Well, they are quite the different weapons. With skill, the sword can be used for precision cuts. But with a club, all you can do is bludgeon. With a club you can forget precision too as the questions are only what is broken and how much blood is on the floor.

As Christians we have a weapon and it is precise. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the heart.” Now that is a weapon!

It is a powerful weapon—I can actually think of none stronger. It is two-edged for the height of precision. Its precision goes where none other can go. If its precision to cut perfectly the joints and marrow was not enough, it can slice between our souls and spirits. It turns out that its work exceeds cutting and actually discerns hearts. Its greatest feature it that it is “quick”, which means “alive”. Where other weapons excel in death, it distributes life. No wonder we are told that “…the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.”

So it is clear what the Sword of the Word of God is. But we have a problem. Some wielders of the sword confuse it for a club. They see it as a traditional weapon, which, of course, leads to death. This error raises its ugly head all through Christianity, and Independent Baptists have often followed suite. They are quite clumsy with a club, but who wouldn’t be if your club is actually a sword?

There are a variety of damaging moves with the club. Some take God’s Word that is meant to bring life and take those abused by sin and abuse them more. Where God’s Word brings guilt to see our sin only to later remove both the sin and the guilt with its Gospel message, some explain the sin and bring on the guilt only to leave you broken and bleeding from its blow. Some then run from the Word for relief when only the Word can bring relief because some silly Christian soldier thought his sword was a club.

All of this is not to say that God’s Word doesn’t convict or tell me what is wrong. It tells reality in a Holy God’s Universe. But when its precision cuts tell me what a rotten sinner I really am, the grace of God springing from the blood of Jesus Christ comes surging over me. Here is where club users go awry.

I read that the legalist wants you punished. Apparently, the delirium that comes from club swinging makes one forget that Christ took the punishment. We proceed from there. The legalist wants you to pay where Christ has already paid it all. Lest our discussion get off track, let’s remember that is as true years after I’m saved as it was the day I got saved.

If we get that messed up, we speed down the slippery slope. First thing you know, some club gladiator with a Bible in his hands tells some battered woman in the throes of physical abuse that she must stay and submit. Or next we’re told we can’t report a church member for molesting a child because we can’t our take brother to court. The Bible was referring to civil cases in that instance, but a club is not, as we said, an instrument of precision. None of that is “quick”, or life. It sounds like death to me. It may not be a bludgeoned skull, but it is a butchered heart and life.

It is time to lay down our clubs. We are not even trained or called to use them. But let’s take the Sword of the Word of God into our hands as it is the answer for us all.

Find all articles in the series here.

May I answer the question for you? Yes, you are and so am I. The real discussion is not whether we have narcissistic tendencies, but are we battling them. This is, of course, a human problem and not a denominational one. Though this series is aimed at those who are, or have been, part of the Independent Baptist world, this subject extends far beyond it. Those in it struggle here not because they are Independent Baptists, but because they are flesh and blood and join in the human condition. In that it is a challenge for us all, it affects every group of people including those in Christian circles. So that calls for a word here.

Narcissism as a term for our malady traces back to Narcissus in Greek Mythology. Its essence as a concept, though, goes back to Eden. Narcissus was a young handsome chap who caught a reflection of himself in a pond. He was so captivated by his own reflection that he fell in love with himself. This love affair grew until the captivated Narcissus fell in the pond and drowned. Whatever you think of Greek mythology, can you think of a better, or more accurate, story for being impressed and infatuated with yourself?

This excessively growing love that is narcissism has been described as “an unbounded admiration of self.” As bad as it has always been, it is clearly a growing issue of the Last Days: “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” (II Timothy 3:2).

Being in a church setting, or a Christian home, or in a room all by yourself, is no guarantee to avoid narcissism. A preacher could look over his sermon notes and think…wow, this is awesome. A singer could come to believe that applause actually proved something. A pastor might start believing and openly proclaiming how great his ministry is…the best in town, or maybe the state. A volunteer might come to believe the church’s future is fully on his back.

Our teaching or preaching may become overloaded with stories where we are the hero. Beyond the little stories of things we have observed, our stories become ever more the tale of one rescuing the world, of one clearly standing above others. Just before we fall into the pond staring at our own reflection, our story grows more relevant as we speak than His story. 

