Another Troubled Church

Paul wrote the troubled church at Corinth on a wide range of issues including divisions, marriage and divorce, social occasions and more, but sadly in the last 2,000 years the church refuses to learn the lessons. Exhibit “A” in the we-never-learn category:

CANTON, N.C. (October 13, 2009) — The Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Canton, N.C. will celebrate Halloween by burning Bibles that aren’t the King James Version, as well as music and books and anything else Pastor Marc Grizzard says is a satanic influence.

“We will also be burning Satan’s popular books written by heretics like Billy Graham, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, John McArthur, James Dobson, Charles Swindoll, John Piper, Chuck Colson, Tony Evans, Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swagart, Mark Driskol, Franklin Graham, Bill Bright, Tim Lahaye, Paula White, T.D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, Joyce Myers, Brian McLaren, Robert Schuller, Mother Teresa, The Pope, Rob Bell, Erwin McManus, Donald Miller, Shane Claiborne, Brennan Manning (and) William Young.”

During the book burning, according to the Web site, barbecued chicken fried chicken and “all the sides” will be served.

Few ideas create such intense gut reactions as book burning (well, child abuse and cruelty to animals, but you get the idea); if their goal is to create publicity they’ve got it, but if their goal is to create discussion they’re way off target. Additionally, using the “satanic influence” buzzword reminds people of Dana Carvey as “The Church Lady” on SNL; much like shouting “racism” all the time, overuse of the words diminishes the significance when they do apply. This church may win buzzword bingo, but in the process sacrifice their ability to make a difference.

Note the irony of “The Amazing Grace Baptist Church” burning Bibles which aren’t KJV, and calling Billy Graham a heretic. Where’s the grace in that? We certainly don’t endorse all the writings on that list as proper and doctrinally correct, but in the event someone writes a doctrinally challenged book, is this the right way to approach the problem? Lumping all those people together creates problems — are Billy Graham and Mother Teresa on the same level as Benny Hinn?

For the moment let’s assume they’re right — it’s still a nasty case of “sandwich-board” technique. Even if they’re right, it’s a horrible way to communicate and ultimately turns away people (we found this article featured by an atheist); events like this are used as justification for rejecting God. Of course that’s not logical (using bizarre antics by the church and attributing them to God), but you can understand why some people will never consider God or stepping foot in church again after reading a few articles like this.

Christians must never compromise doctrine, but must also learn to not major in the minors and consider the methods used to communicate the truth — the world does watch.

Another case of The Troubled Church — perhaps it’s time for a thorough study of what Paul had to say about divisions and the proper attitude of the church in the world.