ATTACKING THE MESSENGER
GOVERNMENT LORD, NOT CHRIST
HE INSISTS:
John 16: 1-3-"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me."
GOVERNMENT LORD, NOT CHRIST
IRATE 501C3 DELAWARE PASTOR
ATTACKS BLOG WORKING FOR
THE CAUSE OF CHRIST INSTEAD OF
HIM EXPOSING THE EVILS OF THIS WORLD
TOBE WITMER, SENIOR PASTOR OF LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST CHURCH, NEWARK, DELAWARE http://lbcde.org/ CONTACTS THIS BLOG TO EXPRESS HIS ANGER, DISGUST, AND VITRIOLIC COMMENTS ABOUT OUR STREAM OF POSTS EXPOSING HIS LESS THAN FUNDAMENTALIST PREACHING AND TEACHING
THE CAUSE OF CHRIST INSTEAD OF
HIM EXPOSING THE EVILS OF THIS WORLD
Matthew 23:37-"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
GAGGED BY THE IRS UNDER 501C3 TAX EXEMPTION LEADS TO FRUSTRATION; BUT WHY TAKE IT OUT ON OTHER CHRISTIANS?
FUNDAMENTALIST??? BUT:
STUDENT OF NEO-REFORMED HERETICS,
WARREN/HYBELS NON-OFFENSIVE GROWTH METHODS;
LOVER OF "ADAPTED" CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC & ARTISTS;
AND AVOIDER OF CONTROVERSY, CULTURE & POLITICS
BECAUSE HE GETS INSTRUCTION LETTERS FROM THE IRS
HAS HE ATTENDED SECRET FEMA CLASSES LEARNING HOW TO MAKE CONGREGANTS COMPLIANT WITH GOVERNMENT EDICTS?
SEEMS SO! THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN HIS EAGERNESS
TO ATTACK FELLOW CHRISTIANS
Matthew 6:24-"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Matthew 18:15-"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
Ephesians 4:26-27-"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
Titus 1:7-"For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre."
Rom 12:19-"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
Psalm 37:8-"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."
Proverbs 15:18-"A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife."
THREE CRITERIA OF RIGHTEOUS ANGER
August 22, 2012
EXCERPTS:
One of the most common, ongoing struggles we face in our sanctification as believers is the area of anger. And one of the most common ways we mismanage our anger is by failing to distinguish between righteous and sinful anger, and response. This failure is sometimes due to our conscious choice to not face our sin honestly, but it also can be the result of the blindness that stems from our own pride. And not one of us is exempt from this battle!
- Righteous Anger Reacts against Actual Sin. Righteous anger arises from an accurate perception of true evil, from sin as defined biblically, i.e., as a violation of God’s Word (Rom 3:23; 1 Jn 3:4). Righteous anger does not result from merely being inconvenienced or from violations of personal preference or human tradition.
- Righteous Anger Focuses on God and His Kingdom, Rights, and Concerns, Not on Me and My Kingdom, Rights and Concerns. In Scripture, God-centered motives, not self-centered motives, drive righteous anger. Righteous anger focuses on how people offend God and his name, not me and my name. It terminates on God more than me. In other words, accurately viewing something as offensive is not enough. We must view it primarily as offending God.
- Righteous Anger Is Accompanied by Other Godly Qualities and Expresses Itself in Godly Ways.Righteous anger remains self-controlled. It keeps its head without cursing, screaming, raging, or flying off the handle. Nor does it spiral downward in self-pity or despair. It does not ignore people, snub people, or withdraw from people.
CAVEAT: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS; MAYBE NOT SO FUNDAMENTAL AFTER ALL? PERHAPS YOU NEED TO BE LIBERAL IF YOU WANT TO HAVE ANY KIND OF CHURCH IN DELAWARE?
1) HE DOESN'T SUPPORT OBAMA, DESPITE THE OPPOSITE IN SERMON. CALLS OBAMA AN IDEAL FAMILY MAN.
2) HE SUPPORTS KIM DAVIS, KENTUCKY CLERK WHO REFUSED TO ISSUE GAY "MARRIAGE" LICENSES, ALTHOUGH HE HAS SAID LITTLE. ASSISTANT SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER COMPARES KIM DAVIS TO JOB OF THE BIBLE.
3) HE HAS GONE TO THE STATE CAPITOL TO STAND AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE LAW IN DELAWARE, BUT WON'T PREACH ABOUT SUCH. INSTEAD, SAYS HE HAS VERY NICE GAY FRIENDS, AND WE HAVE PREJUDICES AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GAYS.
