me know in the comments of this blog. If the Seventh-Day Adventist origin is true (and I believe it is) how ironic! That the IFB KJV-Only movement was started by a Seventh-Day Adventist. Someone slap me with a stupid stick!
Next week: Part 6: “Going to church: like a cow showing up at a slaughterhouse”
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Part 4: “Pastor, I’m giving you my 2 weeks notice”
I needed to speak to another brother in Christ to validate my findings on tithing. I needed to find someone who wouldn’t just spout the "party" line about tithing. You know
"Abraham tithed so that proves it was outside of the OT Law."
"The local church is the local storehouse of Malachi 3:10."
"Preachers are the spiritual successors to the Levites/Priests."
"Tithing is a spiritual principal taught throughout the bible."
(So is a blood sacrifice but Christians don’t need to do that.)
There was one brother who I was friends with that actually used his God given mind to think things through. He was one of the few that didn’t fall for the whole "Y2K Tribulation Panic" that took hold of a lot of believers in 1999. I’ll call him Bro. D to protect his identity.
I invited Bro. D and his wife over for dinner with the intent of sitting down afterwards and going through my print out and all the scriptures. I wanted him to counter me every step of the way and expose my fallacy or heresy, as some would call it. So after dinner Bro. D and I sat down and we started. I warned him that my intent was not to change his mind but for him to change my mind. When we came to the end of the print out I looked up at him and asked him what he thought. He paused and looked up at me and said, "You’re right."
Ok, I needed to regroup. Here was a brother who just validated my conclusions about tithing. I had thoughts of excommunication and inquisition all at the hands of my IFB in-laws. But here I was at a crossroads, facing the Red Pill offered by Morpheus, (No, Morpheus isn’t some sort of demonic character, he’s one of the main characters in The Matrix. A movie about . . . you know what, if you’re a hardcore IFB you’ll never watch it so never mind). So I took the Red Pill. And If I was wrong and the IFB preachers were right, I would meet up with the "devourer". (Hey, read it for yourself in Mal 3.11.) The devourer would cause havoc on my finances, cause my car engine to blow up, my washing machine to go on the fritz and my microwave oven to scorch my popcorn. Well that’s what the IFB preachers told me. So be it. I prayed and talked to God and decided on 5% of my income, and waited, . . .waited for the devourer to knock on my door.
As I waited for "devourer" (sounds like a WWF wrestling character), I continued to teach the Adult Sunday school class and lead songs in church. Then it suddenly occurred to me that I was in violation of the Church by Laws and Constitution that stated that all church members in leadership positions must tithe. Having a good conscience toward God and man, or at least trying to, it didn’t sit well with me that I was sneaking around the Pastor’s back and not tithing while holding a leadership position. Even though I didn’t believe in tithing anymore I still had agreed to these by laws when I became a member. So it continued to bug me. On the one hand I could confess and resign and be a church outcast, or I can continue to sneak behind the pastors back, or I can give an additional 5% and hold on to my teaching position. The latter option basically amounted to me "paying" if you will, to teach. I wasn’t ready to tell the Pastor what my belief was on tithing. I already had enough trouble from my in-laws. So I met with the Pastor and told him I was tired. I said that my senior year in college was tough and I wasn’t able to spend as much time as I would like preparing for the Sunday school lesson therefore I was cheating the body of Christ by not giving my 100%. All of this was true. I was burnt out and simply wanted a break. I told him I was stepping down and that I would give him 2 weeks to find a replacement for the Adult Sunday school. I would continue to lead songs if he wanted me to. He received the news kind of coldly and replied with a simple casual "Ok".
A couple of things happened after that day that hastened my departure from church. On an unrelated issue my wife sought counsel from our pastor and during the counseling session he informed her that my college education is not of God. He stated firmly that since college was responsible for taking me away from teaching Sunday School then it was not of God. So if it was not of God then what other possible source could it come from? Satan? You mean the devil is sending me to college? Paying the tuition and books? During my 4-year college career only 2 IFB brothers in the whole church actually encouraged me and told me to keep going that it will be worth it upon graduation. And neither of those 2 were the pastor. Another thing I noticed was when I stopped teaching I stopped growing. I would attend church and get preached at but I wasn’t getting taught. I felt spiritually malnourished. Every time the preacher was about to hit on something that I thought would be edifying he would default to "hell, fire and brimstone" or "serve" or "give" or "forsake not the assembling of ourselves." Instead of getting built up, I was constantly told I was found wanting. Oh, incidentally, the "devourer" never came, my car engine kept running fine, and my washing machine kept going, however, my microwave did scorch my popcorn but that was my bad.
