Glenn Beck, while challenging certain White House staff members to prove he was reporting wrong information, placed a red phone on the set of his show on the FOX News Channel. He sent the dedicated phone number to the White House by certified mail to make sure they received it and then practically begged someone, anyone, to call him -- but they never did. The obvious intention of the stunt was to demonstrate that the White House wanted to portray Beck’s show and Fox News as an unreliable news source without having to give any specific reasons why.
While that was playing out on the national scene, a similar but smaller scale situation was brewing over some of my recent blog posts. Back in summer I began applying some literary pressure on the unscriptural doctrine of New Testament tithing. Knowing it would most likely draw the attention of a few misguided heresy hunters, I set out to hit the issue head on. What I wasn’t prepared for was the anomalous response I received from those in my own camp. Several blogs and just a few short months later I found myself outside the camp entirely (removed as friends on face-book and everything.) Strange? Yes! But for those of you out there worried about me, don’t be. I’ve never been better! Nor do I carry any resentment toward any of my brothers and sisters in Christ.
However, like Beck, I too would have loved for anyone to speak up and declare why they disagreed with what I wrote in my articles -- but nothing. No one took the time to show me the error of my ways or attempt to save me from the “road to destruction.” In fact, one flat out said he wouldn’t debate the issue with me. One of those, “You’re wrong, but don’t ask me to show you in the scriptures why. Just believe me because I’ve been in ministry a lot longer than you have,” things. Just as easily as dialing the number to Beck’s red phone, they could have written a comment, emailed, or even called me.
I have to say, I’ve learned an important lesson in all this. Some people are so set in their way of thinking they really don’t want to be confused with scripture. And the truth is only there for those who want to see it. Everyone else, well, they may disagree, but just can’t get themselves to say why.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
A very wise piece of advice I received early in ministry and keeps me knowing I’m doing what is right was, “When you preach, preach FOR something and not AGAINST something.” There will always be accusers and nay-sayers and they want to run you off-track, run you out of town, run you crazy! Stay on the right track by preaching the GOOD-NEWS, not against the wrong-news and let the Holy-Spirit convict people’s hearts and lead them into all truth.