Hi Steve,

While I welcome differing opinions, I'm not sure why you shared the Scripture that you did. 

Was it because this article didn't give you the happy sentiments and feelings of being "right" that your itching ears wanted?

Sorry...Maybe my sense of humor isn't translating here in text... Here's why I raise that issue:

You can say that you disagree, but quoting a Scripture verse that authorizes Christians to rebuke is not validation for a rebuke. Please share something of substance to back up your view.

I could rattle off a list of foolish, harshly-toned, sarcastic comments from Christians online who horribly misrepresented Jesus on the Chick-fil-a matter (but I'm avoiding it if at all possible because I don't want them to receive any more attention). While I agree that most American Christians handled this issue well, the unfortunate reality is that the loudest and most obnoxious voices tend to be the ones that are heard by the masses.  Maybe your friends are all handling the issue with class and tact, but I've seen too much of the other side. 

The reason I shared this article was not because I'm against the Christians. I shared it because some Christians are out there ruining things for the rest of us by insulting their opponents. It's one thing to stand up for morality, but it's another thing to do so with a self-righteous attitude. That's what I'm against.

Those Christians need to be rebuked. 

Thanks for sharing the Scripture passage that authorizes my rebuke :-)

This article wasn't an invitation to recede. It was an invitation to be smart about our mission. If you re-read the closing paragraph, you'll see that the author agrees with Mr. Cathy. Dorsey's beef wasn't with the stance on morality. His beef was with the monster that this debate has become.

I too have noticed that rather than the world being met with a loving, grace-filled dialogue about God's standards and redemption, they have been met with sarcastic Facebook comments/pictures and a barrage of pseudo-spiritual political jargon.

By the way, I agree that we cannot separate our faith from our politics--to do so would be irresponsible. The problem is that we tend to mix politics and religiosity while failing to represent Jesus. That's not a blending of faith and politics; it's sin. And I would consider it equally as immoral as homosexuality.

You're right... God is not the only spiritual being out there. However, He is the only one with true power. All other spiritual powers are inferior. I've seen witchdoctors and shamans rendered powerless because the name of Jesus was invoked to command their spirits to leave. In fact, right now, in Jesus' name, I command the lying spirits behind your so-called "spirituality" to leave and never return.

If you'd like to know what to do next, let me know.

God bless you!
--Art

Thanks for the encouragement, Nolan!

Point 5 is about identifying the wisdom of God. God is perfect. If an idea does not perfectly meet the criteria, then it is likely human wisdom, which always falls short. I would ask the Lord what needs to change about your idea in order to fulfill that missing piece.

Hi Elaine,

I'll certainly pray for you! Put your hand wherever the problem is as you read...be healed in Jesus' name. If it's something you can test out, see if there's any change, and let me know what's happening. If its something that requires medical confirmation, have it checked out. Jesus paid the price for all of it! Be blessed!

Hi Dezi,

Great question! I decided to devote an entire article to answering it, which you can read at http://supernaturaltruth.blogspot.com/2012/05/is-...

Thanks for your question!
--Art

--CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS COMMENT--

"The righteous hate what is false" (Prov. 13:5)

Yes. The righteous hate what is false. But hating false things does not make you righteous.

Many "discernment ministries" seem to hate falsehood for the sole purpose of making themselves look and feel more true. That's an improper use of discernment, and it's full of pride. It is viciously anti-Christ because the example of Jesus is to humble Himself to serve sinners. Jesus didn't attack people who had questionable spiritual ministries; He stood up for them (Luke 9:49-50). The only people Jesus rebuked were the ones who were opposing the supernatural work and love of God--those who looked at others with self-righteousness and claimed that Jesus was doing the work of the devil (which, by the way, seems to be what you're accusing me of).

Finally, you said, "I pray you seek the truth more and supernatural experiences less. This is what honors God. Remember, Adam and Eve were deceived by the serpent by tempting them with supernatural power."

I agree that we should always seek the truth more, but I adamantly disagree that we should seek supernatural experiences less. That's unbiblical since Paul said to "eagerly desire spiritual gifts." The Greek for "eagerly desire" literally means to crave or even lust after. We must have both. "Faith without works is dead." You can't desire either at the expense of the other. We must be passionate about both.

Furthermore, Adam and Eve were not tempted by supernatural power (unless you can show me a Scripture that proves it); they already had dominion over all creation. Adam and Eve--who were created in innocence--were tempted with the possibility of gaining knowledge of both good and evil.

Unlike the "discernment ministries," I have no interest in knowing and understanding evil. (If anyone seems to be traveling down that rabbit hole, it's them.) I want to feast on the Tree of Life, which is Jesus. I want to know HIM and the power of His resurrection. And I want to spread this good news in whatever way I possibly can.

While I have defended Kevin Dedmon in this response and in this article, I am careful not to endorse him because he's just a man. He could fall at any moment (as could you or I), and that would only give people ammunition to attack me. I try to be careful not to endorse men who I don't personally know.

However, based on my experience with positive fruit for the Kingdom, I will endorse Treasure Hunt Evangelism as a useful tool in the belt of any Christian. Nobody has to do it, but that doesn't mean that we should discourage others from it.

