Some e-mail correspondence turns out to be very brief. Below are four
such e-mails, all spawned by articles on our Website about Max Lucado.
No comments are necessary; they speak for themselves.
Does it scare you that you and others like you do not have a corner on
truth? If you are from the Restoration Movement--surely you would
remember that even Thomas Campbell wrote something to the effect that if
God is your father and He is my father--then we are brothers.
What will you do when you get to heaven and find that there are others
there who did not believe exactly as you believe and did not attend the
same kind of church as you attend?
As a minister and therapist I have found that when most people are this
dogmatic that it is an indicator of insecurity.
--C.M.
C.M.,
First, truth is available to all who have an open mind and are
interested in learning it. Jesus said that, if we continue in His Word,
we would know the truth (John 8:31-32). Do you disagree with the Lord?
Second, the thing that scares me is that most people don't care what the
truth is.
Third, the Scriptures, not Thomas Campbell or any other man, defines who
is a Christian.
Fourth, I will be amazed if there are those in heaven who have never
been part of the church for which Christ died, since He only promised to
save those who belong to Him (Eph. 5:23). What will you do on the day
of judgment when God remains true to His Word and those in manmade
churches are lost?
Fifth, as a preacher and a scholar, I need a definition of the word
"dogmatic" before I can comment--especially since it appears that
"contending for the faith" (Jude 3) may be considered dogmatic by you.
I am not aware of any insecurities (at least, any more than most people
share). Is your last comment along the lines of, "I'm OK; you're not so
hot"?
--Gary
I guess your reply was pretty much what I expected from one who appears
to represent the non-instrumental Church of Christ. If you are a member
of the non-instrumental Church of Christ--I know there are doctrines
that you hold--that the Bible does not speak of--they appear to be
manmade....
Contending for the faith is not being dogmatic, however, your personal
interpretations and applications may be faulty.... Make sure that the
faith for which you contend is properly understood, interpreted, and
applied.
--C.M.
C.M.
Your letter is filled with vague possibilities and general statements
about what I may or may not be doing. We have over 300 articles on our
Web site, www.spiritualperspectives.org; if you have a specific criticism, I would
gladly listen. Or if there is some Scripture or a particular point you
wish to discuss, I will try to accommodate you. Whatever criticism you
have, however, has been left mostly undefined.
--Gary
I'm not a Max Lucado fan, but his writings are very inspiring. Jesus
Christ once said, if they are preaching or teaching about me then leave
them alone, for Christ is being preached. Something like that, I didn't
look it up. I think he does a good job at helping others see Christ. I
hope and pray you are doing the same. Let's not tear down the body of
Christ on technicalities. Christ is being preached! Amen!
--K.L.
K.L.,
If Christ were being preached by Lucado, people would ask the same
question the eunuch did. Please read Acts 8:35-39. If you have not
asked this question, it is because you have not been taught the truth.
Also, you might consider what Peter said in 2 Peter 2:1 about false
teachers in the church.
--Gary
Hello, I love to listen to Max talk. Right now I'm in a small group at
church and we're doing He Chose The Nails. I went to school with
Max in Andrews, TX; he was always a nice guy. He'll remember me I
think. I'm going to see him this month in MIdland, TX. He has the love
of God and I'm so happy.
In Christ,
B.O.
B.O.,
Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Max
denies that the commandment Jesus gave concerning baptism is necessary
for salvation (Mark 16:16). He may be a nice guy, but he is a false
teacher (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
I'm happy that our salvation is based on objective truth, not subjective
feelings.
--Gary
Get the log out of your own eye, and put your eyes on Jesus.
--W.S.
W.S.,
The Jesus who said, "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's
clothing"?
--Gary
*Send comments or questions concerning this article to Gary Summers. Please
refer to this article as: "SHORTER E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCES (10/14/01)."