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Imprecatory Prayers - Your View?

gb93433

Active Member
Site Supporter
be for real, we all know only eight boarded the ark. If there were other converts I'm sure they also would have boarded to escape the wrath of God.

I'm amazed at your statement, amazed!
Is that kinda like the pastor who preaches at his wife and children?
 

gb93433

Active Member
Site Supporter
We're too programmed to understand the program needs reprogramming: God's reprogramming!:thumbsup:
You are exactly right!!Your post reminds me of the time a PGA golfer told me that most of the time a golfer has problems it can be traced back to the basics.
 

DHK

<b>Moderator</b>
I hear that from those who are not making disciples but never from those who are. Los Angeles is a very urban area of about 8+ million people. If people get out there and do ministry people will come to Christ. It is not rocket science. Show me one man now or ever who earnestly prayed and never had any ministry?
I can show you many, and already have. You haven't read my posts? Did Stephen pray? Do you know about David Brainerd, missionary to the North American Indians? He prayed long hours, sometimes in sub-zero weather, outside in a snow bank, for the power of God to rest upon him. He had to overcome a language barrier in order to reach the native people of this nation. God used him in a mighty way, but he didn't build great churches.
You assume too much. Having a ministry does not equate with numbers. Discipleship is not bribery, giving out bubble gum and candy and door prizes in order to build up the numbers of one's church. It is sad that you seem to have that "numbers" philosophy in your head.
Where did I ever condemn anyone or ever measure discipleship on the basis of numbers alone? Jesus had 12. How much impact did HE make?
He started with 12 and left the work of evangelization this entire world in the hands of just 11 men. He had no back up plan. The Great Commission was given to just 11 men. Those eleven men were to go and make disciples of all the world, baptizing them and teaching them all things that Christ had commanded them. 11 men and that is all.
According to you Jesus failed. He didn't reach 60. His work was too small. A "church" of only 11 surely must be a failure in your eyes.
Numbers represent souls whom God created. If God considered them important enough to create should we not consider them too. If you are lazy, do not pray, and have no relationship with God you will not have any numbers. If you do not make disciples you will have no numbers. If your God is small then it is doubtful that you will have many if any numbers.
Is that the way you think? Is everyone just a number to you? That is the way the corporate world thinks.
Addition never gives the same numbers that multiplication does. If one man disciples one man every three years and each person he disciples disciples one man every three years and if he started when he was 24 and kept making disciples until the age of 75 he will have seen 131,072 people discipled as a result of his ministry. Know of any churches that large?
Practice what you preach. I don't think you do. If one person discipled one person in one month, and both of those discipled two more in the next month, and the four of those discipled four more in the next month, etc., then this world, the entire world populace would be won to Christ in three years, or about 34 months. If you truly have been practicing what you have been preaching why hasn't the world been won to Christ? The reality is that most of the world hasn't even heard the gospel message even once.
Know of any men and women who were discipled that you did not see any spiritual growth. I spent many years in a church going to church each week and never knew Christ until a man shared his faith with me. I never saw any discipled made and never had any ministry until I took Jesus' command seriously and personalized it. I believe that too many think discipleship is just another Bible study. Discipleship is intentionally pouring our lives into the lives of others and teaching them to walk with God and do as Jesus commanded.
Good. Go and do thou likewise.
How hard is it to make on the average one disciple every three years especially in America? I have friends who have gone to communist countries where Christians were executed and jailed for sharing their faith and have made disciples.
And many have made none. Are you going to condemn them also. Have you ever heard of the Boxer Rebellon? Do you know what happened to missionaries during that time?
He fished and God blessed with numbers did he not? I was born not far from that small church and talked with another about pastoring in that area. So I am quite familiar with that area.
God blessed him with fruit after seven years of labor, and seeing none. William Carey sent his son to the same nation. He was martyred. I suppose he was a failure in your sight.
What proof do you have of that? Discipleship is assumed. How would the church have ever grown otherwise. Did they not follow Jesus and He made disciples in the face of tremendous adversity. Christians lost their lives and had their businesses boycotted for following Christ.
I read what the Bible says. I don't read into the Bible, what I would prefer it to say. The Bible doesn't say that Stephen had triplets and he baptized them all as infants. You can't read what is not there. The record shows that he preached and he died. That is all.
The problem is that you see discipleship as just another program. Discipleship is not a program but an investment in the lives of others. It takes time and hard work. I cannot think of anyone I know or ever met who was making disciples who was not also praying, reading and studying his Bible, attending church, and sharing his faith.
Don't assume what I know and don't know. Your ideas have come from the Navigators. I was involved with them for some time. It was because of their New Evangelical teaching that I was not baptized or a member of a church for two years after I was saved. They are a para-church organization that actually works against the local church. Some of their teaching is very good, but when an organization pits themselves against the local church they are wrong.
 

