Tag: Brad Schoolfield

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John MacArthur Still Contending While Friends Abandon Him

After more than fifty years of ministry, John MacArthur is still standing strong contending for the faith. No matter the constant shifting of the political tides and cultural influence that affect so many, MacArthur has one of the strongest track records of fighting for Biblical truth as anyone of the past century. Along with this, one of his most admirable traits is his willingness to go it alone if need be, regardless of the opinions of associates or close friends.

In a recent interview with Justin Peters, he was asked about the battles he’s fought over the years, as well as being abandoned by longtime friends who used to stand with him. While neither Peters nor MacArthur named names, one need look no further than examples such as Al Mohler, Mark Dever, and Ligon Duncan at the tense exchange over the Dallas Statement at ShepCon 2019. Al Mohler’s tantrum over Phil Johnson’s more-than-fair questioning, as well as Mark Dever’s smug body language immediately come to mind. That said, Pastor John offered gracious answers filled with wisdom that any aspiring mature Christian would benefit from hearing:

MacArthur: “I don’t second guess myself…maybe because I try to live and respond Biblically. So if I’m second guessing the Bible, that’s probably not a good thing (laughter). And to make it simple, we fight every battle. We fight every battle. Every battle that comes up against the Word of God- against the Truth of God. We earnestly contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. So we’ve been battling since the beginning. It’s not a matter of selecting certain battles- we fight them all.”

Furthermore, the pastor elaborated on friends and colleagues abandoning him in various fights over the years:

MacArthur: “I also understand that not everybody is willing to fight all those battles. There are people who would stand with us on this battle and maybe that battle, but not this one or not the other one. It may be because they have friendships, it may be because they have faculty in their institutions who are on the other side of that issue and they don’t feel like they can take that issue on because it would divide their institution. That maybe they’re seeking a more cordial relationship with certain people…”

“….We may be losing some of the big names, some of the elites, but I think we’re collecting the good guys”

Christians are called to fight the good fight; to finish the race. That goes for all believers, not just pastors. He is not alone, he stands with 4000 other men from this year’s Shepcon. The righteous will stand and do battle against the lies of the culture, the lies and seductions the world offers. May all believers be encouraged that the Lord promises the gates of hell will not prevail against Christ’s Church.

Editor’s Note. Hat Tip to Justin Peters. This article was written by Brad Schoolfied for Protestia.

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Heresies

Tavner Smith Defends Satanic Lil Nas X and His Shoes, Wants to ‘Punch Church’

In a self-righteous rant about love that is sure to intimidate no one, Tavner Smith said he wants to punch the Church in the face.

The disgraced preacher from Chattanooga who was caught cheating on his wife with one of Venue Church’s worship leaders wants to lecture others on love.  Why?  Because “Pastor” Tavner Smith is a wolf.  He thinks it’s unloving to preach against sin.  In fact, he’s a perfect example of someone who loves the world.

In a recently posted rant on stage to whoever would listen of his dwindling congregation, Smith took issue with Christians who would dare to hold to God’s Word by not being down with Lil Nas X’s Satanic tennis shoes and homosexuality.

“I would like to punch the Church in the face.  The whole Global Church.  I saw so many articles about how awful it is that he made these shoes- yeah, like the shoes were Satan himself and were gonna come attack us.  Did y’all read that?”

Notice the not so- subtle disdain in his voice for God-fearing Christians.  Evidently, he doesn’t have a problem with a sneaker glorifying Lucifer and mocking the Almighty.  What kind of pastor talks like this?

His rationale soon became clear as the “chili slingin” pastor explained,

“They asked him, ‘why would you make Satan shoes’” Ready for this?…‘Because of what the church did to me.  Because when I told them I was young-I was gay- he said they hated me.  They preached against me, treated me and said awful things about me’ and then he says this, ‘And now I hope they feel the hate that they hated with.’ We should be ashamed of ourselves.”  

No Tavner, the Bride of Christ should not be ashamed of “ourself” for taking a Scriptural stance on the sin of homosexuality.  True love is preaching repentance from sin.  What’s hateful is to assuage the conscience of sinners and rob them of hearing the Gospel.  

Smith then goes on to parrot Tim Keller stating “the Bible says this form of living isn’t your best life” (referring to sodomy).  This is a dangerous narrative and a lie. Scripture is clear on homosexuality being an abomination to God (Leviticus 18:22). Here is what the Gospel is all about: preaching repentance from sin (ALL SIN, even homosexuality) and placing one’s faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sin unto salvation.  It is about the gift of His righteousness that is not one’s own.  Being set free from God’s judgment and being placed in the family of God having been reconciled to the Father.  

