In this video Pastor Matt Chandler demonstrates how the church oftentimes becomes the enemy of conversion due to its abject lack comprehension of The Gospel.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Chris:
I certainly like this guy, and I've enjoyed listening to the excerpts that you've posted. But (and this is probably a question not meant for the nonLutheran readers...nothing to see here, move on...) how do you resolve the doctrine of his Church (which is OBVIOUSLY non-Lutheran according to the website) with what he's saying? Is he preaching a non-sacramental Lutheran theology? What's your impression of him?
Posted by: DK | April 08, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Praise be to the slaughtered Lamb of God, who gave Himself in order to make us His trophies of grace! What a beautiful God He is!
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I think we all need to be very careful in how we talk about Christ's bride, though. It is very important to distinguish between 'hirelings' and the true Church. If a pastor/preacher doesn't understand the point of the Gospel then he is not a true pastor/preacher of the Gospel. It is not the Church that is the problem, it is the false converts (who are oftentimes behind the pulpit) pretending to be the church that is the problem.
Posted by: Heath | April 08, 2009 at 01:52 PM
DK,
We Lutherans believe that we have Christian brothers and sisters in other denominations. We have doctrinal disagreements with them on such doctrines as the church, the sacraments, and eternal security. These disagreements do not make them 'non-brothers'. What unites us is The Gospel and the simple message of repentance and the forgiveness of sins in Jesus' name.
In the case of this video, Pastor Matt is preaching the truth regarding the gospel and we Lutherans can say a hearty amen to this truth.
Posted by: Chris Rosebrough | April 08, 2009 at 03:55 PM
I hope more non-Lutherans could speak this way. Well, and more Lutherans too.
Posted by: Mike Keith | April 08, 2009 at 04:58 PM