Other
Proctor
Articles:
By Paul Proctor
July 18, 2007
NewsWithViews.com
Lane Palmer, Youth Ministries Specialist for Dare 2 Share Ministries in Arvada, Colorado, recently wrote a guest column for The Christian Post titled "I Want To Be A Transformer!" Using the much-hyped new movie, Transformers as both an attention getter and springboard to the "higher spiritual truth" he wished to convey, Mr. Palmer passed along a rather common and dangerous misconception about the Christian life and the role of believers.
After gushing over the new film for three full paragraphs, he wrote that he was "guilty of glaring geek-ness," I suppose as a humorous attempt to relate to the young techie crowd he was reaching out to in order to win their confidence and more effectively segue them toward his main point which he finally got around to in the fifth paragraph, saying:
You know what else? I'm also guilty of not being a Transformer myself.
Going on to explain, he added:
God calls each and every one of us to be transformers. Check out what I mean:
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
Instead of titling his article "I Want To Be A Transformer!" he should have titled it, "I Want To Be Transformed" because, you see, that's what the verse of scripture he quoted was really about - being transformed by God, not transforming others.
One demonstrates helplessness and humility - the other, an egocentric and humanistic haughtiness.
As if that wasn't enough, Mr. Palmer closed his article with a rather dominionist-like exhortation to "Let God transform your mind so you can go transform your world!"
So, I sent him the following email message:
Lane,
You wrote: "God calls each and every one of us to be transformers" and then quoted a verse in your article where scripture encourages us to "let God transform you" or as the KJV says: "be ye transformed." Furthermore, you close your article with the following statement: "Let God transform your mind so you can go transform your world!"
What you are teaching and what scripture teaches are two entirely different things.
You and I cannot "transform" anyone anymore that we can heal anyone. The Apostles did not heal and transform the sick and lost - The Lord did the healing and transforming; and they would be the first to tell you that.
To "transform," like to heal, is for Him alone to do; so for you to teach that WE are to transform others is to arrogantly suggest that WE are both Divine and omnipotent.
The only reference I can find in scripture of self-transformation is in 2nd Corinthians 11:13, which reads: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ."
In addition, I can find no scripture commanding us to "transform your world" but rather, "preach the Word in season and out..." and "proclaim the good news" whether the world hears us and responds favorably or not.
Please show me scripture references where you and I are instructed to "transform the world."
If you cannot, I believe a correction would be in order.
Well, a couple of weeks have passed and I have yet to see a correction published at The Christian Post, which is unfortunate because he has essentially forwarded false teachings that who knows how many thousands of young readers will now in turn, pass along to others.
As is so common these days, thanks to the church growth movement and the perverted pragmatism of the "new spirituality," secular tools were once again used to construct a secular lie disguised as a spiritual truth.
"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." - 2nd Timothy 3:13
� 2007 Paul Proctor - All Rights Reserved
Sign Up For Free E-Mail Alerts
E-Mails
are used strictly for NWVs alerts, not for sale
Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com, he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print.
E-Mail: watchman@usa.com�
Instead of titling his article "I Want To Be A Transformer!" he should have titled it, "I Want To Be Transformed" because, you see, that's what the verse of scripture he quoted was really about - being transformed by God...
