Son of the U.S. fast-food magnate, Taco.
Posted on 02/19/2015 6:05:46 AM PST by ReformationFan
Yet in that very epistle Jude severely rebukes the false Christians he specifically wrote the letter to warn us about.
I would also note the Jesus commended the Church at Ephesus for “hating” the teachings of the Nicolations. “Which I hate also”
You and I are in agreement there.
Angels apparently don’t have the authority to rebuke.
But Christians have an obligation to do so
I can accept that.
Though I would like to see where the Bible says anyone is irrelevant. Lost, yes. In apostasy, yes. Sinner, yes. Irrelevant? I haven't seen that one.
We must remember that church discipline folds into this idea of rebuking our brother. Nobody would ever be thrown out on their ear for apostasy if nobody ever rebuked a sinning brother.
Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
“Tell him his fault” is the Greek “elegcho” also meaning to rebuke, admonish.
Christ also said this, and the Greek “epitimao” was used, which means essentially the same thing, to rebuke or admonish:
Luk 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
“Against” is the Greek “eis” which can also mean “before.” Bell is committing the sin of false prophecy, calling God a liar, claiming God didn’t say something He said, and that God said something He didn’t say. It’s not doing unrepentant false prophets any favors to let their apostasy slide. Christ promises damnation for them in Matthew 7.
The opening setup reeks of cliquish snobbery, probably unintended. Bell is in error and teaching others error, though, so I side with the bulk of Sproul's case.
I think you can make a case that in Matthew 18:17 Christ declares unrepentant apostates as essentially irrelevant, calling them a couple of the worst names possible, and commanding us to treat them like that. We’re to remove all fellowship from them.
You must love Paul then!
Rebuking must be done in love and with a prayer that Mr. Bell repents and returns to faithfulness in Christ. However, I do think that Mr. Sproul is right to use strong words of warning in reference so that other believers are warned, too. As for the rebuking of angels, I always take that in the context of let us be very careful of what we say to spiritual powers. I always cringe when I hear people say, “Satan, we bind you”. I am not so sure that is a wise thing to do.
Anyway, it is clear that Rob Bell is a heretic and should be denounced for leading others astray. Let us also pray for his salvation.
Son of the U.S. fast-food magnate, Taco.
As demonstrated in Galatians 3??
I think it just means “No longer relevant”. He no longer has any authority. It wouldn’t surprise me if he went Humanist/Agnostic.
He has always had a problem with the concept of the “Wrath of God”. I know a lot of people that have the same problem. Most of them are church leaders.
They prefer Santa God or Gay Friend God or BFF God but not God God.
The guy who someone claims is the *Evangelical "pope"*???????
In fact, one could argue that the very pope of evangelicals hinted at that perspective. That is to say, John Stott came very close to affirming that same perspective 20 years before Rob Bell did, and he didn’t get his evangelical card taken from him.
Just more of the seeker friendly heresies ...
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