Dr. Brown is at it again...preaching NAR principles

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I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. -- 2Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV)

https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/in-the-line-of-fire/72636-do-christians-really-want-pablum

For someone who does not believe in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), Dr. Michael Brown sure espouses a great deal of their theology. For the uninformed, Michael Brown is a learned scholar who has served in ministry for over four decades. Master of biblical languages, Brown has garnered quite the reputation for biblical knowledge and exposition. Except when it comes to Charismania. Then Brown jumps off the Benny Hinn cliff with glee as he belly flops into the Bethel cesspool. Since the last election, he has also gone full NAR and become the chief apologist for President Trump. Every now and again he will print an article trying to give himself some cover but one needs only to read his material to know he has accepted the dominionism that rests at the heart of NAR theology. Remember the NAR ascribes to the Seven Mountains heresy that says Christians must take over seven cultural mountains in order to facilitate the second coming of Jesus Christ. The spiritual side of this false teaching is that the devil has convinced the apostate church to value this life over the eternal life. This world over the next. That is why they are always hung up on a revival that is not promised anywhere in Scripture. The above linked article is Brown's latest attempt to convince believers that they should be neck deep in the sordid affairs of the world. You know, for the cause of Christ of course. Wink wink. Let us reason together once more beloved:

"It's true that the road to destruction is as broad as ever (Matt. 7:13-14). It's true that many churchgoers are attracted to preachers who tickle their itching ears (2 Tim. 4:3-4). And it's true that many pastors seem to have an unwritten 11th commandment, "Thou shalt not offend." But is this true for all? Hardly. Plenty of Christians want anything but compromise. I'm aware, of course, that there are mega-churches famous for failing to preach against sin. And I'm aware that far too many leaders avoid addressing cultural issues like the plague. And to the extent that these ministries see "success," this would indicate that there is always a large audience for a non-confrontational, baby food gospel. It breaks my heart to hear leaders dance around controversial issues. It saddens me deeply when I see people drawn to a message that bypasses the cross and calls for neither sacrifice nor service." -- Dr. Michael Brown

Brown sets up a false foundation for his false narrative. He posits that those that have itching ears want to avoid talking about social problems in America. That is of course utter nonsense as they wish to avoid talking about sin. Most churches, Christians and leaders have no problem talking about the sins of the world. It is true that most churches today follow the seeker friendly purpose driven paradigms of church growth which avoid offense but the avoided offense is any discussion of personal sin and repentance, not an avoidance of politics and worldly sin. Every mega church refuses to confront personal sin. The subterfuge Brown engages in though is to conflate that refusal with his fantasy that churches do not wish to address societal issues as well. What makes matters abhorrent here is the conflation of the Gospel with preaching about social and cultural problems. The Gospel has absolutely nothing to do with preaching about social and cultural issues beloved. The "baby food gospel" he refers to is no gospel at all because once you take out the cross and the blood you have left the true Gospel behind. The feel good, prosperity, false signs and lying wonders, experiential, take over the world NAR gospel is a false gospel. The sacrifice is one of self and sin and the service is only unto our God not the societal and political whims of false gatekeepers like Michael Brown.

"But, to repeat, there are plenty of Christians who have no interest in pablum. They want to be challenged. They want to hear the truth. They want sin to be confronted (starting in their own lives). They want their leaders to address the culture. They want to be salt and light. I hear this all the time as I travel and speak around the country and as I interact on social media. The very fact that thousands of people thank me (and others) for speaking the truth and for taking a stand tells us two things. First, not enough leaders are doing this; second, their congregants really want them to. Is it possible that some pastors are underestimating their flocks? Is it possible that some leaders are misjudging their followers?" -- Dr. Michael Brown

Pablum is considered bland, infantile unappetizing fare. I agree that there are some Christians who do not want pablum. They want to be challenged by the Gospel however -- not confronting the sins of society. There is nothing challenging about calling someone else a sinner. It is also not our job as Christians. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. So understand spiritually what is going on is the oldest sin on record. Wanting to be like God. The reason why so many who attend church want their leaders to address the sinful world is it provides them with a sense of superiority and avoids having to deal with their own sin. Christians are salt and light when they follow the Gospel and live according to it. Then they will "stand out" as a shining city on a hill would. Then the lost will want what they have. Jesus even qualified what it meant to be light:

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. -- Matthew 5: 16 (ESV)

Do we shine our light by criticizing society? Do we show the light of Christ by extending our bony finger of accusation at a fallen world? Beloved, the bible says that the people in the world are walking in darkness and the things of God are foolishness to them. Forcing the moral code of the Old Testament upon them is not going to save them. Only the Gospel can. Brown's conclusions above are ludicrous. Is it possible that sycophants who rush to thank him have been just as poorly taught through the infiltration of NAR theology in the purpose driven church? That's what my money would be on.

"On my Twitter account, I post links to our latest articles and videos, links to our daily radio show and words of encouragement or exhortation or wisdom. And my goal is to build up, not tear down; to lift up, not drag down. So, when it comes to posting comments and quotes, there are plenty of positive ones from which to choose. Which of my tweets, then, get retweeted and liked the most? Inevitably, it is tweets like this: "You do not win the world to the Lord by becoming like the world. You win the world by becoming like Jesus. Cultural sensitivity is one thing. Compromise is another." Or, like this: "Far too many preachers today are playing a lullaby when they need to be sounding an alarm." Obviously, not everyone wants to be rocked to sleep. Not everyone wants a lullaby. Not everyone wants to be conformed to this world." -- Dr. Michael Brown

To Dr. Brown, not tearing down means Benny Hinn is a brother in Christ, Jennifer "sneaky squid" Leclaire is a prophetess and Bill Johnson is a solid bible teacher. I kid you not. Some of the lowest hanging rotten fruit is widely embraced by Dr. Brown's refusal to obey Titus 1:9 and tear down any false representation of the Gospel. It is a shame that preaching the Gospel to the lost world is considered compromise. The reality is that Brown like the NAR is trying desperately to save this country. They like the excess and sin of this modern day Babylon. Like the Pharisees, they are on top of the religious food chain. They hold the prime seats at banquets held in their honor. They have the nationally syndicated radio shows like Dr. Brown. They sell the books.