4) HE'S FREEDOM LOVING AND SUPPORTS SECOND AMENDMENT, BUT ALLOWS A ROOKIE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER TO MISINTERPRET ROMANS 13, I.E., ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE TO GOVERNMENT (GOOD OR EVIL), AND TO TEACH THAT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION WAS BOTH DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD AND A FORM OF ANARCHY. THIS TEACHER IS INTO THE "DARK ARTS": SEE: http://pearlsofwisdm.com/search/dark+arts
5) HE HAS AN EXPOSITORY APPROACH TO PREACHING SCRIPTURE, BUT NEVER RELATES SUCH TO CULTURE AND/OR POLITICS, ONLY HIS PERSONAL QUIRKS, EUPHEMISMS, AND JOKES. EVEN SUNK LOW ENOUGH TO WRITE IN HIS BLOG: "JESUS IS THE ONE MAN SHOW".
SEE: http://www.thepastorsheart.org/2015/08/several-things-to-help-pastors-enjoy.html (PARAGRAPH 4). THIS BLOG POST DARES TO INSTRUCT OTHER PASTORS ON HOW TO TUNE UP SERVICES, BUT NOT BE HYPER CRITICAL OR ARTIFICIAL.
SEE: http://www.thepastorsheart.org/2015/08/several-things-to-help-pastors-enjoy.html (PARAGRAPH 4). THIS BLOG POST DARES TO INSTRUCT OTHER PASTORS ON HOW TO TUNE UP SERVICES, BUT NOT BE HYPER CRITICAL OR ARTIFICIAL.
6) HE IS FUNDAMENTAL, BUT USES KNOWN EMERGENT HERETICS AS SOURCES FOR HIS SERMONS AND SUGGESTED READING.
7) HE IS FUNDAMENTAL, BUT ALLOWS CONTEMPORARY MUSIC IN SERVICES, WHOSE AUTHORS ARE EITHER CATHOLIC OR CATHOLIC FRIENDLY, AND ECUMENICAL.
8) HE BELIEVES IN BIBLICAL SEPARATION, BUT PICKS AND CHOOSES WHO IS APOSTATE AND/OR HERETICAL WITHOUT RESEARCHING OR VETTING SUCH PEOPLE. EXAMPLES WOULD BE KEITH & KRISTYN GETTY, STUART TOWNEND, AND THEIR ECUMENICAL CATHOLIC FRIENDLY MUSIC, "REFORMED" TIM KELLER, JOHN PIPER, PAUL TRIPP, AND OTHERS HE IS CONSTANTLY READING, ABSORBING, AND ALLUDING TO. ONE HAS TO WONDER IF HE IS SPENDING MORE TIME ON THESE PLUS DRIVING HIS EGO BOOSTING BIG SUV AND MOTORCYCLE, THAN THE BIBLE OR HIS MINISTRY DUTIES.
9) HE IS AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE, BUT IS SOFT ON GAYS, WON'T DESCRIBE THEIR GRUESOME AND AGGRESSIVELY PERVERTED AGENDA. ACTUALLY BLAMED CHRISTIANS FOR MISTREATING GAYS. IN SERMON, REFERRED TO ROSARIA BUTTERFIELD, AUTHOR, FORMER LESBIAN, CATHOLIC, AND UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST, NOW ALLEGED CHRISTIAN, AS A MODEL FOR CHRISTIANS. SHE IS REALLY A TROJAN HORSE APOLOGIST FOR THE GAY COMMUNITY AND SPEAKS TO CHRISTIANS TO PERSUADE THEM TO SOFTEN THEIR ATTITUDE AND APPROACH TO GAYS. SEE:
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-perversion-of-reformed-rosaria.html
10) HE IS PRO LIFE, BUT HAS NEVER BEEN HEARD TO PREACH ABOUT IT. AS WITH EVERYTHING HE PREACHES, IT'S TONED DOWN SO AS NOT TO BE OFFENSIVE TO EITHER THE CHURCH, THE PUBLIC AND/OR THE IRS. HE DOESN'T HESITATE THOUGH TO CALL OUT AND LABEL DISCERNING PEOPLE "CRITICAL STINKERS" WHO OFFEND HIM.
11) HE IS CONSERVATIVE, BUT NEVER QUOTES FOUNDING FATHERS, MODERN CONSERVATIVES OR POLITICIANS. INSTEAD HE QUOTES EMERGENT CHURCH LEADERS WHO EMPHASIZE GROWTH METHODS, AND WATER DOWN THE BIBLE. HE IDENTIFIES WITH THESE APOSTATES WHO THINK CHURCH SHOULD BE FUN AND ENTERTAINING.
12) HE HAS PREACHED AGAINST SECRET SOCIETIES, BUT IF ONE SENTENCE IN A SERMON IN THE LAST 10 YEARS IS WHAT HE MEANS, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THE BOARD IS CONTROLLED BY FREEMASONS, BUT WE CANNOT PROVE IT DUE TO THE SECRET NATURE OF FREEMASONRY. CONSIDER THIS IN HIS WORDS:
"We do not prohibit secret society members such as Freemasons to join our church, but they cannot hold leadership positions. I do openly speak by name on the "why's" of not belonging to such societies."
