God's providence, Pastor Scott Rodriguez, Dayna Muldoon, and Ezekiel 23

You have probably already seen the video of Pastor Scott Rodriguez confronting the Word Faith heretic Dayna Muldoon and the non-sense that ensued by her followers afterward.  I hope that you have also taken time to read the previous blog post on this site from Pastor Scott pertaining to why he was compelled to do what he did and say what he said. If not, you it would be helpful for you to read that here first.

Before moving on I might just point out what a few others have already noted.  That is that just prior to Pastor Scott's remarks, Dayna was "prophesying" over him that God had given her this message about him and such.  However, she was visibly shocked when he rebuked her the way that he did.  One has to wonder, if she were truly "prophesying" why didn't she know what he was going to do?  I do believe that is the smell of lies and deception folks.

In the weeks that followed I have kept in contact with Pastor Scott as both our schedules allowed.  He and his family have received several threatening emails, one of which is allegedly from an employee of Mrs. Muldoon's ministry.  Pastor Scott has asked that the email be kept private so as to show a Christ-like love towards this individual and also to protect his family and not provoke unwanted controversy.  Trust me when I say though that I've read the email and it was laden with threats and curse words.

Then, on May 24, I received this email from Pastor Scott pertaining to a sermon he delivered on May 23 and the text for which he was scheduled to preach 6 months prior.

"Last night we addressed our congregation concerning Dayna Muldoon. She's decided to stay here across the street a little longer. We cut some of the instruction unique to our assembly so as not to confuse anyone w/o knowledge. What's interesting is that we teach verse by verse, book by book, and we just happened to be on Ezekiel 23. This was assigned to me 6 months ago - Im amazed at the providence of God"

God's providence never ceases to astound me.  Ask yourself, what is most helpful to aid the teaching of your congregation about the dangers of false teachers and how to handle them than actually confronting one who is in your town and attempting to deceive your own people.  A wolf in your midst attempting to put on a sheep's wool in order to wreak havoc.

God, in His perfect will, ordained that this woman would do just as she is doing.  He allowed it.  He did not cause her to sin, but rather, as Pastor Scott points out so well in the sermon, that false teachers are God's judgment against unrepentant people.

That said, I submit to you the sermon by Pastor Scott on Ezekiel 23.  Enjoy, and keep praying for Pastor Scott, his family, his church and community, and most of all, that God would show His mercy to Dayna Muldoon by granting her repentance so that she would turn from her sin and trust in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Scott Rodriguez - The Backstory

Many of you have likely already seen the video that is making it's way around YouTube where Pastor Scott Rodriguez confronts on Word of Faith "preacher" Dayna Muldoon.  Many of you are also applauding Pastor Scott but you are curious as to his motives and whether or not he misled her in why he did what he did.

I had a chance to visit with Pastor Scott via email and he was very gracious to answer those questions.  I was already in full agreement with what he'd done and now I am even more convinced that his actions were both Biblical, needed, and justified.  May God have mercy on those who are deceived by this woman and her un-biblical teachings.

First, here is the video.  I apologize in advance if it stops working.  Mrs. Muldoon's ministry is doing their best to have these videos all removed.

 
Now, here is the email response from Pastor Scott.  Feel free to leave comments below and feel free to disagree with this post or Pastor Scott, however, should the comments include personal attacks that are off topic against Pastor Scott, myself, or even Mrs. Muldoon they will promptly be deleted.

