Comments on: Rod Parsley Ruins Christmas http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rod-parsley-ruins-christmas ...dispatches from the post-evangelical wilderness Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:36:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Carolyn http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rod-parsley-ruins-christmas/comment-page-2#comment-347670 Carolyn Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:55:51 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2672#comment-347670 When I hear messages like Parsley's, I 'hear' e.g...the womb is the dark place where humanity (flesh) is conceived. And in that dark field of fleshly procreation... God planted a righteous seed. That precious seed was formed in darkness of the womb, born into darkness of the world, but unlike all His fleshly brethren, He was Life. His immersion into the Second death (death of His soul)...made it possible for each of us to come forth from the dark womb of death and pass 'from death to Life. The Father then becomes my rock, shield, deliverer, fortress, and strength..(the real prosperity gospel)! Rather than wasting words condemning the words of other men..we might be better served speaking Words of Life. When I hear messages like Parsley’s, I ‘hear’ e.g…the womb is the dark place where humanity (flesh) is conceived. And in that dark field of fleshly procreation… God planted a righteous seed. That precious seed was formed in darkness of the womb, born into darkness of the world, but unlike all His fleshly brethren, He was Life. His immersion into the Second death (death of His soul)…made it possible for each of us to come forth from the dark womb of death and pass ‘from death to Life. The Father then becomes my rock, shield, deliverer, fortress, and strength..(the real prosperity gospel)! Rather than wasting words condemning the words of other men..we might be better served speaking Words of Life.

]]> By: Eclectic Christian - Michael Bell http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rod-parsley-ruins-christmas/comment-page-2#comment-346268 Eclectic Christian - Michael Bell Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:28:30 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2672#comment-346268 I wish I had this earlier for this post, but Pastor Dieter Reida has an excellent list of <a href="http://pastordietersviewpoint.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-lessons-for-pastors.html" rel="nofollow">"Thou Shalts"</a> to consider when preparing a Christmas service. Take note of it, and refer to it again next year. I wish I had this earlier for this post, but Pastor Dieter Reida has an excellent list of “Thou Shalts” to consider when preparing a Christmas service. Take note of it, and refer to it again next year.

]]> By: Eclectic Christian - Michael Bell http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rod-parsley-ruins-christmas/comment-page-2#comment-346264 Eclectic Christian - Michael Bell Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:17:38 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2672#comment-346264 Chris E. I surrender! :) Chris E.

I surrender! :)

]]> By: Chris E http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rod-parsley-ruins-christmas/comment-page-2#comment-345998 Chris E Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:04:08 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2672#comment-345998 <blockquote> “Filthy rags” are at least morally neutral. </blockquote> Actually, they aren't. Menstrual rags would be one of those things that would render an Old Testament believer unclean for a time - in a way that sin alone, which could be atoned for the next day wouldn't. 'Filthy rags' doesn't really capture the shock value of that statement. <blockquote> Comparing facets of Christianity to pornography, takes it another step further </blockquote> When the fruits of prosperity are carefully paraded in front of the screen whilst the preacher confidentially reveals how God can be manipulated into producing all of these for you, I don't think the language of lust or indeed pornography is too strong or indeed inappropriate. Scripture values fidelity to God more greatly than middle class sensibilities, and knows of no sin more serious than idolatry. There is nothing Christian about trying to manipulate God into getting you what you really really want. Against the unfaithful believer, the Bible uses the language of Ezekiel 23:20

“Filthy rags” are at least morally neutral.

Actually, they aren’t. Menstrual rags would be one of those things that would render an Old Testament believer unclean for a time – in a way that sin alone, which could be atoned for the next day wouldn’t. ‘Filthy rags’ doesn’t really capture the shock value of that statement.

Comparing facets of Christianity to pornography, takes it another step further

When the fruits of prosperity are carefully paraded in front of the screen whilst the preacher confidentially reveals how God can be manipulated into producing all of these for you, I don’t think the language of lust or indeed pornography is too strong or indeed inappropriate.

Scripture values fidelity to God more greatly than middle class sensibilities, and knows of no sin more serious than idolatry. There is nothing Christian about trying to manipulate God into getting you what you really really want. Against the unfaithful believer, the Bible uses the language of Ezekiel 23:20

]]> By: e2c http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rod-parsley-ruins-christmas/comment-page-2#comment-345938 e2c Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:08:15 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2672#comment-345938 Sigh. If (big "if") evangelicals were to accept the Nicene Creed as an article/articulation of their faith, it might just be possible that people would start to see Parsley's (and others) errors for what they are. (Or not.) I wonder when we Protestants will take a long, hard look at this kind of "teaching" and openly declare it to be that of another, highly syncretistic religion that's making use of certain aspects of Christianity? (I could expand on that, especially given Parsley's outright hate speech about Islam and Muslims, but won't. You all ca fill in the blanks pretty easily, I'm thinking.) Sigh.

