Power Posturing: The “Church Discipline” Methods of Mars Hill ~ File it Under: Spiritual Abuse

“The first characteristic of an abusive religious system is what we call power-posturing … means that leaders spend a lot of time focused on their own authority and reminding others of it, as well. {1}

 

The Mars Hill Mess

The Commandments of Men

 

A lot of you have surely heard about it or read about it by now, but for those who haven’t, check out this account of what “church discipline” looks like in the Mark Driscoll/Mars Hill world…
Part 1
Part 2

Today, Matthew posted Spiritual Abuse Must Stop, inspired by the responses to the Andrew/Mars Hill story.

Also, check out this related piece from the ladies at The Wartburg Watch.

I don’t have a lot to add. Matthew and Deb (as well as Andrew and Sophia) have addressed it pretty thoroughly. All I can say is it’s obvious that the Shepherding movement influence is alive and well – at Mars Hill in particular, and in the neo-reformed, elder-led movement as a whole. So many layers of spiritual dysfunction are evident in the “leadership” at Mars Hill, so much absolute power become absolutely corrupted. “Church discipline” seems to be an issue (more like a weapon) ever at the ready for Driscoll, always on the tip of his tongue, always on the periphery of his “teaching”. It even came up in the recent Christianity magazine, Justin Brierly interview I wrote about last week, and seemingly out of left field. It’s what leads me to the opinion I posted there…

His Christianity is all about him. His position as pastor is all about his power – an effort to make up for some significant failings somewhere in his psyche, because without that power, he’s nothing – and he knows it.

The Andrew story, and Mars Hill’s handling of it, only makes that opinion all the more firm.

The really sad thing I’m noticing in the aftermath of these stories, though, is the cult of personality being formed around Driscoll. The comments on Matthew’s blog…just mind-boggling. If THIS story won’t get your attention and make you seriously consider/question the “ministry” and tactics of a leader and his church, nothing will. Nothing. It’s the same kind of cult of personality that supports and upholds a man like Bill Gothard – people always at the ready to figuratively (maybe literally, in some cases) lay down their life in defense of him, even in the face of the slightest of criticisms. And worse yet, it’s the same kind of cult of personality that allowed Jim Jones to create the People’s Temple and Jonestown, do terrible, terrible things to the people there (while they supported him rabidly), and ultimately kill them – because they were afraid to or unwilling to question.

We ALL need to step back from time to time and see if our allegiance is to a man, a movement, a cause, or to Jesus Christ. If it’s to Christ, it seems to me that our first concern would be for the people wounded by men like Driscoll, rather than rushing to defend his reputation. It brings to mind a quote from Quivering Daughters

“It is a grave disservice to the heart, soul, body and spirit of a woman when she is given the subtle message that the truth of her own pain is not as important as the reputation of the ones who inflict it.”

That says it all. Apply it to the people wounded by Mars Hill. I think you’ll see it fits there, too.

My hope is that this whole episode will serve as an EPIC wake-up call for a lot of people, especially for those in the “halfway house mode” of their journey. My fear is that it won’t.

 

 

{1} Quote from the book: David Johnson & Jeff VanVonderen’s The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse: Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church

 

Related Articles and Resources:

 

Mars Hill and Mark Driscoll-Under Scrutiny While Another Painful Story Emerges

 

Hurt? Wary? Afraid? Do Not “Join” a Local Church!

 

Spiritual Abuse Final Exam – Analyze a Membership Covenant


As always, please read comment section after articles for further information!

Membership Covenant Red Flags

 

The Heresy of Mind Control: Recognizing Con Artists, Tyrants, and Spiritual Abusers in Leadership

 

 

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Embracing the 5 Solas Plus One ~ Sola Gravida: Salvation Through Childbirth

 


Salvation Through Childbirth: A Reflective Analysis of 1 Timothy 2:15

 

 

By Al Maxey

In Plain Site

I want to share with you a very small portion of an e-mail I received over the weekend following Thanksgiving from a dear sister-in-Christ from the beautiful state of South Carolina. Her struggle has touched my heart deeply, and I promised her I would do a study of this issue and make it available to all of you. It is my fervent hope and prayer that the thoughts and insights shared in this present edition of my Reflections will bring peace to her troubled soul, and perhaps to others who may be facing the same doubts. The following is the pertinent portion of her letter that I shall attempt to address:

 Brother Maxey, Having been raised in Churches of Christ, I am having a hard time breaking away from a works-based attitude into one more grace-based. I just can’t seem to break free of this constant fear for my salvation based on the fact that I am not following perfectly each and every verse in the New Testament. For example — I am now an older woman. My husband and I never wanted our own children for many reasons. However, now, when I read the verse about women being saved through childbirth, my heart aches over the thought that this decision of mine may be one which keeps me out of Heaven. It was a willful choice on my part not to have children, and my heart actually hurts when I contemplate where my decision may be sending me when I die, and so I lie awake at night! Bro. Maxey, any insight or help you can offer me would be very much appreciated!

The passage to which this sister alludes is

 “But women will be saved through childbearing — if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety” [1 Timothy 2:15. NIV].

 Disciples of Christ have been scratching their heads over this one for centuries! “This verse is obviously a difficult one to explain” [The Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 11, p. 362]. Even such a noted scholar as Dr. Kenneth Wuest, in his classic Word Studies from the Greek New Testament, wrote, “Verse fifteen is most difficult of interpretation” [vol. 2 -- The Pastoral Epistles, p. 49]. The online commentary produced by InterVarsity Press observes, “Verse 15 sounds strange to the ears in any version, and, not surprisingly, its meaning is debated.” Dr. Kenneth Waters, Sr., a professor of NT studies at Azusa Pacific University, stated, “Few verses have generated as much anguish and controversy for interpreters of the Pastoral Epistles as 1 Timothy 2:15.” The well-known biblical scholar Andreas Kostenberger, in a lengthy featured article which appeared in the periodical produced by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, wrote, “This simple statement has mystified average Bible readers as well as Christian scholars for centuries” [CBMW News, Sept. 1997, p. 1]. As stated above, the confusion is not necessarily cleared up by its treatment in the various versions and translations. Note just a few:

· But women shall be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint. — New American Standard Bible

· But she will be saved through childbearing, if she continues in faith, love, and holiness, with good sense. — Holman Christian Standard Bible

· But women will be saved in their work of having children. They will be saved if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, and control themselves in the right way. — Easy-to-Read Version

· Yet she will be saved through childbearing — if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. — English Standard Version

· Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. — King James Version

· Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. — New King James Version

· She will be saved through childbearing, provided she continues in faith and love and holiness — her chastity being taken for granted. — New American Bible, St. Joseph Edition (a Catholic version)

· Yet she will be saved through motherhood — if only women continue in faith, love, and holiness, with a sober mind. — New English Bible

· So God sent pain and suffering to women when their children are born, but He will save their souls if they trust in Him, living quiet, good, and loving lives. — Living Bible by Ken Taylor

· However, she will be saved through child-bearing if they continue in faith and love and dedication with good sense. — NT Translation of the Everlasting Gospel by Hugo McCord (a noted leader in Churches of Christ; now deceased; a former Reflections subscriber)

· But women will be saved through motherhood, if they continue to live in faith, love, and purity, blended with good sense. — The NT in the Language of the People by Charles Williams

· But women will be saved by having children, if they stay faithful, loving, holy, and modest. — Contemporary English Version

· However, she will be kept safe through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and sanctification along with soundness of mind. — New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (a Jehovah’s Witness version)

· But she shall be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety. — American Standard Version

· Yet woman will be saved through bearing children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness, with modesty. — Revised Standard Version

The great variety of translation is obvious. Some say “women” will be saved, others say “she” will be saved. Some declare the subject of the phrase will be “saved,” others state she will be “preserved” or “kept safe.” Some have “motherhood” in the place of “childbearing.” In the second phrase of the verse, some have “if they continue” and others have “if she continues.” There are also diverse renderings of those things in which she/they must continue. To put it bluntly, if one had to rely upon the English translations of this passage, one would have quite a confused view of authorial intent.

It is no surprise, therefore, that there are several dramatically differing interpretations of this passage, some no less confusing than the plethora of human translations, with a few being quite extreme. Perhaps the most extreme of them all is the doctrine that women of marriageable, child-bearing years can only be saved from the fires of hell through an act of procreation. For example, Dr. Charles Ellicott feels the apostle Paul is placing the primary blame for “the fall” upon Eve. “Adam and Eve both sinned, but Adam was not deceived. He sinned, quite aware all the while of the magnitude of the sin that he was voluntarily committing. Eve, on the other hand, was completely, thoroughly deceived — she succumbed to the serpent’s deceit. Both were involved in the sin, but only one (Eve) allowed herself to be deluded” [Ellicott's Commentary on the Whole Bible, vol. 8, p. 188]. Thus, it’s all Eve’s fault, which is why Paul is saying women aren’t fit for leadership (they are too easily deceived). But, God in His infinite wisdom and mercy is willing to save these feeble-minded creatures if they will fulfill their purpose in life by bearing children. Ellicott writes, “In other words, women will win the great salvation; but if they would win it, they must fulfill their destiny; they must acquiesce in all the conditions of a woman’s life — in the forefront of which St. Paul places the all-important functions and duties of a mother” [ibid].

David Padfield, who is the minister for the Church of Christ in Zion, Illinois, wrote an article titled “Saved in Childbearing” in which he saw this whole passage in Paul’s letter to Timothy as a warning against women seeking to take the lead in the church. They are basically being told to “keep your place.” He asks the question: “Since they were not to become elders, deacons, preachers or even Bible class teachers in the public assembly, how could women be saved? Paul answers this very question by stating that women ‘will be saved in childbearing.’” Somewhat surprisingly, some well-known leaders from the past would agree with Padfield. William Barclay, in his commentary on Paul’s letters to Timothy, Titus and Philemon, wrote, “Women will find salvation, not in addressing meetings, but in motherhood, which is their crown. Whatever else is true, a woman is queen within her home.” David Lipscomb, in his commentary, wrote that a woman “is not by nature, physically or morally, suited to public positions or to counteract the rougher elements of the world. But she is of finer texture … and is better fitted (superior to man) for the work of nursing, training children, and keeping the home attractive and cheerful. … The woman who neglects the duties she owes her children and her home for the public life that God has created for man, leaves her work, her character, and her mission.”

I firmly believe God intends for there to be a distinction between the sexes with regard to many areas of responsibility, and also with respect to our physical appearance — i.e., men are to look like men, and women are to look like women. I firmly believe that leadership among His people is to be carried out by men. However, I also believe many men have “played this for all it’s worth,” and have only succeeded in abusing the very ones God has called us to cherish above our own lives! Honoring God’s order within the family and church does not suggest the inherent superiority of men, nor does it suggest the inherent inferiority of women. Far from it. It suggests the sovereignty of God, and our respective roles within His kingdom. To try and take such a passage as we have before us in this study and to then employ it as a tool for suppressing women, even suggesting they can only be saved by presenting us men with babies, is both abominable and unconscionable! Thus, I completely reject such an interpretation of this passage, even though “the most common interpretation among conservative evangelical interpreters today is that women will eventually be spiritually saved by adhering to their God-ordained role centering around the home” [Andreas Kostenberger, CBMW News, Sept. 1997, p. 1]. If this premise is true, are we then to assume that all those women who are barren, or who remain unmarried, or who choose, for whatever reason, not to have children, are thereby eternally lost? Dr. Paul Kretzmann tries to provide a loophole, saying, “Unless God Himself directs otherwise, a woman misses her purpose in life if she does not become a helpmeet of her husband and a mother of his children. … The home, the family, motherhood, is woman’s proper sphere of activity; her primary function in life; her highest calling” [Popular Commentary of the Bible, The NT: vol. 2, p. 378].

Examining the Text

There are some words, phrases and grammatical constructions within the text of 1 Tim. 2:15 that I believe we need to examine a bit more carefully, as a better understanding of these will aid us greatly in arriving at a more reasonable interpretation of the passage. Context is also critical … as always! The immediate context of verse 15 is to be found in the two preceding verses [13-14], in which Paul returns his readers to the garden, the creation of Adam and Eve, and the fall. Without revisiting every aspect of the early chapters of Genesis, I believe we can all agree that both man and woman erred greatly, even though the motivating nature of their respective transgressions may well have been different. Both were driven from the garden, both had the sentence of physical dying placed upon them, and both were given a specific “curse.” The curse upon man was that he must now labor long over the land to scratch out an existence from it [Gen. 3:17-19], whereas the curse upon the woman was, in part, that her pain in childbirth would greatly increase [Gen. 3:16]. In that same passage God told Eve that her husband “shall rule over you.” Paul alludes to all of this within the overall context of the passage before us in his first epistle to Timothy. Thus, women were not to exercise rule or authority over the men, and they were further to accept the role God ordained for them, and not seek to rebel against it.

In 1 Tim. 2:14 Paul’s focus is clearly upon “the woman” who was deceived. He is speaking specifically of Eve. This is very important to establish, because verse 15 begins (in the Greek text) — “But she will be saved through the bearing of a child.” Although some translations say “women will be saved,” this is an assumption and an addition to the text. The word “women” is not present in the original text. Rather, the word for “saved” appears as a future passive indicative, 3rd person singular — “she will be saved.” Who is the “she” (singular) in view? Clearly it was Eve, from the previous verse. For some translators to change the singular to a plural, and then insert the word “women,” is to take liberties with the inspired text that can only lead to a twisting of the original intent. When Paul spoke of “salvation” in verse 15, he had only one person in view at that point; it was the woman of whom he was speaking in the previous statement — Eve. Adam Clarke wrote, “The word ‘saved’ in this verse refers to ‘the woman’ in the foregoing verse, which is certainly Eve” [Clarke's Commentary, vol. 6, p. 593].

