Looking for a little help on how to respond
Post Update:
I have made a decision on what to do with the letter mentioned in this post. My decision comes from the comments. I have chosen the Empathy path. I feel so badly for the people who commented. I am convinced that these folks, including Amanda, have been lied to and are wounded by what they have been told. So, I am going to keep providing my contribution of what the Gospel of Jesus is (because the Bible has been so skewed for these folks) and I hope it will get through. May the Spirit set them free.
So, every once in a while I get an email that for some reason gets to me. I probably shouldn’t say this it may only bring more on. I am thinking it has something to do with the particular timing of the email more than the content.
Now, most of the time I just let them slide by and delete them, but there are times where I feel like I am in that Happy Days episode where Fonzie is trying not to be violent and Richie is helping him, until he finally says “get em Fonz”. I feel like I am at one of those “get em” moments on this one.
So, I am choosing to post this here and seek a little advise for what to do.
- I could ignore it.
- I could respond thoughtful response
- change and join her
- Feel empathy for her and pray
- “get em”
Perhaps you have other options for me.
Dear Mr. Pagitt,
Please stop calling yourself and your church “Christian.”
I’ve just heard your scathing insult of Dr. John MacArthur, where you accuse him of having “perverted” the gospel. This accusation is proof enough that you neither hold to the basic tenets of the Christian faith nor understand them.
For the sake of eternity – yours and those you guide – study the Reformers – those men and women who endured torture and gave their lives, not to change Christianity in order to make it more palatable, but to bring the faith back to the Bible, back to biblical Christianity, and away from the traditions of men. If you stray too far from their doctrines and confessions and all else you seem to hate, then you are so far from the teachings of Christ as to not merit calling yourself His true follower. Please stop broadcasting emergent falsehoods.
The following sites will be helpful:
www.gty.org
www.desiringgod.org
www.monergism.org
www.livingwaters.com
www.wretchedradio.com
This is a test. This is only a test. For the next 60 seconds, this Christian will conduct a test of the Emergent Broadcast System. Have you ever told a lie or distorted the truth? Lusted after a woman not your wife? Christ calls that adultery in the heart. Taken anything that didn’t belong to you – even a pen, a paper clip, too much change back, or downloaded music without paying for it? Ever hated someone or been unjustly angry with them – like for cutting you off on the freeway or sending you a rebuke via email? Christ calls that murder in the heart. Face it: You’re a lying, thieving, adulterous murderer at heart. On Judgment Day, you will stand before holy God, guilty of breaking His Laws many, many times over. Your sentence is Hell. Forever. What you believe makes no difference; God’s Law overrules human belief. But there is hope. God came to earth in human form as Jesus Christ, lived a perfect life, never sinning, was beaten and crucified, died on the cross, was buried, and raised Himself to life again, all so that those who repent of their sin, ask forgiveness, and put their faith and trust in Him as their Lord and Savior will one day be raised from the dead to life with Him. Those who turn their backs on Him, who do not take Him at His word, as presented clearly in the Bible, will also be raised – raised to be sentenced to eternity in Hell. Like it or not, believe it or not, it will happen.
Muse over your sin. Know you’ve sinned against a perfectly holy God. If you are broken over it, repent, ask forgiveness, and put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. If not, please stop calling yourself a Christian – you and the Emergent movement have failed the test.
Grace and peace,
Amanda (I removed her last name)
Blacks didn’t choose slavery.
Jews didn’t choose genocide.
Babies don’t choose abortion.