If (big “if”) evangelicals were to accept the Nicene Creed as an article/articulation of their faith, it might just be possible that people would start to see Parsley’s (and others) errors for what they are. (Or not.)

I wonder when we Protestants will take a long, hard look at this kind of “teaching” and openly declare it to be that of another, highly syncretistic religion that’s making use of certain aspects of Christianity?

(I could expand on that, especially given Parsley’s outright hate speech about Islam and Muslims, but won’t. You all ca fill in the blanks pretty easily, I’m thinking.)

]]> By: JayH (Histrion) http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rod-parsley-ruins-christmas/comment-page-2#comment-345880 JayH (Histrion) Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:23:46 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2672#comment-345880 I agree with dumb ox about Marian cults: when iMonk paraphrased part of Parsley's message as <i>That’s right. The virgin birth is an illustration of moralistic repentance. Clean up your thought life so you, too, can be a virgin’s womb….so to speak,</i> all I could think was, "Wow, it's like he's stumping for acceptance of the Immaculate Conception." I agree with dumb ox about Marian cults: when iMonk paraphrased part of Parsley’s message as That’s right. The virgin birth is an illustration of moralistic repentance. Clean up your thought life so you, too, can be a virgin’s womb….so to speak, all I could think was, “Wow, it’s like he’s stumping for acceptance of the Immaculate Conception.”

]]> By: Martha http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rod-parsley-ruins-christmas/comment-page-2#comment-345878 Martha Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:18:31 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2672#comment-345878 You're welcome, treebeard. It's all part of the Pavlovian RC conditioning, you know; mention "Mary" and all this stuff comes pouring out ;-) You’re welcome, treebeard. It’s all part of the Pavlovian RC conditioning, you know; mention “Mary” and all this stuff comes pouring out ;-)

]]> By: Eclectic Christian - Michael Bell http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rod-parsley-ruins-christmas/comment-page-2#comment-345845 Eclectic Christian - Michael Bell Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:41:00 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2672#comment-345845 <blockquote>How are you on St Paul and Isaiah comparing works righteousness to used tampons? Thing is - I know what he means, there is something ‘pornographic’ about prosperity presentations. It’s like CS Lewis’s picture of a country where a men salivate in a room whilst a steak is slowly revealed from behind a curtain. </blockquote> "Filthy rags" are at least morally neutral. They are of no value according to Paul. Comparing facets of Christianity to pornography, takes it another step further.

How are you on St Paul and Isaiah comparing works righteousness to used tampons?

Thing is – I know what he means, there is something ‘pornographic’ about prosperity presentations. It’s like CS Lewis’s picture of a country where a men salivate in a room whilst a steak is slowly revealed from behind a curtain.

“Filthy rags” are at least morally neutral. They are of no value according to Paul. Comparing facets of Christianity to pornography, takes it another step further.

]]> By: treebeard http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rod-parsley-ruins-christmas/comment-page-2#comment-345816 treebeard Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:55:20 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2672#comment-345816 Martha, Thanks very much for that St. Augustine quote. I never heard that before, and that articulates my understanding better than the version I heard previously. Martha,
Thanks very much for that St. Augustine quote. I never heard that before, and that articulates my understanding better than the version I heard previously.

]]> By: Chris E http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/rod-parsley-ruins-christmas/comment-page-2#comment-345778 Chris E Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:41:21 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/?p=2672#comment-345778 <blockquote> I do have a sense of humor, but comparing anything Christian to pornography crosses the line for me. </blockquote> How are you on St Paul and Isaiah comparing works righteousness to used tampons? Thing is - I know what he means, there is something 'pornographic' about prosperity presentations. It's like CS Lewis's picture of a country where a men salivate in a room whilst a steak is slowly revealed from behind a curtain.

I do have a sense of humor, but comparing anything Christian to pornography crosses the line for me.

How are you on St Paul and Isaiah comparing works righteousness to used tampons?

Thing is – I know what he means, there is something ‘pornographic’ about prosperity presentations. It’s like CS Lewis’s picture of a country where a men salivate in a room whilst a steak is slowly revealed from behind a curtain.

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