Where are the Fathers?
As my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers. I Corinthians 4:14-15
The modern church has many members but few converts, many psychologists but few prophets, many teachers but few fathers. We have beliefs we don’t believe, practices we don’t practice, and a master we don’t obey. A pastor was never intended to be a cross between a comedian, a motivational speaker, and a psychologist. Paul never instructed Timothy to tell jokes, make people feel good, and explain away the Scriptures. Pastors are to glorify Christ, preach the gospel, exhort the body, and guard the flock.
The Lord declares, “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word”.1 Christians have lost their respect for the Lord, and who can blame them when Jesus is portrayed as some kind of young Jewish Santa Clause. He who created all things by, and for himself, is conspicuously absent in their theology. He is portrayed as being insecure and co-dependent, knocking at the doors of our hearts, and then waiting for us to let him in. Either unwilling or unable to influence us, he just stands there knocking like an imbecile. I have heard countless evangelical appeals that go something like this; “Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart, he won’t force himself in, he’s waiting for you to decide, just raise your hand and repeat this prayer after me. . . “ No wonder some have left the faith! I don’t worship some co-dependent spiritual pacifist; I worship the sovereign Lord of the universe. Rarely do they speak of the true nature of Christ; not breaking a bruised reed, yet driving merchandisers out of the temple with a whip. He doesn’t ask your permission to save you. He conceals the gospel from some, and reveals it to others. He turns away crowds of followers, but knocks his enemy to the ground, blinds him, and violates his will completely, resulting in the conversion of the Apostle Paul.
Instead of proclaiming the truth, some explain it away. They call it heresy to interpret dragons, locusts, and beasts allegorically, and then in the next breath, they allegorize the gospel itself. Their gospel has been greased, the word has been blunted, and the message distorted. Repentance is redefined as changing your mind about God, or feeling sorry for your sins. Turning from your sins taking up your cross and following him is alien to their message. Those attempting to live a holy life are marginalized and called legalists, then, they proclaim that living a holy life is impossible, so why even try. In fact by attempting to literally follow Christ, they say you are insulting him and suggesting the price he paid wasn’t enough. No need for a holy life; just sin and let grace abound. Their gospel comes neither in word nor in power.
The idea that a church should practice discipline of any kind is now considered archaic. Members can have affairs, leave their spouse, marry their lover and go right on attending. I’m not exaggerating at all. I attended a church where a woman got a breast augmentation , left her husband for the plastic surgeon, and was allowed to perform songs from her new album (available in the bookstore), practically before the ink had dried on the divorce papers. Does anyone else have a problem with that? You can be a known liar, thief, or adulterer, and be not only allowed in church. If you tithe enough, you may even get a spot on the board. Those charged with raising the sheep, are raising cash to build bigger buildings, all the while the sheep starve. The converts have few to care for, or disciple them. Those trying to grow in their faith are continually suppressed. Where are the spiritual fathers? Who will care for the sheep? Are all the pastors’ too busy building barns to care for the flock?
1 Isaiah 66:2
