George D. Watson once said, “The true saints of God, who have clear heads, and pure, warm hearts, have in all generations had to walk between the two extremes of cold formality on the one side, and wild, ranting fanaticism on the other. Dead formality and the false fire of fanaticism are both Satan’s counterfeits, and he does not care into which extreme the soul plunges...”
Do we really believe that the Apostle Paul would tell us to sit down and be quiet during worship? To put our hands down and contain ourselves? Granted, he may rebuke skinny-jeans, silly trends, and sappy worship songs with no theological power, but would he have us handcuff our emotions. After all, emotions are good and God-given.
The key is to make sure that they are the caboose and not the engine of the train - they follow obedience to God and His word - they are not a gauge for truth.
Finding this middle ground is challenging but essential. How should we respond to people like Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, and Todd White? Why did Francis Chan share the stage with a few of them? What is the NAR, and should we be concerned?
Although we don't need to answer all of our critics, we do need to provide answers for those who are sincerely seeking questions. If we make controversial statements, we need to be willing to give an answer or retract and ask for forgiveness. This is how iron truly sharpens iron.
Listen to Pastor Shane Idleman's audio interview discussing this and much more, including the movie: American Gospel- https://youtu.be/TrgX2ky1Mts
Photo courtesy: Mimi Thian/Unsplash
Video courtesy: Westside Christian Fellowship
