— Critical issues concerning the Church —

Fellow Soldier,

One of the blessings accompanying aging is perspective and with the passing of years, one more readily views the present in its historic context. It helps one see the bigger picture and to discern trends.

Applied to the Church, one is struck with the contrast between today’s and the original.  Of the greatest and debilitating differences is its drift from trinitarianism to becoming duotarian ... even unitarian. Whereas the early Church functioned in the power of the triune Godhead, many believers today accept the Trinity in creed only.  In deed, trust lies in the Father, Son and unholy world ... the Holy Spirit being largely ignored or misrepresented.  For all its sincere efforts and varied activity, much of today’s Church is a corpse; even as one’s body without its spirit is called “remains.”

Church of Duotarians

“Not by Spirit but by might,” saith the Church

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." — Mt 28:19

Nary a church-goer would quibble with that biblical charge given every person graced with God’s gift of salvation.  In fact, so widely understood and accepted, it’s known as the “Great Commission.”  With swelling pride of assignment, persons of conscience (typically new “recruits”) march out of buildings every Sunday, inspired by the concept of soldiering in God’s army.  They go forth, armed with paper “tracts” to do battle; to win souls to Christ ... or at least coerce others into repeating the “sinner’s prayer” and thereby earn another hash mark.  The church will often then dip, dunk or sprinkle many slightly Christianized pagans, equip them with a sure fire four-step pitch and more powerful paper tracts.  It then sends them into battle to “grow the church,” but often ... not before signing a contract and/or committing to the building fund.  (Granted, a bit pejorative, but sadly ... all too true.)

The original Church of 120 burst unto the world from the upper room, imbued with supernatural power; Peter, being one of them.  He’d been transformed by the Holy Spirit from the proverbial foot-in-mouth fisherman/disciple to a firey evangelist.  He then immediately delivered his first Spirit-inspired sermon which brought another 3,000 truly born-again souls into the new Church (Acts 2:14-39).  Jerusalem’s annual Passover crowd, "Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven" (v5) men and women speaking some 17 different tongues, stood amazed as they each heard the Gospel of the kingdom (the message of Jesus Christ) in their own language (v6) and they asked aloud: "What meaneth this?" (v12b).

It soon became evident what it “meaneth.”  It meant the Holy Spirit, the third person of the triune Godhead had just made His appointed end-time entrance into this world and christened the local Church.  However, instead of with a bottle of champagne, it was with signs, wonders, miracles and the equipping of God’s people with necessary power and abilities to fulfill the Great Commission.  The earthly branch of the universal Church of Jesus Christ had just been launched by God Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit ... dispatched by heaven’s throne to husband it until Jesus ushers it into glory; into the Father’s presence.  It began and remains today, a triune endeavor under the direct authority and supervision of the Holy Spirit.

As when Jesus, the Son and second person of the Trinity, 33 years earlier had entered the world, the occasion was marked by unique circumstances and the supernatural.  It’s noteworthy that the miracles punctuating both advents were of a one-time nature; never since repeated, although their eternal aspects remain.  Namely, before returning to the Father, the second person of the triune godhead dwelt among us for 33 years, laying the groundwork for the Church; the divine agency for mankind’s ultimate redemption.  Also, the third person of the godhead came to launch, equip and supervise that Church until the Son returns to receive it as a finished work.  Prophetically, a soon coming event.

Predictably, following the earthly advent of each of these divine beings, Satan, through his various agents, immediately launched efforts to discredit them, and if possible, destroy their works.  Responding to the miraculous inauguration of the Church on the Day of Pentecost, detractors charged the 120 with drunkenness. Observers mockingly said, "These men are full of new wine" — Acts 2:13.  However, with the Holy Spirit as its engine the Church, accompanied by signs and wonders, multiplied supernaturally.  It boldly proclaimed the truth and called the world to repentance: "Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" — Acts 2:38.

Today’s Church, even with its sure foundation, divine assistance and a plethora of helps and aids, languishes under the burden of the uninspired.  It powerlessly wallows in the wake of the world’s ways with its self or socially centered sermons, while promoting the works of its enemy (read on).  We play at praying, wrangle about worship, venerate the venal, produce more programs and build bigger buildings ... ALL with one foot firmly planted in the world.  Like no other religion, ours has become fodder for talk shows and stand-up comedians.  Christianity is in dire straits!  How can this be?