(SEE EMAIL BELOW)
13) HE PRACTICES SEPARATION, BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF SUCH. CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS UNKNOWN.
14) HE DOES NOT "ACCEPT" CHRISTIANS TRANSFERRING FROM ANOTHER CHURCH FOR "NON-DOCTRINAL REASONS", BUT IS ONE OF THOSE CONTROLLING TYPES THAT WANT YOU TO GO BACK TO YOUR OLD CHURCH AND "RECONCILE" WITH IT. OR SO IT APPEARS. INSTEAD, MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS OF HIS CHURCH HAVE BEEN "ACCEPTED" ON THE BASIS OF WHAT THE EMERGING CHURCH CALLS DIFFERENCES OVER "NON ESSENTIALS" OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, I.E., OTHER THAN DOCTRINAL ISSUES, FOR EXAMPLE: STYLES OF WORSHIP, MINISTRY, AND SO-CALLED "SECONDARY" DOCTRINES, IN ADDITION TO PERSONAL DISAGREEMENTS IF ANY. IF HE IS REALLY FUNDAMENTAL, (THE ENTIRE BIBLE BEING "ESSENTIAL"), THEN WHY DISCRIMINATE? PERHAPS THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR MORE CASH TO PAY THE $2.2 MILLION MORTGAGE, MAKE THE ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS MORE COMFORTABLE, AND BUILD A YOUTH MINISTRY "BARN"?
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-perversion-of-reformed-rosaria.html
10) HE IS PRO LIFE, BUT HAS NEVER BEEN HEARD TO PREACH ABOUT IT. AS WITH EVERYTHING HE PREACHES, IT'S TONED DOWN SO AS NOT TO BE OFFENSIVE TO EITHER THE CHURCH, THE PUBLIC AND/OR THE IRS. HE DOESN'T HESITATE THOUGH TO CALL OUT AND LABEL DISCERNING PEOPLE "CRITICAL STINKERS" WHO OFFEND HIM.
11) HE IS CONSERVATIVE, BUT NEVER QUOTES FOUNDING FATHERS, MODERN CONSERVATIVES OR POLITICIANS. INSTEAD HE QUOTES EMERGENT CHURCH LEADERS WHO EMPHASIZE GROWTH METHODS, AND WATER DOWN THE BIBLE. HE IDENTIFIES WITH THESE APOSTATES WHO THINK CHURCH SHOULD BE FUN AND ENTERTAINING.
12) HE HAS PREACHED AGAINST SECRET SOCIETIES, BUT IF ONE SENTENCE IN A SERMON IN THE LAST 10 YEARS IS WHAT HE MEANS, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THE BOARD IS CONTROLLED BY FREEMASONS, BUT WE CANNOT PROVE IT DUE TO THE SECRET NATURE OF FREEMASONRY. CONSIDER THIS IN HIS WORDS:
"We do not prohibit secret society members such as Freemasons to join our church, but they cannot hold leadership positions. I do openly speak by name on the "why's" of not belonging to such societies."
(SEE EMAIL BELOW)
13) HE PRACTICES SEPARATION, BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF SUCH. CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS UNKNOWN.
14) HE DOES NOT "ACCEPT" CHRISTIANS TRANSFERRING FROM ANOTHER CHURCH FOR "NON-DOCTRINAL REASONS", BUT IS ONE OF THOSE CONTROLLING TYPES THAT WANT YOU TO GO BACK TO YOUR OLD CHURCH AND "RECONCILE" WITH IT. OR SO IT APPEARS. INSTEAD, MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS OF HIS CHURCH HAVE BEEN "ACCEPTED" ON THE BASIS OF WHAT THE EMERGING CHURCH CALLS DIFFERENCES OVER "NON ESSENTIALS" OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, I.E., OTHER THAN DOCTRINAL ISSUES, FOR EXAMPLE: STYLES OF WORSHIP, MINISTRY, AND SO-CALLED "SECONDARY" DOCTRINES, IN ADDITION TO PERSONAL DISAGREEMENTS IF ANY. IF HE IS REALLY FUNDAMENTAL, (THE ENTIRE BIBLE BEING "ESSENTIAL"), THEN WHY DISCRIMINATE? PERHAPS THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR MORE CASH TO PAY THE $2.2 MILLION MORTGAGE, MAKE THE ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS MORE COMFORTABLE, AND BUILD A YOUTH MINISTRY "BARN"?
__________________________________________________
Proverbs 6:14&19-"Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Romans 16:17-"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."