The apostle Paul states that Eve, “being quite deceived, fell into transgression. But she will be saved through childbirth.” In what possible sense would Eve be saved by giving birth? Saved from what? The word we translate “save” is sozo, which means “to save, rescue, deliver, set free.” It has a wide variety of uses in Scripture [Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek NT, vol. 2, p. 49] and does not always refer to spiritual or eternal salvation. “It is used in the NT of the healing of a sick person in the sense that he is saved from illness and from death — Mark 5:34. It is used in the sense of being saved from drowning in a shipwreck — Acts 27:20. Paul uses it in relation to being saved from becoming entangled in false teaching — 1 Tim. 4:16″ [ibid]. “The salvation spoken of here (1 Tim. 2:15) is not salvation in the ordinary sense of the word, as when a sinner puts his faith in the Lord Jesus, and is saved from sin and becomes a child of God” [ibid]. There are several theories proposed as to the nature of this salvation:

Some have suggested that since part of the curse against Eve (and by extension to all women) was increased pain in childbirth, the gracious provision of God to this fallen woman was that He would safely bring her through this time of tribulation. Therefore, Paul is saying, according to this theory, that although she will suffer great pain in giving birth, as a penalty for her transgression, nevertheless she would “be saved through childbirth” — she would not die, but would live to see her sons and daughters begin to fill the earth. God would give Eve pain, but would preserve her throughout the process. He would deliver her through the delivery, so to speak. The New World Translation translates the passage: “she will be kept safe through childbearing.”

Many scholars believe the Greek word teknogonia, from which we get “childbirth,” may have a broader meaning. W. E. Vine, in his Expository Dictionary of NT Words, says it also “implies the duties of motherhood.” Indeed, the NEB reads, “she will be saved through motherhood” (as do some other versions). The Analytical Greek Lexicon of the NT says that this word may mean “the rearing of a family” [p. 399]. In this theory, Eve’s salvation would be from the grief of seeing her children turn away from God, IF “they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control” [NKJV]. Thus, if she proves to be a good mother to these children, training them up in the way they should go, and they walk in that path of righteousness, she would be saved from a life of grief through her effective motherhood. By extension, then, the same would be true of all women whom God has blessed with children.

One of the most popular theories, however, is that Paul’s statement about Eve and about childbearing is Messianic in nature. Much significance is placed upon the Greek construction here. In the text we literally read: “But she will be saved through the childbirth” or “through the birth of a child” (singular). A great many commentators and biblical scholars see this as a clear reference to the birth of the Messiah, who ultimately would save Eve (and all others) from their many sins and transgressions. Thus, Paul speaks of the fall, of Eve’s transgression, and then states her salvation is through the birth of a child. That child, who did indeed descend from Adam and Eve [Luke 3:38], was Jesus, the seed of the woman, who would crush the head of the serpent of old [Gen. 3:15]. Frankly, I think this view has much to commend it, and it seems to fit the contexts of both Genesis 3 and 1 Timothy 2 better than the others. At present I tend to lean strongly toward this interpretation, although I am still open to further study on the matter.

But what exactly are we to make of the last phrase in this Pauline passage — “if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control” [NKJV]? To whom does “they” refer?! And, yes, this is a change from the singular (“she shall be saved…”) to the plural (“if they…”). Some feel “they” is simply extending the promise given to Eve in the first part of the verse unto all women. Others feel “they” is a reference to the children of Adam and Eve (and, by extension, to the children of all women). Women would be saved from a life of grief if their children would live faithfully to their God. I am convinced, however, that there is a simpler explanation. If “she” in the first part of the verse finds its antecedent in the immediate context (a reference to Eve), then why wouldn’t “they” also find its antecedent in the immediate context? That would make “they” refer to Adam and Eve. If, in fact, the ultimate “salvation” of this first couple was to be found in the birth of a child (the Messiah), there would be a single set of conditions for this couple, and all couples, to meet in their remaining days — to live lives of faith, love, and holiness with self-control. Salvation, then, would not be works-based, but faith-based. Not by law, but by love. As He is holy, we must be holy!

Dr. Kenneth Wuest concurs, as do other scholars, with this particular view — “As to the plural pronoun ‘they’ … it seems better to understand the plural to be of the woman and her husband” [Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek NT, vol. 2, p. 51]. In a footnote to the New English Bible, this last phrase in 1 Timothy 2:15 is translated: “if only husband and wife continue in mutual fidelity.” In The Expositor’s Greek Testament, Dr. W. Robertson Nicoll says the same thing, almost word for word, “It seems better to understand the plural of the woman and her husband” [vol. 4, p. 110]. “If this view be accepted,” writes Dr. Nicoll, then the qualities mentioned by Paul (faith, love, holiness, and self-restraint) “refer respectively to the duties of the man and wife to God, to society, and to each other” [ibid].

Concluding Thoughts

One of the major problems with the interpretation that 1 Tim. 2:15 teaches women will be saved from eternal death by means of childbearing is that such a doctrine is clearly a works-based theology, one which discounts the realities of God’s grace and a woman’s faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” [Eph. 2:8-9]. If women are saved by means of bearing children, then the above passage to the Ephesian brethren is rendered meaningless. A number of biblical scholars have pointed out this inconsistency, such as the study by Jeff Spencer titled “Are Women Saved by Faith Plus Works?” which appeared last year in the Practical Hermeneutics column of the journal published by the Christian Research Institute [vol. 28, no. 5, 2005]. Andreas Kostenberger also asks, “Is Paul here suggesting salvation by works? In what sense can a woman be ‘saved’ by bearing children? What would be so virtuous about bearing children that could become the cause of women’s salvation? And what about single women or married women who do not or cannot have children?” [CBMW News, Sept. 1997, p. 1]. There is simply too much conflict in the above theory with Scripture and with plain old common sense.

Returning to the letter of the dear Christian lady from South Carolina, it is my studied conviction that she has no reason to fear being cast from the presence of God because of her choice not to bear children. The ultimate redemption of mankind is by faith in and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ. I do not believe 1 Tim. 2:15 negates this fundamental Truth; indeed, it upholds it. Both Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, which Paul specifies in the verses prior to our text. However, as prophesied at the time of their fall, the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent who deceived her. Therefore, through the birth of a child would come salvation — i.e., through this fallen, sinful woman would come mankind’s Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who would cover all sins, even those of the pair in the garden. What must Adam and Eve evidence to receive such grace? Paul says it will be theirs “if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control” [NKJV]. They, like us, are saved by faith, a faith evidenced in hearts filled with love, lives of self-restraint with regard to the lusts of the flesh, and sanctification through the indwelling and transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

How strange that the apostle Paul would actually urge the unmarried, and widows and virgins, to remain single (1 Corinthians 7) if a woman’s salvation was conditioned upon her bearing children!! That would be contradictory advice. However, the problem is solved if Paul had in view the birth of a child, who would be the Savior of all. Our response therefore, whether male or female, is to live a sanctified, self-restrained life, one evidenced by faith and love! This has always been God’s desire for His people, and through the birth of the Messiah He has achieved our redemption. It is here that we must place our trust. Dear sister in South Carolina, rest easy tonight … your salvation is in Him, not in yourself. “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” [Luke 2:10-11].

(Emphasis mine)

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Pressing Toward the Mark! ~ Fight a Good Fight

“That great divine, John Owen, the Dean of Christ Church, used to say, more than two hundred years ago, that there were people whose whole religion seemed to consist in going about complaining of their own corruptions and telling everyone that they could do nothing of themselves. I am afraid that after two centuries, the same thing might be said with truth of some of Christ’s professing people in this day. I know there are texts in Scripture which warrant such complaints. I do not object to them, when they come from men who walk in the steps of the apostle Paul and fight a good fight, as he did, against sin, the devil and the world. But I never like such complaints when I see ground for suspecting, as I often do — that they are only a cloak to cover spiritual laziness, and an excuse for spiritual sloth. If we say with Paul, “O wretched man that I am!” let us also be able to say with him, “I press toward the mark!” Let us not quote his example in one thing, while we do not follow him in another (Romans 7:24; Philippians 3:14).” (Emphasis mine)

Let me try to draw a picture of Biblical holiness

(J.C. Ryle, “Holiness, Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots“)

“Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord!”  Hebrews 12:14

Are we holy? Shall we see the Lord?

In this hurrying, bustling world–let us stand still for a few minutes and consider the matter of holiness. It is a solemn thing to hear the Word of God saying, “Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord!”

A man may go great lengths in religion–and yet never reach true holiness.

What is true practical holiness?
It is not knowledge–Balaam had that.
It is not great profession–Judas Iscariot had that.
It is not doing many things–Herod had that.
It is not zeal for certain matters in religion–Jehu had that.
It is not morality and outward respectability of conduct–the rich young ruler had that.
It is not taking pleasure in hearing preachers–the Jews in Ezekiel’s time had that.
It is not keeping company with godly people–Joab and Gehazi and Demas had that.

Yet none of these were holy people! These things alone, are not holiness. A man may have any one of them–and yet never see the Lord!

Let me try to draw a picture of Biblical holiness, that we may see it clearly before the eyes of our minds.

1. Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture.

2. A holy man will endeavor to shun every known sin, and to keep every known commandment.

3. A holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ.

4. A holy man will follow after meekness, patience, gentleness, patience, kind tempers, and government of his tongue.

5. A holy man will follow after temperance and self-denial.

6. A holy man will follow after love and brotherly kindness.

7. A holy man will follow after a spirit of mercy and benevolence towards others.

8. A holy man will follow after purity of heart.

9. A holy man will follow after the fear of God.

10. A holy man will follow after humility.

11. A holy man will follow after faithfulness in all the duties and relations in life.

12. Last–but not least, a holy man will follow after spiritual-mindedness.

The above is merely the “outline” of Ryle’s picture. If you desire to see the whole picture drawn out–you will have to read the first several pages from his outstanding chapter, “Holiness“.

“Tell me not of your justification — unless you have also some marks of sanctification. Boast not of Christ’s work for you — unless you can show us the Spirit’s work in you. Do not think that Christ and the Spirit can ever be divided. I do not doubt that many believers know these things — but I think it good for us to be put in remembrance of them. Let us prove that we know them — by our lives. Let us try to keep in view this text more continually: “Follow holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord!”

Grace Gems: J.C. Ryle ~ Holiness

‘Open Door’ Policy: The Opening of Sails ~ Allowing Any Wind to Blow Them About

“You and I, dear friends, have need to set a watch against the enemies of our holy faith.

Some people ask me, “Why do you talk so much about the ‘Down-grade’? Let men believe what they like…..

Go on with your work for God, and pray to him to set them right.” I believe in praying and setting a watch. We have to guard with jealous care “the faith once for all delivered to the saints.” When you find, as you do find now, professing Christians and professing Christian ministers denying every article of the faith, or putting another meaning upon all the words than they must have been understood to bear, and preaching lies in the name of the Most High, it is time that somebody set a watch against them.

A night-watchman’s place is not an easy berth; but I am willing to take that post for my blessed Master’s sake. Those professed servants of Christ who enter into an unholy alliance with men who deny the faith will have to answer for it at the last great day. As for us, brethren, when our Lord comes, let him find us watching as well as praying.

It was a work carefully done; for Nehemiah says, “We set a watch against them day and night, because of them.” Those three last words would be better rendered, “over against them”; that is, wherever there was an enemy, there he set a watch/ They are likely to come up this way. Very well, set a watch there. Perhaps they may shift about, and come up this way. Very well, set a watch there. Possibly they may come climbing over the wall in front here. “Well, set a watch there. “We set a watch over against them.” .

Set a watch wherever the foe is likely to come. “We made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch over against them.”

Excerpts from The Two Guards: Watching and Praying ~ C.H. Spurgeon

 

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn.
The sheep’s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn.
Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
“He’s under the haycock, fast asleep.
Will you wake him? “No, not I;
For if I do, he’ll be sure to cry.”

 

Somebody please wake the watchmen! I would rather have sadness and grief with much tears, bringing us to repentance, than to continue to see the churches being infiltrated and assimilated by New Age Occultism, false teaching, heresies, philosophies of men and doctrines of demons as the watchmen sleep. Source

More From The Reformed Traveler: Asleep on the Watch

Little Boy Blue illustration comes from Kate Greenaway’s Mother Goose (1881)

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Biblical Separation: For the Glory and Honor of our Lord Jesus Christ

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
—1 Tim. 4:16

“As much as we should want unity within the body of Christ, unity is not to be purchased by compromising our obedience to God in holiness. When we collaborate with unbelievers in ministry, our witness for God is compromised, and that’s why it is wrong to do so. Similarly, when we collaborate with compromisers in ministry instead of reproving them, we are sharing in their sins. Our witness for God is sullied, as we are then associated with the heretics they work with. Furthermore, by not rebuking them for their sins, we actually hate them rather than love these compromisers (Prov. 27:5-6).” Excerpt from article

“Fact of the matter, such a strained exegesis and elevation of the local church by Frank Turk contradicts the Scriptures as it makes the doctrine of separation to no effect. According to Frank Turk, we can only separate from a local church if they have either 1) turn apostate with no hope of turning back, 2) we cannot fit in and be fed despite trying. This is contrary to the clear teachings of Scripture in this regard, and serve only to magnify the authority of “Mother Church” above its biblical position. In the meantime, believers’ witnesses are lost and even destroyed, error thrives, and the Church (capital C) is weakened. In fact, a lot of so-called churches that I personally know of will allow people who believed similarly to Frank to serve, while all the time undermining their teachings through the pulpit or otherwise, and at the same time providing the sheep with such ‘wonderful fei-lou-ship fellowship’.” Excerpt from article

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Therefore, go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,

and I will be father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. (2 Cor. 6:14 – 7:1)

The doctrine of separation does not have a very illustrious past. It has been abused by fundamentalists and ignored by neo-Evangelicals. In this pertinent times in the last days, it is imperative that we recover a proper biblical perspective of separation, and implement it. Between the separatism of persent-day Fundamentalism and the ecumenism of Neo-evangelicalism, the cause of Christ and the Gospel has suffered tremendously. If we are to glorify God in our dealings with others (both believers and unbelievers), we must come to know and embrace the biblical doctrine of separation.

