Can We Know God? – Tanner Barfield / Les Lanphere

It is not enough to reply, “I belong to the church; I suppose I’m a Christian.” Thousands of nominal Christians show none of the signs of being born again which the Scriptures have given us—many listed in the First Epistle of John.

No Habitual Sinning

First of all, John wrote: “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin” (I John 3:9). “Whosoever is born of God sinneth not” (5:18).

A person who has been born again, or regenerated, does not habitually commit sin. He no longer sins with his heart and will and whole inclination. There was probably a time when he did not think about whether his actions were sinful or not, and he did not always feel grieved after doing evil. There was no quarrel between him and sin; they were friends. But the true Christian hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, considers it his greatest plague, resents the burden of its presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be completely delivered from it. Sin no longer pleases him, nor is it even a matter of indifference to him; it has become a horrible thing which he hates. However, he cannot eliminate its presence within him.

If he said that he had no sin, he would be lying (I John 1:8). But he can say that he hates sin and that the great desire of his soul is not to commit sin at all. He cannot prevent bad thoughts from entering his mind, or shortcomings, omissions, and defects from appealing in both his words and his actions. He knows that “in many things we offend all” (James 3:2). But he can truly say, in the sight of God, that these things cause him grief and sorrow and that his whole nature does not consent to them. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Believing in Christ

Second, John wrote: “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (I John 5:1).

A man who is born again, or regenerated, believes that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour who can pardon his soul, that He is the divine person appointed by God the Father for this very purpose, and beside Him there is no Saviour at all. In himself he sees nothing but unworthiness. But he has full confidence in Christ, and trusting in Him, he believes that his sins are all forgiven. He believes that, because he has accepted Christ’s finished work and death on the cross, he is considered righteous in God’s sight, and he may look forward to death and judgment without alarm.

He may have fears and doubts. He may sometimes tell you that he feels as if he had no faith at all. But ask him if he is willing to trust in anything instead of Christ, and see what he will say. Ask him if he will rest his hope of eternal life on his own goodness, his own works, his prayers, his minister, or his church, and listen to his reply. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Practicing Righteousness

Third, John wrote: “Every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him” (I John 2:29).

The man who is born again, or regenerated, is a holy man. He endeavors to live according to God’s will, to do the things that please God and to avoid the things that God hates. He wishes to continually look to Christ as his example as well as his Saviour and to prove himself to be Christ’s friend by doing whatever He commands. He knows he is not perfect. He is painfully aware of his indwelling corruption. He finds an evil principle within himself that is constantly warring against grace and trying to draw him away from God. But he does not consent to it, though he cannot prevent its presence.

Though he may sometimes feel so low that he questions whether or not he is a Christian at all, he will be able to say with John Newton, “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.” What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Loving Other Christians

Fourth, John wrote: “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren” (I John 3:14).

A man who is born again has a special love for all true disciples of Christ. Like his Father in heaven, he loves all men with a great general love, but he has a special love for those who share his faith in Christ. Like his Lord and Saviour, he loves the worst of sinners and could weep over them; but he has a peculiar love for those who are believers. He is never so much at home as when he is in their company.

He feels they are all members of the same family. They are his fellow soldiers, fighting against the same enemy. They are his fellow travelers, journeying along the same road. He understands them, and they understand him. They may be very different from himself in many ways—in rank, in station and in wealth. But that does not matter. They are his Father’s sons and daughters and he cannot help loving them. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Overcoming the World

Fifth, John wrote: “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world” (I John 5:4).

A man who is born again does not use the world’s opinion as his standard of right and wrong. He does not mind going against the world’s ways, ideas and customs. What men think or say no longer concerns him. He overcomes the love of the world. He finds no pleasure in things which seem to bring happiness to most people. To him they seem foolish and unworthy of an immortal being.

He loves God’s praise more than man’s praise. He fears offending God more than offending man. It is unimportant to him whether he is blamed or praised; his first aim is to please God. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Keeping Oneself Pure

Sixth, John wrote: “He that is begotten of God keepeth himself’ (I John 5:18).

A man who is born again is careful of his own soul. He tries not only to avoid sin but also to avoid everything which may lead to it. He is careful about the company he keeps. He knows that evil communications corrupt the heart and that evil is more catching than good, just as disease is more infectious than health. He is careful about the use of his time; his chief desire is to spend it profitable.

