Troy P Zehnder

There are scholars, theologians, pastors, and church going members who may read this and think, “this is some kind of heresy!” However, I am going to mention a very simple concept that seems to go against the grain of everything most modern churches teach, and explain why there is a “falling away.” Bear with me.

1. Understanding Scripture

In my opinion, throw out every denomination and theological concept that has it’s own interpretation of what scripture means. Along with this, toss out the idea that you only need the scripture to understand the scripture. The most important rule of exegesis (critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture) is that scripture can never mean what it never meant. The fact that something written 2000+ years ago is applicable today is what makes God’s word God given, but assuming a verse was written for you or to you is an error in reading (reader response). Authorial intent is critical for properly interpreting scripture (what did the author mean in his time, and how did that audience understand it), because if something was not acceptable then, it is certainly not acceptable now (Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not…”, so if the Lord doesn’t change neither will His word). This link addresses common objections to this rule. http://living-faith.org/2017/06/22/5-common-objections-to-it-cannot-mean-what-it-never-meant/. Prosperity based churches and the ever rising charismatic movement love reader response leadership because it allows their congregations to grow by meeting the 21st century social norms without offending their congregational base (and income). But..they’re wrong.

2. The Old Testament Was Replaced

This concept is predominant in Replacement Theology that claims the covenant with the Jews was replaced by the Church due to the Jewish rejection of Christ. Many charismatic churches believe this even if it is not pronounced in their teachings, and it is false. Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Jesus himself uttered these words. The New Testament is built upon the foundation of the Old Testament, as the OT was Christ concealed and the NT is Christ revealed. To claim that God removed the covenant He made with the patriarchs and gave it to the church, when scripture never says this, would make God a liar which we know he is not. He is faithful in this covenants always.

3. There Are Many Ways To Heaven

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Case closed. The Pope isn’t saving a soul. Praying through Mary isn’t saving a soul. Praying through saints isn’t saving a soul. Oprah isn’t being honest. Only Jesus can forgive sins, and the Father does NOT approve of ritualistic worship. Matthew 6:7-8 “When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” If your church is preaching the same chanted prayers, the Father is not listening. How do we know he is not listening? Isaiah 1:10-23 10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 11 “The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the LORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12 When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? 13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. 14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! 16 Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. 17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. 18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. 21 See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers! 22 Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water. 23 Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.” Repetitious rituals are reprehensible to God. They are done by habit and not by heart. God wants your broken heart, not your rituals. This should greatly offend a large denomination who have been convinced their way is the truth. Sorry, you’re in a false worship.

4. Should Your Tithes Go To The Church and What Is The Church?

The church is not a building, it’s a people. Pastors agree with that. Pastors will hate me for this. I do not believe pastor-hood should be a full time paid job. The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians he was not accepting their tithes for himself because his needs were met from other sources:

2 Corinthians 11 7 “Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.” Paul went on to elaborate about preachers who soak their congregations for their own needs (See some popular TV evangelists for this): 12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.“

Should a congregation choose to help support, that is their choice, but tithing should go to God’s Temple which is not the upkeep of a building. John 2:19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” At the crucifixion the veil to the Temple was torn allowing access to anyone who chooses to seek God’s face. At the resurrection, the Temple was relocated to the heart of every man who seeks out God. I believe that tithing should go to the temple of man’s heart. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Shelter the weary. Give hope to the lost. Tithing to an individuals Temple is storing up your treasures in heaven. If the tithes to your church are not being reallocated to the Temple that Jesus rose up in three days, then your church is mishandling your tithes. Build up your treasures…teach about God through works that are found in your faith. Help those in need.

Lastly…

5. Does The State of The Church Reflect Where We Are In Time?

There are two interesting statements in scripture that seem to contradict each other. One is that in the last days the gospel will be preached all over the world, and the other is that in the last days there will be a falling away of the church. How are both of these statements accurate? Jesus stated in Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” This is a true statement. The good news of Christ is being spread throughout the world with the help of missionaries, the internet, the dispersal of bibles in every language. In the United States it is virtually impossible for anyone to say they have never heard of Christianity or seen a church. Knowing about Christianity is not the same as knowing of its existence. That is a personal choice.

The OT used Shepherds as prophets to relay the word of God to His people. Jesus called upon people to be fishermen in the NT, to reach out to those who have never heard about the good news. I believe if there were more to the bible in latter times we would hear talk of farmers, as today that is our role more than fishermen. Today, we need to plant the seeds of the good news, water the seed, and allow the Holy Spirit to grow a fruitful crop. Regardless, there is no denying that the gospel is being preached to the whole world. Then how is there a falling away?

2 Timothy 4:3-4 “3For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.“

1 Timothy 4:1-2 “Now the Spirit [a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.”

We have now come full circle to too many churches that have departed from preaching truth. They are spreading the positives of the gospel, that Jesus saves and came to this world to save His children, but they are not preaching the part pertaining to what Jesus is saving them from. That is the crux of the failing church. The good news is only good when people are taught that there is a consequence for every action. Salvation or damnation. God does not choose who is separated from him, that is a choice that is solely ours. He just enforces the decision we make freely, and the neglect of the church to properly inform people of this consequence is due to misinterpretation of scripture, a false doctrine, and a selfish desire to appease the masses instead of saving them. If you never walk out of a church service thinking, “Wow, I need to work on that” and instead walk out thinking “What a positive message” then you need to re-evaluate your church.

If I did my part, then I just offended a lot of people…then again the truth can be a nasty dish to eat. I’m no better than anyone else. I’m a sinner saved by grace, and I know that in my failings I have the ability to repent and be forgiven due to God’s grace and mercy. I sincerely hope your church is feeding you a soul saving meal.

Blessings.