So, what is the doctrine of separation?

The doctrine of separation is basically the doctrine that tells us how we are to behave when relating to unbelievers and compromising believers, and separate from them if the need arises. For this doctrine, let us first look at the principle text of 2 Cor. 6:14 – 7:1.

The first thing that we are to establish from this text is that the entire doctrine of separation is based on a desire of holiness in the fear of God (7:1). It is because God is holy that the doctrine of separation should be taken seriously and implemented. Closely linked to this is of course the fear of God. Only a person who fears God will obey Him when He commands us to “Be holy, as I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Consequently, non-implementation of this doctrine shows a lack of the fear of God in the lives of the individuals and churches who do not so implement this doctrine.

Now, this passage definitely does apply to holy living. In 6: 14b-15a, we are told that light and darkness should not mix, nor Christ and Belial (or Satan). Throughout the passage, everything which is mentioned is definitely consistent with the notion of holy living, and we ARE to live lives holy and separate from the world for God. However, is that all there is to this passage, as neo-Evangelicals would have us believe?

In 6:14a and 15b, we are told that we believers are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. An obvious application would be in marriage. However, it goes beyond that to the area of ministry also. The words ‘partnership’ and ‘yoked’ suggest cooperation in working towards a common goal. And the terms ‘temple of God’ and ‘idols’ in verse 16 shows even further that we believers are NOT to be involved with unbelievers in any form of Christian ministry. This is further seen also in 2 Jn. 10-11 whereby we are not to allow non-Christians into our homes to teach or instruct us. Primary separation from heretics and blasphemers is therefore demanded of all Christians, and is the first part of the doctrine of separation For far too many post-evangelicals, this doctrine has even been neglected, and that’s why people have no problem with working with i.e. anti-Trinitarian heretics such as the Saballian ‘Bishop’ T.D. Jakes.

The epitome of the outworking of primary or first-degree separation is in the example of national Israel during the OT times. Throughout the OT, Israel was to be separate from the other nations in her national identity, her ethnicity, her religion (e.g. Deut. 7:1-5, Ez. 9), and her customs and practices (whole book of Lev.). Of course, such separateness was necessary for the preservation of the purity of the faith until the first advent of Christ and the establishment of the Church, and the preservation of the bloodline of Jesus to be within that of the covenantal family. With regards to the issue of separation, however, there are lessons that could be learned from Israel’s example. We as the Church, spiritual Israel, are similarly a people who are set apart by God for Him (1 Peter 2:9-10). Similar to OT Israel, we are to separate from unbelievers in order to preserve our distinct identity from the world. Between us and unbelievers, our beliefs are different, there should be no intermarriage between us and them (unless the person is converted after marriage — 1 Cor. 7:10-16), and our practices and customs are different from the world. Similar to Israel, we are to separate from heretics and blasphemers also, as how the prophets separated from the false prophets (i.e. of Baal).

First-degree separation also involved separation from those who are disobedient towards God in situations such as believers in a serious state of sin, or even in embrace of serious doctrinal error.

At least some neo-evangelicals do practice separation from unrepentant sinners, following the example of the Corinthian church in 1 Cor. 5:1-13 to purge the evil within her by exercising church discipline against the unrepentant immoral sinner. However, for the more serious crime of serious doctrinal error, churches tend to be more ‘forgiving’. This, however, should not be the case, as doctrinal error is actually more serious than moral error, since doctrinal errors, especially serious ones, damn the soul and whoever believes it (Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Thess 2:11-12; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 18-22; 1 Jn. 2:4). Of course, moral corruption could be evidence of an unregenerate heart and thus the sinner is damned, but the act itself is not damning per se. Furthermore, compared with moral corruption, spiritual corruption is less easily identifiable (our conscience warns us against immorality — Rom. 2:15), and therefore we should be sterner against those who are in serious doctrinal error, especially if they are in a position of leadership within the body of Christ.

The doctrine of first-degree separation having thus been established, we shall now look at the more controversial one — the doctrine of second-degree separation

Second degree separation

The doctrine of second-degree separation states that we are to separate from believers who compromise and are in a state of disobedience before God. It is the most controversial aspect of the doctrine of separation since it calls for believers to separate from other believers who compromise with the world

Now, since these errant believers are not immoral, nor do they hold on to serious doctrinal error, such separation seemed strange and even sinful. After all, we as the body of Christ ought to be united, since Jesus did prayed for unity among believers, and that this unity is a testimony to the world that they may believe that Jesus is of God (Jn. 17:21). However, unity is not an absolute good, since unity with the world is an anathema before God. We are told in Rom. 12:18 to live peacefully with all, so far as it depends on us; or in other words, as much as we are able to. Unity is good, but unity is not something that we should work for, but something which we are to work towards. Put simply, unity is found in Christ, and we must be united to Christ, THEN united with each other, not the other way around.

The question is to be asked as to the rationale behind second-degree separation from compromisers of the faith. The rationale behind second-degree separation is the same behind that of first degree separation — holiness. Second degree separation is done because of holiness. As much as we should want unity within the body of Christ, unity is not to be purchased by compromising our obedience to God in holiness. When we collaborate with unbelievers in ministry, our witness for God is compromised, and that’s why it is wrong to do so. Similarly, when we collaborate with compromisers in ministry instead of reproving them, we are sharing in their sins. Our witness for God is sullied, as we are then associated with the heretics they work with. Furthermore, by not rebuking them for their sins, we actually hate them rather than love these compromisers (Prov. 27:5-6).

Now, there are a few concerns with regards to this doctrine. The first is the example of the present-day group of Fundamentalists, who have embraced the doctrine of separation with an unnatural zeal, to the extant of distortion into separatism What, then is the difference between separation and separatism? Separatism is the promotion of the doctrine of separation to the extant that we are to cut ourselves off and isolate ourselves off from any taint of evil and/or compromise. In other words, for the separatist, the principle stated in Jn. 17: 11-16 should read “Be not of this world nor in this world ” instead of “Be not of this world though in the world”. Yes, to a certain extent, we should ‘isolate’ ourselves from the world (Jude 1:20-23), but such isolation is only with regards to holiness, not that we are to ‘let the world go to hell’. What is the difference, then? We are to be holy in the sense that we do not compromise our own walk with God nor our witness before God, but we should be actively reaching out to others for God (Mt. 28:18-20; Jude 1:22-23), and the latter makes the difference between the two. Another thing distinctive of separatism is the fact that the doctrine of unity is neglected. Unity is important, and we are told to be united as much as we can (Jn. 17:21 ; Rom. 12:18). The working principle for all Christians is that we should be as united as much as it is possible to be so; not a unity at all costs, but we should desire unity if possible without compromise. Somehow, separatism neglects this and in fact may even promote schism, instead of asking us to preserve the unity of the church where possible.

The second legitimate concern is with regards to its implementation. If second-degree separation is practiced, then wouldn’t this cascade into third-degree, fourth-degree, or higher degree separation, and if such, there would be no end and then wouldn’t we have to separate ourselves from almost all Christians? This question, however, betrays a misunderstanding of the doctrine of separation in its implementation, which would be addressed here.

Remember earlier that the doctrine of second-degree separation is due to a need for holiness and the need for an unsullied witness before God and the world. Therefore, conversely, if something does not cause one to sully his/her witness for Christ, then there is no need to separate from the other person. How this works out is that we may need not separate from compromising believers in every situation, only in a situation whereby the compromise is made. For example, if a person compromise in the area of working with heretics in i.e. preaching ministry, then we should separate from the person in all forms of public ministry. However, this does not preclude that we could not meet up privately and we should definitely urge the person to repent of his/her behavior. If a person compromise in the area of collaborating with an organization which allows heretics in, then we should separate from the event itself, as joining it would link our witness with it and the compromise that is associated with it. However, that does not mean that we separate from them in other forms of ministry.

In all these things, it must be noted that our primary motive must be the glory of God in our witness for Him. This is what second degree separation is about, not a separation for separation’s sake but for the glory and honor of our Lord Jesus Christ. Note also that all these is related to compromising leaders, since they are the ones who are publicly related to the act of compromise. For ordinary followers, since they are not publicly related to the act of compromise, we should not separate from them as there is no need to. If they are in error, following the stand of their errant leaders, we should all the more desire that they also turn away and reject such compromise as a blemish on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and thus teach and correct their errant ways, as obedience to Christ our Lord (Mt. 28:20; 2 Tim. 2:24-26), as an act of love for our brethren (Prov. 27:5-6), and all for the glory of God as His bride is edified and build up (Eph. 4:12-16)

Therefore, the question of third of higher degree separation is a red herring which misses the entire focus of the doctrine of separation We should not focus on how many degrees of separation is correct, but whether by being part of the event or by working together with a compromiser in this particular ministry, that our witness for Christ would be sullied. If so, we should separate; otherwise, we should not. When we embrace such a principle, the name of Christ would be exalted through our actions, and our testimony would not be dragged through the mud by deluded ministers who have an unbiblical view of unity and work for it at all costs.

Practical Implementation

We will now look at to how this doctrine is to be applied in various situations, namely that of Church, Ministry and Marriage.

Church

When finding or considering a church home, it is imperative that such a decision glorifies God, not just to make us feel happy. The doctrine of separation will thus have implications for us as we seek to glorify God in all that we do, even in this aspect. The idea of first-degree separation automatically means that we are not to join apostates churches, or to leave them if we are presently a member therein. The idea is very simple: What kind of testimony you are giving to the world and to God by staying in a “synagogue of Satan”? When we interact with people, like it or not we are ambassadors of where we come from, and that includes the church you are in. If a true born-again believer whom we shall call Mr. A remains in, for example, a Roman Catholic church in the interest of reforming that church, guess who benefits? People may be confused when they interact with Mr. A and think that there is some change within the Roman Catholic religion. In the meantime, Mr. A is obviously not fed and is subjected to many dangers, as bad company ruins good morals (1 Cor. 15:33). Furthermore, he is in danger of being taught false doctrines, especially if he is young in the faith, which may shipwreck his faith. All in all, Mr. A has tarnished his witness for our God, and worse still have unwittingly given legitimacy to Romanism in the sight of men.

But how about going there as a missionary, some may ask? I will respond back and enquire of them where in the Scripture is this tactic of infiltration recommended. Obviously nowhere! And if such is not enough, we have the New Evangelical example of the Billy Graham crusades, where new believers are channeled back to liberal Bible-denying churches! In other words, we would thus be sending young lambs who have just been born into a pack of wolves, and people still think that is a good tactic to win the lost souls in there?! What foolishness! Even if infiltration is advocated, only the strong, elite and well-trained forces should be sent in, but yet this New Evangelical tactic is not only unbiblical, it is downright stupidity. As a analogy of how stupid New Evangelicalism is, just imagine which army in the world would send fresh recruits in a commando raid deep in the enemy’s territory.

Infiltration of apostate religious organizations masquerading as churches therefore is unbiblical. If anyone however thinks we should still try this “in order that by all means save some”, then I will give them the example of righteous Lot, who was grieved in his spirit by the lawlessness the Sodomites practiced (2 Peter 2:7) and yet he would most probably be trying to reach out to them. Of the biblical narratives, this is probably the best narrative which proves the point (Other examples may include instances in Israel’s history itself). Lot who is righteous, and who have even “earned” for himself the right to be heard (since his uncle saved the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and their people – Gen. 14:1-16), lived in Sodom as a sortof de-facto Evangelist. Yet by the end of his “mission”, his two sons-in-law disbelieved and were killed together with the other people of Sodom, his wife doubted and became a pillar of salt, and his two daughters became perverts who concocted a plan to sleep with their father in order to preserve their family line. Is this the type of legacy that New Evangelicals would want? But yet through their goal of ‘friendly engagement’, this is what will happen. And such a falling away is already happening in the proclaimed Evangelical world. Far from changing the culture, and the apostate churches, liberalism and worldliness has seeped into mainstream Evangelicalism, until we have all kinds of heresies within the camp, in movements such as the semi-Pelagian Purpose Driven paradigm and the anti-propositional Emerging Church Movement. Not to mention the leftist socialist Jim Wallies of Sojourners.

Since I have raised the question, I will briefly answer as to the biblical methods of reaching out to apostate congregations. We are to reach out to all of them pro-actively in Evangelism, in proclaiming to them the Gospel of God from the outside. We are not to have any part in the works of darkness (Eph. 5:11) but rather expose them. Why must we utilize the tactic of infiltration unless we are ashamed of the Gospel, and of the offense of the Cross? In the end, it comes down to a fear of Man such that we would not otherwise interact with those who are clearly not in the Kingdom of God but through hints, suggestions, etc. We are not willing to be seen as confrontational “bigots” but as “nice people” (not like those “intolerant Fundamentalists”)

Now, don’t get me wrong here. I am not interested in purposefully antagonizing people and then claim that we are persecuted when they oppose us, like some “Fundamentalists ” like to do. However, have we become too fearful of Man that we cannot tell them lovingly that they must repent and turn to Christ otherwise they are going to hell? They will certainly hate us for saying so, but will we yet do it?

Next then, what about second degree separation? With regards to choosing a church, this would become trickier, since second degree separation will be with regards mainly to the ministry of the church. Of course, if a church allows known heretics in as members without disciplining them, then that is an obvious violation of the command of separation Incidentally, this would also disqualify a church from being considered a true church, since it does not practise church discipline. As for cases of churches whereby they do practice church discipline correctly and are solid, yet their pastors, elders and deacons and/or other leaders may be involved in compromising activities outside the church, the doctrine of separation does not exactly apply for joining that church as long as they don’t practice their compromise in the church setting. However, such an action by the leaders should cast a shadow over their eligibility, and therefore it is up to the individual to decide between him and God.