BUT, AS WE CAN CLEARLY SEE FROM HIS OWN WORDS
IN VOICE, PRINT AND ONLINE, HE LEAVES COMMENTS
THAT ARE AT LEAST QUESTIONABLE IF NOT APOSTATE
FOR EXAMPLE, FROM A PASTOR WHO GRADUATED FROM BOB JONES UNIVERSITY, THE ULTIMATE BASTION OF FUNDAMENTALISM AND RECENT SEX ABUSE SCANDAL, HIS BLOG POST SHOWS:
AN UNBELIEVABLE IGNORANCE OF SCRIPTURE (AND SPELLING ERRORS) WHICH A KNOWN HERETIC, TIM KELLER,
ALLEGEDLY ENLIGHTENED HIM ABOUT?
ISN'T THE HOLY SPIRIT THE ILLUMINATOR?
ISN'T THE HOLY SPIRIT THE ILLUMINATOR?
EXCERPT; republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
"THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2015
Wait...Jesus said what?
Luke 21:16-19 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. (17) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. (18) But there shall not an hair of your head perish. (19) In your patience possess ye your souls.
I believe I first heard Tim Keller reference this passage. It was an "aha" moment for me in understanding the mind of God concerning bad things that happen to believers.
The context is Jesus revealing to his disciples what would happen as they stood for Him. I have not studied in depth the eschatological timing of the paragraph, but it seems prophetic to the last times - perhaps the beginning of the Tribulation."
_________________________________
RELATED:
THESE ARE ALL OF OUR PREVIOUS POSTS:
THESE ARE ALL OF OUR PREVIOUS POSTS:
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2015/08/delaware-501c3-pastor-issues.html
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2015/07/this-present-battlegroundbut-christians.html
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2015/07/lgbt-activists-wage-war-marriage-was.html
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2014/10/fema-indebted-501c3-pastor-solicits.html
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2014/08/now-churches-revising-american.html
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2014/12/fema-pastor-plows-groundpreparessoftens.html
_____________________________________________________
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2015/07/this-present-battlegroundbut-christians.html
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2015/07/lgbt-activists-wage-war-marriage-was.html
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2014/10/fema-indebted-501c3-pastor-solicits.html
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2014/08/now-churches-revising-american.html
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2014/12/fema-pastor-plows-groundpreparessoftens.html
_____________________________________________________
COPY OF EMAIL QUESTIONS FROM THIS BLOG AND ANSWERS BY TOBE WITMER
SEPTEMBER 6, 2010
Republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
1) Does your church maintain that it is incompatible for Christians to have
membership in a Christian church and concurrently have membership or
affiliation with secret societies such as the Freemasons?
membership in a Christian church and concurrently have membership or
affiliation with secret societies such as the Freemasons?
2) Does your church practice discipline, and would you remove a member or deny membership
to a person involved with the Freemasons and/or other secret society?
We do not prohibit secret society members such as Freemasons to join our
church, but they cannot hold leadership positions. I do openly speak by
name on the "why's" of not belonging to such societies.
3) Do you subscribe to any church growth movement, emergent philosophy,
contemplative or ecumenical philosophy, and/or "Purpose Driven" concepts of
Rick Warren?
Our church was birthed out of a core group that stood against the Seeker
Sensitive movement and was "removed" from their church. We are strongly
opposed to a "marketing" concept of church philosophy that makes man and not
the Lord the center of purpose and worship. We are extremely traditional
and conservative, yet healthy, excited, and "alive" in our fellowship.
We stand against "emergent" quest for relevance. God's Word is always
relevant - we need not fit into our culture or seek to to win the lost. We
have seen 3 "unchurched" adults saved in the last 3 weeks. We are
non-ecumentical and I'm not sure what contemptlative is. Chances are, we
are non-that as well :) Our "Purpose-Driven" is the glory of God as
exampled in the early church in Acts. We strive very hard to mirror the
illustration of Acts 2,3.
4) Do you have any problem with David Barton yoking with Glenn Beck, a
Mormon, in "common faith" events like Beck's "Divine Destiny" at the Kennedy
Center or his "Restoring Honor" rally on the mall?
I have been with Barton at a leadership invitational in Washington - I don't
believe believers should yoke together with unbelievers or false-christians
such as Beck on spiritual ground (evangelism, church, faith.) I am not as
"strict" over political issues, but would struggle on a one-by-one decision
on that myself.
to a person involved with the Freemasons and/or other secret society?
We do not prohibit secret society members such as Freemasons to join our
church, but they cannot hold leadership positions. I do openly speak by
name on the "why's" of not belonging to such societies.
3) Do you subscribe to any church growth movement, emergent philosophy,
contemplative or ecumenical philosophy, and/or "Purpose Driven" concepts of
Rick Warren?
Our church was birthed out of a core group that stood against the Seeker
Sensitive movement and was "removed" from their church. We are strongly
opposed to a "marketing" concept of church philosophy that makes man and not
the Lord the center of purpose and worship. We are extremely traditional
and conservative, yet healthy, excited, and "alive" in our fellowship.
