According to many sources, Bono (the lead singer of the rock band 'U2' - see above image) is something of an icon for the Emergent Church Movement. He has even reportedly been called "the official theologian" of that Movement. To many in that movement, as well as to very many others in more traditional Christian churches, Bono is a kind of holy man, in an eclectic sort of way: he's cosmopolitan, pacifistic, postmodern and, above all, ecumenical - besides being super rich and (as some think,) way cool. Oh, yeah, and he's a Christian.
Importantly, multitudes of people evidently believe that Bono is a Christian; which says a lot about what such people think that it means to be a Christian. And that, in turn, says a lot about the current state of affairs in contemporary 'Christendom'.
Many professing Christians look up to Bono as a world class Christian leader. He is well known for his philanthropy as well as for his high-level access to, and influence among, numerous world leaders. He is an advocate of so-called 'social justice' and of world peace. (Who would object to such causes as those?) But does being a socio-political activist make one a Christian?
First, let's observe an example of Bono's 'confession of Christian faith'. In a recent article published in The Huffington Post, Bono was quoted as saying:
“I pray to get to know the will of God, because then the prayers have more chance of coming true -- I mean, that’s the thing about prayer. We don't do it in a very lofty way in our family. It’s just a bunch of us on the bed, usually, we’ve a very big bed in our house. We pray with all our kids, we read the Scriptures, we pray."
When he was asked, in that same interview, about Christ's divinity, Bono replied:
"[Jesus] went around saying he was the Messiah. That’s why he was crucified. He was crucified because he said he was the Son of God. So, he either, in my view, was the Son of God or he was nuts. Forget rock-and-roll messianic complexes, I mean Charlie Manson-type delirium. And I find it hard to accept that whole millions and millions of lives, half the Earth, for 2,000 years have been touched, have felt their lives touched and inspired by some nutter. I just, I don’t believe it.”
That's plenty enough for many people, apparently, to presume that Bono is a Christian. But is he really a Christian?
In an online video (click here), when awarded an honorary knighthood by the British crown, Bono said: "You have permission to call me anything you want, except, 'Sir'. Alright?: 'Lord of lords'; 'Your Demigodness'...". What real Christian would dare to speak such blasphemous words? And at one of his concerts, where Bono covered his eyes with a bandanna on which was written a series of symbols and letters meant to be read as "coexist" (see picture, above) - where the symbols variously represent Islam, Atheism, Judaism, Buddhism, and Christianity: Bono reportedly began to chant: "Jesus, Jew, Mohammed: all true".
Bono is doubtless what many are willing to call a 'postmodern Christian'. But he is not a Christian, according to the Word of God.
America's churches are replete with folks who not only accept the idea that Bono is a Christian, but who go even further and embrace him as a Christian leader. And they do so not because that Bono truly is a Christian, but because their own understanding of Christianity is fraught with misinformation and misconception: in a word, deception.
The case involving such widespread endorsement of Bono as a Christian leader, is but one instance of gross apostasy that characterizes so many professing Christians as well as most of what are supposedly Christian churches. The spirit of error (1John 4:6) is manifested in many different ways - not the least dangerous of which involves the almost universal practice of not merely tolerating but, in fact, soliciting a mixed multitude - that is to say, both saved, as well as unsaved, persons, in efforts to increase the number of people attending church. Consequently, evangelism now basically entails - in practice, if not in theory, merely trying to get 'who soever will' to come to church.
That means that most churches are comprised not only of truly born-again Christians, but they also consist of many persons who are not really Christians at all. In fact, it is probably the case that a majority of those unsaved persons will remain unconverted and unregenerate. Notwithstanding their regular church attendance and their otherwise 'good behavior', yet, they are ever only 'carnal', earthly, fleshly: and, so, they cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The churches in America, by and large, consist of a mixed multitude: saved and unsaved together - like oil and water. And the great majority of Christians evidently believe that a mixed multitude within and among the Church is not merely acceptable but it is even desirable! Of course, their justification for such a practice is based upon the notion that if sinners can somehow be cajoled to attend church services, they may then be exposed to the gospel and, hopefully, be converted.
But is that idea, is that practice, Biblical?
It is not. Firstly, it reveals either ignorance, or timidity, or apathy - or all of those things, pertaining to the nature and work of evangelism. By merely inviting unsaved persons to attend church - in lieu of first evangelizing them outside of the church, implies a strong predisposition to abdicate one's own responsibility to evangelize souls and, instead, presumes to 'delegate' that responsibility to someone else, namely, the pastor. In my personal experience, extending now over a period of several decades, I have almost never had a stranger to approach me and initiate a conversation that could be characterized as an attempt to lead me to Christ; which suggests that very few professing Christians are obedient to the Great Commission given to all Christians by Christ himself, to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).
