Like probably at least some of you who read this blog, I find the modern American Christian movement to sometimes hold to doctrinal, theological or practical positions that are mind-bogglingly opposed to biblical truth. Sometimes it is the substance of the teaching alone that is surprising. Sometimes it is the source of the teaching that is surprising. Sometimes it is both.
I suppose you may have already read what has made recent headlines in Christian-based media concerning what I’m about to refer to, but if not, you may want to read the two links I’ve embedded below and consider the claims and the source of them.
I admit I’ve heard of the music group Jars of Clay, and I know they’ve been popular among some Christians. I am not sure I could name any of their songs or hum any of their tunes, but I know they’ve been popular in the recent past and possibly are still popular. Maybe you’re a big fan of their music. I’m sorry if this touches a nerve with you, if that’s the case. It isn’t being judgmental to point out obvious error, and the Apostle Paul even gave the charge to “correct, rebuke, and encourage,” and while speaking to Timothy, he was in effect, speaking to all who hold a similar role as Timothy…i.e. pastors, teachers, and evangelists. I happen to hold roles as all three of those positions, and so I speak coming from that perspective.
Recently, there was a lot said by the lead singer of this group, Dan Haseltine, on the topic of homosexual marriage. I’m sure there has been a lot of response to that. I don’t mean to really add much to that response, since there is plenty out there by writers who are well-known or at least better known than me, and certainly with better credentials. However, one of his Twitter statements really stood out to me, and it grieves the Spirit within me:
“I don’t think scripture ‘clearly’ states much of anything regarding morality,” and, “I don’t particularly care about Scriptures stance on what is ‘wrong.’ I care more about how it says we should treat people.” [taken from “The Shattering of Jars of Clay” by Michael Brown and also from “Dan Haseltine, front-man of Christian band Jars of Clay, takes to Twitter to support gay marriage”]
I honestly don’t know how a professing Christian could even teach or make such a statement that the Scriptures do not clearly state anything regarding morality. It seems “unChristian” to me and the fruit of a spiritual blindness and a doctrinal amnesia. For that reason I titled this post, “The ‘Unteaching’ of Christianity.”
It seems some are making up the teachings of Christianity as they go. Whatever tickles itching ears is now what must be taught because that is what suits their sinful preferences and tastes. An outpouring of behavior and teaching that exemplifies in real-time Romans 1:18-32.
I am not saying Dan is not a believer. I don’t know him. I don’t know anything about him other than these recently published Tweets. If he is a believer, he’s plainly confused about the Bible, what it teaches, and what it doesn’t. We all spend our lives wrestling with the living Word of God, sometimes even as Jacob once wrestled with the living God. Jacob bore a lifetime limp because of his stubbornness and unwillingness to quickly submit to the Foe of his own making. I won’t speak for Dan Haseltine, but I know I do not want to be found making a Foe out of my God which would in turn make a fool of me and likewise result in receiving a spiritual limp that would needlessly yet painfully accompany me the rest of my days and possibly beyond.
It is dangerous to teach what is contrary to Scripture. It is heretical to teach what is contrary to Scripture and to make the accompanying claim that this false teaching is the teaching of Scripture.
2 Timothy 4:1-4: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.“
Knowing Your ABCDs 