"6. You casually speak negatively about churches and spiritual leaders. The Bible teaches us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7). When a person casually speaks evil of other people, especially Christian leaders and churches, it demonstrates that they lack the fear of the Lord. The Lord hates discord among His people (Prov. 6:19; Eph. 4:29-31). Slanderers and gossips in the church live like functional atheists." - Joseph Mattera
Clever but painfully transparent. Of course true slander and gossip are antithetical to biblical teaching, although sinning in this area does not make one an atheist. What Mattera is probably referring to is discernment, which calls out false teaching. I fear the Lord, which is why I speak the truth about people teaching His word falsely. I value the sheep, not the wolves. Bill Johnson is a heretic, not my brother. Dominionists are teaching falsely an idolatry of this country and whether Joseph Mattera likes it or not - he will keep being called out as such.
"7. You determine how many children you will have. One of God's original commands was to bear fruit and multiply (which means to have children in Gen. 1:28). Biological children are a heritage from the Lord (Ps. 127:3-5). Having children is one of our primary callings because we partner with God to expand His eternal family. (Those who cannot have children or are called to be single should focus on having spiritual children.) With something as important as this, married couples should pray over Genesis 1:28 and ask God how many children He wants them to have. Those who determine family planning without God act like functional atheists." - Joseph Mattera
Uhm, what? I rarely hear this criticism but ok. Now back slowly away from the texts Joseph if you do not understand them. There is nothing in these texts that say you must continue having children until the Guinness Book of Word Records knocks on your door. Some people cannot have children. Others have medical reasons why they should not. Still others may not be able to afford 12 kids. Does Mattera actually believe that when we stand before Christ He will determine heaven or hell based upon the number of children we didn't have? What if you never get married, which Paul actually advises for Christians! This is so blatantly a doctrine of man. The dominionist is perpetually concerned that other religions are procreating faster than Christians. Just a final thought that should be obvious. We can "plan" all we like but if God wants a child, God is going to have a child. To label people as atheists for being responsible is just pathetic.
"8.You choose to divorce your spouse for unbiblical reasons. I have known spiritual leaders who glibly divorce their spouses merely because they do not get along. Jesus did not make divorce that easy (Matt. 5:31-32 and 19:1-10). Those whose primary plumb line for divorce is happiness, break the covenant with God and their spouse, and act like functional atheists. (Of course, if a believer chooses to divorce their spouse, the other person in the marriage is not responsible or in bondage, 1 Cor. 7:15.)" - Joseph Mattera
"9. Your walk with God is based on blessing and convenience. Those who only serve God when it is convenient or require a minimal sacrifice live as functional atheists." - Joseph Mattera
Mattera is right of course when it comes to divorcing our spouse for unbiblical reasons. Number nine sounds a lot like the lukewarm Christian that Jesus railed against. Just two points here Mattera misses. One is that the church creates these categories. Sheep are sheep. Most purpose driven, seeker friendly churches today require no sacrifice whatsoever. Joel Osteen teaches to basically be happy and come back to see him next week. On divorce, how many preachers have we allowed with divorce in their history and it is treated like no big deal. How often is it taught correctly? The second point is again the asinine conclusion that lazy Christians and divorced Christians essentially do not believe in God. Once again, Joseph Mattera sounding like he lives in an ivory tower, so high that no one can throw stones at him.
"10. You live independently of His body. Once we come to Christ, He places us in His Body (1 Cor. 12:12-13). Conversely, lone rangers who continually church hop and live without being in covenant or accountability with spiritual leadership live as functional atheists. Through studying the New Testament, I have learned that I cannot walk out my calling apart from a local church." - Joseph Mattera
