My thanks to Gary Leonard over at Banned by HWA! for publishing my last post (That Great Day of the Feast). I am always surprised and grateful when he thinks that one of my pieces is worthy of sharing with his readers. For many years now, Gary has sought to challenge the followers of Herbert Armstrong's theology to reexamine their belief system and reclaim their ability to think for themselves.
Nevertheless, A few of the commentators on my post took exception to my remarks about their pride in being first - that my argument wasn't really with them but with God! One person even suggested that my own future in that regard may be uncertain because of those remarks.
This is a classic example of the kind of circular reasoning and mental straitjacket that has kept people in the clutches of Armstrong's theology for the last seventy years. They believe that God has revealed "His" TRUTH to them, and that if you don't see what they see you're WRONG. Worse yet, in their estimation, is anyone who has formerly accepted their position and now rejects it - that person is clearly not going to be first!
Nevertheless, in attacking me, these commentators failed to address the point that I was making in that post and my responses to them. Frankly, it DOESN'T matter what you or I think about what is going to happen to us when we die! It is what actually happens to us that matters. Likewise, our belief about the ordering of when we receive our invitation to accept Jesus Christ's sacrifice for our sins is a small matter when we compare it to the issue of whether or not we accept that invitation. The question is: Do we rejoice in the fact that ALL will/or have receive/d that invitation, or that we are the first to receive it?
Jesus Christ warned his disciples that "many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." (Matthew 19:30) He went on to say: "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." (Matthew 20:1-16)
I am thankful to have received an invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb, and I hope and pray that I will be ready when the door to that celebration is opened! The order in which I received my invitation does not (and should not) matter to me. And, as long as I am there, I don't care if I'm the last person through that door! Does that make sense?
Nevertheless, A few of the commentators on my post took exception to my remarks about their pride in being first - that my argument wasn't really with them but with God! One person even suggested that my own future in that regard may be uncertain because of those remarks.
This is a classic example of the kind of circular reasoning and mental straitjacket that has kept people in the clutches of Armstrong's theology for the last seventy years. They believe that God has revealed "His" TRUTH to them, and that if you don't see what they see you're WRONG. Worse yet, in their estimation, is anyone who has formerly accepted their position and now rejects it - that person is clearly not going to be first!
Nevertheless, in attacking me, these commentators failed to address the point that I was making in that post and my responses to them. Frankly, it DOESN'T matter what you or I think about what is going to happen to us when we die! It is what actually happens to us that matters. Likewise, our belief about the ordering of when we receive our invitation to accept Jesus Christ's sacrifice for our sins is a small matter when we compare it to the issue of whether or not we accept that invitation. The question is: Do we rejoice in the fact that ALL will/or have receive/d that invitation, or that we are the first to receive it?
Jesus Christ warned his disciples that "many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." (Matthew 19:30) He went on to say: "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." (Matthew 20:1-16)
I am thankful to have received an invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb, and I hope and pray that I will be ready when the door to that celebration is opened! The order in which I received my invitation does not (and should not) matter to me. And, as long as I am there, I don't care if I'm the last person through that door! Does that make sense?
Hello Lonnie,
ReplyDeleteYou stated:"Nevertheless, in attacking me, these commentators failed to address the point that I was making in that post and my responses to them. Frankly, it DOESN'T matter what you or I think about what is going to happen to us when we die! It is what actually happens to us that matters. Likewise, our belief about the ordering of when we receive our invitation to accept Jesus Christ's sacrifice for our sins is a small matter when we compare it to the issue of whether or not we accept that invitation. The question is: Do we rejoice in the fact that ALL will/or have receive/d that invitation, or that we are the first to receive it?"
I would prefer to use the word "refute" rather than "attack" as my intent of reply was not and is not hostile. If I understood your post correctly, you were attacking the ACOG's for believing that God has a time-ordered plan for bringing all of mankind to salvation. Your reasoning (as I understood it) was that believing in a special calling to a first resurrection was somehow "wrong" because it meant that some people would be "first" to attain salvation, while others would have that chance at a later time.
Did I misunderstand your comments?
You're right: Obviously, it doesn't matter what we (within the realm of human opinion) think. As you stated: "It is actually what happens to us that matters."
But how can we know what will happen to us without revelation? The Bible reveals a first resurrection, saying that it is a better resurrection. There is nothing ungodly or wrong with wanting to be in the first resurrection. Revealing a first resurrection implies a second resurrection to follow at a future time, when most of mankind will have a chance to respond to God's mercy and be given a opportunity to choose life.
It is possible for people to have a wrong kind of pride about being called now. That is something that anyone that God is calling now should be aware of and seek to grow out of. But if someone understands God's plan and that the first resurrection is a better resurrection - why would he or she not want that?
That is a magnificent plan that includes everyone being given an opportunity to choose life. Understanding that plan and responding to God's invitation now will mean that some people precede others in attaining salvation. Nothing wrong with that - it is how God has planned things out. However, responding to God's call now carries a responsibility: We are to hold fast to our calling so God may use us in service to assist Jesus Christ in helping the rest of mankind attain salvation in God's family. Why would we not want to do that?
Dean
Dean,
DeleteThank you for clarifying your position. I attacked the attitude of many within the ACOG culture toward being first - one of pride in knowledge, power, glory and position. I never suggested in any way that there is anything wrong with God's plans or timing - you assigned that interpretation to my post.
There is nothing wrong with being thankful for Christ's sacrifice or having a desire to help others attain salvation. There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to be a part of the first resurrection.
The problem is that too many Armstrongites believe that they are superior to others. They glory in the power and prestige that they suppose will be theirs in the kingdom. Our Savior didn't want his disciples to covet the first place - to have the desire to lord it over others. He was a servant, and he wants his followers to rejoice in helping others to achieve their potential.
Lonnie,
ReplyDeleteThank you also, for your clarification.
You stated: "The problem is that too many Armstrongites believe that they are superior to others. They glory in the power and prestige that they suppose will be theirs in the kingdom. Our Savior didn't want his disciples to covet the first place - to have the desire to lord it over others. He was a servant, and he wants his followers to rejoice in helping others to achieve their potential."
You and I (and others also) experienced some difficult years in the COGs. I understand your sentiments regarding the old church culture. I do believe that most people in the COGs are good people who want to do the right thing. God is patient with us as we continue to grow in grace and knowledge.
Many brethren (but not all) in the COGs recognize that our old church culture was spiritually immature and that there was a wrong type of pride regarding understanding certain things that others may not yet know. With that awareness, many brethren are moving forward, away from the immaturity of the past - not to reject our core doctrines - but embrace them as a call to service to grow in grace and knowledge so we can assist Jesus Christ in (as you said above) "helping others to achieve their potential."
Also, after some reflection, I want to apologize to you for overstepping in some of my previous remarks. It was wrong of me to suggest that your salvation might be at risk. No human can surmise the spiritual standing with God of another person. I'm sorry for that. ONLY God has the standing to determine one's salvation - and He dearly wants all of us to be saved!
One thing that I have learned is that it is Grace and Law, not Law and Grace (as the COGs used to always say) that makes our Christian path possible. Grace comes first!! The essence and core of God's grace is our relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. It is that relationship (not our "understanding") that connects us to God and makes spiritual conversion possible and enables us to keep the spiritual intent of God's laws.
May the grace of God continue to be with us as we strive to follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Take care,
Dean
Thanks for your gracious comments. A-men and you too!
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