"Brothers, several have been asking for some backstory/context on these videos. Mrs. Muldoon set her tent up across the street from our church (it is still there until Sunday 5/20.) I received a call from one of our people that some families that attend our church were sitting in her audience. Others were there to pray and share the gospel afterwards with people leaving. They had been accosted by a young man named Devon, (the managers son) on the evening before when he overheard one of our young men talking with someone after the service about the call of Pastor being reserved for men. I came out at the end of her Saturday night service and spoke with her, and her manager Dennis about their perspective on what had occurred. They felt that they were being heckled. I asked what they were preaching in order to get a better idea about their ministry, and explained to them that we, as a Gospel preaching church, would be extremely sensitive to a ministry that came off as strange as hers. She then claimed to be preaching the same message I described to her: that Christ came in the flesh to die upon a cross for the sins of man; that he was buried and rose again 3 days later; and that people are commanded by God the Father to turn from sin and put their faith in His Son's finished work on the cross in order to be saved; and finally that there is no other way of salvation. She claimed that this was her message too, but that she also believed in miracles - which I agreed are still done today according to the will of God. I shared with her that if she would give me some materials to look over to her affirm her claims about her message, I would come back the next day and say a quick word to people from our Church about the need to refrain from being disruptive, disrespectful, and to hold any questions or disagreements until after her service to be voiced with her or her leaders. After some more discussion she said that would be acceptable to her. I came back the next evening. She didn't call me up as we'd discussed. Had she, I honestly don't know what I would have said. I sat through about  an hour of what I'd classify as normal charismatic preaching quite off-base, but nothing overly shocking. However, there was a transition after her message into various fraudulent acts of "ministering in the "Holy Spirit" that range from her laying hands on people who would respond by gyrating, shaking, screaming, flapping arms like being in a strong wind, knocking over chairs, throwing themselves down (not falling) on the floor. She prophesied over 3 girls that she said were seated where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were, that would be getting married in June - she acted as if she knew nothing of their personal lives, but one of them was the attorney for the ministry that I'd met the night before - the other two were her friends. She said angels were there and that there could be voices of angels heard in her music because they followed her wherever she went. Then she scared a 3 year old little girl when she called her mother up - girl in arms, and began laying hands all over her body (the Mom's). Finally, I thought it was over, but she walked up to me where I was seated on the front row, and began "prophesying". She said, "Young man spit your gum out and face me". I got up (probably should have just walked out), and she began telling me how I thought I had come as a peacemaker, but was really there because God had used the hecklers to get me to her tent because He had something to give me through her. Then she went on and on saying all kinds of stuff, including that I said or thought that her ministry was a work of God, and that she was doing good and trying to help people. That was a lie. I never led her to believe any such thing. At that point I felt I needed to make it clear that I didn't agree with her message or ministry, and that's what I tried to do. Sadly I think it appears more as though some guy got in a prayer line or requested prayer and then seized on the opportunity - which isn't true. My greatest desire is to see God's people warned, but I don't feel I did things perfectly. Here's why: I knew the right thing to do was to seek my Senior Pastor's approval, but as a matter of convenience I did not. He is a man of God, and would have helped find a more godly way of approaching this, but in a moment of passion I acted and entrapped myself. Please don't misunderstand, I believe once in the circumstance the worse thing I could have done is simply remained quiet, but I just feel as though Jesus would have done it differently. So while I stand behind my words to Mrs. Muldoon and would plead with people to flee from any ministry that replaces the Blood stained Gospel of Jesus Christ with a pursuit of miracles,  I ask forgiveness of the Lord and my brothers for any way in which I got ahead of the Spirit of God or acted independently. Finally, please know that I'm not the bold man some think I am, I'm a man who is inconsistent and struggles with the fear of man like everyone else - we all desperately need the Cross, myself included.

P.S. I don't use face book - maybe if people know that  my wife can get some sleep."

You can check out the latest in this story here.

Pastor's Bookshelf: Believing God by R.C Sproul Jr

I have had this book on my Kindle for a while now, but between moving and settling in to a new pastorate I simply hadn't been able to complete it.  That said, it couldn't have come at a better time in my life for me to read this book.

I believe that we, or at least I, tend to affirm with my lips the promises of God but at times with my actions I send a very different message.  Sproul really helps bring solid Biblical reminders of who God is and what He has promised, underscored with a reminder of His immutability.  That what He decrees, He will do.

The book was such a sweet reminder to me to trust God at all times, and resist Satan's temptation for me to stop believing God and instead believe my desires are best.

Pick this up today from Reformation Trust.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Reformation Trust Publishing through their Blog for a Free Book Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

Pastor's Bookshelf: Grounded in the Gospel by J.I Packer

Grounded in the Gospel is a thorough understanding of the Biblical origins of catechizing believers as a part of the discipleship process.  Like many people, I hear the word "catechize" and automatically associate the practice with the Roman Catholic church.  The reality is that catechizing is really a practice that finds its origins in Scripture.  Through this book Packer, and his co-author Garry A. Parrett, trace out the Biblical roots as well as its historical practice in the early church.

