Perhaps nowhere does the phenomenon of claiming non-revelatory non-charismatic divine leadings happen more frequently then when a fundamentalist pastor stands up to preach and informs the crowd that his message tonight comes straight from God for reasons totally unbeknownst to the speaker.
Here is a quintessential exemplar
Notice how the evangelist says that God is leading him to preach a message next week but that God may change His mind sometime before next week.
If you’d like to listen to the rest of this sermon entitled “Why Isn’t Someone Yelling Rape?” (which actually includes the use of the phrase “as frustrated as a bald-headed hippy” ) you can find it here
That was a nice little flashback to the past. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard those exact same words. Sadly the words “quintessential exemplar” explain it well. :/ Ugh.
A “lengthy” 30 verse passage?!? Ha! If this man actually thinks that’s long, *clearly* he has never been to any of the Reformed churches I’ve visited/been a member of since leaving fundamentalism!
And how about the claim, “Don’t be upset with me, God told me to say it!”
If he thinkd 30 verses is a long reading he should go to an Easter Vigil in a Catholiic Church and stand while entire chapters are read. I never heard as much Scripture read in church in my life.
Think it did us all a lot of good too.
Listening to him reminded me of another Fundy staple – the “preacher” voice. Ever notice how they all sound the same?
I don’t know what I dislike more – the “only preachers can understand” quote, or the “30 verses is kinda long” quote.
Generally, in a Fundy church, you read one verse, then quote 15 out of context after that. I guess for him, thirty verses is an eternity. Better read em before the Rapture happens! : )
Thirty verses is pretty much typical for the first lesson. Then there is the Psalm, then the second lesson, then the gospel, then the sermon.
Darrell, just so you know the link is broken to this sermon.
I’ve put a new link up…
Always have to roll my eyes whenever I hear some variation of the phrase “if you aren’t a pastor you wouldn’t understand.” Do they realize how arrogant it sounds?
The office of the pastor doesn’t give anyone some “special” relationship with God that other Christians don’t have. While the pastor is an important job, he’s no more important than any other person in the body of Christ.