I would like here to make a brief comment regarding Frank Turk’s recent ongoing crusade for the local church despite all her failings, of which an example can be found here. Certain points Frank made are good, but by and large he has totally avoided the topic of the doctrine of separation, and what that has to say that will impact the things he has been asserting. Certainly, we are not to leave the church over really trivial issues, nor should we expect total perfection in any church, and we should not be church-hopping and should serve in the local church. That said, Frank Turk’s New Evangelical slant can be seen as he hints that people who normally do not talk with a pastor should not come up one day and comment that what he is teaching is wrong, and the way he uses the passage in the LBCF (London Baptist Confession of Faith) to state that we should automatically stay in a church no matter how bad the error is by default, until they apostatize that is. To complete his bad exegesis, just look at his interpretation of Rev. 1:4b-7, which should make the Arminians really happy (what with the playing around with the word ‘all’ to mean ‘all’).

Fact of the matter, such a strained exegesis and elevation of the local church by Frank Turk contradicts the Scriptures as it makes the doctrine of separation to no effect. According to Frank Turk, we can only separate from a local church if they have either 1) turn apostate with no hope of turning back, 2) we cannot fit in and be fed despite trying. This is contrary to the clear teachings of Scripture in this regard, and serve only to magnify the authority of “Mother Church” above its biblical position. In the meantime, believers’ witnesses are lost and even destroyed, error thrives, and the Church (capital C) is weakened. In fact, a lot of so-called churches that I personally know of will allow people who believed similarly to Frank to serve, while all the time undermining their teachings through the pulpit or otherwise, and at the same time providing the sheep with such ‘wonderful fei-lou-ship fellowship’. Soon, the sheep are lured to lukewarmness by their pastors and their friends in a spirit of ‘Don’t rock the boat’-ism, and in the end Christ’s glory is diminished. And please do not think it will never happen to you. As it is written, pride comes before a fall, and let him who stands take heed lest he falls (1 Cor. 10:12). Does anyone dares to boast that he/she has the resources, zeal and knowledge to stand against the schemes and temptations of the devil, and of the flesh? I myself do not. Our perseverance is only by God’s grace which preserves us as His elect (Jn. 6:39). Do not boast and think that you are so strong and mighty that you can stay in a compromised church without any detrimental effect on you or your family, which is what Frank Turk’s advice would ultimately lead to. Those who continue to doubt that this is the case should really have a good look at the biblical example of Lot. In the end, those who refuse to separate from biblically deficient churches (of which I have only listed one particular aspect in the doctrine of separation here) will compromise their spiritual walk and fervor for the Lord and produce little lasting works.

Ministry

After looking into what the Doctrine of Separation has to say about our responsibilities into how we choose a church, and also as to whether to stay or remain in it (among other things we must consider, of course), let us look into what implications the Doctrine of Separation has on Christian Ministry.

First of all, most of what was mentioned regarding the implications on the church would thus be valid with regards to ministry, as in the case of church-based ministry. Therefore, we should not partner with heretics (first degree separation), nor should we participate with people in their compromise of the faith (second degree separation). However, the situation gets complicated because ministry does not have to be church-based. Something as simple as partnering with another believer to witness to others for Christ is already a non church-based ‘ministry’ in a sense. Ministry broadly speaking is basically what one does which seeks to further the cause of Christ; be it ‘official’ or ‘unofficial’. Also, while church is more or less permanent, ministry, and especially collaboration in ministry, may not be permanent or even long term. Therefore, with such factors included, how do we go about obeying Christ in implementing this command of His?

To answer this, we must first remember the entire rationale behind the command of separation, otherwise we would fall into the legalism of the separatists who separate from everyone who is even a bit different from them. We separate so as to magnify the glory of our Lord and Master, that we do not denigrate His majesty. Thus, all things should be judged according to that foundational principle. If by so doing, I would bring disgrace and disrepute to the name of Christ, I should not do it. Therefore, applying it to ministry, we can minister alongside others in circumstances whereby doing so would not bring shame to Christ. Therefore, this rule out all heretics immediately. However, with regards to Christians, we can partner with them when they are not compromising the faith, even if they compromise the faith elsewhere. Of course, this assumes that the Christian whom you are partnering with is not so tainted with compromise that we compromise our testimony by partnering with them even if no compromise is inherently done in the immediate works of that partnership. An example would be partnering with Rick Warren in an official ‘Christian’ program in caring for the sick, since his name has become synonymous with the Purpose Driven paradigm he has created and therefore we should not be seen to give even a remotest support to his PEACE plan. Besides these parameters, to further limit how we can interact and minister as members of Christ’s Body is to go beyond Scripture and is not helpful at all, and in fact grieves the Holy Spirit. Just because ecumenism with sinners is bad does not mean that undue separation from believers is good either.

This principle when applied could give rise to several seemingly strange scenarios. For example, an obedient Christ would rightfully refuse to join a group in a prayer meeting which have its foundation in heresy, while he may yet partner with them in other areas of ministry, even in other prayer meetings. Charges of double-standardness and condemnations from both sides of the extreme may very well pour in. The New Evangelicals will criticize the person of being judgmental and unloving, not to mention the possible charge of being ‘disobedient to church leaders’, while the separatists will criticize the person for still serving with compromisers. Of course, the fact that Jesus mixed with sinners evade the separatists, and the fact that he never join them in sinning nor condone their sin (and in fact call them to repentance) evade the New Evangelicals. As an aside, isn’t it strange that some separatist Christians have no problem ministering to unbelievers but will not minister to compromising believers? To follow the Scripture in this regard is therefore difficult, but with God’s strength, those who purposed to do so will find strength in Him.

Marriage

This is by far the most non-controversial section of this entire article of mine. It goes without saying that in something as intimate as a marriage relationship and covenant, we are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, as our main passage of 2 Cor. 6:14- 7:1 shows. Furthermore, marriage is for the purpose of bringing forth godly offspring (Mal. 2:15), and this cannot be done when one party is an unbeliever. {Ed Note: Quite honestly, not real sure what the author means by inserting Mal 2:15, in regard to marriage and godly seed. As with anything use discernment.}

Practically, such an unequally yoked union will definitely harm the couple. The fact that one is destined for heaven while the other to hell unless he/she repent should be enough to discourage such unions. Also, as we Christians have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, we acquire a new love for Christ and the things of God, which the unbelieving partner, being dead in sins (Eph. 2:1) will not desire and in fact even resent this passion on the part of the believer, since the carnal mind is hostile against God (Rom. 8:7). The worst part of course is that divorce is not allowed just because one party is a believer and the other is not, so both parties have just to live amidst such tension 24/7, until one party gives way (And guess which party normally is the one who does so?)

All of these is basic Christianity 101. In fact, the new birth in the heart of the Christ should already render such a union unlikely, because the believer and the non-believer will come to have different likes and dislikes, if the Christian grows in his/her love for Christ that is. Therefore, I shall not belabor this point further but carry on to the next point.

The next point is with regards to the point of unequally yoked as applied to Christians. Yes, to Christians. The most obvious part of such separation is with regards to Christians who are passionate and Christians who seem to be just nominal. Going to church regularly does not make anyone a Christian; anymore than going to McDonalds make anyone a burger. Serving in church is not a good indication also, because people can serve with all kinds of ulterior motives. Discernment is really needed here, but then, what’s new?

One area of which must be looked at is with regards to spiritual maturity, especially with regards to areas such as this doctrine whereby friction may occur. Although not something exactly to separate on and may possibly be resolved, such issues may very well cause friction, especially when one party rightly or wrongly think that the other party’s action is biblically wrong. Such issues should definitely be worked on, of course, not via the dialectical way of compromise but the biblical method of searching the Scriptures in order to grow into the same knowledge of the truth.

Conclusion

The whole doctrine of separation with all of these practical implications, it must be realized, is one that is an extension of the command of God who commands us “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). As such, such a doctrine is only embraced correctly by those who truly love and fear God more than Man. Men pleasers like most New Evangelicals will never get it, for their focus is more on humans than on God. Those who have seen a vision of the holiness of God and His absolute demand for purity from His followers, and from His Church, will not be so flippant in explaining away such passages as 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1 in advocating for ungodly ecumenism, all in the name of so-called ‘Christian unity’. Let us therefore turn once more back to God and spend time with Him in our prayer closet, and understand more of God. Only then will we be able to understand Him and not be effeminate men pleasers, but people like the Apostles who stood firm for their faith despite the opposition of Man.

“He who has an ear, let Him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 3:22)

Source: Theology

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What is Botkin Syndrome and its Origins?

What is Botkin Syndrome?

“Botkin Syndrome” describes the emotional, psychological, spiritual, and sometimes physical effects manifested by children who have been raised under the so-called Biblical patriarchy theology, a Quiverfull mindset, and other such religious paradigms that promote authoritarian parenting.

The term “syndrome” refers to a group of coincident factors, is used in the most informal sense, and is not an variety of “diagnosis.”  The use of “syndrome” emerged from an ongoing blog discussion of the phenomenon among a group of Evangelical Christian homeschooling mothers who continued to use the term in reference to the far-reaching effects of these types of religious teachings.  The descriptor has been borrowed from these laypersons and describes a pattern of religious practice and teaching.

Botkin Syndrome is named after the Botkin Family and their teachings concerning family, particularly daughters.  They promote a paradigm that is a mixture of different ideas pulled from several aberrant ideologies that grew out of the Shepherding/Discipleship Movement and moved into the Homeschooling Movement within an extreme view of Fundamentalist Evangelical Christianity.  All groups focus upon submission and authority doctrine.  (Aberrant and cultic refer to doctrinal problems and the covert manipulation employed by religious or ideological groups that use behavioral tactics and group manipulation to deceive followers, gaining undue influence over them.)

When Geoffrey Botkin parted ways with cult leader Jim McCotter in 2002, decades after his recruitment into the cultic Great Commission religious movement in the early ‘70s, the whole family soon reappeared publicly through their association with Vision Forum.  Vision Forum is a parachurch organization which fosters the patriarchy movement, an affinity group or special purpose religion that has developed from within homeschooling.  (Doug Phillips maintains that God the Father “homeschooled Jesus” before the earth was created, as statement he made in the late ‘90s at a homsechooling convention.)

Through and in association with Vision Forum, the Botkin Family serves as evangelists for their way of life.  Geoffrey Botkin promotes his views through film and various speaking engagements.  Vision Forum published the Botkin Daughters’ book, “So Much More” and helped promote their later video, “The Return of the Daughters,” to advance their paradigm for living in their effort to save Western Civilization.  The Botkin Daughters host a website named “Visionary Daughters,” while other members of the family work for their own film production organization, “The Western Conservatory.”

Under the Botkin Paradigm, all members of the family orbit around the family leader, the husband/father.  Each person within the family must “serve the vision” of their household patriarch and his “vision” for the family.  Boys follow their father’s wishes while they remain under the family’s roof, though men are afforded much more liberty and freedom than are women.  In some homes, mothers are not permitted to teach or discipline sons once they reach the age of thirteen.

Wives and adult daughters (until given in marriage through the courtship process) must do the bidding of their father who approves of their activities.  Young women who do not have a male to oversee them or have a father who declines participation in the paradigm are advised to go out to obtain a representative male to serve as their covering and protector.

Women and daughters are not permitted to work outside the home unless it is in the workplace of the father who provides both spiritual direction and lends physical protection to the family as well.  Women who work outside the home are likened to prostitutes whose “feet wander from home.”  All education must take place within the home through homeschooling, and adult women are not permitted to be trained outside the home setting.  Women are beings created for the use of men, and in some forms of patriarchy, women are defined as the “indirect image of God,” the ontological lesser of their male counterparts (of lesser essence physically and spiritually).

Fathers are venerated in the Botkin paradigm, and the entire system of patriarchy which is followed by many Quiverfull Families also fosters enmeshment and developmental problems, particularly for girls, though all of the family members suffer.  Enmeshment describes the relationship between child and parent wherein the parent used the child to meet needs that should only rightly be met my another adult.  These needs may be emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual.   With the overfocus on gender in what some call a fertility cult, many believe that the exploitation of gender within the group is also sexual exploitation.  Parents within this system use children to meet their unmet needs, a type of covert or emotional incest.

Read more about the notable features of Botkin Syndrome:

Enmeshment
Covert Incest
Triangulation
Unhealthy Idealizing of Parents

Read more about the religious system and how the theology works HERE.  (At the UnderMuchGrace.com

archive site)

 

Origins of Botkin Syndrome

 