Part 5: "Now about this KJV-Only-ism . . ."
"Abraham tithed so that proves it was outside of the OT Law."
"The local church is the local storehouse of Malachi 3:10."
"Preachers are the spiritual successors to the Levites/Priests."
"Tithing is a spiritual principal taught throughout the bible."
(So is a blood sacrifice but Christians don’t need to do that.)
There was one brother who I was friends with that actually used his God given mind to think things through. He was one of the few that didn’t fall for the whole "Y2K Tribulation Panic" that took hold of a lot of believers in 1999. I’ll call him Bro. D to protect his identity.
I invited Bro. D and his wife over for dinner with the intent of sitting down afterwards and going through my print out and all the scriptures. I wanted him to counter me every step of the way and expose my fallacy or heresy, as some would call it. So after dinner Bro. D and I sat down and we started. I warned him that my intent was not to change his mind but for him to change my mind. When we came to the end of the print out I looked up at him and asked him what he thought. He paused and looked up at me and said, "You’re right."
Ok, I needed to regroup. Here was a brother who just validated my conclusions about tithing. I had thoughts of excommunication and inquisition all at the hands of my IFB in-laws. But here I was at a crossroads, facing the Red Pill offered by Morpheus, (No, Morpheus isn’t some sort of demonic character, he’s one of the main characters in The Matrix. A movie about . . . you know what, if you’re a hardcore IFB you’ll never watch it so never mind). So I took the Red Pill. And If I was wrong and the IFB preachers were right, I would meet up with the "devourer". (Hey, read it for yourself in Mal 3.11.) The devourer would cause havoc on my finances, cause my car engine to blow up, my washing machine to go on the fritz and my microwave oven to scorch my popcorn. Well that’s what the IFB preachers told me. So be it. I prayed and talked to God and decided on 5% of my income, and waited, . . .waited for the devourer to knock on my door.
As I waited for "devourer" (sounds like a WWF wrestling character), I continued to teach the Adult Sunday school class and lead songs in church. Then it suddenly occurred to me that I was in violation of the Church by Laws and Constitution that stated that all church members in leadership positions must tithe. Having a good conscience toward God and man, or at least trying to, it didn’t sit well with me that I was sneaking around the Pastor’s back and not tithing while holding a leadership position. Even though I didn’t believe in tithing anymore I still had agreed to these by laws when I became a member. So it continued to bug me. On the one hand I could confess and resign and be a church outcast, or I can continue to sneak behind the pastors back, or I can give an additional 5% and hold on to my teaching position. The latter option basically amounted to me "paying" if you will, to teach. I wasn’t ready to tell the Pastor what my belief was on tithing. I already had enough trouble from my in-laws. So I met with the Pastor and told him I was tired. I said that my senior year in college was tough and I wasn’t able to spend as much time as I would like preparing for the Sunday school lesson therefore I was cheating the body of Christ by not giving my 100%. All of this was true. I was burnt out and simply wanted a break. I told him I was stepping down and that I would give him 2 weeks to find a replacement for the Adult Sunday school. I would continue to lead songs if he wanted me to. He received the news kind of coldly and replied with a simple casual "Ok".
A couple of things happened after that day that hastened my departure from church. On an unrelated issue my wife sought counsel from our pastor and during the counseling session he informed her that my college education is not of God. He stated firmly that since college was responsible for taking me away from teaching Sunday School then it was not of God. So if it was not of God then what other possible source could it come from? Satan? You mean the devil is sending me to college? Paying the tuition and books? During my 4-year college career only 2 IFB brothers in the whole church actually encouraged me and told me to keep going that it will be worth it upon graduation. And neither of those 2 were the pastor. Another thing I noticed was when I stopped teaching I stopped growing. I would attend church and get preached at but I wasn’t getting taught. I felt spiritually malnourished. Every time the preacher was about to hit on something that I thought would be edifying he would default to "hell, fire and brimstone" or "serve" or "give" or "forsake not the assembling of ourselves." Instead of getting built up, I was constantly told I was found wanting. Oh, incidentally, the "devourer" never came, my car engine kept running fine, and my washing machine kept going, however, my microwave did scorch my popcorn but that was my bad.
Part 5: "Now about this KJV-Only-ism . . ."
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Part 3: "Lord, can you cash my $30 Best Buy rebate?"
