Nathan- I'm disappointed…

If a MINISTRY leader compromises this way…! Wow!  I guess, unfortunately, it's not a far stretch to advocate for a Buddhist mystic. I really pray, for the sake of Lamb and Lion Ministries, that Nathan will change his mind on the Harry Potter subject.

Nathan-

Thanks for your reply. Sorry I couldn't get on here before now. I hear what you are saying in regards to desert monks, however, I didn't see evidence for Telemachus' having been included in that category. And, as you are fully aware of the apostate climate in the churches, I'm sure you know that the "Desert Fathers" are hugely credited for the mystical inroads, first in Catholicism, and now in mainline churches and denominations. My concern was that the referenced monk was more along the lines of the mystical Desert Fathers rather than a righteous group of followers of YHWH.

Thanks for the continued dialogue. By the way- I appreciated your post on the Ouija board…

Billy-

If you hadn't noticed, I had refrained from replying to your previous comments because I don't feel as if you are concerned with healthy dialogue amongst the brethren, but rather a beat-chest shouting match that I do not feel will grow either of us. I did, in fact, receive your comment on my blog, and being that I just got on it today for the first time in several days, I was just now able to read it and APPROVE IT. Your last comment about me having deleted your comment was a lie. I just hadn't read it- now where would you have surmised that I deleted it? To answer your most vindictive of comments about the Samaritan being an example:

To say to me that I should strike certain Scripture was a vindictive, spiteful comment that doesn't deserve attention.

I think, Billy, perhaps you should research who the Samaritans were. Despised because they promoted a false gospel? No. Despised because they were mystics, much like the Jewish Kabbalah adherants? No. Despised simply because the Jews didn't view them as a "clean" people because they were half-breeds. The Jews didn't like them simply because they regarded them as dogs- the lowliest of creatures. They were used as an example, not as a separate entity, but as an example that God is not a respector of persons. Would God legitimize a mystic? No. But a group disregarded simply because of their breed? Out we go.

What bothers me the most, Billy, in your nefarious attempts to "shut me down" is that you are denying that it is okay, safe, and protected by God's Word that we should ask questions of fellow brethren, and most importantly, those in leadership over us. If someone has a concern or a question for Dr. Reagan, I would assume he would absolutely welcome a person to share and get clarification. It serves to bring unity and clarity and accountability to the leader. God's Word demands accountability from His teachers! The problem that so many fall into is that they refuse to ask those hard questions from their leaders simply because they think their leader is above reproach- and that is exactly how and why SO MANY Christian leaders are falling into the current wave of apostasy. As Nathan pointed out, and I agree with him, I believe today's falling away is the pertinent sign that Jesus is on His way, and the first thing we are warned of is the wolves in sheep's clothing, creeping in unawares. Do you not imagine that comes from people silenced from speaking out or voicing their concerns?

Instead of you being grateful that I was being a Berean and simply asking a question from someone I've come to love and trust, you discouraged me and put me down. I would never want to do that to a fellow believer! My mom used to say to us when we were little, "Before opening your mouth to another, make sure you ask yourself- Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" Perhaps, Billy, that would come in handy for your responses from here forward.

Note the emphasis on "WAS selfish" for being a desert monk. Asceticism was at the time considered to be a very godly pursuit, though. Without the Essenes we wouldn't have the Dead Sea Scrolls. Without Medieval monks making precise copies we'd be lucky to have a Bibles at all today. Monks were the first on the scene to evangelize the New World.

Monks have played a very important role in the advancement of the Gospel and shouldn't be summarily discounted.

Mom4Truth, if it helps ease your mind, see some of our other articles and shows like on the Emergent Church to see how Dr. Reagan and I feel about the growing apostasy in the Church (a sign we're in the end times, btw).

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."