Blind guide to Moderate and Liberal

Getting around in alot of IFB circles I have heard more than one pastor or layperson say "Yea they're goin liberal down there. They started that praise and worship stuff." I'm a fundamental Baptist in the "classic sense" but I've seen many well meaning people misuse the word liberal just because somebody or some church's style is different from theirs.

 

Amen Shannon. The term "fundamentalist" is being co-opted by those who really aren't fundamental.

 

Some people never get out of the crowd they hang out with.
As a missionary on deputation I've been in churches where they use the NIV, have drums and guitars, do skits, have power point etc...
I've been in churches that are KJVO sing nothing hymns, have only a piano and organ and all the women have to wear dresses.
Now let me tell you something, I've seen the Spirit of God moving in both.
Let me tell you something else. I've seen both kinds more DEAD than a doorknob too.
I lean to a more traditional style of worship myself. Yet, you cannot deny the power of God when you've been in His presence.
To me there is nothing more silly and goofy than being in a church that is trying to copy PDL format or Willowcreek. Some churches I've been in are doing that and you can tell in a flash that God isn't in it a bit more than a man in the moon.
Now I'm not saying He is not in it because of the style. I'm saying God is not in it because the church hasn't really sought after God to see if that is what He wants or not. If God is leading to use some of the tools from those places that is different.Trying to impose it on your church for results is fruitless if it is not Spirit led.
OTOH, I've been in some IFB churches that are located in a strategical area of their respected community and they are about to fold up. You sit there and your going man, Joe or Jill down the street are not gonna come within a mile of this place because they are more concerned about dress length and B.version problems.I'm not talking about compromising the Word or even your style of worship I'm just saying be aware of what is going on around you.
All I'm saying is it boils down to this. It really comes down to the hearts of the people.
Now I'm talking about the contemporary folk and the traditional folk not the liberals and the conservatives.
Contemporary folk call fundamentalists- Pharisees.
Fundamentalists call Contempoary folk Liberals.

Happens alot on this board really. I've probably been guilty of it myself.
For the record I'm a IFB in the classic sense of the word fundamental. I enjoy more or less the traditional style of Worship and good, hard expository preaching.
But I've been around enough and seen enough to realize that there is more than one way to skin a cat. For those who don't get that saying "God doesnt' move in the hearts of folk in just one style.

 

Very true brother!

And I would join you in this: "For the record I'm a IFB in the classic sense of the word fundamental. I enjoy more or less the traditional style of Worship and good, hard expository preaching." That's what my church is like.

 

Thanks, Ed, will that information be coming on page three or page four?

 

G'day Scott, by Cessationist, I mean someone who believes that all Spiritual Gifts described in the New Testament have ceased.

 

I don't believe that all spiritual gifts have ceased... just the miraculous sign gifts.

A friend of mine put it well when he said, "I will believe in faith healers when they walk through the children's burn ward healing people without cameras instead of on a stage in the middle of a stadium."

I have heard a few "hearsay" stories about Baptist missionaries that natives heard in their own language. None that I can personally confirm and definitely not widespread occurrence.

I also heard a missionary recount his ability to walk across hot coals to turn a village away from a pagan shaman. Again, not the rule.

 

Walking across hot coals isn't a miracle. It just seems like one to the uninitiated.

 

The fellow I am referring to didn't mention being taught how.

 

HUH?????

 

I've heard there was a technique for doing it... but the guy didn't say he had been taught it.

 

Oh, brother. This walking across hot coals was once a big thing in the U.S., started by New Ager Anthony Robbins (or Tony). He would psych his followers up beforehand telling them how they could do if they believed, yada, yada, yada.

Turns out anyone can do it. Coals are very porous and if one walks across somewhat quickly their feet will not get damaged or burned (unless one has super delicate skin like a baby or young child).

This "miraculous" walking across coals has been debunked for ages.

 

You go first!

 

Actually, if I had to do it to prove something to someone (to show it does not require special skill, etc.), I would.

 

ED,

I think your observations are pretty much right on target. I'm enjoying your imput. Keep preaching, we'll turn the pages. tee hee.