The new group in the spiritual scene is now classified as the young, restless and reformed. This group of new preachers seem to be building the fastest growing churches now in America on the concept of being "socially liberal but theologically conservative."
Now enter John MacArthur. He would be the last one to be considered young and restless. But his theology, it seems to me, has been applauded by this new group. Until now.
In an effort to perhaps mentor this young, restless and reformed group MacArthur has written a series of blogs warning of some of their weaknesses. MacArthur is not so socially liberal as the new young group. Recently he wrote to warn them concerning their fondness of alcoholic beverages. I first heard of this through a friend who had attended a Driscoll conference in Seattle. During a break, my friend said Driscoll encouraged the attendees to have lunch at a nearby bar and to be sure to buy someone in the bar a beer.
Back to MacArthur. In response to his blog, numerous of the "YRR" crowd has blogged back. And not in repentance. One, who has just finished a book entitled, Spirit Filled, which suggests to be about the biblical reasons drinking is not sinful, wrote back in scathing words. He said that MacArthur's audience is "mostly graying, mostly fundamentalists and mostly Baptists." This YRR preacher was apparently in diapers when MacArthur made his statements about the blood of Christ and it's efficacy in atonement. Fundamental Baptists wrote MacArthur off way back then. His following is certainly not Fundamentalists and most certainly not fundamental Baptists.
However, when Baptist preachers did react to MacArthur's statements on the blood, though sone reacted without having all the facts, and I am sure many reacted aggressively in their own forums, to my recollection, none wrote with the flippant and rebellious attitude of the author of "Spirit Filled." There is an arrogance and pride in this young crowd that is as destructive and dangerous as anything I have seen in my years of the ministry. Little to nothing is sacred to this group. They have rebelled against their mentors. They have rejected the faith of their fathers. They have spurned the counsel of their elders.
May God open their eyes to repent and return.
Marvin McKenzie
In the fields
Now enter John MacArthur. He would be the last one to be considered young and restless. But his theology, it seems to me, has been applauded by this new group. Until now.
In an effort to perhaps mentor this young, restless and reformed group MacArthur has written a series of blogs warning of some of their weaknesses. MacArthur is not so socially liberal as the new young group. Recently he wrote to warn them concerning their fondness of alcoholic beverages. I first heard of this through a friend who had attended a Driscoll conference in Seattle. During a break, my friend said Driscoll encouraged the attendees to have lunch at a nearby bar and to be sure to buy someone in the bar a beer.
Back to MacArthur. In response to his blog, numerous of the "YRR" crowd has blogged back. And not in repentance. One, who has just finished a book entitled, Spirit Filled, which suggests to be about the biblical reasons drinking is not sinful, wrote back in scathing words. He said that MacArthur's audience is "mostly graying, mostly fundamentalists and mostly Baptists." This YRR preacher was apparently in diapers when MacArthur made his statements about the blood of Christ and it's efficacy in atonement. Fundamental Baptists wrote MacArthur off way back then. His following is certainly not Fundamentalists and most certainly not fundamental Baptists.
However, when Baptist preachers did react to MacArthur's statements on the blood, though sone reacted without having all the facts, and I am sure many reacted aggressively in their own forums, to my recollection, none wrote with the flippant and rebellious attitude of the author of "Spirit Filled." There is an arrogance and pride in this young crowd that is as destructive and dangerous as anything I have seen in my years of the ministry. Little to nothing is sacred to this group. They have rebelled against their mentors. They have rejected the faith of their fathers. They have spurned the counsel of their elders.
May God open their eyes to repent and return.
Marvin McKenzie
In the fields
