Standards, Websites

Proof Text For Fun And Profit

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An alert SFL reader sent me a link to contendforthefaith.ca, wherein I learned that Canadians have their own crazy fundamentalists. Who knew?

One of the highlights of this site was the section on Spiritual Service Standards, which purport to be a guide for the behavior of people in ministry. As the author writes:

“In the face or today’s drift from Scriptural principles, it is our desire to maintain the highest level of spiritual ministry in the Christian service of our Church, and to maintain a pure testimony for Christ in every phase of its life.”

Here are the proof texts given for avoiding particular behaviors deemed to be a bad testimony. You can find them on pages 5 and 6 of the original document(PDF). Once you begin to read the “Scriptural principles” presented, however, it’s hard to determine exactly how the quoted verses “prove” anything.

sale or use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober.

gambling

Exodus 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.

Proverbs 28:8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

use of tobacco

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

social dancing of any type

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

attendance at commercial movie theaters

Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

viewing of carnal videos

Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

carnal-radio, carnal theater, and carnal television programs

1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.

carnal music

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

carnal literature

Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

worldly card playing

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Preachers

E-mails From Pastors: Jack Trieber Edition

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The following e-mail has come into my possession from someone who reports that it was sent to all the staff members at North Valley Baptist Church by none other than Jack Trieber. You may remember Trieber from his previous appearance on SFL when he preached that “the Pastor is your shepherd“.

Dear Staff,

Another strange phenomenon has been taking place this summer, and it is one that is very distressing to me personally.

Mrs. Trieber and I have been attending the Tuesday evening soul winning meetings; and as usual, I am out at the Saturday morning program. The strange thing is that I see a vast majority of our staff at neither one of these events. Something is drastically wrong. Of course, I am certain that all of you enjoy having health insurance and benefits all summer long; and for those of you who work over the summer, you also enjoy your salary. But quite frankly, it is very upsetting to me to see the lack of love for the cause of Christ. I know that devotion and heart shows up in September, but that is way too late. I want this remedied immediately. I do not want emails or letters apologizing for actions—I want performance. Instead of asking for an apology, I would suggest falling on your knees and asking God to forgive you for a lazy spirit towards the things of Christ. Please let me know if this is not going to fit in your plans so I can help you make plans for another place of ministry. This is perhaps one of the strongest letters I have ever written to our staff. But if you only knew how hard we work to make sure there is enough to cover your salary, health insurance, and worker’s compensation only to receive little to no performance, it is very disturbing. I am expecting a huge change. I want it to be evident in our bus numbers,
soul winning numbers, baptisms, and salvations.

As I speak about attending these soul winning meetings, I do not believe you ought to be showing up right on the wire. You ought to be there as paid employees helping to create a spirit of excitement 10-15 minutes before these meetings. It is like a ghost town when I show up to these meetings—that is certainly not acceptable.

Consider this as a strong rebuke. I imagine some of you could take this to the HR department; but friend, this is the way the rules have always been at this church. Read your handbook. For some of you, I believe it might be very wise that you considered moving on. For others, and it might be very wise if you considered falling on your knees and confessing to God about your slothful spirit. For those who have been sold-out in these meetings and soul winning efforts, I commend you. Thank you for being faithful so many times when those around you have not been. I am looking forward to seeing a change this Saturday and next Tuesday. God bless you.

Your friend,

Pastor

Do you have an e-mail or a letter from a fundamentalist pastor or institution? Feel free to send it along.

A silly blog dedicated to Independent Fundamental Baptists, their standards, their beliefs, and their craziness.