We stand against "emergent" quest for relevance. God's Word is always
relevant - we need not fit into our culture or seek to to win the lost. We
have seen 3 "unchurched" adults saved in the last 3 weeks. We are
non-ecumentical and I'm not sure what contemptlative is. Chances are, we
are non-that as well :) Our "Purpose-Driven" is the glory of God as
exampled in the early church in Acts. We strive very hard to mirror the
illustration of Acts 2,3.
4) Do you have any problem with David Barton yoking with Glenn Beck, a
Mormon, in "common faith" events like Beck's "Divine Destiny" at the Kennedy
Center or his "Restoring Honor" rally on the mall?
I have been with Barton at a leadership invitational in Washington - I don't
believe believers should yoke together with unbelievers or false-christians
such as Beck on spiritual ground (evangelism, church, faith.) I am not as
"strict" over political issues, but would struggle on a one-by-one decision
on that myself.
5) Do you allow your church members to be Bereans and to actively and
continually "test the spirits". Is "testing the spirits" judgmental and
sinful?
You will have to define what you mean by "test the spirits" - you could mean
anything from the Charismatic Movement to Being discerning in things that
are excellent.
6) Do you subscribe to decisional regeneration, abandonment theology, a
fatalistic/defeatist theology, process theology, theistic evolution, and/or
a Keswick theology of passivism?
I choose not to answer each of these in this venue. Though I am always
engaged in fighting wrong theology, I am not familiar with some of these. I
do not chase or study out "rabbit trail theologies". I am a Fundamental,
Creationist, conservative, Biblical-literalist, dispensational,
pre-millennial, Bob Jones University Graduate pastor. This should answer
some of these questions. I am certainly opposed to theistic evolution.
7) Do you consider yourself "called" to pastor Lighthouse in the sense that
you have a "divine calling" and therefore unaccountable to board members,
elders, deacons, including the congregation? Do you believe that pastors
should never be questioned on anything they preach?
I am certainly "called" by Christ who gave gifts to the church in Ephesians
6. He is the Shepherd of the flock, the Pastor is the undershepherd of the
local assembly. As Acts 6, our Deacons function to minister to the
spiritual and physical needs of the congregation. Our deacons are trusted
advisors to the Pastor. I listen closely to each one of them and run every
large decisions through them. If there is opposition, I nearly always heed
their advice. Our budget and major church decisions are brought to the
congregation for vote. This is not a "kangaroo vote", but a serious voice
of the Holy Spirit through the membership.
I do believe the Lord leads the church through the under-shepherd. I am
very open to questions and welcome Biblical confrontation of "intreaty" I
Tim. 5:1 in the presence of witnesses.
8) Do you micro-manage the church and want control over everything said,
decided and done?
continually "test the spirits". Is "testing the spirits" judgmental and
sinful?
You will have to define what you mean by "test the spirits" - you could mean
anything from the Charismatic Movement to Being discerning in things that
are excellent.
6) Do you subscribe to decisional regeneration, abandonment theology, a
fatalistic/defeatist theology, process theology, theistic evolution, and/or
a Keswick theology of passivism?
I choose not to answer each of these in this venue. Though I am always
engaged in fighting wrong theology, I am not familiar with some of these. I
do not chase or study out "rabbit trail theologies". I am a Fundamental,
Creationist, conservative, Biblical-literalist, dispensational,
pre-millennial, Bob Jones University Graduate pastor. This should answer
some of these questions. I am certainly opposed to theistic evolution.
7) Do you consider yourself "called" to pastor Lighthouse in the sense that
you have a "divine calling" and therefore unaccountable to board members,
elders, deacons, including the congregation? Do you believe that pastors
should never be questioned on anything they preach?
I am certainly "called" by Christ who gave gifts to the church in Ephesians
6. He is the Shepherd of the flock, the Pastor is the undershepherd of the
local assembly. As Acts 6, our Deacons function to minister to the
spiritual and physical needs of the congregation. Our deacons are trusted
advisors to the Pastor. I listen closely to each one of them and run every
large decisions through them. If there is opposition, I nearly always heed
their advice. Our budget and major church decisions are brought to the
congregation for vote. This is not a "kangaroo vote", but a serious voice
of the Holy Spirit through the membership.
I do believe the Lord leads the church through the under-shepherd. I am
very open to questions and welcome Biblical confrontation of "intreaty" I
Tim. 5:1 in the presence of witnesses.
8) Do you micro-manage the church and want control over everything said,
decided and done?
This and other questions seem to be specific and out of place questions in
response to hurts you have encountered before. I don't mind answering them,
but they are definitely responsive and should be experienced rather than
asked. ---- having said that, I am a Pastor of 18 years and have a record
of mentoring men and "growing them" into leadership. My father was a
business man and I learned management at an early age. I do not
micro-manage, but rather our 4 staff members and 40+ ministry leaders
function under management flow charts that clearly define responsibility and
the authority to manage their own ministries and lay staffs.