No phone, no money, and the wrath of my IFB in-laws. Then the dumbest thing happened. As I was rumbling through the paperwork in my study (hey, all good IFB’s have a study) I found a $30 rebate certificate from Best Buy. A-Ha! The Lord doth provide. Then I saw the expiration date . . . and I hit the roof!
Yep, I lost it! The next 5 minutes were not pretty. I slammed stuff around, threw a couple of items across the room. I lost my testimony in front of my office furniture and killed some nick-nacks. I regained my composure and started to think. Did God let me down? Was there something wrong with me? (be nice) I did what the preachers said to do. Was my wife wrong for wearing pants? If I burnt my wife’s britches would God change the expiration date on my rebate coupon? Slowly, I started to realize that I had been in this situation before. Back when I was a Pentecostal and seeking the "Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues" I felt this way. God wasn’t at fault back then, and I wasn’t at fault back then. The teaching was. (Doh!)
Yep, I lost it! The next 5 minutes were not pretty. I slammed stuff around, threw a couple of items across the room. I lost my testimony in front of my office furniture and killed some nick-nacks. I regained my composure and started to think. Did God let me down? Was there something wrong with me? (be nice) I did what the preachers said to do. Was my wife wrong for wearing pants? If I burnt my wife’s britches would God change the expiration date on my rebate coupon? Slowly, I started to realize that I had been in this situation before. Back when I was a Pentecostal and seeking the "Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues" I felt this way. God wasn’t at fault back then, and I wasn’t at fault back then. The teaching was. (Doh!)
Tithing? I always took it for granted. The preachers preached it. The preachers were IFB preachers, not liberal evangelicals. Could they possible be wrong? Had I relaxed my Biblical vigil and been duped again? "Okay Lord, I’m going to hit the reset button like I do on my (then) 486DX2/66mhz computer when it locks up!" So I ran Quickverse (yes, KJV) and printed out every verse on tithing. I was going to examine each verse in its historical context, cultural context, scriptural context and spiritual context. So I started, from Genesis to Revelation. Every mention of the word "tithe", "tithes", and "tithing". From the tithe of Moses to Melchizedek in Gen. 14 to the mention of tithing by our Lord Jesus. I wanted to see for myself if it was Biblical to dogmatically mandate that a New Testament Christian has to tithe, specifically 10% of their gross income. While I would love to replicate my entire study here (not the subject of this blog) I’ll just hit the high points. (I strongly encourage the reader to duplicate this study in like manner and verify my conclusions, just remember put aside any preconceived ideas, but if you’re truly pressed for time, Google it. See link how to interpret the Bible on side bar.)
- -Abraham tithed to Melchizedek. (Gen 14:20)
- -Jacob vowed to tithe to God (Gen 28:22)
- -The tithe was standardized under the OT Law of Moses for the Jewish nation.
There were several types of tithes in many forms. They were used to support the Levites/Priests, the widows, and during certain times the tithe giver ate the tithe. (Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Numbers) - -Malachi 3:10. God using an Israelite to speak to Israelites? True. God using an Israelite to speak to a New Testament Gentile Believer? Not True. An IFB misapplying this scripture to guilt trip a Christian into giving? Bingo.
- -Jesus spoke of the tithe when addressing the non-Christian Jews. (Mat 23:23, Luk 11:42)
Now, I knew the defense to this. Using the "law of first mention" or the fact that tithing came before the OT Law was formed, thus it’s a canon. Or as one website put it so succinctly:
"Abraham Commenced it (Ge. 14:18-20). Jacob Continued it (Ge. 28:20-22). Moses Confirmed it (Le. 27:30). Malachi Commanded it (Mal. 3:10). Jesus Commended it (Mt. 23:23). God Commissioned it (1 Co. 9:14). Paul Conformed it (1 Co. 16:2). A study of these Scriptures shows that tithing is a scriptural principle. Abraham and Jacob tithed 500 years BEFORE the Law was instituted. Moses, Malachi, and Jesus spoke of tithing DURING the period of the Law. The Apostle Paul explained tithing AFTER the Law. Christians ought to tithe!"
Yep, spoken like a true IFB.
Now, having taught Adult Sunday school for several years I did learn some Bible in the process and I remembered the "1st Preachers Conference/What to do about these crazy Gentile Believers" of Acts 15. There it was decided that the O.T. Law was not to be placed on believers. Hmm, if God wanted to be crystal clear about tithing wouldn’t this be the perfect place to jot it down? (Relax, just a question).