Secondly, the practice of soliciting unbelievers to attend church services - especially, without any preconditions (typically), reveals a shockingly distorted view of what is the purpose and meaning of the "assembly of the saints" (Psalms 89:7; Acts 11:26; Acts 14:27; et al). The Church is not a social club. It was never intended by the Lord that the Church should have an 'open door' policy, such that unbelievers are invited to come whensoever and howsoever they may please, to mingle themselves among the 'solemn assembly' of the saints of God (Joel 2:15):
The case involving such widespread endorsement of Bono as a Christian leader, is but one instance of gross apostasy that characterizes so many professing Christians as well as most of what are supposedly Christian churches. The spirit of error (1John 4:6) is manifested in many different ways - not the least dangerous of which involves the almost universal practice of not merely tolerating but, in fact, soliciting a mixed multitude - that is to say, both saved, as well as unsaved, persons, in efforts to increase the number of people attending church. Consequently, evangelism now basically entails - in practice, if not in theory, merely trying to get 'who soever will' to come to church.
That means that most churches are comprised not only of truly born-again Christians, but they also consist of many persons who are not really Christians at all. In fact, it is probably the case that a majority of those unsaved persons will remain unconverted and unregenerate. Notwithstanding their regular church attendance and their otherwise 'good behavior', yet, they are ever only 'carnal', earthly, fleshly: and, so, they cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The churches in America, by and large, consist of a mixed multitude: saved and unsaved together - like oil and water. And the great majority of Christians evidently believe that a mixed multitude within and among the Church is not merely acceptable but it is even desirable! Of course, their justification for such a practice is based upon the notion that if sinners can somehow be cajoled to attend church services, they may then be exposed to the gospel and, hopefully, be converted.
But is that idea, is that practice, Biblical?
It is not. Firstly, it reveals either ignorance, or timidity, or apathy - or all of those things, pertaining to the nature and work of evangelism. By merely inviting unsaved persons to attend church - in lieu of first evangelizing them outside of the church, implies a strong predisposition to abdicate one's own responsibility to evangelize souls and, instead, presumes to 'delegate' that responsibility to someone else, namely, the pastor. In my personal experience, extending now over a period of several decades, I have almost never had a stranger to approach me and initiate a conversation that could be characterized as an attempt to lead me to Christ; which suggests that very few professing Christians are obedient to the Great Commission given to all Christians by Christ himself, to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).
Secondly, the practice of soliciting unbelievers to attend church services - especially, without any preconditions (typically), reveals a shockingly distorted view of what is the purpose and meaning of the "assembly of the saints" (Psalms 89:7; Acts 11:26; Acts 14:27; et al). The Church is not a social club. It was never intended by the Lord that the Church should have an 'open door' policy, such that unbelievers are invited to come whensoever and howsoever they may please, to mingle themselves among the 'solemn assembly' of the saints of God (Joel 2:15):
"Come visit us at church, anytime you want. Dress however you please. Come as you are. God loves you, unconditionally! He accepts you just as you are! We have great music, and programs for the kids, and..."
That is what passes for evangelism - and for 'church', in America.
Thirdly, tolerating - much more encouraging - unbelievers to participate in the assembly of the saints (which is to say, encouraging them to intermingle with the Church), creates an antagonistic spiritual atmosphere in the Church, such that the saints in some measure are hindered in their spiritual worship and service, by reason of the presence of unbelievers. Whereas Christ is oftentimes seen, in the Scriptures, to purposively exclude all unbelievers, when he gathered with his disciples for prayer or for other occasions involving his ministry to the fledgling Church. Of course, Christ often engaged in public ministry - which focused upon evangelizing the lost, as well as training his disciples. Nevertheless, his ministry to his own disciples (the Church - of which there were more than twelve disciples of Christ) excluded not only all unbelievers; but, sometimes, only two or three of his disciples were invited to be with him.
Thirdly, tolerating - much more encouraging - unbelievers to participate in the assembly of the saints (which is to say, encouraging them to intermingle with the Church), creates an antagonistic spiritual atmosphere in the Church, such that the saints in some measure are hindered in their spiritual worship and service, by reason of the presence of unbelievers. Whereas Christ is oftentimes seen, in the Scriptures, to purposively exclude all unbelievers, when he gathered with his disciples for prayer or for other occasions involving his ministry to the fledgling Church. Of course, Christ often engaged in public ministry - which focused upon evangelizing the lost, as well as training his disciples. Nevertheless, his ministry to his own disciples (the Church - of which there were more than twelve disciples of Christ) excluded not only all unbelievers; but, sometimes, only two or three of his disciples were invited to be with him.
