Relevant Christian has a post by Joe Martino. He makes a whining argument for pragmatism as a basis for letting heretical teaching go unchallenged.
I get tired of the Bible being used as the final shock and awe weapon to win the battle. I just don’t believe that when God wrote this love letter He intended for us to use it as a battering ram to win arguments. Anybody can claim that what they believe is backed by the Bible. Anybody can say their way is the most Biblical way. They are the one’s defending the truth. Heck, there is an even a Blog where some one has decided to call themselves the “Keepers of Christ’s Truth.” They tell us, Right now, Truth is under attack, and much is at stake.” So I just want to get this strait: The same God who created the entire universe, who has kept the Bible preserved through countless attacks. The same God who reconciled all men to Himself through the sacrificial death, burial and resurrection of His Son needs some guy with a BLOG to defend the Truth? That’s retarded. That goes beyond any sane, reasonable train of thought. It bugs me to no end.
Martino clearly alludes to Doug Pagitt and Rob Bell as “godly men” who are being unfairly attacked by bible-thumpers. Brother Joe is under the tutelage of Seminary professors. That explains quite a bit!
Sorry, Joe. You should study up on these guys before you defend them.
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UPDATE: 03/21/2008
Be sure and read the comments. Brother Joe stopped by to demonstrate his fruits of the spirit. Joe likes to run house churches and demonstrate his contempt for youth ministry.
UPDATE: 03/24/2008
Brother Joe Martino dropped by again to lecture on repentance and tell us that Rob Bell is his pastor.
March 20, 2008 at 12:00 am |
My Friend, I was unaware that the Bible was pragmatism. You see, the list that I put in the post is from a little guy named Paul. He wrote a few books in the New Testament. You should check out Galatians sometime. That’s where this list comes from. I believe Heretical teaching as you call it will be exposed because it will lack the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22.
Much as your blog lacks that fruit. May God grant you repentance, may you come to learn your Bible, the written revelation of Jesus and may you learn what Jesus meant when he said they’ll know us by our love for one another.
Grace and Peace to you. Perhaps, you should do some studying.
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RB: Interesting. So, you believe that a man can have a list of attributes from Gal 5:22 and deny any Christian doctrine? Is that what they’re teaching you at seminary?
March 20, 2008 at 2:10 am |
WOW, it’s almost as if you are trying to miss the point. I’m not sure what it is you have against Seminary and I see that you don’t have the moral honesty to comment under your own name.
That list is more than attributes it is fruit born from the Spirit. I never said any man can deny
“any Christian doctrine” I said the exact opposite of that in the post. It appears that you are lie much like your father.
Grace and Peace to you. I will not engage with someone who has no desire to actually listen. I truly pray that God will grant you repentane so that you might know Him and not simply a form of Him.
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RB: Oh, my! The fruits in action, I guess. :^)
Let’s pretend that your comment about “my father” is not referring to any biblical reference. How is that you demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit by insulting a persons father?
You should listen to yourself, Joe. Your words above; “I believe Heretical teaching as you call it will be exposed because it will lack the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22.”
March 20, 2008 at 2:15 am |
I’m sorry that should say “you lie, much like your father.” Yes, I’m quoting Jesus when he was talking to the religious leaders of His day.
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RB: You prove my point, and cast doubt on your own. Thanks!
March 24, 2008 at 8:42 pm |
Hi Reb,
I truly hope and pray that God brings you to repentance.
Grace and Peace to you
March 24, 2008 at 8:45 pm |
Oh and I’m sure Stuart thanks you for linking to his blog. For the record, I don’t “run” house churches–they are part of our larger church. Mars Hill Bible Church, in Grand Rapids Mi. Maybe you’ve heard of it?
Grace and Peace
March 30, 2008 at 9:53 pm |
Uh…what is wrong with house churches?
Just wondering.