Because I find that very little of what Vision Forum produces proves to be original, I believe that though they may be among the contemporary promoters of their twist on the concept, I do not believe that it originated with them.  What I see in a broader perspective is a rehashing and repackaging of ideas and sometimes intellectual property drawn from other sources and from authors from periods in history that they idealize and venerate.  Where I believe Geoff Botkin developed his basic concepts came through what I believe are related but different channels that adapt themselves well to Vision Forum’s system as branches off of the main concepts of aberrant submission doctrine that developed from the Shepherding Discipleship Movement, something that many see as a response to both societal change and the experientialism of the Charismatic Renewal.
Such of Doug Phillips’ concepts are drawn and borrowed directly from men like Bill Gothard, Jonathan Lindvall, and Michael Farris.  Gothard, far and above his contemporaries, deserves the highest recognition as the first to develop a formulaic approach to Christian living which promises a safe, Biblical plan for raising children who will remain devoted to Christianity.  Add discipline and stir.   Other influences on other ideologues such as Douglas Wilson, for example, also include those with gender concerns such as John R. Rice, George Knight, Wayne Grudem, and those affiliated with the Counsel on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.  Though they seem to differ in emphasis and certain salient points, the primary foundations of Doug Phillips’ ideas have generally been presented by others but are packaged and mixed with marketing in modern, epicurean fashion.  In terms of homeschooling, all of these men stand on the shoulders of the true pioneers in homeschooling outside of their religious group including the Seventh Day Adventist Raymond Moore and the secular John Holt.  They do make some appeal and reference to Rousas J. Rushdoony, but I see more credit and laud bestowed upon Gothard than upon Rushdoony within Vision Forum circles.
I believe that Phillips also borrows from other circles that were fostered by the Chalcedon Foundation, the organization that Rushdoony founded.  Rushdoony encouraged publishers and others to draw from previous eras in order to borrow from their arguments for the defense of homeschooling and religious liberty in the United States.  Rushdoony who has been referred to as the “ultimate decentralist” used examples and insights from both the Confederate Period and from the Medieval Period to advance decentralization of our top-heavy federal government in order to give power back to individual states and local municipalities.  But I believe that many missed his point and venerated too much the periods themselves, drawing more from them than Rushdoony ever intended.  Doug Phillips is notable among these individuals who seeks or has sought to advance societal elements and practices from these time periods within aspects of his own religious practice which he then tends to advance and promote as ideal if not non-optional aspects of responsible Christianity.  I believe that his paradigm concerning women draws from both of these time periods, something that ironically also corresponds to the paterfamilias that were part of the secular culture in Rome during the First Century.  As Solomon wisely put it, there is nothing new under the sun, but there is little but packaging that is new at Vision Forum.
Vision Forum has made some claims that their traditions are, in part, taken from Scripture, but the “Bride’s Price” which Moses set forth describes the price required of a man to be paid to a father if he has dishonored her by damaging her reputation or by forcing a sexual relationship.  In Vision Forum style weddings, I am told that Phillips prefers that a gold coin be used which the groom pays to the bride’s father.  I certainly hope that this is not an admission of the daughters impurity per the passage found in Chapter 22 of Deuteronomy.  I believe that it likely derives from the Germanic Medieval tradition that existed for a time wherein the groom did pay the bride’s father a dowry, which reinforces the message within the Vision Forum system which suggests indirectly that the wife is a commodity.  It is notable that the German tradition of the “morning gift” which the groom offers the bride after their wedding to ensure for her provision is notably absent, in my understanding, from the traditions created by Vision Forum.
I believe that more of the Vision Forum traditions and preferred social conventions derive from the Confederate Presbyterian literature concerning women as well as other beliefs and goals.  The writings of Robert L. Dabney and Benjamin M. Palmer, and the revival of their literature within circles related to both Chalcedon and people also affiliated with the League of the South (a secessionist organization) have been cited and celebrated for their formulas and supposed solutions to contemporary problems in both society and church.  Douglas Wilson and Doug Phillips both pay notable attention to RL Dabney in publications such as “Slavery: As It Was” and “Robert Lewis Dabney:  The Prophet Speaks.”  Though it appears that others who promote the Stay At Home Daughter Paradigm have derived many of their concepts from Eric Wallace, he also borrowed from Benjamin Palmer for his own version of a formulaic paradigm, citing this Confederate Presbyterian in his book, “Uniting Church and Home:  A Blueprint for Rebuilding Church Community.”
During the mid-sixties, within the same time frame when Bill Gothard started his ministry, Jim McCotter launched his concept of a New Testament Church, and both of these then parachurch organizations followed the concepts of submission that were stressed with in the Shepherding Discipleship Movement.  Both movements emphasized a strict chain of command, unquestioned submission to authority figures, and formulas governing proper conduct which correspond to what is now termed Spiritual Abuse.  Spiritual Abuse manifests and employs a network of behavioral techniques which surreptitiously manipulate and coerce followers with out informed consent through a process that is also described as Thought Reform.  McCotter channeled his evangelism efforts through newspapers that his ministry owned and through Bible-based communities that he established on several college campuses into which he successfully recruited large numbers of students.  Geoffrey and Victoria (then “Vicki”) Botkin became active members when recruited at the University of Oklahoma in the Seventies.
The campus ministry later became the Evangelical Christian Denomination known as “The Great Commission,” though it was known by other variants of that name.  For a time, the group at Oklahoma where the Botkins participated was referred to as “The Saints.”  These very organized groups followed very stringent courtship practices which were governed by house parents who monitored the activities of the recruits under their care.  Dating was forbidden and treated as a “faction,” and factions were seen as highly sinful and cause for shunning, a potent means of maintaining control over followers (a loaded language term).  Marriages and courtships were arranged by leadership in the group, and Geoffrey and Victoria Botkin’s marriage resulted from a match made by group leadership in Norman.  Though a great deal of courtship concepts and the preaching of the” evils of emotional attachment” have been popularized by Gothard and Lindvall, the concepts and teachings were also a significant part of the early years within the Great Commission while the Botkins were active members.  It was a very significant element of all of the Discipleship Shepherding Teachings which many unsuspecting parents today fail to realize.
Jim McCotter’s group expanded to several college campuses in several states, and during the 1980’s made an attempt to establish a political presence in local and federal government, moving their headquarters to Silver Spring, Maryland.  It is also instructive to note that McCotter advanced what he called the “Media Mandate” wherein he taught that Christians had a responsibility to take control of major media outlets in order to best influence the culture for Christ.  There was a sense of urgency, because it was believed that the Great Commission issued by Jesus to His disciples in the New Testament to carry the Gospel throughout the earth would be accomplished and completed in McCotter’s generation.  Geoff Botkin was noted in the press in Maryland as the administrative assistant for the Great Commission in 1986 when they practiced lobbying for Right Wing causes and ran nearly twenty members in political races.  The group practiced very aggressive recruiting on many college campuses in the area, particularly the University of Maryland and what is now Towson University, something to which Geoffrey Botkin alludes in Vision Forum related audio downloads that are available online.  In addition to rivaling the aggressive child discipline practices of Michael Pearl, the Great Commission’s aggressive authoritarian practices among college students sent many into inpatient psychiatric care because of their heavy-handed abusive cultic manipulation.
When McCotter left his position as the formal leader of the Great Commission group and after other failed attempts at realizing his Media Mandate in the US, both he and Geoff Botkin moved to New Zealand to pursue their end.  They owned a failing newspaper, a Christian television station, and they launched a more successful style magazine but disbanded after a short period of time.  The newspapers in New Zealand document Geoff Botkin’s resignation in 2001, and shortly thereafter, he appeared in the ranks at Vision Forum.  According to my last note, the Botkins sought to lead an Exodus of faithful and elite homeschoolers from the US to New Zealand to live in order to save themselves from economic hardship and a decaying culture.

That said, I believe that it is appropriate to say that the major influences responsible for the paradigm of Stay At Home Daughters advanced by the Botkins and Vision Forum primarily arises from the Shepherding Discipleship Movement from a synergy of the branches of Jim McCotter’s Great Commission denomination and Bill Gothard’s influence through his Institute of Basic Life Principles organization.

 

Source for these articles: Overcoming Botkin Syndrome

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New Year’s Resolutions For SGM…(via SGMS)

Sovereign Grace Ministries Survivors

 

Happy 2012, everybody!

It’s a new year, a natural time for new beginnings.  Perhaps even the leadership of Sovereign Grace Ministries is thinking about how 2012 can be better than 2011.  If so, here – in no particular order - are some suggestions for SGM’s list of New Year’s resolutions:

  • Be honest – completely and fully honest – about what you are now, and about what you used to teach, be, and do.  For instance, when a concerned member approaches you and asks in shocked horror whether it’s true that your church once taught single women that they needed to move in with families and “put themselves under the authority” of the husband of the family, don’t let your mind race, trying to wordsmith a response that might make the ugly truth sound better.  Stop, take a deep breath, and simply say, “Yes.  Some years back, SGM followed many of the tenets of the ‘Shepherding Movement,’ which included the Bill Gothard-esque notion of ‘umbrellas of protection.’  We did indeed urge single women to seek out families and submit themselves to the husbands of those families.  We typically talked about such an arrangement as being ‘more wise’ than living on one’s own, but the message was clear enough.”
    .
    Respond in a similarly brutally honest manner to questions about other skeletons in SGM’s closets, too.  Own how you used to openly teach that corporal punishment was pretty much the only “biblical” way to discipline children.  Own the fact that many churches instructed parents on the ins and outs of “glue stick spanking” (because those 12-inch-long sticks for hot-glue guns really hurt but wouldn’t leave telltale marks).  Own that the vast majority of SGM’s leaders bought into the idea that homeschooling was the “wisest” way to education children – and that SGM members were pressured in so many ways to take on the lifestyle choices of their pastors.  Own that SGM used to say openly that wives should not work outside the home…that young people should not pursue college unless they could do so while living at home and maintaining their same level of activity at their local SGM church…that college was not much of a priority for girls, anyway…that members ought to seek out the “wise counsel” of their pastors for all manner of personal decisions (like whom to marry, or whether to take a job promotion and move to another city).  Own that there have been several instances where pastors responded very strangely and inappropriately to situations of child sex abuse – where instead of immediately involving the legal system (as all normal mandatory reporters are taught to do), victims were told to offer instant forgiveness while perpetrators were protected and coddled.
    .
  • Along with taking ownership of the past, realize that it’s not enough to decide behind the scenes as leaders that you missed the boat with a particular teaching or practice and quietly quit promoting it.  Instead, you need to openly and specifically address the areas where you messed up.  Openly and specifically talk about what was wrong with the old teachings or practices.  Explain how – and why – your thinking has changed.
    .
  • Ditch the underlying belief that (despite lots of vague and meaningless chatter from the pulpit about their worthlessness and sinfulness) leaders need to appear at all times to be pretty much above making actual mistakes.  Really, the game is up on this one.  You can say that SGM has had its horizons expanded when it comes to whether or not the organization’s area leaders ought to be called “apostles” or something else.  But the reality is that no matter what you’re calling the Artists-Formerly-Known-As-Apostles these days, SGM still has been trying, in so many ways, to make it seem like these men have some level of special authority and hear directly from God when making decisions.  It’s time for this silliness to stop.  Contrary to what C.J. Mahaney has long taught in his Dearest [Happiest] Place On Earth sermon, pastors and “apostles” (or “regional leaders,” or whatever) don’t actually occupy some special class of believerhood where they are imbued with superior knowledge of and insight into their people’s hearts…or, for that matter, a special ability to be right all the time.
    .
  • Also know that it’s not even enough to address the old teachings and practices once or twice, if they were heavily promoted and have become ingrained in SGM’s culture.  For instance, while it’s great that Josh Harris has acknowledged on a few occasions that his ideas about courtship have caused some problems, a lot more needs to be done to undo literally decades of (once again) Bill Gothard-esque teachings against “dating” (teachings that go back to SGM/PDI’s earliest days, long before Josh Harris was invited to move into C.J.’s basement).
    .
  • While being open and honest about incorrect former teachings, leaders should not attempt to place any blame whatsoever on members.  Please, pastors - don’t stand up there and say things like, “What we taught was misapplied.”  That’s blame-shifting.  If your teaching was “misapplied,” and you let those ”misapplications” continue for any length of time, to the point where the extremes hurt people, then YOU are still ultimately responsible.
    .
  • Closely connected with a new openness about incorrect former teachings would be making things right with those who were burned by the old teachings.  If you suspect that you may have disfellowshipped members over disputes about old teachings and practices, go back through the files your church kept on those members and refresh your memory.  Then seek them out to apologize.  To the best of your ability, make things right with them.
    .
  • Pursue total honesty and openness with respect to church finances.  Publish a detailed budget report and make it available to all members.  Don’t be vague in any way.  Members have the right to know the precise amount of total compensation each pastor earns.  Members also have the right to know other aspects of church money matters, things like how much their church pays to the Sovereign Grace Ministries organization, how much money is donated to the needy in their community, how much is spent on travel and conference fees for pastors, how much is given as honorariums to guest speakers like C.J. Mahaney.
    .
  • Seek out meaningful formal accountability that flows from pastors to the congregation.  Stop trying to rationalize SGM’s pyramid-style polity as “more biblical” and instead understand how badly it contradicts what SGM supposedly believes about the priesthood of all believers and the innate sinful tendencies of all human beings, pastors included.   Realize that it’s simply too great a temptation for most people, no matter how godly, to be given virtually unchecked power over financial decisions.
    .
    Also understand how easy it can be for pastors to lose touch with the financial reality of the outside world.  It is not normal, for example, to receive severance pay when one voluntarily quits a job.  Create a way for your SGM congregation to nominate and vote for a committee that would provide formal accountability and real-world checks and balances.
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  • When the Ambassadors Of Reconciliation issue their report, publish it – unedited.  Make it available to everybody.  Anything less will simply perpetuate SGM’s long history of seeming to be more concerned about its image than about the truth.

Perhaps some of you can add to this list of potential New Year’s resolutions for Sovereign Grace Ministries?

 

Related Articles

How It Happens….“The following was originally posted as a comment, in response to a question about what it is that might motivate people to join Sovereign Grace Ministries churches. With the way that SGM churches structure their polity, are people somehow coerced into joining?

A couple of readers said that they found this comment helpful and requested that I re-post it, so here it is…”

 

“Trust Me” versus Total Depravity What follows was originally posted as a string of comments, but it struck me as thought-provoking enough to deserve its own post.  So here goes.

Commenter “Argo” asked,

Does anyone know if Sovereign Grace Ministries applies the concept of total depravity in the orthodox way, or do they twist it to mean that since you are so full of sin, even after salvation, that you cannot think for yourself and you must have specially appointed pastors to control the mindless, sin-wracked sheep? (Emphasis mine)

.

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Thought Reform Goes To Church: Studies On Propaganda Techniques & Spiritual Abuse

 

“The techniques of thought reform as defined by Robert Lifton are based upon a series of logical leaps and informal logical fallacies. Knowing the basics of commonly used fallacies and propaganda techiniques can help reduce the likelyhood of manipulation. Like a good batter can identify the type of ball a pitcher has thrown him as soon as the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand, a good fallacy spotter can do much the same thing. Here is a list of common propaganda techniques and logical fallacies commonly used by spiritual abusers and cults.”


Propaganda Techniques
: A Short List

 

Ad Hominem – Attack your opponent’s person rather than the argument itself. Literally “against the man”

Ad Hominem Abusive (Sub category of Ad Hominem) – An attack on the character or other irrelevant personal qualities of the opposition—such as appearance—is offered as evidence against their position. Such attacks are often effective distractions (“red herrings”), because the opponent feels it necessary to defend the self, thus being distracted from the topic of the debate.