Then the clincher: 2 Corinthians Chapter 8: 12, 13 speaks about giving, listen to this:
"For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: "
Scrreeech! How come I never "saw" this before? Yes, I’ve read it before, but I didn’t hear it. (Hey, sounds like a good sermon title.) Interestingly enough, as I write this I Googled the phrase "Christian Giving" and found a couple of sites that skip over this passage.
Ok, I was armed with my print out. But I was scared. Scared that I would go down the wrong path, that my financial problems were going to influence my decision. So I did what I thought was best. I grabbed a brother in Christ and pulled a Joan Rivers "Can we talk?"
Next, Part 4: "Pastor, I’m giving you my 2 weeks notice"
Monday, February 20, 2006
Part 2: Dear Bellsouth, I gave God my money. Please take it up with him.
I wrote my tithe check faithfully for several years. Never really hesitated, just wrote it out thanking God all the way. I was taught to give 10% of my Gross income, not Net. I was married had children and stuck with credit card bills as most Americans are. We lived paycheck to paycheck, and often times paycheck to Tax Refund (i.e. I often carried our checkbook in the red until we were "blessed" with our tax refund). There was a time when I was in the Army and didn’t have enough gas or money to report for Physical Training at 6:30 AM on post but I still gave my tithe, faith promise or any loose change I had in my pocket.
Obviously we struggled and it strained our marriage. I was making less than $20k/year and had 2 kids, living in a single-wide trailer. Later, when I was discharged from the Army I received some VA disability benefits and we were able to move to a bigger house. There I continued to perform as Song Leader, Sunday School Teacher, and fill in preacher while I worked 2 jobs, sometimes 3 and attended college full time. Yes, hard to believe but I did. I would leave around 7:00 AM and not return until 10:30 PM. VA had given me the opportunity to go back to school as part of their rehabilitation program, and they often pushed for a full-time course load so you can receive the maximum benefit per month and quickly graduate. Needless to say, I was tired, but mostly happy, or so I thought.
Then my phone was cut off. I was late paying the bill. Like a good Christian I gave my Tithe, plus my Faith Promise. Then I would subtract my bills. When I got down to the phone bill I went in the red. Not to worry I thought to myself, here I would get a chance to see the Lord at work and like the Pastor had preached many times, God would provide. Many a sermon I had heard about how the Lord would send $20, $50, or $100 to those that needed it especially when one was faithful in their tithe and offerings. I remembered tales of how Christians found money in the parking lot or simply received a gift from another brother or sister because the Lord led them.
Around the same time, my wife was growing as a person and was receiving considerable flak from her parents over wearing pants. Or as they put it "That which pertaineth to a man." I had made numerous attempts to come to her defense and simply explain that while the principal of the separation of the sexes is plain and eternal. I no longer agreed that pants are specifically made only for men and I don’t know of any IFB preachers that shop for pants in the women’s department at JC Penny. Unfortunately, they came short of disowning her and indirectly called her an abomination and whore. Great mother, doesn’t smoke or drink, her kids behave very well, they get A’s and B’s in school, faithful to her husband, but wait . . . she wears pants!? She’s abominable.
"Hello, yes this is he . . . no I can’t pay the phone bill [God has the money, I wanted to say]. Ok I’ll pay it as soon as I can."
No phone. I couldn't even call 911 if I needed to. What happened? Where was God? There I was living paycheck to paycheck. I gave my tithe, Faith Promise, and offerings. Where was my "good measure, pressed down, shaken?" My wife was in spiritual distress over something as silly as pants on women. I was working 2 to 3 jobs, teaching Sunday school, leading songs, singing solos, preaching and running the service. I was starting my senior year of college by now and the courses for my major were significantly harder. I kept hearing "burn out for Jesus", "serve", "give".
Funny thing when you burn out for Jesus. No one likes you any more.
Next Installment . . ."Pastor, can I still teach Sunday School even if I don’t tithe?"
Obviously we struggled and it strained our marriage. I was making less than $20k/year and had 2 kids, living in a single-wide trailer. Later, when I was discharged from the Army I received some VA disability benefits and we were able to move to a bigger house. There I continued to perform as Song Leader, Sunday School Teacher, and fill in preacher while I worked 2 jobs, sometimes 3 and attended college full time. Yes, hard to believe but I did. I would leave around 7:00 AM and not return until 10:30 PM. VA had given me the opportunity to go back to school as part of their rehabilitation program, and they often pushed for a full-time course load so you can receive the maximum benefit per month and quickly graduate. Needless to say, I was tired, but mostly happy, or so I thought.