"Plenty of God's people are sick and tired of the status quo. Sick and tired of a compromised Christianity. Sick and tired of looking and smelling like the world. Sick and tired of lounging on the Titanic when a giant iceberg is clearly in sight. Really now, how can we be watchman on the wall when we don't warn? How can we be shepherds of the flock when we don't equip? How can be faithful leaders when we cower rather than confront? The people of God are waiting for us to stand." -- Dr. Michael Brown

What has compromised Christianity is the purpose driven seeker friendly industrial complex. Just ask Bill Hybels. It has created generations of goats pretending to be sheep. Generations of self-worship. Generations of people who think it is a victory for Jesus when a faux Christian movie is made or a fake politician promises them they are of like faith. It is ridiculous that Brown bemoans the church smelling like the world when the church crawled into bed with the world decades ago and he supports the very people who orchestrated it! Every pastor who taught relevance over truth is responsible. We did not get here by accident beloved. The watchmen turned out to be hirelings. We are charged with equipping the flock with the Gospel not political talking points. The people of God are waiting for you to give them their church back. To focus on them again and their individual growth in the Lord.

'In Saving a Sick America, I noted that, "In 2014, George Barna reported the results of his latest poll. During an interview on American Family Radio, Barna explained that, 'What we're finding is that when we ask [pastors] about all the key issues of the day, [90 percent of them are] telling us, "Yes, the Bible speaks to every one of these issues." Then we ask them: "Well, are you teaching your people what the Bible says about those issues?" and the numbers drop ... to less than 10 percent of pastors who say they will speak to it.'"' -- Dr. Michael Brown

You must understand that the purpose driven church seeks to offend no one, especially those "seeking." Perhaps a side effect is refusal to speak to controversial societal issues. Who cares? That is not the purpose of the pulpit to begin with! Every second you preach about societal mores is a second you wasted in not preaching the Gospel. I want us to be very careful here and aware of what Brown is doing. He is deftly switching in and out of a personal sin argument and a societal sin argument and it is very misleading and deceptive. The bible does speak about everything and anything we might face in this life -- in our personal life. The bible is a two edged sword because it cuts back into us. It is not a blunt instrument to wield over the heads of the unsaved. God did not give us the bible so we can regulate morality in the fallen world. The Gospel can save people from the fallen world. What the NAR and Dr. Brown argue for is the saving of the fallen world. For it to be revived. They create the fictitious history where America was under covenant with God, just like Israel. Now however, they have fallen away into a sinful state and if America would just behave better, God would spare His wrath.

No beloved, He will not.

"Yet that same poll indicated that the vast majority of congregants surveyed (around 90 percent) wanted their pastors to address the major issues of the day. The bottom line is that many of God's people are hungry. They're hungry for the truth of the Word. They're hungry for holiness. And they're hungry for relevance that makes a difference. In other words, they're eager to apply to the gospel to every area of life. To my fellow leaders, I ask: Will we cater to the shallow-seekers who want to hear a lullaby, or will we preach the truth in love? Will we feed our flocks pablum or solid food? Why not ask the Lord what He would have us do? After all, on that Great Day of accounting, we will answer only to Him." -- Dr. Michael Brown

Oh beloved. This is truly sad. First of all, it does not matter what the sheep want. The shepherd decides what is best for them and He is Jesus Christ. The reality is that the sheep know His voice and follow so the people Brown is speaking about are not the saved but the goats the currently occupy the apostate church. Being hungry for the truth and holiness has nothing to do with applying the gospel to every area of life but rather every area of THEIR life. Very clever what Brown tried to do there. Betty Churchgoer does not need to apply the Gospel to every area of life around her but rather to every area of her life. She should not be applying the Gospel to her unsaved coworkers. She can preach the Gospel and speak about this Jesus who saved her but applying the truth of the Gospel to someone who still thinks the things of God are foolishness to them? Yeah, not advised.

The true sheep of God are not seeking a "relevance that makes a difference." Once again, that is straight up NAR gobbledygook. We have no relevance to the dying world. None whatsoever. The only difference that can be made is on an individual basis by the Holy Spirit convicting people of their sins and that is only accomplished through the preaching of the uncompromised Gospel of Jesus Christ. Look at the key verses for today beloved. This is Paul commissioning young Timothy in his first pastoral position. Does he implore him to make a difference in society? Take on the cultural problems of the day -- and there were plenty. Does he challenge him to find relevance with those perishing all around him? No, of course not. The first and primary responsibility he has is to preach the word. Second he should always be ready, regardless of season to reprove, rebuke, and exhort through the word. Paul warns him there will come time when leaders will scratch the itching ears of their listeners telling them they have the relevance to make a difference in people's lives. Telling them this is their best life now or they were destined to reign. That is the true pablum. Dr. Brown needs to stop lapping it up and get back to the only thing that matters; the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Reverend Anthony Wade - August 16, 2018

Authors Bio:
Credentialed Minister of the Gospel for the Assemblies of God. Owner and founder of 828 ministries. Vice President for Goodwill Industries. Always remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.