“MADNESS” (March 18, 2001)
Emotional Max Marshalls
The spiritually-correct police take immediate umbrage when someone dares to challenge this popular writer on anything; anyone who opposes his doctrine--particularly his false gospel--is shot at (verbally, so far). Three weeks ago (February 25th) we published the "Max Lucado: Max Lax" article. Protests began even before the article was printed (we put it on the Internet on February 21st). The very next day we received the following e-mail:
Brother Summers,
Coming up with names such as "Max-Lax" is mean-spirited. If you feel others are scripturally wrong, this is no way to convince them to change. Truth, SPOKEN IN LOVE, and reinforced with a SPIRIT OF LOVE will have a better result, whereas making up childish names will turn people against what you have to say. It also makes you appear to be quite spiritually immature to stoop to such things. Your "Max-Lax" reveals a MAXIMUM LACK OF LOVE on your part. If anyone is deserving of the name "Max-Lax", it would be hard line brethren who have this maximum lack of love in the way they deal with those whom they disagree. Brother, you are in our prayers. May God bless you in the things that you do that glorify Him and build the brethren up.
In response, we resisted the temptation to point out that, in rebuking me for making up childish names, he did not hesitate to call me serious names, such as "quite spiritually immature" and possessing a "MAXIMUM LACK OF LOVE." Also, "lack" does not fit LAX…. Below was our reply to his emotion-driven diatribe:
Thank you for your kind thoughts. I suggest, for your own benefit, that you do not read 1 Kings 18, in which Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal, or 1 Kings 22, in which Micaiah mocked the false prophets of Ahab. Perhaps you think these prophets of God were mean-spirited.
It never ceases to amaze me that the one who exposes error often times receives more criticism than the person who is actually the source of the problem…. Have you thought that perhaps our "lack of love," as you judge it, is really hatred for every false way (Ps. 119:104)?
There has not been a further reply from this individual in the weeks following. Many of those who write really do not want to carry on a conversation or see what the Scriptures teach; they simply want to blow off steam. Notice that, as is usually the case, none of the Scriptures addressed in the article were dealt with; everything was reduced to a matter of "feeling." The very next day (two days before publication), we received our second complaint.
Max L. has done more to bring people into the kingdom than you'll ever do. You are a joke.
Our response was:
How can one enter the kingdom without the blood of Christ? You would profit more from a study of God's Word than from Max's words.
This brief message was prompted by emotion rather than thought. The woman writing these words did not deal with any of the substance of the article; she also evidently felt it important to include an insult. It is precisely this practice of non-thinking that kept the scribes and the Pharisees from confronting the truths that Jesus taught. He didn't always agree with Moses; so He had to be wrong. Today the standard is Max Lucado. Anyone who disagrees with him must be wrong. Individuals controlled by their emotions never need to worry about truth and error; they are not required to evaluate or to "prove all things," as the Scriptures teach. In effect, they can simply blurt out, "This is the way I feel, and anyone who disagrees is wrong." …
Another individual sent an e-mail eight days after the article appeared on our Website; he directed it to the Webmaster:
If man could get to heaven on works then Christ would not have to have died on the cross. Sorry fellas, but the doctrine of faith plus anything leads only to elevation above Christ. You may want to rethink Gary Summers as a theologian and writer where salvation is concerned. "By grace are you saved through faith not of works lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:9. P.S. By the way, the previous scripture was paraphrased.
Notice how widespread the doctrine of "faith plus nothing" is becoming. A great part of this popularity can be attributed to Max Lucado, who says it in tracts, books, radio broadcasts, and in personal appearances. The response we sent follows:
1. If you think we are teaching salvation by works, you are mistaken. We are well aware of what the Scriptures teach concerning grace.
2. The Bible does teach something besides faith. If "faith only" is sufficient, then how do you account for what Jesus taught: "Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3)? Repentance requires EFFORT on our part. It is not works, but compliance. How do you account for what Peter said to those on Pentecost: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins..." (Acts 2:38)? Why didn't the inspired apostle say what you and Max do?
3. You may want to work a little yourself on theology. Salvation hangs in the balance. Only the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32); the teachings of men will make your worship vain (Matt. 15:9).