It will show up in our daily lives as well. We might blog and think ours has more potential to change the world than others. (Ouch). Our Facebook or Twitter statuses grow beyond keeping up with each other to a need to status because those readers need to hear from us. It’s not the posting that is an issue, but the thought processes as we hit “send”.

The answer is in God’s Word. The reflection that you see in the mirror of its pages gives a more vivid and accurate image of us than do those ripples across the pond. If you look at it long enough you won’t fall in love with yourself, but with Christ Who is worthy of the deep love we narcissists usually give ourselves.

Perhaps, narcissism isn’t so surprising after all. I was reading the other day that we are made in the image of God and that God is worthy of praise. Somewhere inside of we who are in His image is a need for that praise. There is, however, two problems: 1) We are not the Almighty even if in His image, and 2) We are corrupted by sin and incredibly unworthy. We are marred and we view our lives as touched-up photos.

We must strive to keep the accurate, biblical view of ourselves ever before our eyes or we will never do any worthwhile ministry. We must stay in love with Christ, and fulfilled by Him, so that we need not believe such hopelessly ridiculous things about ourselves. The world could get along without us without missing one beat. On the other hand, it cannot do without Him.

So, I pray–Lord, help me keep the narcissist within at bay.

Find all articles in the series here.

Any Christian should have an idea of what idolatry is. Idolatry is rendering to any other thing what is due only to God. Usually the actions run deep enough that the word “worship” comes to mind. Using the words of the Ten Commandments, it includes “bowing down” and “serving”. In the broader sense, I saw it defined as “immoderate attachment or devotion to something.” I believe idolatry is a battle for us all, and clearly for every group or denomination, and Independent Baptists struggle with their own flavor. Here are our prime ones, our brand of idolatry:

1. An Idol Of Independent Baptist Itself

Beyond folks who are Independent Baptists because they just feel it most closely aligns with the Scriptures, there are those who feel it holds an inherent superiority in and of itself. First, there are those who hold to what is known as a “Baptist Brider” position that believes that Baptists are the Bride of Christ and any other saved person is, at best, a friend of the Bride. We will sit at the table at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb while others stand at the side and watch. While Baptists have a longstanding and amazing legacy, this is without any Scriptural warrant and is ludicrous. The so-called “succession” can be no better be provided all the way back to Christ as a list than other groups who claim the same thing.

While I hope the “Brider” stuff is not too widespread, there are others who have come to believe that we have grown to be something so special that now only we have the truth. The rift between us and everyone else is now so large that they are the enemy. To be in some other group is a sign of either spiritual immaturity, or worse, backsliding. Many now make prominent their separation from everything not Independent Baptist and feel this so pleases the Lord. We size people up quickly not so much on what they believe about Christ, but whether are they Independent Baptists. That is to say, the question “Are you an Independent Baptist?” tells us more about a person than the question “What do you think of Christ?” See what got switched around? Is that not idolatry?

2. An Idol Of Standards

It appears to me that standards started out as simply deciding how one ought to live before the Lord. Everyone has to seek the Lord and answer those questions on many levels, but in some circles in the Independent Baptist world it has grown into a standardized list. No longer a thoughtful look at various issues to honor Christ, it is a package deal. Some subgroups have a slightly different package, but the package must be accepted as a whole. Any major transgression of any point is to break the whole package and bring the wrath of the whole group. The package is held up as what makes us right. Some over time confuse the adherence of the package of standards as the thing that makes God love them. Some vehemently deny that conclusion, but can’t explain why so many they have trained are so confused. In this situation, we look at ourselves and ask “Am I keeping my standards?” instead of “How is my personal relationship with Christ?” Is that not idolatry?

3. An Idol Of Associations

Another thing you see at times is some being obsessed with certain leaders in the Independent Baptist world. Make what you will of the leaders in those situations, I am more troubled by some who come so close to worship. Those leaders can do no wrong. Scandals must be hushed up. Slander of those against your leader is offered up without proof. This is not the same as friendship, or even appreciation. It is something much more.

