I have yet to receive a formal response from Dr. Reagan, or from his ministry, however, I did post my letter to their website blog and his webmaster, Nathan Jones, did respond, in part, to my concerns.
Nathan Jones:
As Christians we are indeed called to share the Gospel (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8), leading hearts and lives to Jesus Christ. But, we are also called by Jesus in Matthew 5:13-18 to be "salt and light" in the world, showing by our loving example what Jesus stands for. As Hebrews 13:16 states, "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
And so, it is not just us sharing the Gospel that the Lord wants, though that's primary, but for us to share Jesus' love with everyone (Lk. 10:27) based the example He demonstrated for us while on earth. And, what was Jesus' example while on earth? He healed the sick, fed the poor, showed mercy to the sinner, and gave the world the truth.
Are we actively following what Jesus told us to do, or are we in (self)righteous indignation just talking the talk?
And my response here:
Nathan-
Thank you for taking the time to go through those Scriptural bullet points. I agree that we are called to be good-doers as servants of Christ. I pray, first, that Christians are earnestly contending for the faith (Jude 3) AND allowing their light to so shine before all men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in Heaven. (Matt.5:16) I do hope you agree that our "works" cannot simply be stuffing envelopes for crisis pregnancy centers, serving lunch at a homeless shelter, and holding the door for a stranger- we are more closely judged on how unblemished we remain from the world. (James 1:27)
Most importantly, I wanted to question Dr. Reagan on his use of the desert monk to illustrate his point. Your response didn't address that concern. As I stated in my previous post, the monk that he references was an eastern mystic. We certainly can agree that an eastern mystic is not a fitting example as one who did something righteous for God. The world is full of non-believers, New Agers, mystics, and Catholics who DO many good deeds, but that is not enough- one must have the true Christ and be grounded in His Word. Without that foundation, one should not be used as en example as someone to emulate. Perhaps Samson- who had a very similar story to the example produced by Reagan? However, Samson was a repentant man of God- according to Scripture, our ONLY proper and fitting source. My biggest question and concern was simply- I have read Dr. Reagan's posts, as well as yours, fondly, for quite some time, and I didn't understand his anti-Biblical selection of a mystic. This concerned me even greater when seen in context of a mystical usurping of Christianity. I drove by a local church just the day before I read his post that was citing a Ghandi quote on their church marquee. Why stray from God's Holy Scripture to illustrate a point you agree is a Scriptural value?
I look forward to your response.
February 26th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
I replied as followed and have yet to recieve a response. This shows the Lord used the example of a person deemed as someone not to see as an example. In this story it is the priest and the Levite that should have been good examples but are not. I think this proves Dr. Reagan was just fine in his example.
Perhaps, mom4truth, the following verses should be stricken from the Bible based on your problem with Dr. Reagan. After all, doesn't this story use the example of a despised Samaritan as the example of one doing the Lord's work in contrast to the priest and the Levite. Shouldn't this story be turned around so the priest is the example and not the Samaritan? Who was doing right in God's eyes in Dr. Reagan's example? The monk or the cheering crowd of a Christian nation. CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR REPLY!
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."
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Nathan replied:
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).
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:22 pm
My reply to Nathan AND Billy:
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.
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:28 pm
But now I've got another bothersome issue with Nathan Jones of Lamb and Lion Ministries. He posted an article on the use of a Ouija board. I agree with the contents of the article which were strongly against it's use, but he added in the comment field that while he agrees we shouldn't use the boards, he finds the Harry Potter series fun and amusing. He says he doesn't advocate readers who are young or undiscerning, but that mature Christians can handle their content! I posted a comment under his: Thank you for whoever "Anonymous" is. It seems this is the only person who realizes that we are to touch no unclean thing. When we compromise and engage things that Scripture strictly forbids (Deut 18), we compromise our own discernment and, worse yet, our Christian witness. The more we train, or dumb down, our discernment through engaging ungodly cultural behaviors, the more we expose ourselves to falling away. As I mentioned in the other post, pure and undefiled religion is keeping onself unspotted from the world. James 1:27
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.
September 1st, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Hi all, I read the e-mails above.
We have to make sure as Children of God, that we are not filled with PRIDE. Pride says, we know it all, have all and we do not need any further information from God's Word, the Holy Spirit or anyone else. You see, I used to have this pride and thought that I knew it all, and know one else knew what I knew. I repented to my Lord and asked for forgiveness, and He did.
I am thankful for Dr. Reagan and other ministers who are spreading the news of the gospel.
Love to you all,
yone because we have
September 1st, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Hello Janice,
How is it "pride" to question someone's teaching against the authority of Scripture? If someone is teaching something that is contrary to the gospel we were previously taught, Scripture is quite harsh on said person- claiming, "let them be accursed!" Further it tells us to have "no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them…" Also- the Bereans actively searched the Scriptures to test the words of Paul- for which they were commended! It is NOT good news if someone is not actively sharing complete truth, rather a mixture of truth and deceit that so many undiscerning people readily swallow. Perhaps, Janice, you should question why you will not hold your leaders up to the test of Scripture…Thanks.