Download PDF version: Faulty Premises.Erroneous Conclusions.Pathetic Recommendations.04.29.16

Originally released April 29, 2016

I chose to listen intently to a conversation between three Christian leaders regarding those who claim to be transgender and the use of public restrooms.  At one level I couldn’t help but concur when they remarked at the absurdity to discuss such a topic; but that was the end of my agreement.  They were concerned as to where this type of thinking would ultimately lead and lamented that the primary reason why the Church was facing such a problem was that the Church had been cowardly for not aggressively addressing issues of this sort in society.

They were completely correct in seeing the problem for what it was – an indication of the dangerous situation we were now in.  However, their ultimate solution was for Christians to speak out against the world’s point of view.  “Speaking out” was their final recommendation that included tools included on a mobile app for smartphones that provided Christians with talking points to engage society.

I’m sorry to say that I found the conversation rather boring and a perfect example of how Church leaders begin with faulty premises that end with recommendations that do disservice to those they want to help.

I would submit that the basic problem these leaders have is that they were lunging at the world’s sick symptoms without addressing the massive log jam in the Church’s eye, which has to do with its rebellion against the Holy Spirit.  This persistent and dangerous problem we have is the source not only of our own ills but of the world’s.  We attempt to minister truth with the Bible without any sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, who is the author of truth.  The problem is not that we haven’t been aggressive enough to talk the world to death, but in not understanding how we have chosen to minister without the Holy Spirit as well as our pride of doing so.  This is THE issue and it leads to completely different conclusions as well as the path out of the hell we now find ourselves in.

The Church doesn’t need mobile apps to confront this situation.  It needs the presence, power and truth of the Holy Spirit ministered through servants of Jesus Christ and this only comes with His enabling and empowering them.  There is a massive gap between a mobile app and the Holy Spirit.

Church leaders who encourage more preaching without the power of the Holy Spirit being manifested ARE THE PROBLEM and they have given rise to the flood of hell we see in America.  It is their pride along with the pride of their followers that has brought the Church to the powerless place it now resides.

We don’t need this type of leadership and thankfully the Holy Spirit is not prepared to allow them to continue leading His Church.

Mark Biteler