Let's Bash the Preacher Some More

[gloryseeker]

Originally Posted by tbpew

GS,I also happen to be one of the folks here who believe that the label "man of God" is a former thing. It no longer has relevance. The role has been superceded because a veil (flesh) has been rent, the middle wall of partition between us being broken down; all have access onto the holy mountain.

I understand what you are saying and I guess my response would be agree and disagree.

I believe you have taken the scripture somewhat out of context. True "all" now have access and the wall that separated man from God has been removed. You and I don't need another between us and God, but that did not remove the ministry in our life. I fully believe that there are people in our lives that we consider the "man of God" in our lives. I have a Pastor and as I have said many times that my spiritual DNA is in his anointing. I can personally say that I would not be where I am today except for the anointing that is on his life. So, yes I do have a "man of God" in my life.

I can not. To do so would be to declare that children "of God" are something other than "of God". It would give occassion for incorrect thinking that there is some kind of preeminence among members of the body that God has anointed.

I would disagree one has nothing to do with another if you understand authority. Using a secular example your statement would be equivalent to saying that a private is not in the US Army since he has a Sergeant over him. That's totally untrue and one statement has no bearing on the other statement.

[gloryseeker]

Originally Posted by Michlow

As I read this, I confess, I get fired up. Not because I dislike preachers or Pastors or because I am a "basher".

The part that bothers me is how preachers / pastors , are set up as being something better, smarter, more spiritual or more worthy of honor or respect than everyone else.

The truth is people are flawed. Though we as Christians strive to love God and our neighbor, we often fail. Whether this failure takes the form of a person criticizing the preacher they just heard, or the form of the preacher using his sermon to verbally abuse another. I don't think that God is happy with either.

I think the reason is because most error by focusing on the person and not the position.

In a secular example, I have very poor opinions of our current President, but that in no way affects my respect for the position he holds. If I were to meet him I would show him just as much honor and respect as I would for a President that I endorsed.

It's not the person it's the position

[gloryseeker]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

It is the way we're wired, part of our survival instinct. I don't believe there is anything wrong with that, although it doesn't always serve us best.

If you touch a hot stove, you remember not to ever do it again! There is no reason for your brain to remember all the thing you touched that didn't hurt -for one thing it is simply not efficient to do so.

Interesting point, but is the hard wiring as you call it a result of the fall of man or the design of God.

Depending on how a person would translate that we are created in the image of God you a person could then say that God is negative focused based on your premise.

However, maybe what you are saying (which I don't disagree with) is the "sin consciousness" that the Bible talks about

[tbpew]

Originally Posted by gloryseeker

I would disagree one has nothing to do with another if you understand authority. Using a secular example your statement would be equivalent to saying that a private is not in the US Army since he has a Sergeant over him. That's totally untrue and one statement has no bearing on the other statement.

GS,
What I find interesting is your example has no bearing on the dynamic of the Kingdom of God. In some ways, this is coming around (once again) to applying authority when none exists --member to member within a body.

If God's dwellingplace was established in the manner of a hierarchial military, your example would be spot on ---but since God's abode is a body your example lacks application.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by gloryseeker

Interesting point, but is the hard wiring as you call it a result of the fall of man or the design of God.

Depending on how a person would translate that we are created in the image of God you a person could then say that God is negative focused based on your premise.

However, maybe what you are saying (which I don't disagree with) is the "sin consciousness" that the Bible talks about

I believe 100% that it is the design of God, not the fall of man. Did Adam have pain receptors? He would have because he was still capable of injuring himself -even if he had a Wolverine-like ability to heal. Pain is nothing more then your body drawing attention to a part of itself that it thinks is injured.

Likewise we remember pain because it helps with our survival and teaches us NOT to do something that would cause damage, or do it again. How often do we remember NOT being in pain versus being in pain? (And I know for some people who are in constant anguish, they may indeed remember NON-pain moments, but that is a different issue.)

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by gloryseeker

I think the reason is because most error by focusing on the person and not the position.

In a secular example, I have very poor opinions of our current President, but that in no way affects my respect for the position he holds. If I were to meet him I would show him just as much honor and respect as I would for a President that I endorsed.

It's not the person it's the position

Granted. However, a president is something that is necessary (or at least some sort of government leader), and I think most would agree. But not all will agree that a pastor is a necessity.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Perhaps if one would walk in a preacher's shoes just once perhaps they would be hestitant to bash a preacher.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Perhaps if one would walk in a preacher's shoes just once perhaps they would be hestitant to bash a preacher.

Or yelling at the waiter at a restaurant for screwing up your order without ever having been one (a waiter).....

Or complaining about your car repair without ever having been a mechanic at a garage.......

Or complaining about the IT department when your computer is on the fritz without ever having worked in it.....

I think you get the point.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

It is right to honor those that are worthy of honor but that does not make them little gods running around...I am from a familiy of ministers...several sons are ministers, my husband is a minister and we are supported by many precious ministers. I honor and respect them HOWEVER it is a great evil and dangerous to worship men...we must have a balanced veiw and understanding of authority...lest we err...

Excellent post! There are some men of God I greatly respect and they are loving, unassuming, and humble. It is easy to submit to such a pastor but it is so difficult to submit or commit to a Pastor who thinks he is god and some really do.

God bless all the Pastor's with a servant's heart!

Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Or yelling at the waiter at a restaurant for screwing up your order without ever having been one (a waiter).....

Or complaining about your car repair without ever having been a mechanic at a garage.......

Or complaining about the IT department when your computer is on the fritz without ever having worked in it.....

I think you get the point.

Back in the day we assisted a Pastor that embarrassed me every time we went into a restaurant. He was demanding, complaining, and often left no tip because he felt justified. I bet they spit in his food when they saw him walk in the door.