Then there are the associations gathered around these persons (I do not mean if you happen to have gone to a school or church of one of these leaders and love and appreciate them that you are guilty of this, or that any particular leader is guilty!) There is a problem, however, if you yield a blind allegiance to such groups no matter what. If you are not willing to say that your favorite group, which is made up of fallible people, could be wrong, you have given an exalted status that should only be given to the Infallible Christ. If, on some matter, you say someone or some group is right when Christ says they are wrong, what have you done? This is not about turning into a critic, but having everyone stay firmly in the human category they are in. You even see younger guys working every angle to get higher up the totem pole of the group. Isn’t this one the most hideous transposings of worship? And is that not idolatry?

Find all articles in the series here.

I’m out! Well, I am and will later in this article explain where I am out. Those words reverberate loudly often, in the reverse, in the Independent Baptist world as well. That is worthy of discussion too.

Perhaps you have watched a show that fascinates my family called “Shark Tank”. It is not my favorite program, and usually I will read while they watch, but in my home you can’t help watching it some. If you haven’t seen it, it is a show where entrepreneurs needing money to propel their business forward come before five filthy rich business magnates and pitch their business to see if one or more of the five will give the money for a stake of the company. Those five have succeeded for a reason and can spot a bad business plan or product as quickly as a dog can a bone. There is even one shark in the center called Mr. Wonderful (never has the bar for wonderful been set so low) who often reenergizes the term “painfully honest”.

In accordance with the typical vicarious reality-TV experience of our generation, the camera will pan from the face of the entrepreneur to the shark. The tension is seeing if the shark will make a deal or say those dreaded words: “I’m out!” Though it seems personal, the viewer must not forget that those sharks surely have a right to invest where they choose. They seem in most cases to be fairly cordial afterwards to those they just dropped the bomb of “I’m out” on. Still, you can see the fear in the eyes of the entrepreneurs that the “I’m out” may come.

In the Independent Baptist world, and I imagine in a few other corners of Christianity, we have almost that same scenario, except worse. The words “I’m out” are altered to “You’re out.”  It is not I am going to pack up my toys (or money) and go home, but I am going to pack up your toys (or fellowship) and send you home. The former is unpleasant, but the latter is devastating.

We have had much communication with those on both sides of the “You’re out”. There are those who have heard it and are trying to recover from what has been an emotional crisis involving family or friends. If that doesn’t strike you as a big deal, it only proves you have not been through it. Someone I dearly love has had the “you’re out” hurled at them this very year.

Then there are those with that look of terror in their eyes who fear the words may come at any time. They wrestle with sticking to what they believe or selling their souls to avoid the “You’re out”.

O I almost forgot—you may be wondering what events precipitated the pronouncement of “You’re out”. Believe it or not, this complete or near-complete breaking of fellowship were over things like (in order of occurrence): dress standards, complete obedience to a certain clique’s position, unquestioned support of a questionable leader, and music standards. I will refrain from sarcasm here and just suggest you join many others of us in rolling your eyes.

I want to give a word to those who have heard the painful “You’re Out” since I know several readers of this blog fall in that category. Imagine being in a plane and the other riders decided you were not enough in agreement with them and opened the door and threw you out barely giving you time to strap on a parachute. There is the sheer terror of falling (at least that is how I visualize it as the last guy who will ever volunteer to jump out of a plane), the hurt of being treated so by those you expected more of, and the fear of the unknown and how exactly you handle the landing since you have never done this before. A little overwhelming, wouldn’t you agree?

But then imagine that as you drift down in your parachute in a torrent of emotion that you see the plane you were thrown out of slam into the side of a mountain. That would, of course, only make for even more strong emotions, but would not one of those new emotions be gratitude that you were no longer on the plane? Hurting one, what I am trying to say is that the plane you were thrown out of is going to crash.

Please don’t think I am saying: they hurt you and they will pay. That is God’s business and our thoughts must not go there. What I am saying is that a life where we must earn God’s love, where our soul liberty is brutalized, where the priesthood of the believer we possess is sabotaged, and the Lordship of Christ we must give to Jesus is high jacked– that life cannot succeed. That is not the Life that Jesus gave us. It is not really life at all. Be thankful you are no longer on the plane. Hurting or not, you are far better off.

