MAX PASTOR (April 15, 2001)
[This article concerned an interview with Max Lucado by Pat Robertson on the 700 Club.] One of the first questions Robertson asked was: "Are, are you pastoring at all?" Max responded eagerly: "I am. I am. I'm a full time [pastor] at the Oak Hills Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas." This information was purposely elicited, despite the fact that it was in the form of a question. It had already been flashed on the screen: "Max Lucado: Author/Pastor." How embarrassing for true Christians. …one can envision preachers everywhere yelling at Max, "Do you know how many times we have had to explain that we are preachers and not pastors? How can you identify yourself as one of us and claim to be pastoring a church of Christ?" Of course, what could be expected from someone who has already given up the Bible's teaching on salvation and worship? Max apparently delights in perpetuating ignorance of the Truth… [Later in the interview Max says the following words to Pat.]
I was really struck by the symbolism of, you know, when Christ's side was pierced by the sword, blood and water came forth.
At this point Pat Robertson chimed in, "Right." Apparently, neither of them knows that Jesus' side was pierced with a spear. The Greek word translated "spear" appears only once in the New Testament—in John 19:34. Thayer says that the Greek word refers to "the iron point or head of a spear; a lance or spear." The word translated "sword" appears 29 times in the New Testament; it is used four times in Matthew 26, thrice in Mark 14, four times in Luke 22, and twice in John 18. The two words are not the same, nor are they defined the same.
[Editor's note: Much more material of interest could be supplied from these and other articles that deal with the errors of Max Lucado, former brother in Christ, but these few excerpts should be sufficient to make the point that Max gave up the truth a long time ago in favor of the popular thinking of the day. Fortunately, the Oak Hills Church of Christ is just now called the Oak Hills Church. Suffice it to say that Jesus departed the group long before His name left the sign. It is unfortunate that many will follow a human being over following what the Lord and His apostles taught in the New Testament.]