He desires to live like a soldier in an enemy country—to wear his armor continually and to be prepared for temptation. He is diligent to be watchful, humble, prayerful man. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

The Test

These are the six great marks of a born again Christian.

There is a vast difference in the depth and distinctness of these marks in different people. In some they are faint and hardly noticeable. In others they are bold, plain and unmistakable, so anyone may read them. Some of these marks are more visible than others in each individual. Seldom are all equally evident in any one person.

But still, after every allowance, here we find boldly painted six marks of being born of God.

How should we react to these things? We can logically come to only one conclusion—only those who are born again have these six characteristics, and those who do not have these marks are not born again. This seems to be the conclusion to which the apostle intended us to come. Do you have these characteristics? Are you born again?

– J.C. Ryle

I was a baby Christian at that time, all I knew was that I had broken God’s commandments every day and that I needed to repent and believe in Jesus Christ to be saved.  I had a great love and appreciation for the Savior because of what He had done for me.  I had a desire to serve Him in any way that I could and tell others about Him.  I was hungry for His Word!

Week after week the pastor would teach the Word and have altar calls at the end of the service.  Back then, I would say that he would more often than not preach on sin, hell, righteousness, judgement, etc…  Every once in a while I would hear something a little different coming from the pulpit…  “if you’ve come to the end of yourself… your marriage is on the rocks, you’re on the brink of divorce, you take drugs, you’re an alcoholic and you need to break out of the addiction, you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired…  then just come to Jesus, and He’ll make it all better.” At that time I didn’t think too much of it, I even believed it to be biblical… and so I went with the flow of things.

Over the next couple of years I actually began to hear more and more of the message I just described and less and less of the biblical Gospel.  I now know that God was definitely speaking to me and opening my eyes to see what was going on during that time.  As this was happening week after week, (I heard gradually less about sin, hell judgment, Law) and as I was studying the scriptures on my own God began to show me that there was something wrong with what I was hearing.  I couldn’t really pinpoint what it was right away, but I just knew that something was off.  It just sounded a little too squishy to me…  as Todd Friel would say.  I continued to press on as a worship leader in various ministries even though I knew that something was wrong with what was coming from the pulpit.

It wasn’t until about 3 1/2 years ago, probably about March of 2006 when I started listening to then Way of the Master Radio hosted by Todd Friel.  (Now Wretched Radio)  One day, he was talking about the Reformers and Reformed Theology.  This was something that I had never heard before… I mean, I had heard of Calvinism but I didn’t know that it was also called Reformed Theology.  It struck interest in me so I endeavored to find out what it was.  And I endeavored… and researched… and studied the scriptures… and endeavored some more.  After wrestling with it for about 6 months, I was a Calvinist!

This led to more and more studying… going deeper into the scriptures, going to the greek and hebrew and studying the Word exegetically, using  proper hermeneutics.   I have studied ecclesiology, eschatology, dispensationalism, covenant theology, missiology… and I’m still going praise God!  Prior to learning about reformed theology I didn’t even know these words existed in the dictionary!  I didn’t know church history, I didn’t know anything about Martin Luther, or any of the reformers. (except C.H. Spurgeon, cause every good Calvaryite throws in a little Spurgeon every now and then!)

Since then, my eyes were fully opened to the pragmatic ways of Calvary Chapel. (”If we get them to get up and walk down the aisle during an altar call and repeat the sinners prayer after us, then they are saved.  Look at how many raised their hands tonight!  How many decisions were there?  Praise God they made a decision to follow Christ!” – paraphrased)   I want to say one thing: This does not pertain to every Calvary Chapel, I know full well that there are a few out there that are swimming against the flow!  They’re not all like this. But let me say this:  Just because someone raises their hand, or stands up, or walks the aisle and repeats a prayer after you doesn’t mean they are saved at all!  Especially if they heard the “weighed and found wanting”,  “squishy” interpretation of the Gospel that we hear so prevalent in the American church today.  You know what I’m talking about too… “God has a wonderful plan for you life…” or “Just give Jesus a chance and He’ll make everything better…”  or “Accept Him into your heart…” or “There’s a God-shaped hole in your heart that can only be filled by Jesus…” or “you’ve tried everything else and you find that there is nothing that can fulfill you so give Jesus a go, He will fulfill you…”

None of these are biblical. Go ahead, try and give me one text (in context, no proof-texting allowed) that resembles any of the examples I just gave…  You’re not going to find one if you’re being honest, rational and exegetical in your approach to scripture.