Freedom

New Member
If I recall correctly, Wiley Drake was elected to 2nd Vice President of the SBC a couple of years ago (essentially an honorary position) and he took the role a bit too seriously. He printed up letterhead and business cards and started presuming to speak for the SBC to the media (something that flies in the face of SBC polity) and the leadership had to do damage control.

While I'm not fan of the SBC leadership, as far as I know, Drake's views do not represent the views of the SBC leadership, much less the views of the mainstream churches of the SBC.

Drake is part of a wingnut faction of the SBC and has been an embarrassment to the SBC and many of us former SBC folks.

While I believe there is a very limited place for imprecatory prayer, Jesus clearly taught that seeking the destruction of those we consider our enemies is completely contrary to life in the Kingdom of God (see Luke 9:52-56).

My question is why did the SBC elect this man to any kind of leadership position, whether it be largely ceremonial or not? He was elected in 2006 and had previously done a number of other very questionable things. What does this say about the SBC and its current leadership?

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiley_Drake

He gained national prominence in 2006, serving a one-year term as the second vice president of the 42,000-church Southern Baptist Convention.
 

gb93433

Active Member
Site Supporter
You assume too much. Having a ministry does not equate with numbers.
So Jesus did not have numbers which represent the souls of men? Does God’s word lies when it says the harvest is plentiful?

Discipleship is not bribery, giving out bubble gum and candy and door prizes in order to build up the numbers of one's church. It is sad that you seem to have that "numbers" philosophy in your head.
Did you fail to read what I wrote in an earlier post?

He started with 12 and left the work of evangelization this entire world in the hands of just 11 men.
Who did He start with?

According to you Jesus failed. He didn't reach 60. His work was too small. A "church" of only 11 surely must be a failure in your eyes.
If you would also read John you would also know what he said about the things others would do who follow Him. Have not read the book of Acts to know what the early church did and what happened?

Is that the way you think? Is everyone just a number to you? That is the way the corporate world thinks.
It would do you some good to read what Spuregon said on Mt. 4:19 about being fishers of men. Where did you get such ignorance about those who are successful in the corporate world?

Practice what you preach. I don't think you do.
The problem is that you do not think and you really do not know.
If one person discipled one person in one month, and both of those discipled two more in the next month, and the four of those discipled four more in the next month, etc., then this world, the entire world populace would be won to Christ in three years, or about 34 months. If you truly have been practicing what you have been preaching why hasn't the world been won to Christ? The reality is that most of the world hasn't even heard the gospel message even once.
If you thought about what you wrote you would not make such foolish statements such as what you have just written. It is obvious at your lack of knowledge and experience to make such statements.

Do you know what happened to missionaries during that time?
Do you actually know where the church is growing the fastest in the world today?

Don't assume what I know and don't know.
I do not have to assume anything. You make it obvious.

Your ideas have come from the Navigators. I was involved with them for some time.
Have you ever read the Bible? Have you ever read the book Training of the Twelve by A.B. Bruce? Ever notice in the Bible how Jesus trained his disciples? Perhaps you should take some time and consider how Jesus trained the 11. When I was a part of the organization as a student nobody ever gave me a Bible study to lead. I started one on my own by winning people to Christ. Even while I was in the organization I began to lead a children's program at the church that had been failing. I started by teaching them from the Bible to pray, share their faith, and make disciples. The leader of the Navigators where I live now is heavily involved in the same church I go to and has been asked to preach a few times. He is involved in the church making disciples.

