"God gave me a Ferrari because I am a Ferrari. You're a Ferrari too. God has given you a Ferrari"

This reminds me of Matt Chandler’s superb example of what these kinds of stunts are harmful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-zR3h2UsR4

Interesting, to say the least. I can see the danger - and the video of Chandler is good. But I wonder if we demonize before we know the whole story. As to say - has anyone actually read a transcript of this sermon? Do we know what scriptural backing he had/used? It sounds like there are some points in there that are shaky. But it also sounds like it has become really “fun” for Christians to rip this type of thing down, without saying anything intelligent (no offense) other then “he’s dumb, that’s heresy.”

Maybe conversations like this are why a world sees the church as divided over such trivial things. Again, NOT that we should ignore truth or allow poor teaching (especially to large groups) to go unanswered. But does anybody else feel like this has kind of blown up into a big thing it didn’t mean to be?

Now I know why I drive a “Minivan!”

Straight Ahead!

jt

[D.Hazen87] Interesting, to say the least. I can see the danger - and the video of Chandler is good. But I wonder if we demonize before we know the whole story. As to say - has anyone actually read a transcript of this sermon? Do we know what scriptural backing he had/used? It sounds like there are some points in there that are shaky. But it also sounds like it has become really “fun” for Christians to rip this type of thing down, without saying anything intelligent (no offense) other then “he’s dumb, that’s heresy.”

Maybe conversations like this are why a world sees the church as divided over such trivial things. Again, NOT that we should ignore truth or allow poor teaching (especially to large groups) to go unanswered. But does anybody else feel like this has kind of blown up into a big thing it didn’t mean to be?

FYI, I was just saying that it reminded me of Chandler. The reason is that stunts can be easily misinterpreted, and the main point can be missed by the audience. I don’t think it’s heresy to drive a luxury car on stage at church, but I do think that on the whole it’s distracting from the main point, if not harmful. So I think Ed Young hasn’t been wise in how it appears to the average person have their pastor act very very rich, as if it’s automatically something we should want to emulate. So Paul told Timothy to preach the word. I can’t imagine Paul pulling a stunt like this because he always seemed to be concerned that it not even appear that what he was doing was for money. In some cases, caring about how we come across in giving the gospel is nearly as important as our true motives.

Reading this today, the first thing that popped into my mind (thanks to our Copland-centric choral society program this spring):

Yes….
The preacher, he’s a dodger
He’s a well-known dodger, yes
The preacher, he’s a dodger, yes
And I’m a dodger too.
He’ll….
Preach you a gospel
And tell you of your crimes
But look out, boys,
He’s a-dodgin’ for your dimes!

Frankly, I find the song’s cynicism tiresome, but I couldn’t help but chuckle when it started playing in my head after reading the article. Just a little humor for your day. ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bluepinto.jpg

[Jim Peet] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bluepinto.jpg

God doesn’t love you as much, that’s why!

I am not offended by the Ferrari analogy. It is a bit extreme an illustration.

For the rich, one need not buy a Ferrari, it costs about $1500 per month to rent/lease. A Maserati can be had for less.

The preachers points advocating God’s view of marriage are good. I think the shock of the vehicles wears off pretty soon though. No big deal.

DJung