The hateful responses from Tavner Smith and Lil Nas X come as no surprise. Clearly Smith is angered by believers who take a hard line against the acceptance of sin. He even scolded those who hold these beliefs and said they’re not welcome at his church.  Christ warns true believers in 1 John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”  Believers can expect this reality.  But take comfort, as Matthew 5:11 says, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”   May the Almighty grant His Bride strength to stand firm and boldness to rightly obey and declare His Word- not to be moved when the world hates them. And as for you Tavner, why don’t you just stick to chili dogs.

(Hat Tip / Video: Venue Is No Church . This article was written by Brad Schoolfield for Protestia.

Categories
News

John MacArthur Rebukes Church Hosting Ligonier National Conference

Recently, news broke that Ligonier Ministries scheduled their 2022 National Conference at First Baptist Orlando, which concludes this weekend. This was alarming due to the recently exposed heretical teachings espoused by First Baptist. Danny de Armas, the senior associate pastor, infamously offered a full-blown ecumenical statement devoid of any Gospel truth and antithetical to the teachings of Scripture by highlighting how many illegal immigrants, pro-choice demoncrats, and LGBTQ folk were ‘serving’ in his church.

“We have transgender, LGBTQ, straight, single, married, divorced and cohabitating people. These same people attend listen, serve, grow and give…We have pro-life and pro-choice…And in the midst of all of this, we have one of the most beautiful worship experiences you can possibly imagine.”
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Unfortunately, the above is only one of the more recent examples of heresy spewed at the church. In the aftermath of the shooting at a gay Orlando nightclub back in 2016, First Baptist Orlando held a memorial service for the 59 victims. What proceeded from this was one of the most jaw-dropping blasphemous statements someone could ever think of. Guest speaker and pastor of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. Larry Mills said to those in attendance something which could only be described as straight from the pit of hell:

“…We believe in the Word and what others would have against us – what others would show as a stumbling stone- we’ve elevated to be the head of the corner. And right now no matter what the presence and people of mine may think, that LBGTQ area is the head cornerstone. And we are here to lift up and magnify and allow them to know: that regardless of people’s opinion, regardless of where we are, love triumphs over evil.”

This is in stark contrast to Ephesians 2:20-22, which places Christ as the cornerstone. Larry Mills blasphemed Christ by claiming that workers of an abominable sin are the chief cornerstone. This isn’t just error, it’s flat-out satanic.

This snapshot of First Baptist Orlando raises a lot of concerns in regards to Ligonier deciding to host their conference at their building. Amongst other prominent men of the faith, Pastor John MacArthur originally was scheduled to be a speaker at the event as well. Thankfully, not only did MacArthur withdraw, but he took time at ShepCon 2022 to rebuke First Baptist Orlando two weeks before it took place by quoting Scripture saying, “…By their fruits you shall what? Know them” and drawing a line in the sand between a church adhering to the culture versus standing for the truth.

“Pragmatism basically says, you do what works. In other words, what the culture wants, you give them. And once you decide that you’re going to give the culture what it wants eventually it will take you to the bottom of that culture. And then you’ll have a church, a Southern Baptist church, a first southern Baptist church saying we welcome homosexuals, transgender people, and immoral people…once you decide you’re going to make an alliance with the world with the ill-conceived notion that somehow this is going to make the Gospel more effective, the culture will take you to the bottom.”

Clearly Pastor MacArthur took issue with the messages spewing forth from FBO and echoed a sentiment that many Christians share.

A fair question to ask then, is why didn’t Ligonier take a stand against FBO as well? While MacArthur withdrew, for whatever reasons those were, many prominent speakers remain such as Steven Lawson, Sinclair Ferguson, Robert Godfrey, Stephen Nichols, Burk Parsons, Derek Thomas, and Michael Reeves, amongst others. These men are wonderful brothers in the faith, many having decades long faithful ministries that have benefited an untold amount of believers.

But the fact remains, it is concerning for a faithful ministry to associate itself with a false church that blasphemes Christ and is heretical on its view of Christ and sin. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 states, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” Romans 16:17 says, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”

Would it be okay to hold a national conference at a Roman Catholic Church? It’s certainly possible that the speakers could be unaware of the heresy espoused by First Baptist Orlando, but the core issue is this: there’s the appearance of association by holding their 2022 National Conference in that building whether FBO pastors and staff are present or not.

Editor’s note. This article was written by Brad Schoolfield as a guest post for Protestia. h/t Doctrinal Watchdog for the vid.