But....though I have said all this - The buck does stop with the Pastor. I
manage my Assistant Pastors and they have ministry leaders under them that
they manage.
9) Have you sponsored, participated in, or encouraged ecumenical gatherings?
NO. We are an independent Baptist Church and I closely fellowship with only
doctrinally fundamental believers.
10) Do you or church members practice or condone Catholic prayer methods
such as "lectio divina", walking labyrinths, chanting, prayer beads
(rosaries), silencing the mind, mantras, etc.?
I think you read more than I do - I don't know any fundamental Baptists that
participate in any of this.
11) Do you expose and name false teachers, prophets, evangelists, and their
materials, writings and media?
Yes
12) Is the Catholic faith a Christian faith or a heathen cult like the
Mormon religion?
Catholicism is "C" option. It is a heretical distortion and redefinition of
true Christianity. It is damning in everyway and extremely deceptive in
logic and practice. I have just completed a many-month active debate with a
University of DE professor who is also a Catholic Apologist. He began
blogging against my sermons and critiquing nearly everything I preached
publicly. He, unlike most Catholics knows his stuff very well, but trust
the interpretations of the Early Church Fathers more than comparing
Scripture with Scripture in the Epistles. Catholicism is not salvation by
grace, though their apologists would certainly argue so.
response to hurts you have encountered before. I don't mind answering them,
but they are definitely responsive and should be experienced rather than
asked. ---- having said that, I am a Pastor of 18 years and have a record
of mentoring men and "growing them" into leadership. My father was a
business man and I learned management at an early age. I do not
micro-manage, but rather our 4 staff members and 40+ ministry leaders
function under management flow charts that clearly define responsibility and
the authority to manage their own ministries and lay staffs.
But....though I have said all this - The buck does stop with the Pastor. I
manage my Assistant Pastors and they have ministry leaders under them that
they manage.
9) Have you sponsored, participated in, or encouraged ecumenical gatherings?
NO. We are an independent Baptist Church and I closely fellowship with only
doctrinally fundamental believers.
10) Do you or church members practice or condone Catholic prayer methods
such as "lectio divina", walking labyrinths, chanting, prayer beads
(rosaries), silencing the mind, mantras, etc.?
I think you read more than I do - I don't know any fundamental Baptists that
participate in any of this.
11) Do you expose and name false teachers, prophets, evangelists, and their
materials, writings and media?
Yes
12) Is the Catholic faith a Christian faith or a heathen cult like the
Mormon religion?
Catholicism is "C" option. It is a heretical distortion and redefinition of
true Christianity. It is damning in everyway and extremely deceptive in
logic and practice. I have just completed a many-month active debate with a
University of DE professor who is also a Catholic Apologist. He began
blogging against my sermons and critiquing nearly everything I preached
publicly. He, unlike most Catholics knows his stuff very well, but trust
the interpretations of the Early Church Fathers more than comparing
Scripture with Scripture in the Epistles. Catholicism is not salvation by
grace, though their apologists would certainly argue so.
***********And now, for my Questions:
1. Do you have a history of moving through several churches in a short
time?
2. Have you left a church angry and at odds with the Leadership (Pastor)?
(we do not accept anyone who is not right with their former Pastor unless it
is clearly a doctrinal issue)
3. Have you been faithful in local church ministry? (serving in the local
church - Christ's organization for N.T. times)
4. Do you believe in the authority of local church leadership over you as
in "obey them that have the rule...submit for they watch for your souls...."
5. Are you Fundamental in your doctrine - do you hold to the classic
fundamentals of the faith as outlined by R.A. Torrey and others through the
years?
6. Do you believe and practice evangelism of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
7. Are you Armenian in your gospel view, reformed, or some balance?
8. Do you seek a church that spends time on issues, or one that preaches
expositorally with systematic theology like Lighthouse?
9. Are you looking for a church where you can receive attention, or a
church to give all glory to the Lord and to faithfully minister as a servant
without recognition or position?
Hope this answers some of your questions - I do understand your desire to
protect yourself, and I think the greatest way to do this is either begin
visiting to see for yourself, or listening to my sermons on our website.
Romans is the current series we are on. I understand a lot of people are
burnt in even "fundamental" churches, but there is also a danger in being
overly "cautious". When/if you visit Lighthouse, ask the people what they
think of their church. I know you will find joy. The Lord has been very
good to our congregation and allowed people to greatly grow spiritually
under consistent Bible teaching and preaching. Beyond this, we are a
"ministry" church, not a group of pew sitters. We actively engage in loving
each other and getting involved into each other's lives. LBC is not a place
for someone who just wants to punch their card that they attended church.
1. Do you have a history of moving through several churches in a short
time?
