The Old Testament has the example of the prophets who were only accountable to God who gave them his direct word. However, in the N. T., specifically according to Paul - 1st Cor. 14, those who would speak prophetically are subject to others who would have to weigh carefully what they proclaim as the Word of God. This speaks of accountability.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Bishop James Manning is Wrong
There has been a great misconception in the Body of Christ. What is this misconception? It is the idea that a person Preacher/Prophet/Saint/whatever is only accountable to God for what they say. On the contrary, what keeps us humble is the understanding that no one is above the other. Jesus said he would not advocate us exercising dominance over one another (Matt 23 chapter), the least would be the greatest. What does this really mean? It means that the oldest most experienced believer is accountable to the youngest least experienced. In 1st Corinthians Paul speaks eloquently about the metaphor of the church being a body. We are members of a collective, not mavericks.
The Old Testament has the example of the prophets who were only accountable to God who gave them his direct word. However, in the N. T., specifically according to Paul - 1st Cor. 14, those who would speak prophetically are subject to others who would have to weigh carefully what they proclaim as the Word of God. This speaks of accountability.
To this end I believe that Bishop James David Manning is wrong first for singling out another member in a public forum like that. It is one of the first things taught in homiletics that you never do that. You preach Christ and him Crucified. A social gospel is probably better when it is used to help the disenfranchised, not to get your gun off about a particular person. I believe that too much hijacking of the pulpit to espouse ideas other than Christ centered messages is not the will of God. If Manning has a problem with Barack he should do as the bible says in Matthew chapter 18. That is the proper way of things in the Body of Christ. I believe he is out of order.
The Old Testament has the example of the prophets who were only accountable to God who gave them his direct word. However, in the N. T., specifically according to Paul - 1st Cor. 14, those who would speak prophetically are subject to others who would have to weigh carefully what they proclaim as the Word of God. This speaks of accountability.
To this end I believe that Bishop James David Manning is wrong first for singling out another member in a public forum like that. It is one of the first things taught in homiletics that you never do that. You preach Christ and him Crucified. A social gospel is probably better when it is used to help the disenfranchised, not to get your gun off about a particular person. I believe that too much hijacking of the pulpit to espouse ideas other than Christ centered messages is not the will of God. If Manning has a problem with Barack he should do as the bible says in Matthew chapter 18. That is the proper way of things in the Body of Christ. I believe he is out of order.
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