I caught these blurbs the other day on Moody Radio,
advertising for the Tony Evans radio programme.
Tony Evans, a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary
promotes Dominionism. This has become so standard they can't even pick up on
how blatantly unscriptural their language has become. Genesis 1 and Dominion
dominate their thinking. Without realising it they have rejected the New
Testament and Apostolic interpretation of these concepts. It is basic but
fundamental hermeneutical error and the implications are staggering.
How far they have strayed from the New Testament and the
message of Christ concerning the Kingdom that is not of this world! We're to
rule, not live as exiles? Have they read 1 Peter 2.11-12 or Hebrews 11.8-16?
These people have lost their way.
Charles Ryrie, who recently died was one
of the leaders of the shift in Dispensationalism away from the Scofield Bible
and some of its doctrinal frameworks. He was not (to my knowledge and memory) a
Dominionist. He represented a more 'Evangelical' rather than Fundamentalist
brand of Dispensational Theology and yet Dominionism as such was not embraced
by these circles until probably the 1980s and even more in the 1990s.
I wonder what Ryrie thought about all
that? He was certainly old enough to have perceived the change. Was he pleased
or dismayed? Who would have ever guessed that a doctrine born in Reformed
theology would come to dominate Dallas Theological Seminary?
While there is much to appreciate in Reformed
Theology, this doctrine represents its absolute worst aspect and legacy.
Even today while talking to a pastor on the phone about his church, the first thing he said was that he was a graduate of Liberty University and they spend a lot of time on 'worldview' teaching. They have a 'cafe' and watch a big screen presentation, some series they're going through. Then they spend about 45mins doing 'praise and worship'.
ReplyDeleteAnd then he made sure to tell me about their carpet. I'm not kidding.
What's striking is that all this was being told to me under the assumption that it was all in accord with and keeping with the spirit of the New Testament.
The poor guy doesn't know what he's doing or why. He doesn't even know what Church is or what we're here for. It's all therapy and politics and he's just regurgitating marketing lines that he's been taught. Even talking to him, he couldn't answer my questions except by giving me little promotional blurbs about this or that programme.
It was a depressing phone call.
Why did he tell you about the carpet?
ReplyDeleteHe was trying to 'sell' his 'church' to me and tell me about all the great things going on. Sadly for many people, buildings, carpets, lighting, sound-systems etc... are part of their criteria. Doctrine for many is a secondary or even tertiary consideration.
ReplyDelete