2. Have you left a church angry and at odds with the Leadership (Pastor)?
(we do not accept anyone who is not right with their former Pastor unless it
is clearly a doctrinal issue)
3. Have you been faithful in local church ministry? (serving in the local
church - Christ's organization for N.T. times)
4. Do you believe in the authority of local church leadership over you as
in "obey them that have the rule...submit for they watch for your souls...."
5. Are you Fundamental in your doctrine - do you hold to the classic
fundamentals of the faith as outlined by R.A. Torrey and others through the
years?
6. Do you believe and practice evangelism of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
7. Are you Armenian in your gospel view, reformed, or some balance?
8. Do you seek a church that spends time on issues, or one that preaches
expositorally with systematic theology like Lighthouse?
9. Are you looking for a church where you can receive attention, or a
church to give all glory to the Lord and to faithfully minister as a servant
without recognition or position?
Hope this answers some of your questions - I do understand your desire to
protect yourself, and I think the greatest way to do this is either begin
visiting to see for yourself, or listening to my sermons on our website.
Romans is the current series we are on. I understand a lot of people are
burnt in even "fundamental" churches, but there is also a danger in being
overly "cautious". When/if you visit Lighthouse, ask the people what they
think of their church. I know you will find joy. The Lord has been very
good to our congregation and allowed people to greatly grow spiritually
under consistent Bible teaching and preaching. Beyond this, we are a
"ministry" church, not a group of pew sitters. We actively engage in loving
each other and getting involved into each other's lives. LBC is not a place
for someone who just wants to punch their card that they attended church.
We also engage in the poor with food and the gospel. We also have great
care for the hurting among us such as "addicts", unemployed, cancer
patients, etc. We are hands on in every way. Our Deacons each have "caring
groups" of the membership that they minister to in very compassionate ways.
This is something very important to me as well. I love people. My family
loves to be with people. God has graciously given Amy and I 5 children that
are a blessing to us. We desire to pour ourselves out in service to our
Worthy Savior and to help everyone we can with the gifts that He has
entrusted to us.
May the Lord guide your decisions, but I encourage you strongly to not
neglect the most necessary fellowship of other believers within the confines
of "Christ's N.T. local church".
Pastor Tobe Witmer
Lighthouse Baptist Church
Newark, De
www.lbcde.org
care for the hurting among us such as "addicts", unemployed, cancer
patients, etc. We are hands on in every way. Our Deacons each have "caring
groups" of the membership that they minister to in very compassionate ways.
This is something very important to me as well. I love people. My family
loves to be with people. God has graciously given Amy and I 5 children that
are a blessing to us. We desire to pour ourselves out in service to our
Worthy Savior and to help everyone we can with the gifts that He has
entrusted to us.
May the Lord guide your decisions, but I encourage you strongly to not
neglect the most necessary fellowship of other believers within the confines
of "Christ's N.T. local church".
Pastor Tobe Witmer
Lighthouse Baptist Church
Newark, De
www.lbcde.org
_____________________________________________________
ORIGINAL EMAIL QUESTIONS FROM THIS BLOG
1) Does your church maintain that it is incompatible for Christians to have
membership in a Christian church and concurrently have membership or
affiliation with secret societies such as the Freemasons?
2) Does your church practice discipline, and would you remove a member or
deny membership to a person involved with the Freemasons and/or other secret
society?
3) Do you subscribe to any church growth movement, emergent philosophy,
contemplative or ecumenical philosophy, and/or "Purpose Driven" concepts of
Rick Warren?
4) Do you have any problem with David Barton yoking with Glenn Beck, a
Mormon, in "common faith" events like Beck's "Divine Destiny" at the Kennedy
Center or his "Restoring Honor" rally on the mall?
5) Do you allow your church members to be Bereans and to actively and
continually "test the spirits". Is "testing the spirits" judgmental and
sinful?
6) Do you subscribe to decisional regeneration, abandonment theology, a
fatalistic/defeatist theology, process theology, theistic evolution, and/or
a Keswick theology of passivism?
7) Do you consider yourself "called" to pastor Lighthouse in the sense that
you have a "divine calling" and therefore unaccountable to board members,
elders, deacons, including the congregation? Do you believe that pastors
should never be questioned on anything they preach?
8) Do you micro-manage the church and want control over everything said,
decided and done?
9) Have you sponsored, participated in, or encouraged ecumenical gatherings?
10) Do you or church members practice or condone Catholic prayer methods
such as "lectio divina", walking labyrinths, chanting, prayer beads
(rosaries), silencing the mind, mantras, etc.?
11) Do you expose and name false teachers, prophets, evangelists, and their
materials, writings and media?
12) Is the Catholic faith a Christian faith or a heathen cult like the
Mormon religion?