Then my phone was cut off. I was late paying the bill. Like a good Christian I gave my Tithe, plus my Faith Promise. Then I would subtract my bills. When I got down to the phone bill I went in the red. Not to worry I thought to myself, here I would get a chance to see the Lord at work and like the Pastor had preached many times, God would provide. Many a sermon I had heard about how the Lord would send $20, $50, or $100 to those that needed it especially when one was faithful in their tithe and offerings. I remembered tales of how Christians found money in the parking lot or simply received a gift from another brother or sister because the Lord led them.
Around the same time, my wife was growing as a person and was receiving considerable flak from her parents over wearing pants. Or as they put it "That which pertaineth to a man." I had made numerous attempts to come to her defense and simply explain that while the principal of the separation of the sexes is plain and eternal. I no longer agreed that pants are specifically made only for men and I don’t know of any IFB preachers that shop for pants in the women’s department at JC Penny. Unfortunately, they came short of disowning her and indirectly called her an abomination and whore. Great mother, doesn’t smoke or drink, her kids behave very well, they get A’s and B’s in school, faithful to her husband, but wait . . . she wears pants!? She’s abominable.
"Hello, yes this is he . . . no I can’t pay the phone bill [God has the money, I wanted to say]. Ok I’ll pay it as soon as I can."
No phone. I couldn't even call 911 if I needed to. What happened? Where was God? There I was living paycheck to paycheck. I gave my tithe, Faith Promise, and offerings. Where was my "good measure, pressed down, shaken?" My wife was in spiritual distress over something as silly as pants on women. I was working 2 to 3 jobs, teaching Sunday school, leading songs, singing solos, preaching and running the service. I was starting my senior year of college by now and the courses for my major were significantly harder. I kept hearing "burn out for Jesus", "serve", "give".
Funny thing when you burn out for Jesus. No one likes you any more.
Next Installment . . ."Pastor, can I still teach Sunday School even if I don’t tithe?"
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Part 1: The IFB way . . .
If the above quotes have peaked your curiosity then please read on. I hope you have the courage and honesty to read this and judge the following material for yourself and not apply the judgements and convictions of your church, your Pastor or your particular brand of Christianity. If you are an Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) then I welcome you and hope this gives you some knowledge, understanding and wisdom of how not to conduct yourself as a Christian. If you are an IFB pastor, preacher, evangelist, Sunday school teacher, missionary, deacon or any form of church leader then let this be a warning that none of us, especially you, are above the judgement of our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed Holy Spirit.
First let me begin with who I was. I was an up and coming IFB Christian that later became an adult Sunday school teacher, song leader, and deacon. I was often called to fill in for the pastor of the churches I attended whenever the pastor was out of town. I had a great zeal for the Lord and His work. I was there whenever the church doors were open. Thursday evening visitation, Saturday morning visitation and Saturday night prayer meetings you name it I was there. I sang solos in front my church, often known as "specials" or "special music". I taught myself guitar and played and sang hymns and soul-stirring southern gospel songs in front of my congregation. Yes, I was careful of my selections of southern gospel for I feared that many songs were not appropriate for the worship service.
By far the ministry that was most dear to me was teaching. Several members of the church, including my pastors and visiting ministers often told me that I had the "gift of teaching." I enjoyed breaking down the word of God and extracting the principals for living. When I prepared for my Sunday School lessons I looked for the leading of the Holy Spirit. I never followed a published teaching program like Baptist Press. I earnestly sought the leading of God and spent many hours on Saturday, and early Sunday morning preparing and praying. I loved it, I didn’t do it for the spot-light or vain glory. I did it because I loved to share what I found in the precious Word of God. The Word of God (KJV only) was exciting, alive and real. I wanted to share its goodness with my church. When I was medically discharged from the Army I came very close to surrendering full-time to becoming an Evangelist and went as far as "surveying" my future Christian college, Ambassador Baptist College in Shelby, North Carolina, founded by Evangelist Ron Comfort.
I married into a family of preachers. My wife was a missionary’s daughter whom I met while being stationed overseas. Her oldest brother was a pastor of an IFB church, her other brother was an IFB Evangelist, and her older sister was smack in the will of God by being an IFB missionary’s wife. Under her father (my then future father-in-law), I was taught in the doctrines of the IFB. At this time let me point out that I met Jesus and was saved before I became an IFB. My affiliation and subsequent transformation into an IFB occurred at this time. Having been saved in a Pentecostal church that taught little Bible I finally found a church that fed me. My future wife was being trained to be a preacher’s wife. When I later surrendered to preach, I qualified.
