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.

Comments from an anti-Christ

Image via WikipediaThese are some of the things that testingblog is saying (you can read them in the comments of the previous post).

“Well-respected. I fully agree. By the Satanists of this world that is the Atheists, Agnostics, Muslims, and Buddhists.” - such statements can only come from an anti-christ. Since when did Jesus said that?

All things good come from God and most (if not all) main stream religions teaches about love.

Only satan and evil teaches division, hatred and killing like what testingblog is displaying here. One may call oneself a Christian and goes to church etc but has never really understand what it means to be one. As Paul said (rightly pointed out by JC) that it is all about faith, hope and love and nothing is greater than love.

Testingblog, what are the 2 Commandments that Jesus taught you? Are you displaying any? If so, how?

And be reminded that not all who call Jesus “Lord…Lord” will enter into heaven. Are you one of them?

You brought up a good point. Just wondering why everybody else respect Catholics except fellow Christians? Doesn’t it sound like how the Jews is treating Jesus and his disciple compared to the non-Jews during His time? By the way, I have many non-Catholics friends and I know you represent only a minority (like the Jews in Jesus time).

“Look here, if you really think that your church has the true Word of God”

I don’t think so - rather I know it as a fact which is defensible by the Bible. How about yours? Can you defend your actions of cursing, swearing and using vulgar words with the Bible? When did Jesus teaches all the things you said and do?

“come and challenge us. Go to any forums, any blogs and point to us that we are wrong and hold events to counter us.”

Already did just that at the forum you came from (although I never see your name appearing).

The problem I do not want to waste my time there any longer is simply because there are too many people like you. They are there not to discuss and discern but to attack others with whatever hearsay. Truth and facts have no meanings to them.

When they cannot even make sense of their salvation theory, even the better and more respected participant resorted to diverting attention and attacking Catholics with “wrong notion and perceptions” and with issues that has no relationship with the discussions. That’s pathetic and convinced me not to waste my time.

On the same token, why not come and share with us what you think is correct and defend it?

“I read your argument for salvation and I'm turned furious by how YOU twisted our dear Christ's words to your own sick advantage. You have taken James' verses out of context"

How have I twisted anything? You did not even say. How did I take James verses out of context? You did not say. Do you mind answering that simple question which requires only a Yes or No answer as asked by James?

“If an old man on his deathbed regretted his past sins and receives Christ as his saviour, by YOUR interpretation of your goddamn faulty scripture he would be heading to hell.”

Since when did we said that? Go and read the story of the good thief that you fellow “brother” misquoted and misused. Your wrong understanding does not make our salvation theory wrong. It certainly did not make your correct.

“your group who are equal to that of pseudo-Christian cults.“

How irresponsible of you to say that Catholics are cults. If so, they would not survive 2000+ years and still thriving. Dispute all you want but the history of Catholic Churches traces us back to the early Churches which Jesus has build with Peter as the rock. How dare you even call Jesus’s Church a cult and without any valid factual reasons?

“Unless you Catholics do something to stem the flow of apathy that I see so many of your members are afflicted with, we will call for arms and take action against your kind. We even have no qualms about executing homosexuals for sinning.”

What apathy are you talking about? Go ahead, load your guns and take actions. Catholics have no fear of you because we have God on our side. Everything you said here is anti-Christ and against teachings of Jesus and the Bible.

You are a classic example of extremist as a result of wrong teachings. That’s dangerous and you are showing every bit of it. You have the real potential of the making of a cult and terrorist.

Though I said your name did not appear in the forum, I believed that you are using another name and was on my ignore list. If you persist to use foul language and continue to display your anti-Christ antics here, I will moderate the comments and ban you forever.

For you have already shown us enough of what anti-Christ is and what wrong teachings can lead one to – you are even now displaying signs of being an extremist / cultist / terrorist.

For sure, you need plenty of prayers because you are heading the wrong way. God Bless You!