Because it is now common practice for Christian churches to maintain an 'open door' policy toward all persons, including unbelievers, Christian assemblies have thus become wide open to demonic infiltration, without any substantial barriers to prevent church services from being turned into a spiritual battlefield. Every aspect of the service including worship, corporate prayer, and the ministry of the Word, suffers the hindering influences of unregenerate - if not even of demonic - spirits in the midst of the assembly. It is no wonder, then, that manifestations of the Holy Ghost are rarely in evidence - where the Spirit of God is habitually quenched and grieved.
By no means do I mean that no as-yet-unsaved individuals should be allowed into the sanctuary, that is to say, into the midst of a Christian assembly. Certainly, it must be the ultimate goal of every true Christian to lead others to Christ and to make disciples of new converts. That process begins, however, not in the church, as such, but among the world, where Christians regularly come into contact with unbelievers. Evangelism must begin outside the church. Christians are supposed to be led by the Spirit of God. It is generally unwise - and unfruitful - to invite strangers or persons that are known to be unbelievers, to come to church services: especially, where there has been no reasonable opportunity to speak with such persons, in order to discern whether God is preparing their heart.
In every case, however, one of the most significant problems among Christian churches is related to an 'open door' policy, as above described, whereby unbelievers (specially those who become 'regular' pew-warmers) are encouraged to remain in the Church - whether saved or not; where they typically persist to be nothing else but spiritually dead vessels, disinterested in the things of God and of Christ. Nevertheless, they may unwittingly serve as instruments of demonic oppression in the midst of the Church: not, ordinarily, by open displays of demonic activity, but simply because they will not - because they cannot - respond to the moving and direction of the Holy Ghost. Their presence in the Christian assembly, then, is a very real hindrance to the people of God and, thus, to the purposes and working of God in the midst of his Church.
It's high time to clean house, that is, God's house. Here are just a few (of many) Scripture references pertaining to the issue of a mixed multitude in the assembly of the saints, and what it is that godly men and women are to do about that:
Much more needs to be written concerning this very needful - but totally neglected - subject. I encourage you to meditate upon these things and to seek the Lord for understanding. I am persuaded that God is seeking to remove numerous obstacles within the Church itself - which is to say, within the hearts and minds of Christian persons; in the process of God's calling out and preparing a godly Remnant, in order to bring forth real Revival and to equip the Body of Christ for the work of in-gathering a final harvest of souls: in expectation of the soon appearing of Christ to receive those who are ready and watching for him.
By no means do I mean that no as-yet-unsaved individuals should be allowed into the sanctuary, that is to say, into the midst of a Christian assembly. Certainly, it must be the ultimate goal of every true Christian to lead others to Christ and to make disciples of new converts. That process begins, however, not in the church, as such, but among the world, where Christians regularly come into contact with unbelievers. Evangelism must begin outside the church. Christians are supposed to be led by the Spirit of God. It is generally unwise - and unfruitful - to invite strangers or persons that are known to be unbelievers, to come to church services: especially, where there has been no reasonable opportunity to speak with such persons, in order to discern whether God is preparing their heart.
In every case, however, one of the most significant problems among Christian churches is related to an 'open door' policy, as above described, whereby unbelievers (specially those who become 'regular' pew-warmers) are encouraged to remain in the Church - whether saved or not; where they typically persist to be nothing else but spiritually dead vessels, disinterested in the things of God and of Christ. Nevertheless, they may unwittingly serve as instruments of demonic oppression in the midst of the Church: not, ordinarily, by open displays of demonic activity, but simply because they will not - because they cannot - respond to the moving and direction of the Holy Ghost. Their presence in the Christian assembly, then, is a very real hindrance to the people of God and, thus, to the purposes and working of God in the midst of his Church.
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him." Psalm 89:7
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God [Christians] with idols [unsaved persons]? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Galatians 5:7-9
And the LORD said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary. And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, in that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves. Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel....And [the priests] shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies.... Ezekiel 44:5-9; 23-24
Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: and he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.... And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense. Nehemiah 13:3-5; 7-9
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.... 1 Corinthians 5:6,7
[As the result of God's judgment, in the death of Ananias and his wife Sapphira:] And of the rest durst [dared] no man [unbeliever] join himself to them [the Christian Church]: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. Acts 5:13,14
this is exactly what they choose not to preach they're afraid of running everyone offthe Bible says many are the plans that a man hasbut it is God's purposethat matters something like that but you know what I'm talking about in other words, they tied up God's hands and said oh let me run this church this wayit will help people will stick around.they got off the beaten path and got caught up in the modern worldsome of this reminds me when Moses Askedt what shall I tell themyour name isand he told him I am I am. I'm sorry this box is not big enough.I'm typing this stuff in on the fly
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