Ichabod Fulfilled in the Body of Christ

LTRJ Note: Some who read this article and other similar articles by Roger Oakland and LT accuse us of “lumping” all Calvary Chapels together saying they are all bad. We find this line of reasoning troubling. Lighthouse Trails historically has challenged many denominations (and the leaders within those groups), Calvary Chapel being one of them. Because Calvary Chapel has claimed it is not a denomination, there has been this expected idea by some who contact us that they are so loosely connected to each other that one Calvary Chapel church should not in any way be implicated with other Calvary Chapel churches.But the fact is, if a church takes on a particular name for the benefit of being associated with that name or group, then it seems unfair to expect that no one associate them with that group. Does this mean that all Calvary Chapels are going astray because some are? Of course not. Just like not all Baptist or Nazarene churches are going astray because some are. Calvary Chapel, as a group or denomination, should not be singled out for undue criticism, but neither should it be excused from criticism. And if a church has the name and association of Calvary Chapel, then that church must bear some of the responsibility for the leaders of that group, just like any other denomination or ministry. While Lighthouse Trails does not say that a particular local church should break away from a denomination if some of the denomination is going astray (because that is a decision only that church can make), we do say that pastors and church members who see their group or denomination going astray should speak up, not be silent, and call out those who are leading their group toward apostasy. Roger Oakland and Chris Lawson, both long-time Calvary Chapel ministers/teachers, finally left the Calvary Chapel movement and speak about the problems within the movement in an effort to help Christians stay the course of truth. Lighthouse Trails supports their efforts.

By Roger Oakland
Understand the Times, International

This commentary will be short. It will also be clear and to the point. There are three things I am compelled to share.

First, I am often accused of being a Calvary Chapel basher. Not so. For those of you who have read my biography, Let There Be Light, you know I first began working with Calvary Chapel in 1989 at Chuck Smith’s personal invitation. Chuck had asked me to bring my teachings on evolutionary thinking and the New Age (and how both were affecting the world and the church) to Calvary Chapel pastors. Thus, I moved my family from our farm in Saskatchewan to Southern California.

I had only been with Calvary Chapel less than a year when I began seeing serious problems within the movement. In my book, I described the situation:

From 1998 on, the battle I faced in southern California . . . only intensified . . . A number of things simply did not line up with my “farming” way of seeing things. Many times I was reminded of my dad’s famous statement: “The reason I am a farmer is that I would rather deal with nature than human nature.” This became etched in my mind over and over as I saw the signs of a Christian church being run more like a corporation than a New Testament church. . . . Since I had traveled throughout America and the world in Calvary Chapel circles since 1989, giving me opportunity to make observations, I didn’t have to be a forensic scientist to see when something was wrong. [1]

You can read more about my years at Calvary Chapel in Let There Be Light, but I bring this up because of being accused of only wanting to hurt Calvary Chapel. Nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve sometimes been asked, “Why did you stay so long at Calvary Chapel if problems began surfacing within the first year.” I explain this in my book:

Well, that’s simple—I truly was convinced God had brought me to Calvary Chapel to be a blessing, to teach those at Calvary Chapel about creation versus evolution and the ramifications of believing in evolution, and to help prepare and equip Calvary Chapel against spiritual deception and a great coming apostasy. With such conviction and my love for the Calvary Chapel pastors, I never felt the freedom to just walk away from the movement, at least not until I had done all I could possibly do. My farmer heritage gave me the tenacity to not give up, while the Lord in my life helped me to persevere. [2]

While I have been accused of being divisive and unloving, the fact is, to say nothing when people are in danger is the most unloving thing of all. Bottom line is, at Understand The Times, we have attempted to promote the truth, not just to Calvary Chapel but to the body of Christ at large. When light shines into the darkness, the darkness does not like the light. You will find this in the Bible where we read:

The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him. (Job 18:6)

Or another verse that says the same thing:

Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. (Jeremiah 13:16)

Second, we have been accused of being unfair to “God-loving brothers and sisters.” Apparently, our commentaries have been viewed as hard hitting and designed to use the Word of God to cause division. This, of course, is not our intention. Remember the words that Jesus used as recorded in the Bible:

Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division (Luke 12:51)

Or another verse that states the same thing:

So there was a division among the people because of him. (John 7:43)

Third, one of the things Calvary Chapel has been known for is teaching the Bible verse by verse, line upon line. The hope in teaching this way is that the Scriptures are not taken out of context or pulled from various books of the Bible to erroneously support a particular doctrine or teaching. As good of a system as this may be, it is not a guarantee that a pastor or a teacher will not be misled or become deceived. As the Bible is taught, there must be a biblically prophetic understanding given. In other words, the teaching must be able to connect the dots to what is happening in the church today (e.g., it’s got to clearly show where deception has come in). And the teaching must also consider the “whole counsel of God.” Ultimately, even when it is verse by verse, a Bible teaching is only going to be good if the teacher is being led of the Holy Spirit, whether it’s pastors and teachers in Calvary Chapel or any church or denomination.

This leads me to the issue of shepherds. In the Old Testament, the prophets spoke of shepherds and watchman as those whose duty it was to warn of impending danger. The New Testament equivalent would be pastors. As unpopular as it is in today’s church, pastors are supposed to be shepherds and watchmen over their flocks, warning of impending spiritual danger.

Now, here is the problem and the solution for those within the body of Christ who are contending earnestly for the faith. This is for those who want to do all they can to reach those they consider to be their brothers and sisters caught in Satan’s trap. Paul, the apostle, said:

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

I recognize that many Christians have been caught in Satan’s trap, and there is widespread deception throughout the church today. There may even be those who claim to be Christians but don’t realize they are not Christians at all because they do not know what Christianity is. They’ve never responded to the true Gospel. They have been warned, but they do not listen because of pride.

As you know, pride comes before a fall, does it not?
 

They have been warned, and they will not listen to what the Word of God clearly states. For example:

And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. (Leviticus 26:30)

Or another verse that says the same thing:

The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! (2 Samuel 1:19)

History only repeats itself time and again. Postmodernism is the same as Babylonianism. Christians can be fooled by those who are following Satan. How sad.

In the past, God always warned and then brought judgment. History repeats, does it not?

[1] P. 144.

[2] P. 146.