Hi, Don....
I read your We Believe statement on your web page. I just wanted you to know that I've admired your music and your songs over the years and have received great encouragement from them. I spent at least 10 years as a charismatic/pentecostal. I agree with you that there is no distinction between laity and clergy because we are all prophets, priests and kings.
However, I have to disagree with your following statement:
"Doctrine can always be argued, but when people are healed, delivered, and when the dead are raised, that's hard to argue with."
I'm sorry but miracles do not make Christianity what it is. It is faith in Jesus Christ and what He taught that makes us Christians. The word for "teaching" is a synonym for "doctrine." Jesus came to us teaching and preaching and to be a Christian means we accept what Jesus taught us to believe. Your online statement is inherently contradictory since your "doctrine" seems to be making claims for ongoing miracles that can be questioned, despite your assertion that they cannot be questioned. What cannot be questioned, however, is God's written Word. It is infallible, inerrant and never fails to do what God sends it to do. While you might think that is a divisive "doctrine" it is the very heart of Christianity.
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 1:3 ESV)
and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:15-17 ESV)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)
It is true that there is a distinction between secondary doctrinal matters and those matters that are foundational, essential and fundamental to Christian teaching. But you neglected to make that distinction and instead you seem to be rejecting all doctrine in favor of some sort of mystical experience or in favor of miracles set out of the context of Christian teaching.
It is not Pharisaical to question false prophets as you yourself have done in some of your songs. I pray that you would study the Reformed confessions of faith and come to a more complete knowledge of what it means to be an Evangelical, Protestant, and Bible believing Christian.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Charlie J. Ray
++Scripture Alone++ ++Jesus Christ Alone++ ++Grace Alone++ ++Faith Alone++ ++To God Alone Be ALL the Glory++
-- I read your We Believe statement on your web page. I just wanted you to know that I've admired your music and your songs over the years and have received great encouragement from them. I spent at least 10 years as a charismatic/pentecostal. I agree with you that there is no distinction between laity and clergy because we are all prophets, priests and kings.
However, I have to disagree with your following statement:
"Doctrine can always be argued, but when people are healed, delivered, and when the dead are raised, that's hard to argue with."
I'm sorry but miracles do not make Christianity what it is. It is faith in Jesus Christ and what He taught that makes us Christians. The word for "teaching" is a synonym for "doctrine." Jesus came to us teaching and preaching and to be a Christian means we accept what Jesus taught us to believe. Your online statement is inherently contradictory since your "doctrine" seems to be making claims for ongoing miracles that can be questioned, despite your assertion that they cannot be questioned. What cannot be questioned, however, is God's written Word. It is infallible, inerrant and never fails to do what God sends it to do. While you might think that is a divisive "doctrine" it is the very heart of Christianity.
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 1:3 ESV)
and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:15-17 ESV)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)
It is true that there is a distinction between secondary doctrinal matters and those matters that are foundational, essential and fundamental to Christian teaching. But you neglected to make that distinction and instead you seem to be rejecting all doctrine in favor of some sort of mystical experience or in favor of miracles set out of the context of Christian teaching.
It is not Pharisaical to question false prophets as you yourself have done in some of your songs. I pray that you would study the Reformed confessions of faith and come to a more complete knowledge of what it means to be an Evangelical, Protestant, and Bible believing Christian.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Charlie J. Ray
++Scripture Alone++ ++Jesus Christ Alone++ ++Grace Alone++ ++Faith Alone++ ++To God Alone Be ALL the Glory++
Reasonable Christian Blog Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. 1662 Book of Common Prayer
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1 comment:
Under the heading of "The Holy Spirit" the line, " Doctrine can always be argued, but when people are healed, delivered, and when the dead are raised, that's hard to argue with" has not yet been removed. Apparently, Wendy Francisco has not kept her word.
Figures. I hate to say it but it looks more and more like Don and Wendy Francisco are false prophets who lie about "raising the dead" and many other false miracle claims. I'm sure they are sincere people but they are sincerely deceived.
Duly noted, Wendy.
Charlie
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