That’s who I was. Who am I now? Rest assured, I’m still a Christian. I’m saved, and to answer the question that I often used on visitation. "If I were to die tonight, where would I go?" The answer is Heaven. I’m still a Blood-Bought believer. Of more important to readers is the question: "What am I doing now?" The answer is not pretty to an IFB. Indeed, I would venture to say that I will lose some of you in disgust. You will claim that I am back-slidden and in need of God’s judgement. That I departed the church because I was never a part of the "church." So, if you have the courage then read on.
I don’t go to church, I don’t take my family to church. My wife refuses to set foot in any church. I don’t believe in tithing any more (don’t be scared, keep reading). I believe to fully understand the scriptures one must study several different translations (gasp! --I've lost about 90% of you IFB's). I encourage birth control (you would too, if you knew the Christians I do). I go to the movies. I enjoy secular music. I send my kids to public school (sorry Jack Chick, I must meet all those liberal God-Hating teachers you know firsthand). I’ve sampled some wine at Olive Garden (what can I say, I'm horrible). Needless to say my wife and I are considered the "Black Sheep".
Next installment…."I can't pay my phone bill . . . I gave the money to God!"
First let me begin with who I was. I was an up and coming IFB Christian that later became an adult Sunday school teacher, song leader, and deacon. I was often called to fill in for the pastor of the churches I attended whenever the pastor was out of town. I had a great zeal for the Lord and His work. I was there whenever the church doors were open. Thursday evening visitation, Saturday morning visitation and Saturday night prayer meetings you name it I was there. I sang solos in front my church, often known as "specials" or "special music". I taught myself guitar and played and sang hymns and soul-stirring southern gospel songs in front of my congregation. Yes, I was careful of my selections of southern gospel for I feared that many songs were not appropriate for the worship service.
By far the ministry that was most dear to me was teaching. Several members of the church, including my pastors and visiting ministers often told me that I had the "gift of teaching." I enjoyed breaking down the word of God and extracting the principals for living. When I prepared for my Sunday School lessons I looked for the leading of the Holy Spirit. I never followed a published teaching program like Baptist Press. I earnestly sought the leading of God and spent many hours on Saturday, and early Sunday morning preparing and praying. I loved it, I didn’t do it for the spot-light or vain glory. I did it because I loved to share what I found in the precious Word of God. The Word of God (KJV only) was exciting, alive and real. I wanted to share its goodness with my church. When I was medically discharged from the Army I came very close to surrendering full-time to becoming an Evangelist and went as far as "surveying" my future Christian college, Ambassador Baptist College in Shelby, North Carolina, founded by Evangelist Ron Comfort.
I married into a family of preachers. My wife was a missionary’s daughter whom I met while being stationed overseas. Her oldest brother was a pastor of an IFB church, her other brother was an IFB Evangelist, and her older sister was smack in the will of God by being an IFB missionary’s wife. Under her father (my then future father-in-law), I was taught in the doctrines of the IFB. At this time let me point out that I met Jesus and was saved before I became an IFB. My affiliation and subsequent transformation into an IFB occurred at this time. Having been saved in a Pentecostal church that taught little Bible I finally found a church that fed me. My future wife was being trained to be a preacher’s wife. When I later surrendered to preach, I qualified.
That’s who I was. Who am I now? Rest assured, I’m still a Christian. I’m saved, and to answer the question that I often used on visitation. "If I were to die tonight, where would I go?" The answer is Heaven. I’m still a Blood-Bought believer. Of more important to readers is the question: "What am I doing now?" The answer is not pretty to an IFB. Indeed, I would venture to say that I will lose some of you in disgust. You will claim that I am back-slidden and in need of God’s judgement. That I departed the church because I was never a part of the "church." So, if you have the courage then read on.
I don’t go to church, I don’t take my family to church. My wife refuses to set foot in any church. I don’t believe in tithing any more (don’t be scared, keep reading). I believe to fully understand the scriptures one must study several different translations (gasp! --I've lost about 90% of you IFB's). I encourage birth control (you would too, if you knew the Christians I do). I go to the movies. I enjoy secular music. I send my kids to public school (sorry Jack Chick, I must meet all those liberal God-Hating teachers you know firsthand). I’ve sampled some wine at Olive Garden (what can I say, I'm horrible). Needless to say my wife and I are considered the "Black Sheep".
Next installment…."I can't pay my phone bill . . . I gave the money to God!"
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