It was because of their New Evangelical teaching that I was not baptized or a member of a church for two years after I was saved.
I have never in my life heard of such teaching. I am not even familiar with the term. I know nothing about your leader but I do know that there are duds everywhere just as there are Mormons preaching in Baptist churches and pedophiles in Baptist churches. Does that make them all the same and everyone of them bad.

They are a para-church organization that actually works against the local church.
Could you name me five of them who are against the church so I can personally talk with them? I was involved with them for seven years and at the same time leading in church programs at the same time and never once saw that. In fact the leader I was under required all the leaders to be involved in at least one thing in the church. I had a great relationship with the pastor. The pastor met with all of the leaders of all the parachurch organizations in an effort to reach students. In fact it was the parachurch organizations that were responsible for teaching the church congregation how to make disciples. The leaders were asked by the pastor and elders to be involved in training the congregation to do discipleship.

Some of their teaching is very good, but when an organization pits themselves against the local church they are wrong.
Isn't it amazing that so many mission organizations like people who have been involved with them because of their discipline and doctrine? One of my roommates was in a mission organization for about 25 years planting underground churches in a communist country where it was illegal to meet with more than 4 unrelated people in a home. I planted churches and pastored church and never found my raining to be a hindrance but rather a great help to myself and others I disciple.

When I pastored some churches the singles and couples who had been in any parachurch organization never once ever worked against me. I liked having them in the church. I wanted more of them. I was always glad when someone came and wanted to work doing evangelism and making disciples.
 
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Marcia

Active Member
What is in the OT is only different today if Christ fulfilled it through His death. Do you think imprecatory prayers were a foreshadowing of Christ? However, what would be important to consider is the context. In the end all we have is David's example and no other passage for or against such prayers.

David was writing those words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and those prayers became part of God's word. When we pray today, we are not praying words that go into the Bible.

T
he passages where Jesus said "You have heard it said" does not mean that God's commandments have changed.

I never said they did. I didn't even bring this up so I'm not sure why you are.

Leviticus 19:18, 34 spoke very clearly to how to treat others. The commandment to love others was clearly in place long before the NT.

I agree.
 

Marcia

Active Member
Didn't Noah preach 120 years and not one convert?
I've always heard this but can't find it. Where is it?

I did find this:
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 1 Peter 3:18-20
Many believe this passage is about Christ preaching through Noah to those who were later destroyed in the flood (please no discussions on this thread about this passage! I post it only in response to the question of Noah preaching).
 

Freedom

New Member
The man is wrong.

The imprecatory prayers and psalms of David cannot be compared to our prayers and hymns today....

....well, at least not literally. David was praying as the annointed leader of a God's nation whose enemies were primarily political. He was asking God to battle the enemies of Israel, God's nation and his personal life-threatening enemies, for him.

The church is not a political entity. We do not don literal armor and fight literal and bloody battles with presidents and kings and other nations. We battle but one enemy. Satan.

If we wish to ask God to help us fight the battle of the flesh and to lead us in conquering satanic attacks of abortion, sexual immorality, etc..... .......that's fine.

If he truly perceives President Obama to be an enemy of the church, then he and his church should be on their knees praying for Obama's salvation, personal safety, and submission to God's Wisdom.

He needs to read the words of Jesus in Luke chapter 6.

I agree. My question is did Jesus ever pray for God to strike strike down the Pharisees? Did He ever pray that the heavy yoke of Roman bondage be taken away from His people? My prayer would have been that this man be given an opportunity to repent of his great sins and accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior before he died. That opportunity was taken away by his murderer.
 

gb93433

Active Member
Site Supporter
My question is why did the SBC elect this man to any kind of leadership position, whether it be largely ceremonial or not? He was elected in 2006 and had previously done a number of other very questionable things. What does this say about the SBC and its current leadership?
I think it points to the emphasis of the SBC today which is not the same as it once was. If one goes back in time and takes a look at the kind of men who were in leadership then he would find men who were not only sound theologically but whom others recognized as godly men and supported them. If one takes a look at what the SBC did in terms of church planting, etc, in the past it was astounding.

It was not too long ago that the church took a stance against "investing" in the stock market. A few days ago I read some older documents which cited being involved in the stock market as a just reason for excommunicating someone. Now we have entire church organiozations involved in the stock market.