Check this out.  Dr. James White, founder of Alpha and Omega Ministries, just posted a blog featuring a youtube video with Chuck Smith and other Calvary Chapel leadership taking a call during the radio program “Pastors Perspective” the other day and I wanted to include it here to show you just how shallow their approach to interpreting the text can be.  So I’m going to embed the video and then include the audio of James White discussing what he heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKXYeUqH8QE

Now, here’s James White’s podcast “Dividing Line” where he also plays the video and then shares his thoughts on what he heard. (What you want to hear is about 12 minutes into the podcast)
James White’s original post can be found here.

My friend Michael Brewer who blogs over at Diary of a Broken Vessel wrote a post about his experiences at Calvary Chapel a couple of weeks ago that I thought pretty much hit the nail on the head as to some of the problems we find within the Calvary Chapel movement or brand as he calls it.  I wanted to add his thoughts here within this post since I agree with most if not all that he had to say…

Original post here. Or just read below…

I have a tendency to be very critical and sharp when it comes to discussing Chuck Smith, the Calvary Chapel “brand“, the church of my youth, and those leading (or involved with) them.

Chuck Smith’s system,beliefs, theology, or whatever you want to call it is questionable at best. The Word is mishandled and conformed into his image and heavily backed by verses that support only the Calvary Chapel position.Controversial subjects that can be quite uncomfortable are handled in a way to find themiddle road so that everyone is kept happy and peaceful -though ignorant- so as not to lose numbers (Calvary Chapel Distinctives, pp.56-57).

Some people object because they feel that I gloss over certain passages of Scripture, and they’re correct. But glossing over controversial issues is often deliberate because there are usually two sides. And I have found that it’s important not to be divisive and not to allow people to become polarized on issues, because the moment they are polarized, there’s division.

~Calvary Chapel Distinctives, Chuck Smith, pp. 55

Chuck Smith also holds to an authoritarian form of church government known as the Moses Model.

Let’s look at an example of theocracy in which God was ruling. Under God there was a man called Moses. Moses went to God for guidance and direction. Moses was the earthly leader who was recognized as receiving from God the guidance, direction, laws, and rules for the nation. It was recognized by the people that he was their link to God…

…In the church today we see this structure in a modified form. We see that Jesus Christ is the Head over the body of the church. It’s His church. He’s the One in charge. As pastors, we need to be like Moses, in touch with Jesus and receiving His direction and guidance. As pastors we need to be leading the church in such a way that the people know that the Lord is in control…Also like Moses, within the church we have a Board of Elders who are there to pray with us and support us in seeking the Lord’s leading for the church.

Let me warn you. First of all, you want to get elders who are men of prayer, and who recognize that God has anointed you and ordained you as the pastor of the church…

…It’s necessary to have godly men who recognize that God has called and ordained you as the pastor of the church. Men who will work with you and support those things that God is directing you, as the pastor, to implement within the church…

~Calvary Chapel Distinctives, Chuck Smith, pp. 21-23

In short, the pastor is a type of Moses, he has the greatest access to God, hears God the clearest, and surrounds himself with those who approve of him and support his moves (cult of personality). This has lead to all sorts of abuse within many Calvary Chapel churches (not limited to the senior pastor alone!).

Critics say this “Moses model” produces pastors who refuse to let their authority be challenged. Such pastors often resist accountability measures such as financial audits and providing detailed financial statements. Some curious Calvary Chapel attendees, who have sought financial information from their churches, say they were ostracized.

Other churchgoers say Calvary Chapel pastors also don’t like to be questioned. During the investigation for this article, Smith cautioned CT’s reporter: “The Lord warns, ‘Don’t touch my anointed. Do my prophet no harm.’ I think that you are trying to do harm to the work of God. I surely wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.”

-Day of Reckoning, Rob Moll, Christianity Today

Chuck Smith’s “Distinctives” are to be accepted by all affiliate churches via their “fellowshipping” process according to the Calvary Chapel Outreach Fellowship website.

Can I become a Calvary Chapel if I don’t necessarily agree with the Calvary Distinctives and have Biblical proof for my position?