____________________________________________________________________
EXCERPT FROM:
"PHILOSOPHY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH"
BY TOBE WITMER
membership in a Christian church and concurrently have membership or
affiliation with secret societies such as the Freemasons?
2) Does your church practice discipline, and would you remove a member or
deny membership to a person involved with the Freemasons and/or other secret
society?
3) Do you subscribe to any church growth movement, emergent philosophy,
contemplative or ecumenical philosophy, and/or "Purpose Driven" concepts of
Rick Warren?
4) Do you have any problem with David Barton yoking with Glenn Beck, a
Mormon, in "common faith" events like Beck's "Divine Destiny" at the Kennedy
Center or his "Restoring Honor" rally on the mall?
5) Do you allow your church members to be Bereans and to actively and
continually "test the spirits". Is "testing the spirits" judgmental and
sinful?
6) Do you subscribe to decisional regeneration, abandonment theology, a
fatalistic/defeatist theology, process theology, theistic evolution, and/or
a Keswick theology of passivism?
7) Do you consider yourself "called" to pastor Lighthouse in the sense that
you have a "divine calling" and therefore unaccountable to board members,
elders, deacons, including the congregation? Do you believe that pastors
should never be questioned on anything they preach?
8) Do you micro-manage the church and want control over everything said,
decided and done?
9) Have you sponsored, participated in, or encouraged ecumenical gatherings?
10) Do you or church members practice or condone Catholic prayer methods
such as "lectio divina", walking labyrinths, chanting, prayer beads
(rosaries), silencing the mind, mantras, etc.?
11) Do you expose and name false teachers, prophets, evangelists, and their
materials, writings and media?
12) Is the Catholic faith a Christian faith or a heathen cult like the
Mormon religion?
____________________________________________________________________
EXCERPT FROM:
"PHILOSOPHY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH"
BY TOBE WITMER
republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
"The pastor is to provide gentle leadership of the church entrusted to him by God. He
should feed the flock, taking the oversight with a willing 'unLording' spirit."
"watching for heresy and false teaching"
____________________________________________________________
Symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
EXCERPT FROM:In order for a person to be diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) they must meet five or more of the following symptoms:
- Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
- Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
- Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
- Requires excessive admiration
- Has a very strong sense of entitlement, e.g., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
- Is exploitative of others, e.g., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
- Lacks empathy, e.g., is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
- Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
- Regularly shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes
Narcissists Who Cry: The Other Side of the Ego
EXCERPTS FROM:
Many of you have been in a relationship or been a friend with someone who was an extreme narcissist. These types of relationships are filled with drama unless you totally please the narcissist, which is impossible. The typical extreme narcissists are full of themselves and are overtly pompous.
A narcissist is a completely self-absorbed person. There can be no other gods in an extreme narcissist’s world, regardless if they say they believe in God or not. In practical terms, a narcissist is God in his/her own imagination. Ego rules supremely in the narcissist’s life.
Ultimately, the extreme narcissist feels he/she is most special and, therefore, entitled. To the extreme narcissist, people are actually things to use.
Because extreme narcissists are incredibly adept at the game of manipulation, they will always find a way to turn the tables on you. They will try to make you responsible and feel guilty for not helping them or taking their side and cause.
The moment they see that you don’t “fully” cooperate and act with extreme concern for them, serving and pampering them, they will eliminate you from their list of “loving” folks. They may even badmouth you and gossip or slander you as being selfish and uncaring.
Don’t be pulled into their web of emotional manipulation. Stay away from extreme narcissists.
_________________________________________________________________________________
SEE ALSO: http://www.firebreathingchristian.com/archives/10547;
EXCERPT:
"American “Christian” vindictiveness and viciousness is drawn out and put on parade through biblical acts of obedience taken by others. This one might seem counterintuitive at first. Why would those cheering on the persecution of obedient Christians desire for their own vindictiveness and viciousness to be drawn out and made plain for all to see?
.
Well, the short answer is: They wouldn’t.
.
But God is sovereign, and this “drawing out” and parading about of certain “Christians” and the false Christianity driving them is one of the reasons why this happens. All of this ultimately glorifies Him and all of this ultimately works to the benefit of His true people (see: Romans 8:28)."
_________________________________________________________________________________
SEE ALSO: http://www.firebreathingchristian.com/archives/10547;
EXCERPT:
"American “Christian” vindictiveness and viciousness is drawn out and put on parade through biblical acts of obedience taken by others. This one might seem counterintuitive at first. Why would those cheering on the persecution of obedient Christians desire for their own vindictiveness and viciousness to be drawn out and made plain for all to see?
.
Well, the short answer is: They wouldn’t.
.
But God is sovereign, and this “drawing out” and parading about of certain “Christians” and the false Christianity driving them is one of the reasons why this happens. All of this ultimately glorifies Him and all of this ultimately works to the benefit of His true people (see: Romans 8:28)."
