Keep an open mind....for God has spoken

Image by JL Outdoor Photography via FlickrI read ST Your Letter of 19.10.08 by Ms Christie Loh "Keep an open mind even if you live by thous-shalt-nots".

I applaud Ms Loh for her diligence in attending New Creation Church service to find our for herself if the negative views are true. This was because of her love for her son who was keen to join as a member.

I agree with Ms Loh that "What mattered to us was which doctrines were being taught and who was glorified".

I do not know any Christian Churches here that do not glorify God - perhaps Ms Loh can point that out. Even cults (that is banned in Singapore) glorify God in their teachings and preaching!

As for doctrines taught by mega churches, these are issues which people are concerned about (and if we can remember letter to ST by Dr Lee Bee Wah about a year ago). It dose not mean that a doctrine is Biblical simply because it was quoted from the Bible - there are many instances of wrong quotations.

I just read recently someone who quoted the story when Jesus asked Simon to cast the net into the water and haul up a rich harvest (LK5:1-8). This was used as "proof" that Jesus do agree with "prosperity gospel" that is being preached. Or what they call grace. What about when Jesus said in LK5:10 "Do not be afraid; from now on it is people you will be catching."?

Isn't it clear that Jesus is telling Simon (Peter) that He wants Simon to be His disciple to spread the Gospel and "catching people" instead of fishes (as a fisherman)? And isn't this clear that this miracle was to show Simon that Jesus is "special" (which is why Jesus said "Don't be afraid") since this was the begining of Jesus ministry and nobody knew about Him yet?

Such wrong use of Bible quotations is common (from what I have read as well as interaction with friends who goes to mega churches) which leads to another imporant issue to consider:

Is the pastor properly trained and where? From my queries so far, I found no answer. It was not on NCC website, nobody from any forum or discussion have pick this up and provide any answers.

Even Joseph Prince acknowledged that he is aware of the concerns (about his teachings) but he believed that when one believed right, one will live right. Since there are so many concerns, I believed that clearly something is not very right........

There must be reasons why so many people (both Christians and non-Christians alike) are against their teachings. Is the teachings correct as in accordance with the Bible?

You have done well to start researching by attending the service yourself but it would be even more important to research the doctrines and teachings preached by Joseph Prince. Perhaps, a discussion with your current Church pastor / priest may help.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual to discern what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes, it is easier to hear what we want but it certainly pay to listen to the truth no matter how much harder that may be. The truth is in the Bible that has been preached for over 2000 years! And God's Word is the only truth and will never change.

It is easy to get soaked into the moment in the atmosphere created by mega churches and one has to "fight" and stay alert.

With the current financial crisis, God has spoken again and telling us that all riches here is temporary and not the most important because it can disappear in a flash. Seeking God and the truth is the most important.