Monday 3 December 2012

Romanticising the Heretics...



I marvel at how so-called Calvinists and those who profess to uphold the doctrines of grace in salvation are so inclined to romanticise certain Arminian or semi-Pelagian preachers.  I can only think this is done to come across as loving and pragmatic.  But, you can love someone who is in error without recommending the things they preach.  You can love someone by pointing out their errors and calling others to reflect on such matters and to pray for that confused individual.  But why do many Calvinists go all gooey at the thought of preachers like Leonard Ravenhill, Charles Finney or John Wesley?

Paul Washer, for instance, said this: ‘I would take a Leonard Ravenhill any day over 20 dead Calvinists’.
I can understand the desire to have zealous preaching, particularly on the subject of sin, to bring others to repentance, but to favour someone who is in error over preachers who were not, simply because the others are dead (and Ravenhill was still alive at the time), seems to be missing the point somewhat.

Paul Washer isn’t alone.  I have seen Lane’s vlog giving major kudos to Leonard Ravenhill also.  When I questioned the choice of Ravenhill, I was told by one of their followers that I was making an idol out of theology.
I do not personally consider the commands in the New Testament to ensure that we remain unleavened from false doctrines etc. to be idolatry.  I do not think the concern I have for Ravenhill strongly recommending heretics like Charles Finney and John Wesley is unfounded paranoia; the doctrines espoused by these men are and have been extremely damaging.  Keith Green, the famous pianist, was apparently very confused with the matter of justification by faith alone and the legalistic Pelagianism he had apparently learned from Finney; Ravenhill strongly encouraged Green to follow the teachings of Finney and directly caused this grievance.  Shouldn't we learn from this?

I am not saying that Ravenhill is not in the presence of the Lord now.  I am not saying that the man was not zealous and constant in prayer.  I am not saying that he did not have a sincere, spiritual care for lost souls.  I am not saying I despise or reject Leonard Ravenhill at all.  But, whilst I would have had him round for a cup of tea, this does not mean that I think the doctrines the man taught should be elevated to our pulpits and certainly not to be broadcast to the public in a youtube video.

‘If we had more sleepless nights in prayer, there would be far fewer souls to have a sleepless eternal night in hell.’
- Ravenhill, L. (1983) Revival God's Way, p. 52

If you profess to believe in God’s sovereignty in the salvation of men for His own glory and you see nothing shamefully wrong in the words above, I fear for you.

The romanticising of Amyraldians, Arminians and Pelagians of any colour must stop!  These doctrines are man-exalting and welcoming them with loving arms is to show no loving protection to the body of Christ.  In contrast to Paul Washer, I would rather have 1 liberated and spiritually awakened Calvinist than 1000 zealous preachers of false doctrines.

5 comments:

  1. The cautionary words of this article regarding the rampant promotion of Ravenhill, Wesley, and Finney by so-called "sovereign grace ministers" are well reasoned. The way Washer and others laud Ravenhill while disregarding his hostility toward the doctrines of grace and his insistence upon promoting a "gospel" that is far removed from "the grace of Christ" (Galatians 1:6) reveals a lack of discernment where core doctrines of the Christian faith are concerned, IMO. This same instability is found in the Founders Movement's recent articles on the legacy of Billy Graham.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHTZ8DUtX-A

    In the final mix we should recognize that there is such a thing as a zeal that is not according to knowledge (Romans 10:2). While we may admire their dedication to what they believe, those of us who believe that eternal salvation is the result of sovereign, monergistic grace should avoid giving any appearance that we are in agreement with their doctrine. The matter is serious enough that I would recommend we not reference them in our teachings at all, unless it is in the spirit of correcting their gross errors (James 5:19-20).

    God bless,
    TETH (theearstohear.com)

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  2. Ravenhill is saying we are the Ladaceoan Church. He preached the word and lived the word. His life and books are available for all. Like Christ nothing was hidden. He preaches death to self and indwelling of Christ. It’s a tough message to preach. But it is true. To be born again one must die first. Jesus made it simple. He showed us the way. No man or doctrine takes presidency over the word of God. Yes if we prayed more things would be better. Victory is first achieved through prayer! You go find me another man who held revivals, living out tents with no money in this day! A good preacher. You should praising God for him.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UNKNOWN: Ravenhill is saying we are the Ladaceoan Church.

    TETH: Modern American Christendom does resembled the church at Laodicea.

    UNKNOWN: He preached the word and lived the word.

    TETH: He preached salvation by works.

    UNKNOWN: His life and books are available for all. Like Christ nothing was hidden.

    TETH: True. That is how we know that so much of what he taught was opposed to the "grace of Christ." (Galatians 1:6).

    UNKNOWN: He preaches death to self and indwelling of Christ. It’s a tough message to preach. But it is true.

    TETH: It's true that we should die to self. But NO ONE EVER gets eternal life that way. Rather it is a manifestation of the eternal life they already possess.

    UNKNOWN: To be born again one must die first.

    TETH: No. Men are already dead in trespasses and in sins when they are quickened (Eph 2:1) but they do not "die to self" as a prerequisite to regeneration. That is a false doctrine and an example of works-based salvation.

    UNKNOWN: Jesus made it simple. He showed us the way.

    TETH: True enough, but that "way" is not "die to self in order to become born again."

    UNKNOWN: No man or doctrine takes presidency over the word of God.

    TETH: True. Certainly not Ravenhill or his doctrine.

    UNKNOWN: Yes if we prayed more things would be better.

    TETH: True.

    UNKNOWN: Victory is first achieved through prayer!

    TETH: Not true. We are victorious in Christ via covenant that preceded any opportunity you ever had to pray about something.

    UNKNOWN: You go find me another man who held revivals, living out tents with no money in this day!

    TETH: Poverty is no indication of good doctrine or a good teacher.

    UNKNOWN: A good preacher.

    TETH: A gifted orator, but one who promoted many false notions under the banner of Christianity.

    UNKNOWN: You should praising God for him.

    TETH: I'm sure he would have made a fine neighbor and friend, but as a preacher, his doctrine was off the mark. Paul did not mince words about those who promote something other than "the grace of Christ." (Gal 1:6-9)

    God bless,
    TETH

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  5. I find that those who preach so adamantly against such godly men like Leonard Ravenhill are religious zealots who likely do not know God or in the best case scenario are very immature believers. They don't learn from God and rather lick the dirty feet of people like John Calvin and Augustine than to adhere to the word of God and listen to the Holy Spirit. Ravenhill agreed with the apostles. You on the other hand are a denier of Gods power and grace. You claim that Ravenhill taught that we are saved by works. Any one who has given him the time of day knows this not to he the case. Calvanists often have such a disgusting false humility and way of cherry picking words out of context and they can do nothing but falsely accuse and slander men and women who live a godly life. Yet you do nothing. No power. No deeds to prove your faith. Jesus told people in his day if they didn't believe his words then they should look at his works at least. Well I encourage you to look at the work of the men you so wickedly slander. What evil work can you point out? My advice for you is to get on your face before God, stop cherry picking and searching for fault and putting meaning in men's mouths that was not there to begin with.

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