Ad Hominem Circumstantial (Subcategory of Ad Hominem) -A Circumstantial Ad Hominem is one in which some irrelevant personal circumstance surrounding the opponent is offered as evidence against the opponent’s position. This fallacy is often introduced by phrases such as: “Of course, that’s what you’d expect him to say.” The fallacy claims that the only reason why he argues as he does is because of personal circumstances, such as standing to gain from the argument’s acceptance.

Appeal to Authority – Citing authorities or respected figures to support an argument or to discredit or negate an argument made by an opponent. This effectively thwarts the debate and the argument.

Appeal to Fear** – Fear is used to destabilize people so that they will be more likely to do or believe something that they would not otherwise choose under normal circumstances

Appeal to Force** (Argumentum ad Baculum) – Use of force and threats of force to “win” a debate. (baculum is a walking stick)

Appeal to Ignorance (also Argument from Silence) -An appeal to ignorance is an argument for or against a proposition on the basis of a lack of evidence against or for it. If there is positive evidence for the conclusion, then of course we have other reasons for accepting it, but a lack of evidence by itself is no evidence.

Appeal to Prejudice** – (Also Called Poisoning the Well) Using emotive terms and connotation to attach moral benefit or goodness to the argument. Attach the modifier “Biblical” to that which should not be questioned. “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” It can also be used negatively. “The opinions and unrelated beliefs of a non-Christian cannot really be trusted, even regarding matters that do not relate to morality or Scripture.”

Argumentum Ad Nauseum – An idea is repeated relentlessly until it is accepted. Especially effective when there is a great deal of milieu control.

Argumentum Ad Populum – (also called the “bandwagon” and “inevitable victory”) Persuasion based on social proof

Big Lie – Create a message that is so complex but contains enough truthful elements so that people will not identify all the fictitious and fallacious elements. By the time it is recognized, many of the ideas are a part of the fabric of the debate and widely accepted.

 

Black-and-White Fallacy** (also called the Either-Or Fallacy or False Dilemma) – Presents information so that there are only two possible choices, one of which is far more appealing than the other. Obsures the difference between that which is contrary vs contradictory.

Common Man – Taking on of the characteristics of the target audience to make the message more palatable

Demonizing the Enemy** – Dehumanize the enemy and remove elements of commonality so that the target is easily dismissed, worthless, and of “non-person” status

Direct Order – Simplification of the decision making process so that followers will respond to very simple commands without question or need for additional problem solving

Euphoria – Use of emotionally charged and euphoria producing events to perpetuate good feelings and utopian ideals

Flag-waving – Capitalizing on patriotic sentiments to further one’s agenda.

Glittering Generality – The use of positive connotation and vague statements to present an argument as very desirable without evidence to support glittering claims

Intentional Vagueness** (also “Fuzzy Logic”) – Conclusions are not directly stated and the message may be intentionally vague so that individuals may draw their own conclusions, and the speaker does not have to be held directly accountable for the ideas. This works well in concert with other propaganda techniques.

Oversimplification (also “Fallacy of the Simple Cause”) – Very complex processes are described with trite explanations that do not provide a faithful perspective for the target audience. Trite explanations are used to reduce rationales into faulty causalities.

Quoting Out of Context (type of “Straw Man” argument) – Selected quotes are extracted from a passage so that without the full context of the passage, the meaning is greatly distorted.

Rationalization** – Positive and unrelated aspects of something are offered as evidence for an argument’s validity. “But they can’t teach wrong doctrine because they have a lovely family”

Red Herring – (large category of several fallacies) Irrelevant but compelling aspects of an argument are offered as a distraction from the core issues in order to derail the debate.

Redefinition** – Assigning new meaning to an old term, but this is a logical boobytrap because of the ease of equivocation and confusing meanings. “He who defines, wins.”

Reductio ad Hitlerum (type of Red Herring – see also Transference) – Suggestion that a popular idea is associated with something deplorable, hateful and unthinkable so that people will react and reject the argument or source of information based on the association.

Repetition – A rhetorical or literary device that is lyrical and gets stuck in one’s mind like an advertising jingle. It is akin to argumentum ad nauseum, but also has literary quality.

Scapegoating** – A single cause or element is identified and vilified as the source of all undesirable circumstances or outcomes. The scapegoat distracts the audience from other possible contributing factors.

Slogans – Short phrases or motto used to make emotional appeals and support ideas. Slogans become “thought stopping” techniques quickly and become communication shortcuts that suspend critical thought.

Steriotyping (also “Name Calling” or “Labeling”) – Reduces people, events, practices or ideas to capitalize on prejudice to evoke fear or distain.

Straw Man** – The Prince of All Fallacies (Subtype of “Red Herring”) – Attempt to refute an opponent’s position, and in the context is required to do so, but instead attacks a position—the “straw man”—not held by the opponent. Argues to a conclusion that denies the “straw man” the arguer has set up, but misses the target. A common straw man is an extreme man. Extreme positions are more difficult to defend because they make fewer allowances for exceptions, or counter-examples.

Testimonial – Reports or testimony from trusted sources are offered, out of context, in support of or for vilification of an idea, person, etc.

Transference** – Projection of either positive or negative qualities to something or someone in order to connote qualities that may or may not be related. It capitalizes on emotional response and is related to “Guilt by Association” and “Reductio ad Hitlerum”

Unstated Assumption**Beliefs are implied or stated indirectly because a direct statement would seem less credible. “Women’s suffrage is outside the prescriptive will of God and Kingdom Architecture.” As a woman and a voter, you now have been told that you are acting outside the will of God and willingly disobedient. Any Christian understands that willful disobedience of God and the Scriptures is sin. The speaker can imply that they have not accused anyone of sinning, skirting accountability; however their inference that voting for women is a sin is understood.

 

 

 

*****Establishing Milieu Control*****

In any manipulative group that practices surreptitious techniques to influence members, one of the primary means of establishing and maintaining control of the community and environment comes through what Robert Lifton called “Milieu Control.”

 

For most groups, this involves not only control of the flow of information into / within a group but also the generation of information to keep those within the group from engaging critical thought. Any information from outside this closed system (or sometimes from a disgruntled member) that challenges the group must be silenced, because people will then begin to think for themselves and will question the veracity of the information that the group has communicated to them. The outside information will magnify the flaws in the group’s dogma. Most groups communicate the idea that only information from certain sources may be considered, and other sources will be portrayed as false or evil.

 

 

For this reason Steven Hassan includes information along with the three elements of the self (thought, emotion and behavior) as a means of dominating a person for the purposes of surreptitious manipulation. When the group can gain control of one aspect of the self, it is highly likely that the other aspects of the person will follow the path of least resistance to reduce psychological stress by causing a change in the other unaffected aspects (cognitive dissonance). Personally, I like to consider information as a separate factor because, though it can be manipulated in order to convert a person, it is external to the person themselves. However in terms of influence, it is just as powerful a means of establishing control.

 

 

Within a manipulative or harmful group, leadership uses information to affect all of the aspects of self in order to reinforce the identity of members. They isolate group members from information outside of the group, replacing it with their perceptions and message. In order to overcome pre-existing thoughts or ideas that might be held by members, it may be necessary to use logical fallacy and propaganda techniques to convey and reinforce their messages (though both of these tactics also employ emotional tactics as well). Information may also be used to convey messages of shame and fear to coerce members, but they can also appeal to desires by promising solutions to troubling problems. Groups actually create a perception of problems and then provide an irresistible solution to those problems, and naturally, the solutions can only be found by actively participating with the group. Cialdini in particular outlines the social pressure (see Asch), authority (see Milgram), and systems of positive and negative reinforcement (see Spiritual Abuse) utilized to influence members in order to gain behavioral compliance.

 

 

Most groups use some method of isolation of members from external information that contradicts the group’s message and information, or the group may allow select information to be filtered into the group after it has been altered or tainted with negative connotation. Lifton says that isolationism or withdrawal often serve as unavoidable adaptations. Group members learn rather quickly which sources and information should be avoided because they will experience cognitive dissonance when faced with the truth. Any message that scrutinizes the group or that contradicts the group think will produce great discomfort in the follower, so groups actually have to do very little warning of their members. (Because members experience discomfort when they do review challenging information that brings the group or their teachings under scrutiny making the milieu a self-reinforcing system, when groups do formally declare warnings to their followers, it does make one wonder if the groups have become particularly threatened.)

If the group is unable to stop any information that challenges its ideology, the sacred science of the group, and the doctrine over person at work in a manipulative system, it predictably resorts to various measures of damage control. Groups marginalize or discredit sources of information and the information itself through typical propaganda techniques. “Poisoning the well,” reducteo ad hitlerum, ad hominem arguments, straw men, red herrings and other typical tactics are used to discredit the source of information (refer to sidebar information). Groups often employ fear mongering, communicating to followers that review of information deemed questionable or dangerous will place their eternal souls in great jeopardy. Most members will not be Bereans about this type of information because reviewing the challenging information while holding on to the group dogma will place them in harms way with the group and may not be worth investigating.

 

Bill Gothard propagates a particularly powerful means of establishing and maintaining milieu control with his “umbrella of protection” teachings. Gothard makes submission and acts of selfless humility a type of sacrament necessary for the earning of grace that enables Christians to live safe and protected lives. Going against the standard set by the group exposes believers to harm, so that under Gothard’s ideology, failure to observe the rules that maintain milieu control expose one to God’s wrath and open one up to satanic attack. This serves to further isolate the group and polarize members to reject information from outside of the system because of fear of losing their salvation as well as their physical well being.

 

 

Most interesting to watch in closed systems and manipulative groups is their response to disgruntled members of the group. Thought reform and mind control is very effective, but it is not a sure thing. Most people walk away from cultic groups of their own volition and are not usually dismissed or disfellowshiped from their groups. As group members become dissatisfied, the same types of techniques used to influence members to reject information from outside of their system is used to isolate members who demonstrate non-compliance. Groups devote many damage control measures to containing information propagated by problematic members who become wise to their deception. Groups often dissemble and exaggerate information to cast these disgruntled members in unfavorable light so that if they do communicate problematic or thought provoking information, members will be highly inclined to ignore or dismiss this information.

 

Spiritual Abuse Questionnaire

Questions To Help Identify Specific Areas of Spiritual Abuse, Deception, and Fraud

Excerpts — Questionaire by Chris Lawson

The following list of questions is to help you, the reader, think through a number of things that perhaps you have never seriously considered on your own before.

As you read the questions, circle either YES or NO. When you reach the end, go back through the list and prayerfully consider the questions that you have answered YES to.

Answering YES to any of the following questions may be an indication of an unhealthy problem in your group or with your leaders.

Answering YES to more than just a few questions is a definite cause for alarm. If this is the case, it is recommended that you take a much closer look into your group’s or organization’s history, purpose, and goals. Observe closely the methods, activities, and lives of the leaders. Are they using abusive and manipulative tactics on people?

If you believe that you are being abused in any way, it is highly recommended that you seek immediate help from balanced individuals and relatives who are outside of the influence of your group and its leaders.

Remember, you have the freedom to make your own choices and to be free from controlling and manipulative people. Controlling, abusive, and manipulating people will only mock, chastise and attempt to control you even more when their ploys, methods and artful ways of controlling others have been exposed.

Lastly, if you are suffering physical harm in any way or are involved against your conscience in any activity, you have the freedom to call emergency personnel by dialing 911.

QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT YOUR CHURCH OR GROUP’S LEADERS

Are you in any way fearful of your leader(s)?
YES / NO

Does your church or group revolve around one main charismatic personality who is the final arbiter of “truth”?
YES / NO

Do your leaders make claims of being “Anointed,” having “Elijah’s Mantle,” having “Apostolic Authority,” etc?
YES / NO

Does the main leader, or the leaders in your church or group ALWAYS insist that they are right?
YES / NO

Are you allowed to freely ask questions about the background of your leader(s) and your group without being looked down upon or being considered ‘divisive’?
YES / NO

Would you be ‘rebuked’ by your leader(s) if you researched the background and history of the group and its leader(s)?
YES / NO

Are you allowed to freely discuss teachings, prophecies, or so-called new revelations that your groups leader(s) have stated in the past or present?
YES / NO

Are you allowed to ask your leader(s) questions regarding their background in ministry, education, teaching, policies, etc.?
YES / NO

Are your leaders above reproach (without blame) in morals, ethics, teaching and financial issues?
YES / NO

Do any of your leaders have a criminal record?
YES / NO

Would your leader(s) freely allow you to research their background in order to find out if they have any criminal record?
YES / NO

Has anyone in your group ever tried to persuade you to NOT research the personal background of the leaders?
YES / NO

When issues are brought up about abusive situations, do your leaders say, “You just need to have more faith!”, or “You are being disloyal to leadership!”?
YES / NO

Are leaders in your group very, very hard to contact or meet with?
YES / NO

Do your leaders avoid problematic issues? Or, when you discuss or address a real problem, do YOU then become targeted as THE problem, instead of the real issue that needs to be addressed?
YES / NO

Are your leaders aloof, unapproachable, unkind or harsh in any way to any of the people in your group?
YES / NO

Are your leaders amongst an “elite” class within your group?
YES / NO

Have your leaders ever told you or taught you that they are the only ones that can “rightly interpret” the Scriptures (Holy Bible)?
YES / NO

Do your leaders teach that your “church” or “movement” or “group” is the Only True Church?
YES / NO

QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT YOUR GROUP AND ITS TEACHINGS

Do you feel that your group twists and misapplies Bible verses?
YES / NO

Are you told what you will believe?
YES / NO

Are you guided through the Bible and at the same time NOT ALLOWED to study the Scriptures on your own, apart from your group’s own materials?
YES / NO

Do your leaders claim “New Revelations,” or special “Words from God?”
YES / NO

Do your leaders withhold or avoid providing you and your group with a written “Statement of Beliefs”, or, “Statement of Faith”?
YES / NO

Is it difficult to get a straight answer from the group’s leader(s) on the group’s teachings?
YES / NO

Is your group ‘secretive’ about any of its teachings, practices or meetings?
YES / NO

Does your group take ‘oaths’ or have you commit to unrealistic expectations?
YES / NO