No, because we want the use of the name Calvary Chapel (copyrighted) to imply the doctrinal positions expressed in the “Distinctives”. This is not to say other positions are wrong, they are simply other positions than those held by Calvary Chapel. It is no different in the secular world and referred to as “branding”. When a name comes into widespread recognition that describes what one can expect, it needs to be maintained as such.

~CCOF FAQ

So it really comes as no surprise that there are so many people who have experienced similar abuses (and treatment when that abuse is challenged or brought to light) across the board. I have talked to many current and former Calvary Chapel goers who have shared similar stories of abuse of authority, ostracism when they questioned prominent members/leaders within their Calvary Chapel, and how they are called out as being unfaithful to forgive when they have sought to have their problems addressed (the victim being told that they are at fault).

Personal Stories

The church of my youth also followed closely in the way of Chuck Smith, which as discussed above, makes perfect sense. I experienced certain abuses, and when I brought them to light I was turned away to deal with it myself, or was told to just forgive. And I completely agree that we should forgive those who have wronged us, but when the wrongs are being committed habitually and blatantly, you have done as Scripture demands, and you are still brushed off, there then comes a point when the church needs to step up.

We didn’t do that. In not just my case alone, in several instances I witnessed practiced sin ignored for the sake of maintaining peace among the saints. This turned those of us who made claims of wrong doing into dividers and enemies of peace. Without accountability or real church membership, the matter was simple: if you don’t like it, there’s the door.

Now I have written about some of the wrongs I’ve seen and experienced before. I used to own a blog titled The Mess You Left Behind where I -in a rather sinful manner (and for which I later repented)- spewed forth vile rhetoric in response to the wrongs committed against me. And I have since forgiven those who have wronged me, but still I am critical.

Calvary Critical

I am critical of Chuck Smith because he does what is right in his own eyes. He holds his own views superior even though their may be Biblical support against them. The Moses Model (really?). Heencourages scoffing at ideas contrary to his own (and also demonstrates a lack of knowledge of what happened at the cross, and proper exegesis of Scripture -see link-).

I am critical of the Calvary Chapel Brand because of the abuse I have experienced, witnessed, heard, and read about. I am critical because of the treatment of God’s Word. How God’s Word is made into a play thing that we manipulate to fit our own reasoning and conscience. How peace and love are to be sought after in all things, at all cost.

And I am critical of the church of my youth for a number of reason similar to the things discussed above. But chiefest of all things I have regarding them is this: a family was utterly destroyed before them. They were warned before, they were talked to during, and they were asked begged to help after, but in silence they stood for the sake of peace, ignoring sin, and that family is utterly undone. And I have not spoken to my father since then.

Because of all of this, I will always be critical of Chuck Smith, the Calvary Chapel Brand, and the church of my youth. But…

All Things Are Not Equal

But please understand that NOT ALL CALVARY CHAPELS ARE THE SAME! There are some that break what seems to be the general mold. There are those Calvary Chapels that submit first to the Word of God, understand what the Church is supposed to look like, practice what they preach, practice church discipline, and seek the Will of God first and foremost.

So…

So if it ever seems that I am being critical of Chuck ‘n’ Pals or of the Calvary Chapel Brand or even the church of my youth this is my official reason as to why you can expect these things from me. I pray that they are not the overarching theme of my life or my writings. And I write this for anyone who has ever been hurt like I have, or for those who have ever wondered why I am so critical of the things I have spoken of here today.

– Michael Brewer

And here’s a brother who is a Bible College director within the movement who has questions…

Me again.  Now, like I said before there are Calvary Chapels out there that are in opposition to what Pastor Chuck has laid out in the distinctives.  As he continues to grow older there is no doubt in my mind that there will be many more that will “come out” so to speak.  Here is an good example of a church that has different views. (albeit biblical)

My earnest prayer to God is that He will bring about change within the CC movement.  That He will raise up pastors and elders that will be biblically honest, properly exegeting the scriptures and not suppressing the truth of His Word in order to keep people in the pews.  God’s Word is divisive by nature… and if you’re interpreting it and preaching it rightly that’s exactly what it will do.  But at the end of the day, you will know that you have true Christians there who care about being true to the text of scripture whether it is palatable or not.

As for me and my family, we will be moving on.

– Feel free to leave comments, they are welcome.  Even if you’re feeling a bit snarky…

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