When I see churches involved in investing and making money it cause me to think about what lies ahead and it is seldom more ministry but a death or troubles ahead.
 

gb93433

Active Member
Site Supporter
I agree. My question is did Jesus ever pray for God to strike strike down the Pharisees? Did He ever pray that the heavy yoke of Roman bondage be taken away from His people? My prayer would have been that this man be given an opportunity to repent of his great sins and accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior before he died. That opportunity was taken away by his murderer.
I would wonder how people see your point and how it fit in with the death penalty and in particular the lady who claimed to be a Christian and doing ministry who was executed in Texas a few years ago.
 

Freedom

New Member
I would wonder how people see your point and how it fit in with the death penalty and in particular the lady who claimed to be a Christian and doing ministry who was executed in Texas a few years ago.

My larger belief is that while abortion is horrendous, it does not represent the whole teaching about how we are to respect human life. The larger picture is called the Sanctity of Life. This perspective instructs us that ALL human life is precious to God. In my view, this includes those who lose their lives in war both combatants and innocents and those who are executed by the state (capital punishment).

In my experience most professing Christians disagree with this perspective and claim that the Bible supports both war and capital punishment. The only major religious group that supported the Iraq war was the SBC. All others came out against it as unjust and an unnecessary taking of human life.

Jesus said:

Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
 

Tom Butler

New Member
My question is why did the SBC elect this man to any kind of leadership position, whether it be largely ceremonial or not? He was elected in 2006 and had previously done a number of other very questionable things. What does this say about the SBC and its current leadership?

You had to be there. Wiley Drake is known as a maverick in SBC circles. He comes to the convention armed with a bunch of resolutions to offer, few of which ever make it to a vote.

He was nominated by a Western Kentucky pastor named Bill Dotson, whom I know. Dr. Dotson also marches to his own drummer. But I tell you, the nominating speech was slap-dab funny. It had the messengers holding their sides. It sort of pictured Bro. Drake as quirky but harmless, and that was it. He was elected.

So his election says nothing about the current SBC leadership, and it really says nothing about the convention itself.
 

KenH

Well-Known Member
An interesting thread. A Christian should never pray for harm to come to a fellow human being.
 

Baptist Believer

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
So his election says nothing about the current SBC leadership, and it really says nothing about the convention itself.
I agree that is says nothing about the leadership, but I do think it demonstrates that the convention tends to vote based on emotion rather than fact. It may have something to do with crowd psychology based on the great numbers of people gathered in one place.

At every annual convention I attended, a number of very important votes seemed to be contingent on emotion and/or fear, not on clear thinking.

And to those who believe I'm just trying to slam the SBC, I've also seen that some sort of thing (although not to the same degree) in convention meetings of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The major difference seems to be that the BGCT meetings are smaller than the SBC.
 

Harold Garvey

New Member
I asked the same question earlier. I am waiting for an answer as well.
So you're asking for specifics? How much more specific can the Bible be when only eight were saved? Are you saying they were saved by the water and not saved from the same wrath as others were saved, but the depraved were destroyed with those other saved souls who didn't get privileged individual staus as Noah and his family?

You'd best interpret scripture with scripture and apply sound wisdom and understand the precepts and principles taught by the context of scripture, else you'll have others believing in baptismal regeneration.

These eight souls were saved from wrath by the water, they still had to receive Christ's Blood Atonement to be saved by grace. They were saved by obedience, but not obedience to the Gospel of Christ, they were saved from wrath by obedience to the truth that God would soon destroy mankind with the Flood.

If you, or anyone else canot see this, I can't help you from here.
 

Harold Garvey

New Member
I agree. My question is did Jesus ever pray for God to strike strike down the Pharisees? Did He ever pray that the heavy yoke of Roman bondage be taken away from His people? My prayer would have been that this man be given an opportunity to repent of his great sins and accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior before he died. That opportunity was taken away by his murderer.
But what about those who have crossed God's deadline of being saved and are reprobate? I think maybe you forgot this. Also you may be forgetting God knows peoples hearts and who will respond accordingly and who will reject the truth. I didn't say God planned it all that way, but certainly He knows who will respond and when.
 
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