Are your leaders ever “harsh” in tone with you or do you ever feel like an animal that is “driven hard”?
YES / NO

Have you been taught, told or commanded NOT to share any of your group’s teachings, doctrines or practices with any outsiders?
YES / NO

Does your group encourage you to read the Bible on your own, apart from the group’s own interpretation of what it is teaching?
YES / NO

Have you ever been instructed to cut all ties with the past, with relatives (spouse, children, in-laws, etc.) or with friends upon joining the group?
YES / NO

Do your leaders favorably quote and endorse known false teachers and false teachings in their own sermons, messages and teaching?
YES / NO

Are the leaders in your group or church comprised of “yes men” who simply follow, submit to, and carry out the whims and desires of one man?
YES / NO

QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT YOUR GROUP’S OR CHURCH’S POLICIES

Does your group have any policies (or lack thereof) that allow leaders to use threats, pressures to conform, bribes, verbal abuse, etc.?
YES / NO

Would you say that your church’s or group’s policy on ‘discipline’ is extreme? If so, why and how?
YES / NO

Is, or could, your group’s policy on ‘discipline’ be dangerous, illegal, or abusive in any way?
YES / NO

Does your group restrict you from “visiting” other churches?
YES / NO

If you visit another church for a wedding, baptism, funeral or baby dedication would you get in trouble?
YES NO

If you were to ask valid, enquiring questions about your group’s policies, would this create relationship problems with the leaders?
YES / NO

Does your group have any policies that you would consider harmful to children, the family unit, or society in general?
YES / NO

Does your group employ “out-loud shaming” of individuals and/or families?
YES / NO

QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT YOUR GROUP’S LITERATURE AND MULTI-MEDIA

Do you rely completely, without question, on the literature and information that your group gives you for your spiritual growth?
YES / NO

Will you be disciplined if you ever, at any time, listen to, read or view literature and multi-media materials that are not from your group, church or organization? Materials could include such things as books, journals, tracts, magazines, newsletters, CD’s, DVD’s, audio cassettes, videos, websites, etc.?
YES / NO

Are you only allowed to use study aids, books, etc. that are from your group or organization?
YES / NO

Do your leaders ever communicate to you that only your organizations materials or “of God” -
YES / NO

Have your leaders ever told you that all bible study materials outside of your group considered worldly, bad, apostate, ‘of the devil’, or evil?
YES / NO

If you are caught reading religious materials or assessments about your group, that are not published by your group, your group’s governing body or your organization’s headquarters, will you be disciplined?
YES / NO

Do your leaders speak down, mock, or show consistent disdain against Christian churches and Christian, counter-cult research ministries?
YES / NO

If you were to visit your leaders and confront them regarding false prophecies they have made, or false teachings they have taught, do you think they would be angry, upset or frustrated that you came to show them their error?
YES / NO

Would you say that your leaders display lack of sorrow, lack of apology, and unrepentance when they are confronted with real sin or abuse issues?
YES / NO

QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT MORALS, HEALTH AND CONSCIENCE

Are you dependent upon the “approval” of your leaders for what you do (i.e. what you eat, what you wear, where you go, what you say, who you spend time with, who you marry, the music you listen to, etc.)?
YES / NO

Do you feel as though your life (or ministry) is being ‘micromanaged’ by others?
YES / NO

Do your leaders add unnecessary pressure to your decision making?
YES / NO

Are your leaders cruel, vindictive or overbearing?
YES / NO

Do any of your leaders justify sexual immorality by telling you something like, “God told me it is OK!”

Have you ever been instructed, led, or forced to partake in any type of sexual activity with any of your group’s leaders?
YES / NO

Are you or have you ever been commanded, forced, coerced, extorted, or manipulated into financial giving, tithing, sowing your seed-faith offering, etc.?
YES / NO

Are you being physically injured in any way (molested, raped, abused, whipped, beaten, tied up, slapped, heavy handed ‘intimacy’, etc.)?
YES / NO

Does your church, group or organization employ sleep deprivation, deprive people of a balanced diet, or utilize dehydration as a means to being more ‘spiritual’)?
YES / NO

Have you been forced, manipulated, coerced or pressured into making any moral and ethical choices against your own will and conscience? If so, what? If so, by whom?
YES / NO

If you address a valid issue or concern regarding problems in leadership that are clearly unbiblical, do your leaders backpedal, blameshift, or insist that they are right and you are wrong?
YES / NO

When confronting a leaders(s) with a valid issue or concern, do they turn the whole thing around to the point where now YOU have become the problem, not the issue that needs to be dealt with?
YES / NO

Do your leaders or ministry helpers ever lie to you?
YES / NO

QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT MAKING PERSONAL CHOICES

Do you feel that you are manipulated against your own desires when making personal choices about diet, clothing, time commitments, service, tithing, friendships, dating, spouses, purchases?
YES / NO

Are choices ever made by your leaders that go against and burden your own conscience?
YES / NO

Do authority figures within your group ever demand answers from you or use threats to get their way?
YES / NO

Do your leaders or the ‘group dynamic’ in your group make you feel as though you cannot come and go as you please (i.e. you feel as though your expected to be at all or most of the meetings)?
YES / NO

If you are experiencing abuse in any way, are you scared, afraid or nervous about leaving your group, church or organization?
YES / NO

Do your leaders, or the group itself, make choices to involve you in things that you don’t like or would prefer not to be a part of?
YES / NO

Are you pressured or manipulated into making decisions – any decisions at all – regarding anything?
YES / NO

Do you feel guilty or dirty after making decisions because… “That is just what our group does.”
YES / NO

Do others in your group make any decisions for you? If so, what are they?
YES / NO

Is pressure put upon you, in any way, to avoid ‘other outside information’ about your group?
YES / NO

Are you fearful that if you make ‘a wrong choice’ your leaders will punish you?
YES / NO

Have you ever been punished or abused in any of the following ways: Physically abused, out-loud verbal shaming in front of others, given the non-verbal silent treatment, coded non-verbal abuse (the look), financially mistreated or extorted and, as a result, suffered financial repercussions, sexually abused in any way, emotionally manipulated, purposefully betrayed, sexual inuendos, etc?
YES / NO

Are there spoken or unspoken “dress code rules” in your group, that if broken, will lead to “discipline”?
YES / NO

If you are a woman, are you taught or commanded that you must wear long skirts, have long hair, avoid all make-up, and wear a head covering in order to please God?
YES / NO

Will your leaders or the group you belong to chastise you or refer to you as “carnal,” “less spiritual,” “unsubmissive,” or “in rebellion” if you do not wear long skirts, have long hair, wear a head covering and avoid all make-up?
YES / NO

QUESTIONS ABOUT REGISTERED SEX-OFFENDERS BEING ALLOWED AROUND CHILDREN

Does your church, group, or organization allow registered sex offenders to be involved in children’s or youth ministry?
YES / NO

Do your leaders break the law by allowing registered sex offenders to be anywhere in the vicinity of children?
YES / NO

If it is known by your leaders that a registered sex offender is attempting to visit (or is consistently attending) your group or church service, and is in the vicinity of children, do your leaders kindly remove the registered sex offender(s) from the premises in order to protect the children (and the offender from breaking probation)?
YES / NO

QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT FINANCES

Are you allowed to enquire and ask valid questions as to how money is handled, where money is spent, and who is accountable with your church or group finances?
YES / NO

Is your group secretive about where its funds go?
YES / NO

If you were to enquire about “Who counts and handles the money?”, would your leader(s) show contempt towards you or look down on you with suspicion?
YES / NO

If your group is a church and/or holding services, and monies are received, does just one person or one married couple count and handle all the finances?
YES / NO

Have you ever been told by your leader(s) that no financial board is needed?
YES / NO

If your group is a church and/or holding services, and monies are received, do the leaders AVOID filing annual tax documents with the Internal Revenue Service and Franchise Tax Board?
YES / NO

When money is received through offerings, collected through offering boxes, etc., do you see that there is a lack of accountability with counting, processing and depositing funds?
YES / NO

If you have ever enquired about the financial accountability procedures in your church, group or organization, have your leaders been defensive?
YES / NO

A FEW MORE QUESTIONS

Is there a high turnover rate of people coming and then leaving your church or group?
YES / NO

Do you often hear stories of strife, bitterness, and controversies within your group or its leadership?
YES / NO

Does your group consistently condemn people and churches outside your group as being “of the devil,” “Satanic,” “servants of Satan,” “worldly”, etc.?
YES / NO

Does your church have the “We Are The Only True Church” mentality?
YES / NO

Do you experience cruelty or abusive attitudes from leaders in your church or group?
YES / NO

Are the leading men in your church, group or organization too busy to spend time with their own families?
YES / NO

Is your group engaging in any of the following forms of mystical, New Age, occult, or consciousness altering methodology: chanting, mysticism, contemplative “centering” prayer, yoga, meditation, uncontrollable laughter, “babbling in tongues”, consciousness altering practices, visualization, guided imagery, reiki, therapeutic touch, transferable anointing, shaking, jerking, heat in hands, electrical jolts, shocks and currents through the body, carpet time, “Holy Laughter,” group hysteria, spontaneous yoga poses, etc.?
YES / NO

Just one last thing. If you are in tears right now, filled with grief, sorrow and pain, please know this: There is freedom ahead and there is a God in heaven who desires to break the chains of abuse, pain, and the hardship you have been through. He sees your silent tears, He understands your grief, and He is willing and available to comfort your pain and distress.

Sources: 

The Collection of Posts about Understanding Cognitive Dissonance from the Under Much Grace Blog

ALSO FROM:

INDEX OF POSTS DEFINING SPIRITUAL ABUSE

 

RELATED:

How Can I Tell If My Church is ABUSIVE?

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Tri-Faith Project: Multi-Million Dollar Interfaith Complex in America’s Heartland

 

Tri-Faith Project to construct multi-million dollar interfaith complex in America’s heartland

 

The Arab American News

by Nick Meyer

 

OMAHA, NE — The similarities between the three Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam are well known to those who study each religion, but many people practicing these faiths are not quite as aware.
The $35-million complex will include a temple, church and mosque and a large center connecting the three groups.

A new project that its creators call the first development of its kind in the world hopes to shed light on those similarities with the building of the new Tri-Faith Project, a large privately-funded development in Omaha on a former country club and golf course that spans 35 acres and will comprise three sites: Temple Israel, the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska (including a church) and the American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture (which includes a mosque), as well as the large central Tri-Faith Center connecting the three religious centers for common events and meetings.

The main building will use a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) structure and will house an auditorium and briefing room for conferences, lectures, symposiums and film screenings, coffee shops and gathering spaces, kitchen and dining facilities, space for traveling exhibits and more.  Included on the site will be educational and social facilities to be used by all of the religious groups sharing the campus.
The founders of the Tri-Faith Project have been searching five years for the spot and are excited to bring the project to life; it will be a nearly $50 million project altogether for the four buildings.
The memorandum of understanding was signed in 2006 between the three groups to create the facilities while fundraising has continued. The hope is that the facility will open in the fall of 2013, although work on individual buildings could continue for another year or two.
“Our vision is to build bridges of respect, acceptance and trust, to challenge stereotypes, to learn from each other and to counter the influence of fear and misunderstanding,” the project posted on its website as its mission statement.
Spokesman Vic Gutman said the cooperation between the three faith groups has been extraordinary.
“It’s unique to the world where the representatives of the three Abrahamic faiths have intentionally built places of worship next to each other in one neighborhood,” he said.
“Our hope is that this experience will not only help the members of the congregations learn from each other but that people throughout the world will learn from our experience as well.”
The idea first came together when members of the temple decided to build a new building and the planners thought it would be a good idea to choose their neighbors, especially for sharing parking during holidays, which includes large crowds.
From there, the idea of collaboration grew and the idea came about through dialogue with the other organizations. Officials from the temple reached out to their counterparts at the Islamic center, which they had a longstanding relationship with already. The Episcopalian group soon joined and the project was officially born. Currently, the Jewish community has the most members in the area, but all three faiths will stand together as partners in the landmark project.
John Lehr, president of Temple Israel spoke about the initiative.
 ”How serendipitous it is that on the very ground where Omaha’s Jews once congregated at the only Country Club that would have us, we are now poised to congregate again, but this time, in a peaceful and beautiful multi-faith neighborhood, linked together by bridges of dialogue and mutual understanding.”
 Dr. Syed M. Mohiuddin, president of the Islamic center, is also excited about the project.
“In a time when the world is engaged in building walls, this is a celebration of building bridges,” he said.  ”As the Holy Qur’an reminds us of the common bond among us: ‘We believe in what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to you (Jews and Christians).  Our God and your God is one and the same: and it is to him we submit.”
Tim Anderson, Canon for Episcopal Tri-Faith Ministries, is also looking forward to the completion of the project.
“In our baptismal covenant in the Episcopal Church we make the following promises: to seek and serve Christ in all persons; to love our neighbors as ourselves; to strive for justice and peace among all people; and to respect the dignity of every human being.  We will now have a unique opportunity to live out those promises with our new Jewish and Muslim neighbors.”

 

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The Purity Movement – Life in a Jar (via The Commandments of Men)

By Lewis Wells

Commandments of Men

 

I’ve compared P/QF to the People’s Temple on several occasions. While the longterm goals differ a bit (a Christian theocracy for P/QF, with its leaders as profiteers – A socialist utopia in Jonestown, with Jim Jones living in absolute power), many elements of the characteristics of a destructive cult are found in both. Another, perhaps even better, comparison is to the FLDS. It’s really sickening. It destroys people – from the inside out.

(Here’s a big CLA for the rest of this post. I’m pretty emotionally “impure” after having watched the clips below.)