What's great about this book?  What's great is that it is very thorough.  Incredibly thorough.  In fact, if one were to desire to do a study on the roots and Biblical origin of catechizing this work would be one of the only needed resources to give you an in depth look at the subject.  What's not so great about the book?  What's not so great is the same as its strength.  It is VERY thorough.  Because it is packed with so much detail it drags a bit and is difficult to keep your focus (or at least mine).

I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it.  Just be sure you have your reading decks cleared for a bit...

Pick it up from Monergism Books.

A Gospel Plea for Rosie O'Donnell

Recently, Rosie O'Donnell was accosted with Ad Hominem attacks outside of the Super Bowl by a man purporting himself to be a Christian open-air preacher.  I do not know the man's true condition, but he is certainly NOT acting like one who is born again and he is NOT delivering the true Gospel in love to Rosie O'Donnell....

As someone who does open-air preach from time to time I get really torqued to see people out there doing it wrong and giving the rest of us a bad name...  So I decided to compose a video response to the video and direct it to Rosie in hopes she will see it and hear the true Gospel.

If you watch and agree with this video would you please consider posting this on Rosie's facebook and twitter?  I'm not out to spam or harass her at all, but I do hope this does find her eyes and ears and more importantly I pray that God will pierce her heart with the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pastor's Bookshelf: The World Tilting Gospel by Dan Phillips

In an age of Gospel confusion and uncertainty it is becoming more and more important for preachers of the Gospel to not only declare the Gospel, but to define the terms we use in doing so.  What I mean is that as we go about unpacking the Gospel, we need to take time to explain what we mean by "repent", "faith", and these days we must ever be very clear on whom we are referring to when we speak of "Jesus Christ"! 

Dan Phillip's book, The World Tilting Gospel, is that clear presentation.  Quite frankly this may become one of the most important books written on the Gospel in our generation.  Dan exposits every aspect of the Gospel.  From man's dire need for salvation and his state as a dead sinner in need of regeneration to the results of the Gospel of Grace and the ditches we can often fall into on one side or the other.

Start to finish, I loved this book.  I give it 5 out of 5 stars for sure and highly recommend this for any new believer who is beginning their walk with Christ to every Pastor seeking a helpful tool to aid you in discipling people.

What makes Dan's book so amazing is that it is a no holds barred look at what the Bible says about man and the Gospel.  Not Dan's opinions, not Dan's musings, but Biblical facts laid out and explained.  If Dan is able to produce a study guide for this it will make a great small group resource!

Dan is an author and frequent blogger at Pyromaniacs.

Pick it up today from Amazon.com.

Guest Blogger: Brian Thornton - Legalism, Discipline, & Grace

I am honored to have my friend Brian guest author this post for me.  I was edified by it, hope you will be too. Comments welcome.

I have been asked by my friend, Jason, to discuss the differences between discipline and legalism in the church and how/where grace might apply in the midst of the two. Some describe a true church as a three-legged stool consisting of the right proclamation of the word, the right administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and church discipline. Some would argue that church discipline falls under the second leg of a right administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, but really, who has ever heard of a two-legged stool? Sadly, many churches fail to properly exercise church discipline by not doing it at all. Probably (hopefully) a smaller minority fail at proper church discipline by being overbearing in their practice of it (lording it over the people). Both extreme swings of the pendulum are dangerous and unhealthy for the local body that makes up a church. I think it is also quite possible that what some consider to be church discipline is really legalism, while what others think is legalism in a church is actually nothing more than the practices of a biblical church. In both areas of confusion, misunderstanding and error, grace (and the implications of the gospel) is often sorely lacking. Let’s see if we can flesh this out a little bit.

