Jeff Sandberg, writer, speaker, musician
Tuesday, June 05, 2018
Monday, June 04, 2018
OPEN LETTER TALK SHOW HOSTS OF ALL STRIPES
Dear Talk Show Hosts,
It would seem there is an air of arrogance when interviewing so-called "christian preachers." I use the lower-case because the Scriptures are clear about what does and what doesn't constitute Christianity. Whether it's Joel Osteen, the preacher from Hillsong USA, or Rick Warren, I don't see much in the way of seeking out the true and faithful Christian pastor, evangelist, radio host... You get what I'm saying. I would like to see someone like John MacArthur, Phil Johnson, Todd Friel or Paul Washer interviewed on your program. There are a host of other seemingly unknown preachers who would be a good fit for this list. I see a lot of grasping for cultural, liberal christianity (not the lower-case 'c' again) that does not best represent the text of Scripture but the foul sentiments of "I believe" or "I think," as opposed to "Thus says the Lord."
So, what do I mean by arrogance? I think you know what you're doing. It is typical fare for media to put forth the weakest voices of the Christian faith to posit thoughts and vain philosophies in answer to some of America's biggest tragedies as of late. Larry King was known for calling in John MacArthur when he wanted answers. He brought in Joel Osteen as meet for lions, not for answers. Listen to "pastor" Osteen in his capstone interview with King. No authority. No standard of truth. No search for Scripture. This man knows less about Christianity than the devil himself (that's, by the way, in the Scriptures - "even the demons believe and tremble").
Now, the truth of the matter is, you wouldn't find their answers satisfactory to you, anyways. Why? 1 Corinthians says that the world looks at the preaching of the gospel as foolish. Why? Because some seek signs and others seek special knowledge. Paul said, "we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to the Gentiles." That said, I ask you, plead with you, if you want answers, talk to faithful Christian laborers who know "the Word." Don't accept anything as less than the best. If you want names, start with anyone on the Ligonier teaching staff, the fine folks at The Master's Seminary, or Albert Mohler of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. They'll give you answers. NOTE: Unless God's Spirit changes your heart to appreciate their answers, you will hate their answers (Joy Behar, I'm speaking to you).
Those of you who are not believers, I pray for your repentance. I want for you to be saved from the wrath of God to come. The wrath of God abides all of his enemies, of which I once walked. I do not wish for anyone to have to endure (if there was such a thing) God's final punishment for lawbreakers (see the 10 commandments and Jesus' further description of them in Matthew 5-7) in His creation for such individuals. Charles Spurgeon once said:
I pray for you, for our country, our President to be saved and to know God's kindness and love through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit to grant us power to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we've been called." The only being I pray enters hell quickly is Satan, himself. Unlike those in the fictional Matrix who could be minions of the devil, all persons are worthy of dignity and deserving of basic human kindness. I pray for all to hear the word of Christ, repent and be saved from God's wrath to God's love.
With respect,
JCS
It would seem there is an air of arrogance when interviewing so-called "christian preachers." I use the lower-case because the Scriptures are clear about what does and what doesn't constitute Christianity. Whether it's Joel Osteen, the preacher from Hillsong USA, or Rick Warren, I don't see much in the way of seeking out the true and faithful Christian pastor, evangelist, radio host... You get what I'm saying. I would like to see someone like John MacArthur, Phil Johnson, Todd Friel or Paul Washer interviewed on your program. There are a host of other seemingly unknown preachers who would be a good fit for this list. I see a lot of grasping for cultural, liberal christianity (not the lower-case 'c' again) that does not best represent the text of Scripture but the foul sentiments of "I believe" or "I think," as opposed to "Thus says the Lord."
So, what do I mean by arrogance? I think you know what you're doing. It is typical fare for media to put forth the weakest voices of the Christian faith to posit thoughts and vain philosophies in answer to some of America's biggest tragedies as of late. Larry King was known for calling in John MacArthur when he wanted answers. He brought in Joel Osteen as meet for lions, not for answers. Listen to "pastor" Osteen in his capstone interview with King. No authority. No standard of truth. No search for Scripture. This man knows less about Christianity than the devil himself (that's, by the way, in the Scriptures - "even the demons believe and tremble").
Now, the truth of the matter is, you wouldn't find their answers satisfactory to you, anyways. Why? 1 Corinthians says that the world looks at the preaching of the gospel as foolish. Why? Because some seek signs and others seek special knowledge. Paul said, "we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to the Gentiles." That said, I ask you, plead with you, if you want answers, talk to faithful Christian laborers who know "the Word." Don't accept anything as less than the best. If you want names, start with anyone on the Ligonier teaching staff, the fine folks at The Master's Seminary, or Albert Mohler of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. They'll give you answers. NOTE: Unless God's Spirit changes your heart to appreciate their answers, you will hate their answers (Joy Behar, I'm speaking to you).
Those of you who are not believers, I pray for your repentance. I want for you to be saved from the wrath of God to come. The wrath of God abides all of his enemies, of which I once walked. I do not wish for anyone to have to endure (if there was such a thing) God's final punishment for lawbreakers (see the 10 commandments and Jesus' further description of them in Matthew 5-7) in His creation for such individuals. Charles Spurgeon once said:
“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”I hope you see love from Christians (note the upper-case 'C') in the forms of both gospel proclamation and works in keeping with repentance. You cannot have one without the other. We love you in the form of warning you from the wrath to come as well as basic Christian kindness as the good news of Christ's punishment for sin on our behalf and hospitality, mercy, and the like.
I pray for you, for our country, our President to be saved and to know God's kindness and love through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit to grant us power to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we've been called." The only being I pray enters hell quickly is Satan, himself. Unlike those in the fictional Matrix who could be minions of the devil, all persons are worthy of dignity and deserving of basic human kindness. I pray for all to hear the word of Christ, repent and be saved from God's wrath to God's love.
With respect,
JCS
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