O, before I go, I said I would explain where “I’m out”. I do not direct those words to any Independent Baptist people or institutions. Probably I can just wait for them to say “You’re out” to me and it will all sort itself out. Those who never say “You’re out” to me will find that I will remain friendly to the end. The Truth Revolution is not personal over characters in IFB for me, but personal about Christ Who I love. I love being a Baptist with its blood-stained heritage, but not what some Baptists have defrauded of that heritage.

So, I’m out to being sucked into bondage. I’m out over someone dictating to my conscience. I’m out to being forced to conform to feeble men’s demands. I’m out over forced or made up Bible (mis-) interpretations. I’m out to someone robbing me of the joy Christ so freely gives. I’m out to men’s opinion overtaking the Word of God. I’m out to voices that would drown out the Word of God. I’m out to having freedom and liberty in Christ taken from me. I have a wonderful Savior and I am free and I love it—so I’m out.

Find all articles in the series here.

“It’s not who’s right, but what’s right.” That was the statement I heard someone make that keeps ringing in my ears. How often have we seen the reverse–it’s not what’s right, but who’s right –lived out in front of us? It is a temptation to every group in Christianity, and Independent Baptists certainly have their struggles with it too.

When we live under the canopy of who’s right we are reduced to Christian politics. I can think of no two words more ill suited for each other than “Christian” and “politics”. It no longer is what Christ actually said that drives us, but which group is best at following what He said. That may appear a subtle distinction to you, but it is vast.

When I follow Christ by following which group or clique best follows him, I am no longer listening directly to Him. Now that is an incredible mistake to make. It is adding a middle man where none is needed. It is denying that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man. It is exalting those to priests in your life who are not worthy of the role.  

Over time it makes us forgetful too. We forget we answer to Him. We forget to seek Him. We feel right with Him when we are right with them. We forget that if they are wrong, we will be too by default. Sadly, then we are in a place to not even realize it. 

That same gentleman also said, “It’s fraternity instead of orthodoxy.” We must realize that those two things are not the same. Orthodoxy is holding to Scriptures because God said it while fraternity is holding to something because either my buddies or my heroes said it. See the difference?

Orthodoxy is me following an infallible Book. Perhaps I will misinterpret it, but I do so from a pure source. Fraternity is me following fallible men who range from sincere to duplicitous. Again, see the difference?

This is not to say that some group may not be right–only that is not the point. That is not to say that I may not associate with a group that I feel most closely aligns with God’s Word–only that is not the deciding factor in what I do or believe. No, fraternity, for all its good features, must bow to orthodoxy. And we will answer at the end of the way not for who’s right, but most assuredly, for what’s right. May God help us to never forget it. 

Find all articles in the series here.

Make sure you leave right. Ever heard that one before? It can be said to church members, and especially to departing staff members. I’ve had many a letter describe a sordid tale over simply leaving. In fact, a reader even asked me to tackle this topic.

This is an awkward subject in the sense of who wouldn’t want to follow “make sure you you leave right” as a principle? In leaving one could, of course, be unchristian and bring damage to the cause of Christ. We should recommend this as a course of action to each other in the instances of life where we must leave.

Just because it is a good thing to do, and a good step to recommend, does not mean it cannot be used in some bad cases of abuse. It most often rears its ugly head when a pastor abusing his role like an oily hireling uses it as manipulative–PR moves, scapegoating, character assassination, or ego enhancement.

Oftentimes the church member or staff member will strive to leave in the best possible terms. Some things that could be said are graciously left unsaid. Care is taken to get into no gossipy situations. And especially, must respect is afforded the pastor.

Then sadly, that respect is not returned. Accusations are made. The pastor acts like the ends justifies the means even if that means destroying someone to protect his ministry. Sad when we forget it is God’s ministry.

In some cases it is only an assistant being called out to other work. This should be a cause of rejoicing like a Timothy going out from Paul, but instead the pastor is only concerned with the immediate impact on him. He acts like his ministry is the height of God’s work instead of seeing that God’s work often thrives by others being sent out.

We need a call back to pastors as shepherds. We give our lives for the sheep, not destroy the sheep we were called to love and care for. May God help us.

Find all articles in the series here.