Let’s start by defining our terms. Within the context of a local church body, what is known as church discipline can be defined as actions taken by the congregation toward a person(s) within that congregation which results in that person(s) being removed from fellowship, with the intent of bringing about repentance by the offending party and a restoration back into fellowship with the congregation. The goal of discipline within the church is always repentance and restoration. It is never punishment or retribution or control. Church discipline is, according to Scripture, the responsibility of the congregation, not the leadership. Matthew 18 makes it very clear that the final decision of removing a person from fellowship falls on the shoulders of the congregation. When church discipline is done badly or not according to Scripture, the results can be disastrous.

Legalism, quite simply, is going beyond the bounds of Scripture, or going beyond what is written, as Paul put it (1 Cor.4:6). It is requiring something that God does not require. An example would be the church leadership telling a person in the church they are not saved and going to hell because of the types of clothes they wear (no joke, this truly happened to a friend of mine). This church added a dress code to the work of Jesus for salvation. That’s going beyond what is written. That’s legalism. Another (and possibly more volatile) example would be a church teaching that there is only one true and correct day to gather as a church to worship together. This may bring to mind groups like the Seventh-Day Adventists who require worship on Saturday and condemn anyone who doesn’t do likewise, but there are scores of churches and denominations that believe the same thing about Sunday being the only proper and true day for gathering together. Legalism can take many forms. It can be quite obvious or very subtle.

The paradox is that what some consider to be church discipline is really nothing more than legalism, and what others think is legalism is actually just the church being the church. For instance, we were involved at a church a few years back where the elders decided they wanted to begin having an intentional, systematic reading of Scripture in the weekly service. This would usually involve a considerable passage from both the Old and New Testaments, as well as the sermon text for that morning. The response from some was really pretty shocking, as several charged the elders with being legalistic with this new practice. While a practice like this certainly could become legalistic if it began to be somehow required or practiced in an unbiblical manner, what the elders here were trying to do was nothing more than adhere to one of the clear commands in Scripture given by Paul to the church: “devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Tim.4:13). This was not legalism in any way, shape or form. This church was not going beyond what is written. It was simply the church trying to be the church.

Sometimes, though, what a church considers to be the practice of discipline is actually just plain old ugly legalism and heavy-handed, overbearing leadership. In another church, a young couple had missed the Easter service and had instead gone to visit the wife’s mother that weekend. The following week, the husband went to answer the door one evening and, upon opening it, came face to face with the elders of the church who were there unannounced to “discuss” the couple’s lack of devotion to the church. In another instance these same elders met with another church member to decide the fate of his membership in the church. These leaders, however well-meaning, and regardless of how much they thought they were engaging in church discipline and shepherding, were actually “lording it over” their congregation and were steeped heavily in unhealthy legalism and even spiritual abuse.

In all of these examples I have given here, I would say the one thing that was lacking was grace. The congregants complaining about the “legalistic” Scripture reading did not impart grace to their shepherds. All they knew is that this was a change in the way things had been done and they didn’t like it. And the elders of the overbearing church were not giving their sheep grace and the benefit of the doubt with respect to what they saw as actionable sin in their lives. Some of these may sound over the top to you, but think about your own interaction with other believers. Are you prone to making quick judgments that may be void of grace?  Do you tend to fail to give someone else the benefit of the doubt before making a rush to judgment? I know I do. And the times I make those types of judgments are the times I believe that I have either forgotten the gospel or am failing to apply it to the other areas of my life other than my salvation.

You see, we talk about the grace and mercy of the gospel a lot as Christians when it comes to salvation, but how much do we apply that to the rest of our lives? We have been shown much mercy and patience and longsuffering by our Creator. How much do we, in turn, exhibit grace and mercy and longsuffering to others? Because of the gospel, we have not received what we deserved. But how willing are we to impart undeserved favor and mercy to others.  Everyone to whom much has been given, of him much will be required, (Luke 12:48). How much have you been given? Are you giving to others in the way you have been given? I believe that if we would take the implications of the gospel and let them filter out into every area of our lives, then legalism would diminish, church discipline would be used only when truly needed and with much wisdom, and grace would permeate the church of Jesus Christ. To him be the glory in the church. And may we glorify him as the church by applying the grace of the gospel to every area of our life, not just to our salvation.