God bless,
--Art

--CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS COMMENT--

"Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings." (Hebrews 13:9)

This is the first half of a verse, used out of context. In context, the writer of Hebrews defines "strange teachings" as those teaching that require others to live according to ceremonies rather than by grace. The Greek word for "strange" here literally means "alien" or "foreign." In other words, any teaching that enters the Church and contradicts what Jesus and His apostles have taught is alien, foreign, and "strange." Treasure Hunt Evangelism does not contradict Jesus, and it certainly has nothing to do with forcing people to follow the Law.

The way you are using this verse is implying that "strange teachings" are any teaching that seems strange to the hearer. If that's the definition, then many of Jesus' own teachings would be considered strange--like eating flesh, drinking blood, and being born again. Our own opinion about a teaching is not what makes it strange. "Strange teachings" are those which seek to pollute the Gospel of grace with manmade rules and regulations.

Be careful about using Scriptures out of context. That too is the work of Satan (just like when he tempted Jesus), and I would argue that it is dangerously close to the category of "strange teachings." Also, be careful what you judge in others (See Romans 2:1).

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15)

To correctly handle the word of truth is definitely important. I could be wrong, but it appears that your definition of "correctly handling" that word is to use that word to stop others from doing things you're not comfortable with. I would say that "correctly handling" can only be understood in the context of this verse: it makes you "a workman who does not need to be ashamed."

Why would a workman be ashamed? Because His role was to be a workman, and he did no meaningful work. I'll keep working at spreading the Gospel via whatever effective methods I can find, and you keep working at stopping me by taking scriptures out of context. When we both get to heaven, we can compare notes.

"I hate and abhor falsehood
but I love your law." (Psalm 119:163)

I too hate and abhor falsehood; but the only law I love is the law of the Spirit of Life, which has set me free from the law of sin and death.

You're starting with the assumption that Treasure Hunt Evangelism is falsehood and should be hated. I'm willing to examine whether or not that's true, but this Scripture is not an argument for one side or the other. John said to "test the spirits"--he didn't say to form opinions about the spirits and then accuse others based on your opinion. Lets' examine the Scriptures, examine the fruit, and discern good from evil.

--CONTINUED IN NEXT COMMENT--

--CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS COMMENT--

"What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus." (2 Tim. 1:13)

What would Timothy have heard from Paul? What kinds of things did Paul practice and teach? Sound doctrine is probably at the top of the list. He also didn't pull any punches when addressing sin and immorality. But these weren't the only things that Timothy would have heard from Paul. Paul worked mighty miracles (Acts 19:11-12). He valued demonstrations of spiritual power more than wise and persuasive words (1 Cor. 2:4). He referenced a third-heaven encounter (2 Cor. 12:1-4). Even his own conversion, which he shared three whole times in the book of Acts, was based purely on a subjective spiritual experience with a vision of Jesus!

These spiritual experiences and supernatural encounters were not absent from the teachings and lifestyle of Paul. So I would have to say that this is the definition of "sound teaching" as Paul used it in this passage. This tells me that any teaching absent of such experiences is NOT sound. The same way I wouldn't trust a surgeon who has no experience, I don't trust Bible teachers who lack experience.

No personal experience can trump the Word of God, but never have I suggested such a thing (and to my knowledge, neither has Dedmon). Rather, experience helps us understand what the Word of God actually means. I have tested the methods of Treasure Hunt Evangelism, and my experience is that people encounter the true and living God. Reading the critiques of others (positive or negative) is not experience. Have you had experience with Treasure Hunts? If not, then on what are you basing your opinion?

"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine." (Titus 2:1)

This goes with my earlier statements. In the matter of Treasure Hunt Evangelism, let's examine whether or not it is "in accord with sound doctrine." Does God speak to man? Yes. Can God speak to man right when we ask Him to? Yes. Does God sometimes speak in mysteries, riddles, and clues? Yes. Are spiritual gifts for today's Church? Yes. Is evangelism an appropriate use of spiritual gifts? Yes. Is there anything in the Bible condemning the act of asking God to lead you to someone so you can pray for them and share the Gospel? No.

As far as I can tell, it's perfectly "in accord with sound doctrine." This doesn't mean that Treasure Hunt Evangelism is itself a doctrine to be followed--and no one would suggest that anyway. Neither would we say that handing out Gospel tracts is a doctrine to follow. But these are indeed "in accordance" with sound doctrine. In other words, they do not conflict with sound doctrine. Thus I have no problem with teaching such a thing.

(By the way, if you disagree with the premise of the "sound doctrines" I listed above, then we need to deal with a different issue. I'd be happy to discuss whether or not each point is indeed a sound doctrine. Let me know.)

"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." (1 Cor. 13:6)

I'm not sure why you used this scripture. Are you accusing me of delighting in evil? Again, what is evil about asking God to lead you to someone to share the Gospel? As Jesus said, "a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand." I most definitely rejoice with the truth.

Interestingly enough, the so-called "discernment ministries" tend to get really excited about the faults of others. They prey on the sinful mistakes of others and point such things out as a means of propping up their own ministries. If you ask me, THAT is "delighting in evil."

--CONTINUED IN NEXT COMMENT--