From the time you’re born into a P/QF family, or from the time vulnerable, naive parents choose to begin following P/QF teachings and all its assorted little uglies – Christian homeschooling, purity, courtship, et cetera – you’re planted in a jar. I once wrote the following…

“when you plant a seed in a jar, you sentence the plant that will result to a best case scenario of growing into the shape of the jar – but NEVER exceeding it. No matter how much the sprigs and shoots want to spread out and reach toward the sun that shines on them and gives them life, the jar forms a barrier that prevents it. More often than not, in the P/QF paradigm, the parents, particularly the father, play the role of the jar. Sadly, I think the reason that young women leaving the P/QF lifestyle encounter so much grief, resistance, and totally unnecessary and abusive drama is a simple one: For them to ever live in freedom, the jar has to be shattered. Few P/QF parents volunteer for as much. Exit is NEVER simple. NEVER easy. The jar has to shatter.”

I still believe every word of that. More now than ever. The P/QF paradigm determines your life for you, makes your choices for you, tells you what you think, tells you what you believe. You’re a resource in “God’s greater plan and providence”. You’re only as valuable as your “purity” – sexual and emotional. Everything about your life in P/QF will tell you this. I want to tell you that’s bullshit.

A friend recently sent me a link to a documentary about the purity movement. I’m gonna write a bit about it here. I almost have to. I watched some of it earlier today. There are 4 segments, and all I could handle was 3. I’m still furious from it, my stomach still literally in a knot. So much emotional ignorance, religious pride, complete stupidity. So many things which remind me of the idiocy (and accompanying idiots) I experienced.

Here’s Part 1…

 

 

The woman who begins speaking at 00:20 (Khrystian Wilson – daughter of Randy) quite obviously has no idea what purity really is. To her, purity is about works, about the things she does. She doesn’t appear to have a clue that she can do ALL of the things which she thinks keep her “pure”, including “giving her heart” to daddy dearest, and her real heart, her inner being, can still be putrid and corrupt. She finds her value in the external element of sexual purity and the superficial element of emotional purity. She’s most likely been brainwashed with this poison her entire life.

The woman who speaks at 1:22 (Jessica) mentions something I’ve written about here, how these girls are sooo far behind mentally and emotionally, something I noticed in my ex and her siblings long before I even knew what any of this crap was. I don’t mean slightly behind. I’m talking about 13 year olds masquerading around in the bodies of 20somethings, or elementary aged minds and thinking (or lack thereof) in teenagers.

The guy who starts speaking at 1:50 (Ken Lane), aside from just coming across really creepy, he’s reinforcing the milieu and indoctrination right there in the interview, even through his looks of affirmation given to his daughter as his states his key points. He’s been brainwashed so deeply, and has bought into the propaganda so heavily, that he’s completely numb to his own brainwashing tactics, freely engaging in them right in front of the camera. He isn’t being brash. He’s just that ignorant. “Why not shoot for the fairy-tale?” Ummm, maybe because life isn’t a fairy-tale?…and because there’s a reason that fairy-tales are a part of children’s books and stories? Then again, when the day comes that he presents his daughter to her groom, he’ll be presenting a child (regardless of her age), so maybe he’s on to something.

And the whole ritualistic bunch of bull butter they’re doing at this “purity ball”? Bringing in that cross is almost like spitting on Jesus. It’s a mask. A smokescreen. Nobody at that purity ball gives a crap about Jesus. Daddy is being worshiped. Period. Little girls dressed up like fairies dancing around a cross, while the true object of their worship is daddy. It isn’t the girls’ fault. It’s still sickening. It’s like the dance of a geisha in training.

Randy Wilson, the guy responsible for this particular incest ba, err, I mean purity ball, comes across as being utterly rife with spiritual pride throughout the 3 segments I’ve watched. A “and they will know you by your Christianity” kinda guy. I’d dare say that if anyone is actually growing at his church, whether personally or spiritually, it’s probably in spite of him. His wife Lisa, who first speaks at 2:44, is completely creating her description of the purity ball event as she goes. She doesn’t want to use the “wrong” words, so she searches, speaking not so much from conviction as she does from initial creation. I almost feel like the event is, to her, nothing more than her chance to “play dress-up” with her daughters. It’s especially disturbing when she says that she wants “romance” at a purity ball as an appeal to the sensibilities of these young girls. When the men involved are their freakin’ fathers, that’s just sick.

At around 4:00, Randy Wilson does what is obviously the Lord’s work in letting women know how insecure they are inherently. And, by God, he knows how to fix it. It’ll take a man.

Khrystian Wilson speaks again at around 4:40, and once again about issues she really has no valid frame of reference to talk about. She’s just parroting. She’s obviously not aware of that, being totally brainwashed, having been given digestible increments of the Kool-aid for probably her whole life, but she’s still just serving as a mouthpiece for the opinions and ideas of other people – namely dear old dad. I know it all too well. She’s a 13 year old in a 20 year old body, who knows nothing about nothing about life, but has put her faith entirely in the P/QF paradigm she’s been taught. God is irrelevant and unnecessary.

Randy gets disgustingly creepy again at about 5:40 – completely oblivious to the psychology of a child (a 5 or 6 year old has no idea what “marriage” is – of course they’ll answer “daddy”, being mommy’s “married” to him – it’s their only frame of reference at that age).

I think Kevin Moore probably means well, but he’s just gulped down the Kool-aid and gotten in over his head, probably like most of the men who take their daughters to incest ba, err, purity balls. His daughter, Rachel, who speaks at around 6:40, is another parrot who has no real idea what she’s talking about. For instance, her example of someone who’s been through three dating break-ups in a months time, and the emotional turmoil that results from it – I mean, seriously, seriously, just how much emotion could be involved in that kinda rapid fire scenario? It gives you a look at just what a dishonest and inaccurate portrayal of dating (and emotion) that these girls are brainwashed with. Purposeful dishonesty, too, which makes it sickening. Brainwashing works. By Kool-aid D-Day, the people at Jonestown literally believed that the people of America wanted to kill them, including their babies and seniors. Again, brainwashing works. Make whatever you need to be seen as the enemy into something so terrible, so evil, such a threat, through repetition and propaganda, and vulnerable, naive minds will buy what you’re selling.

I hate to tell Mr. Moore that the 70s absolutely weren’t milder than today. At least not sexually. Good Lord. Please join the rest of us in reality.

His daughter Claire speaks at about 8:35. One of the ways she describes “purity” is to “keep my heart pure before God”. SMH. She’s talking about emotion, for those who don’t see the problem with what she said. How fitting that at 9:00 she totally whiffs on the 10 commandments thing (which the interviewer calls her on), and her sister, who she turns to for help, pulls some propaganda right out of her brainwashed rear-end to rationalize the mistake away. I feel sorry for these girls. It’s pathetic.

When Hannah (daughter of Ken Lane) starts speaking at 11:10, wow, the whole thing reminds me soooooooooo much of my ex – at least as she was after she disappeared right before our wedding ceremony, was reindoctrinated for several weeks, and only allowed to speak to me thereafter with a moniter on the line with her (usually her father), quite obviously relying on him for answers to questions she couldn’t handle – just like the child she was raised to be. Hannah has been raised to be totally reliant on her father. It’s sad. I pity her. She’ll become an “adult” having never made a decision of substance, and completely unequipped to do so. If her father ever allows her to marry, her husband will become her new idol. She’ll never, ever grow beyond exactly who and what she is right now at 11 years old unless the jar is shattered.  Her words are daddy’s words. Period.

At 13:45, Hannah’s mother and Ken’s wife, Libby, proves that Hannah has to deal with dumbass on both sides of the family. Nothing but P/QF cult-speak. If it’s so terrible to “give pieces of your heart away”, and Libby’s past is so checkered with the abominable sin of pieces of her heart having been given here, there, and yonder, how is she even fit to be a mother? While her mother is telling us all about her past in cult-speak, it’s pretty clear that Hannah’s heard this little propaganda spiel many times. She could probably recite it better than her mother.

Here’s Part 2…

 

 

 

How perfect that this segment begins with Khrystian Wilson singing a song (which I’m guessing she may have written) about a girl whose “heart’s beaten up cause her father’s not there”. That’s almost as painfully cheesy as the Leif Garrett episode of “Behind The Music”.

Her sister Amanda (who’s quite obviously emotionally immature) then speaks about having “no regrets” for following the courtship/purity model in marrying a man she barely knew. It’s a good thing. Regrets would probably earn her one free estrangement from her family. I mean, failure is NOT an option in a mind control dynamic.

Jessica speaks again at around 3:00. She still hasn’t come to terms with the fact that the quality of her parents, as people, was largely a facade. Religion (particularly P/QF) was and is their heart, as you’ll see later in Part 3. As she tells her story, it becomes obvious that her parents made rules and religious culture their focus in parenting (as most P/QF parents do), eschewing the idea of self-control, and unable to impart life skills or information that were anything more than isolationist religious drivel. Her life paid the price. Jessica doesn’t understand that her mother in fact never trusted her. Never. If she had, she’d have taught her about life. What her mother most likely holds against her is the stygma that she now thinks she carries – having a sinful, “worldly” daughter. Naturally, no one wants to think the worst of their parents, but P/QF is a hopelessly selfish system that breeds sociopathy. Everything you thought your parents incapable of, P/QF makes them capable…as many of you reading this know first hand.

David Diefenderfer strikes me as a man, nearing the end of his life, content to allow a paradigm (which makes promises, albeit empty ones, toward the opposite of all of the things he’s lived – therein its appeal) raise his daughters after his death. His daughters are just products of its brainwashing and propaganda, although not quite to the poisonous degree of most of the other young girls in the video.

Part 3…

 

 

Early in this segment, we meet Colton Wilson, fittingly wearing a Patrick Henry College sweatshirt (Christian homeschooling movement! Yay!). As he’s asked how he feels while watching his sisters prepare for the incest ba, err, purity ball, he starts talking about how “lovely” they are, and the look on his face at 00:32 of the video is more than a little creepy, almost like there’s a part of him that could cut glass at the moment (if you know what I mean). It’s just all creepy and has a vibe of incest, whether the vibe has a basis or not. This stuff just isn’t healthy or normal. It’s also disturbing how he allows his mother to define who he is emotionally and sexually. I couldn’t help but notice that as he says “That’s my plan” in reference to saving his first kiss for his wedding day, he looks in his mother’s direction.

At around 2:20, we go back to Jessica’s story. We see that the “love” of Jessica’s parents only genuinely goes as far as Jessica’s willingness to drink the Kool-aid. They aren’t just bad parents. They’re bad people, driven by their out of control religious addictions. They have NO concern for the well-being, or lives in general, of anyone SHE cares about. All they care about is her doing what they want, and they would willingly and purposefully destroy innocent people to make that happen if they could. They’re religious sociopaths. I should know. I’ve seen the same thing up close and personal. So have a lot of you.

Around 5:00, it gets religiously sickening. The Blessing. One big ole flip of the bird and an eff you to their Eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ. It’s disgusting, from the physical positioning (making the children approach him on their knees) to the seeming desire to go back to the old covenant suggested through the action undertaken. Disgusting. And Lisa Wilson’s speech at around 8:10, a large part of me feels it would’ve never happened if not for cameras being there.

Kevin Moore mentions his father having an addiction. His was gambling. Kevin has one, too. Religion.

The arrogance and pride that rolls off of Randy Wilson at around 10:00 is almost physically tangible. He doesn’t seem to realize that being “controlling and patriarchal” IS a negative. He then demonstrates his disconnect from reality with his statement about his daughters’ freedoms and liberties. Total whackadoodle. “I’m not about controlling. I see it more as ‘launching’.” SMH. Ok then. Asshat. Lisa Wilson then tries to rationalize away the controlling. It isn’t about dignity, standards, or anything of the sort, Lisa. If you’d look past your own propaganda for even 5 seconds, you’d see exactly what it’s all about: Taking Dominion. If you don’t hold up your end and produce little SuperChristian dominionists, the multi-level marketing scheme which is P/QF crumbles. End of story. Just tell the truth for once.

I don’t even want to get into the Purity Covenant, and the way it bows up and takes a crap all over Matthew 5.

I’m not sure I’ll even watch the last segment. It’s nearly 2AM here, and this has me so stirred up that sleep isn’t really in view right now. I watch this and I see blatant emotional incest, and see these idiot patriarse fathers eventually offering prospective grooms the emotional equivalent of what would be, in crude sexual terms, sloppy seconds. If you’re emotionally incestuous with your father, how exactly are you “emotionally pure”? The response to that of any healthy man would be “Yuck!” It’s as if the only way these girls will ever be “fit” for marriage is to be emotionally unhealthy. This is aside from the perpetual immaturity.

So many bad memories, the dots of which connected easily when watching this. Back when I was in the midst of my deal, I really had NO idea just how big the monster behind my ex’s dysfunction actually was. I’d have still loved her and still fought for her, but Lord help me at the futility of it.

To you ladies (and guys, too) who’ve been in this, gotten out of it, and started toward healthy, productive lives…I can’t really put into words just how much I admire and respect you. You’re amazing. All of you.

To those of you still in it, please read here.

 

Related Articles:

Part 4:

 

 

Daughters Shaving Daddies – I Wish I Were Making This Up

 

The Patriarchal/Authoritarian Dictionary

 

Related Helps Page from Under Much Grace

 

As I’ve discussed before on Under Much Grace Blog, these teachings concerning fathers and daughters not only insert a human intercessor into a woman’s relationship with God, but they also correspond to what is hopefully non-sexual but gender related “incest” or the inappropriate using of daughters by the father to meet their own emotional, psychological, spiritual or physical needs. There is however, a widespread usury of children and family inherent in the teachings of the patriocentrics in general, so I have listed resources that address the general problem of family dysfunction here as well.

 

I also stress the importance of the list of resources in the preceding blog post entitled “The Journey Out of Shame.” Kathryn Chamberlin’s “From Shame to Glory” and/or the Christian, Minirth-Meier publication, “Love is a Choice” remain essential resources for anyone seeking to heal from or understand the roots of these inappropriate relationships within families.

Covert or Emotional Incest:

(Non-sexual but gender related inappropriate usury of family members to meet unmet needs or to medicate shame)

 

 

Sexual Abuse

 

Family Dysfunction and Healthy Parenting

 

 

 

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