IMhO,
YES and NO.
The article makes great points about didactic vs dialectic vs synthesis etc. and the language that goes with each and comparing satan's ways, tools and language etc.
But somehow, it just misses it, for me.
Have been reared in the Assemblies. Respect a lot about them in their desire to follow God and hear God via Holy Spirit, etc.
Alas, the Assemblies and all groups, congregations--THAT HAVE EXISTED FOR PROBABLY A YEAR AND A HALF
have by then acquired
TRADITIONS OF MEN,
CUSTOMS,
HABITS,
VALUES ETC.
which are not entirely Spirit-led.
Certainly the Assemblies has plenty of barnacles to rid itself of.
Certainly one size does NOT fit all the world over.
Last I heard, there were still Assemblies congregations in Africa where the women attended services topless.
And certainly French Assemblies congregants drink wine.
I think EVERY local congregation needs to REINVENT itself fairly regularly
TO STAY UP WITH WHAT CREATIVE HOLY SPIRIT IS DOING.
That does NOT automatically mean individuals or committees or groups, congregations or denominations need to get lost in a morass of slippery relativism or end up doing satan's work satan's way.
HOLY SPIRIT IS TYPICALLY FRESH, NOW as well as TRUE TO THE HISTORICAL SCRIPTURES.
But language changes in a society. That's why we need new translations.
Society changes.
Certainly we must hold to the Biblical facts and truths. ESPECIALLY THE CORE DOCTRINES and a lot of others are non-negotiable. The Biblical facts and even prophecies are unalterable.
Perhaps an analogy . . . I went to see GODSPELL expecting to walk out in the middle of what I expected to be a blasphemous movie. I was touched by God's Spirit through that film. It's certainly not the way I'd have made a movie about Christ. But I recognized that Christ's truths about Himself and His message were still there. And, it reached folks which THE ROBE would never have reached.
I SUSPECT it is LONG OVERDUE for the Assemblies of God and a lot of others to reinvent themselves UNDER HOLY SPIRIT'S GUIDANCE.
I think Holy Spirit can use a variety of ways to effect HIS change.
Ideally, I'd like to see that the AOG leadership fasted and prayed sufficiently for God to speak to them, and they shared it with signs following with the troops.
And, we hear a lot of noise in the 5 FOLD MINISTRY stuff to suggest that GOD IS SETTING UP HIS GOVERNMENT in the world today etc. And one gets the feeling that most of the noise is convinced that it will be some sort of authoritarian structure of a more or less pyramid shape.
I think they are mostly wrong.
Christ emphasized in the NT the Priesthood of the Believer. There need be NO intercessor or intermediary between each individual and The Father, essentially.
I see the future remarkably flat in terms of heirarchy. I suspect there will be some sort of hierarchy for SOME things. But that each individual will still have more or less direct access to The Father by His Spirit, by His Son.
AND WHAT HIERARCHY THERE IS WILL BE SERVANT LEADERS or they won't be leaders. Enough of this preaching about it but never doing it.
All of which to say, hierarchy is not automatically righteous just because it thinks it is or quotes more KJV verses than some other individual(s). Nor is it automatically righteous just because it fits some new 5 FOLD MINISTRY paradigm with accompanying top down structure according to this list of modern prophets and apostles--often self-proclaimed.
There IS a place for 'polling the grass roots' so to speak. JESUS HIMSELF ATE AND SLEPT WITH HIS DISCIPLES--John apparently routinely on Christ's chest. The Apostle Paul servant-heartedly served those he ministered to.
The best house church leaders in Mainland China serve the people rather humbly and very servant-heartedly in spite of their culture's addiction to rank and hierarchy.
Respect and authority are earned--evidently in God's economy--by servant-heartedness, humility, self-less love.
Certainly one must rely first and foremost on Holy Spirit about the needs of those one is around. But, for a variety of reasons, it is wise, loving and Christlike to LISTEN to them, and that heart-to-heart.
Certainly one get's one's marching orders from God. But way back with Moses, GOD HIMSELF INSTRUCTED MOSES ABOUT HOW TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.
I get rather wary and concerned about appeals to authoritarian leadership as THE ONLY WAY as though some unalterable, essential aspects of it were cast in stone at Mt Sinai.
THE WAY IS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED.
A lot of other stuff is petty details best and well tailored to the individual(s) and culture concerned.
imho.
have by then acquired
TRADITIONS OF MEN,
CUSTOMS,
HABITS,
VALUES ETC.
which are not entirely Spirit-led.
Certainly the Assemblies has plenty of barnacles to rid itself of.
Certainly one size does NOT fit all the world over.
Last I heard, there were still Assemblies congregations in Africa where the women attended services topless.
And certainly French Assemblies congregants drink wine.
I think EVERY local congregation needs to REINVENT itself fairly regularly
TO STAY UP WITH WHAT CREATIVE HOLY SPIRIT IS DOING.
That does NOT automatically mean individuals or committees or groups, congregations or denominations need to get lost in a morass of slippery relativism or end up doing satan's work satan's way.
HOLY SPIRIT IS TYPICALLY FRESH, NOW as well as TRUE TO THE HISTORICAL SCRIPTURES.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
very true it is hard to find a church that is teaching the WORD of GOD anymore. They are so busy playing church they have forgotten why they go there.