As much as I would like to think I might have some influence on these men like Manning, Nouwen, etc. I am more interested in warning others of their false doctrine.

If you knew a man was going to jump off a 20,000 foot cliff, would you just let him jump if you had a way to stop him. I trust you would stop him. In the same way, I want to warn others of the jump they are about to make with these guys.

You question what good my blog is and that is a fair question. The only problem is that neither I nor you get to determine the good it will do. That is up to God.

Shane

I presume you disagree with theologians from time to time and so do I. I agree with much of what Grudem says and have read the chapter you speak of but do not stand with Grudem on all points. I do not agree with Grudem on the idea that NT prophets can be in error and still be considered prophets. I stand with MacArthur in regards to the standard a NT prophet is held to. As I have already stated, I am not a Cessationist, so I would obviously also not agree with MacArthur on all things.

You may want to refer to this or you may not but here it is.

New Testament prophets are to be held to the same standard as Old Testament prophets

My sarcasm comes from the sense of outrage I felt after reading your blog. It wasn’t silly, it was angry. You are placing yourself in a position of authority over the Church so you should understand that you are vulnerable to retaliation. “Those who live in glass houses…” and so forth.

The NT injunction to “rebuke and reprove” – from 2 Timothy 4:2 is a word to a pastor who is overseeing a church or a group of churches. He had delegated authority from Paul to do this and he was the pastor – responsible for the care of these souls. Those Timothy was to reprove were sheep under his care. People that he loved, gave his life for, and prayed for. They had chosen to be part of his fellowship. You have no pastoral oversight or relationship here, nor do you have delegated authority over Manning and Foster and the dozens others that you rebuke on your site.

Furthermore, what you are doing is not in line with the 2 Tim 4:2 injunction. You are posting and therefore broadcasting your doctrinal disagreements to the whole world – based as they are on your particular interpretations. And for what reason? What is the end of all this back and forth – are souls being won? Are believers being edified? If you really cared about those you disagreed with you would not address your disagreements in this manner. Why not send them your thoughts privately? Why pronounce them as heretics online. I think I know the answer. I am convinced that most of these “doctrinal gatekeeper” blogs like yours and others accomplish almost nothing. You certainly aren’t going to change Manning, Foster, or even the likes of Bentley.

I would also like to point out that your statement about NT prophets held to the same standard is incorrect. The NT equivalent of OT prophets are the Apostles who prophesied inerrantly when they spoke for God in the Scriptures. The NT gift of prophecy is different. NT prophets are not speaking with an infallible “thus saith the Lord” authority. We are called to judge the words and to retain what is good – discard the bad – not stone them. I recommend Grudem’s chapter on the gift of prophecy in his Systematic Theology.

(By the way. I love John Piper, consider myself Reformed in theology and dislike the McLaren/Bell camp.)

As long as you keep it clean you are welcome to share your thoughts here.

Let me answer a few of your questions.

1) I am not from Southern California.
2) I have read the scriptures that caution us on judging others. I have also read the scriptures that point us to rebuke and reproof of error.
3) I am not Presbyterian.
4) I am not a cessationist.
5) If prophets do exists, they are held to the same biblical standard as in the OT.
6) Divine healing is a reality today but not all that is claimed to be divine healing is. The bible clearly speaks of false signs and wonders.
7) I have read Foster, Manning, Nouwen.

So, keep your sarcasm to a minimum or you will not be able to comment on this blog.

Read the following with regard to the sarcasm:

Confronting Error … do it biblically, seriously, and leave the silly attempts of sarcasm behind

Editor

Richard Foster, Noewen, and Manning to be avoided!?! No wonder the church in this nation is stuck in neutral. How can God bless us when we’re more focused on heresy hunting, and giving attention to self appointed “reformed popes” like yourself who have the unmitigated gall to call the work of men like Foster and Manning into question. How do you sleep at night? Can’t be easy. You, Hanegraaff and McArthur must be seeing the same therapist. Are you in SoCal too?

Have you, by any chance, happened upon those subtle verses of Scripture that caution us to withhold judgment concerning brothers in the Body of Christ? Part of the problem is that your ilk fancy themselves as sort of modern day “Apostle Pauls” – Christendom is your Galatia and Corinth I guess. You’re just doing this because you love God’s Word right. Thought so….

What else Shane? Let me guess. Tongues ceased in April of 64 AD. The NT gift of prophecy is not for today, and all claims of divine healings are demonic – unless they come as a result of a Reformed Presbyterian prayer.

I highly suggest you read Foster, Manning, and Nouwen….ironically it’s just what you need! Now ain’t that just the strangest coincidence!