Here's how!  We’ve all but abandoned our God-appointed tutor, the Holy Spirit "... the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you ... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you ... everyone who asks receives" — Jn 14:26b; Ac 1:8; Mt 7:8a.

Capsulized: we’re ordained to be divinely taught, recall wisdom, have power and receive answers when we ask.  Therefore, if we need to apprise any idea, course of action, ministry, teaching or movement ... all we need do is ... ASK.  Our God guarantees He’ll provide “bread” (Mt 7:9) something nourishing and healthful.  Can you imagine Jesus offering up anything harmful to His flock?

How then can we explain even the most obvious of today’s Church follies: •offering yoga classes, •providing psychological counseling, •using business models for Church growth?  Even rudimentary research reveals their roots reach deeply into the rock and rubble of atheism.  Abominations!

What then must we conclude? One of three things: •we don’t ask; •we do, but don’t hear or, •we hear, but don’t obey. Though none will suffice before His throne of judgement, and putting the best construction on our actions, let’s look at #2; we don’t hear.  Possible?  Yes!  Spiritual “hearing” is dependent upon believing: having faith in God.  Moreover, trinitarian theology requires we view each of the persons of the godhead as fully God, BUT the Church does not.  By-and-large, it ignores, rejects and/or misrepresents the Holy Spirit.  Even within one of today’s foremost, line-by-line teaching movements, He is prohibited from functioning during Sunday services; relegated to a mid-week “after-glow” in the back room (maybe).  It goes downhill from there ... some even ascribing to Him, animalistic and other bizarre, behavior.

Duotarian distinctives.  The first and most prevalent is their state of unawares. Most Duos don’t realize they’ve become so and would deny it; likely labeling any such charge “bonkers” and in defense, might even attempt to recite the Apostle’s, Nicene or Athanasian creeds.  A Duo’s next distinctive is a propensity to textualism ... as compared to walking the talk.  A third is their lifestyle; often a slightly Christianized version of their unsaved neighbor’s.  A fourth is their personal unfamiliarity with genuine miracles.  If they refer to them at all, it’s almost always in the third person.  Fifth, they down-play the supernatural aspects of our faith (such as spiritual gifts).  Sixth, powerless lives: lots of leaves, maybe some blossoms, but little biblical fruit.  Seventh and most distinctive is a Duotarian’s perception of the Holy Spirit.  While they may blurt out that He’s the third person of the Godhead, they stumble when pressed for further description.  Many don’t really envision Him as a person at all. Descriptions tend to employ fuzzy, ethereal, if not spooky terms.  Even the adjective “force” will be invoked in their strained effort to frame Him with words.  Further, they make no personal connection to Him or relate Him to their corporate experience ... other than intellectually.  Most conclusively, they do not view the Holy Spirit as God Himself, but as some lesser and ill-defined entity.  The result is that they live in a state of religious unbelief ... not realizing that when they deny the person or ministry of the Holy Spirit, they are in reality denying God Himself.  This sin must be vying for first place.  Yes ... SIN!

What happens when your gather up a room full of Duotarians; when they come together to “have Church”?  Not much! With the Father on His throne, the Son at His right hand and the Spirit blocked through unbelief ... man is left to his own devices.  And, wow!  Does he EVER rise to the occasion with his “4-steps,” “7-ways” and “40 days.”  His Drucker business school, can-do, worldly thinking rejoices: “let’s build it bigger and better, even up to the clouds.” Surely, to the extent it grieves the Holy Spirit, this must please the satanic realm.  They have "... a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.  And how does the Spirit counsel?  ... from such turn away" — 2Tim 3:5.

It pains deeply even knowing, no less publishing such scarcely imaginable observations.  Friend, this matter has GOT to be a core issue in each of our lives and monumental in importance.  We urge you to read the book of Acts and epistles with an eye to how our forbearers viewed the Spirit, as well as His orchestration of all things called by Christ’s name.  Don’t for a moment think we can get by on two-thirds of the godhead.  When we ignore or reject the Holy Spirit, we really ignore and reject God.  Can you think of anything more serious than that?

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