Busy with real life right now, but for some high entertainment:
Good times.
City Business Church
It is not by grace that one enters the kingdom of heaven, but by tithing. – Damazio 3:16
Busy with real life right now, but for some high entertainment:
Good times.
What amazes me is that Christians won’t address that teenage girls have physical, sexual urges. They ignore and even deny it. For girls, it’s all about modesty and emotional attachment. Amazing.
Man, I gotta get on staff in the Marketing department of the Kingdom of God! It’s products have never looked so good! This is from the Kingdom of God, right?
Does anyone else ever get to a point with this crap where they stop and think “if you’ve got such great, helpful TRUTH to share with people, how come you have to SELL IT!?”
I mean, I’m as much a capitalist as the next one, but sometimes something about this stuff just doesn’t feel right. And spare me the chatter about how they should be able to cover their costs. I could crack out a 100-page electronic document and have someone donate a site where people can download it for free and it wouldn’t cost a penny (or at least more than goodwill donations would cover easily!).
Catalyst, Judah also married the only girl you've ever kissed…I wonder how that all works out.
I know…I always wondered how far the gospel would have spread if the Gospels and Epistles were copyrighted and sold at market value. Paul could have made a ton…but I guess he was more interested in seeing the real Gospel spread than making a buck.
I don’t know what their motives are, but something seems very wrong.
Peter said something about making merchandise of the flock…I’m just saying.
Blah! I hate reading purity books with a passion. It’s not that I don’t value purity and have respect for that. God values it. I don’t like its portrayed in a legalistic and stuck mold. Human sexuality is twisted by both the secular and ‘Christian’ subculture. The secular is one extreme while Christian sub culture’s views are the other extreme.
I have nothing against Judah Smith preaching and doing what he does. However, one thing that annoys me is when they have a set definition of how men and women are supposed to be like and I’m supposed to fit that mold. I hate legalism.
And years ago I remember a preacher saying that in relationships men are primarily interested in the physical sex, while women are more interested in a home, family, motherhood. (This is reflective of Victorian mindset) I beg to differ, maybe his wife has a problem and is not reflective of all the women in the world.
Yet, I’ve talked to young women who struggle with pornography, sexual temptation and most of them feel an extra condemnation. One girl felt horrible because she thought her struggle was a ‘guy’ issue.
IF YOU CANT STOP — just masturbate to music or playing your favorite sport instead of sexual thoughts — there are many more alternatives. Some will claim this is impossible but it really isn’t.
IF YOU CAN STOP — replace the act with excersise, sunlight, eating healthy, keeping busy, and just don’t touch yourself. Obviously this is the best route.
Also, if at all possible IGNORE THE MEDIA
Didn’t mean to offend anyone.
I say we should die to self, sanctify the Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts and be transformed by the Truth of the Gospel.
These types of books are putting the cart before the horse. If they preach true discipleship of Christ, exalting Jesus Christ, showing what an offense these things are to a Holy God, and preaching what true repentance is then these problems take care of themselves.
I never met so many people dealing with sexual sin as when I attended The City Church. I was the accountability partner for at least 4 men struggling with this stuff after being a Christian for a year. I have come to realize it is because they teach a false gospel of prosperity and willpower can only take you so far.
Jesus said:
If they are not being preached the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, how will they be sanctified, how with they overcome their bondage to these sins?
That’s only my opinion of the situation…
John Piper preached an amazing message on Sexual Purity that everyone should listen to. In it he basically says: Everyone wants to talk about Purity, which is great, but NOBODY is talking about what to do when you fail…which you are going to do. He then goes on to preach the gospel…such a novel idea.
He’s preaching this message to a bunch of youth and I can’t imagine how I would have been effected if I had heard it when I was 16.
Click here to listen to it.
“I have come to realize it is because they teach a false gospel of prosperity…”
Come on Craig! You did not just right that…
Ha! That should have said ” you did not just say that, right?”
Yes, I do mean that. I mean that because every member of that church can quote Malaci 3:8-10 to you (because it is preached every offering) but they don’t know what true biblical grace is (unless they have learned it elsewhere).
Their focus is on preaching the prosperity gospel at the expense of the one true Gospel of our Lord.
They also preach the mystical “word of faith” theology where my wife, who did 2 years of interns, thought that because God could speak the world into existence that we had the power to create things with our words…like God (I also heard this from the pulpit). It was usually used to speak to your wallet to get more money or your body for healing. Only God has that power…
I know this because I went there for 4 years and the above statement describes myself and many others. Of course it is a generalization…but they preach more on how to give to the church and neglect the true teachings of Jesus Christ.
A.W. Tozer said to live right, we must believe right, to believe right we must be taught right (paraphrased by me). They do not teach right at the city church and it causes much confusion in the members of the church.
It causes me to think of this scripture:
It is a dangerous game we play when we fail to preach the whole Truth of God’s Gospel, and exhalt one aspect over anothers, or teach false things along with parts of the Truth.
I’m sorry if this offends you, but it offended me when I first started looking into these things while still a member and “leader” at the city church…so I would understand.
I really like that they misspelled “Samson” (sic “Sampson”). Nothing like using the Bible as a means to give people a completely unrealistic (not to mention misogynist) view of the world AND spelling the characters’ names wrong. Classy.
Has anyone read this? Is there an online copy somewhere? Also, what do you think folks; Is this here to establish purity or to brand a new franchise a la “I kissed dating goodbye?” I smell conference speaking material. Conferences, by the way are quickly becoming the new televangelist. Give us your money and we’ll offer lots of feel goods and zero accountability. Anyway, if anyone knows where to read this without giving Judah any money let me know.
“I’m sorry if this offends you..”
Didnt offend me at all, sounds like you are the one that is offended. I just think it sounded ignorantto make this statement:
“I never met so many people dealing with sexual sin as when I attended The City Church. I was the accountability partner for at least 4 men struggling with this stuff after being a Christian for a year. I have come to realize it is because they teach a false gospel of prosperity and willpower can only take you so far.”
To imply that teaching a prosperity doctine is why there are so many people at the city church are dealing with sexual sin, makes you sound ignorant. Which I know you are not.
Just because someone has struggles with a paticular area in their life for a year after they became a christian means what? You mean to tell me, a year after you were a christian you have NEVER struggled with any sin? That you were not only justified but completly sanctified within one year?
I went there for 4 years and never once herd the true Gospel of Jesus Christ preached…but I sure did hear a lot of how God wants to make me rich. I even questioned Judah Smith personally on a lot of the issues I had questions with. I don’t think my comments are made out of ignorance.
I wrote the 2nd comment to let you know why I made that comment…if you have an issue with the particulars of that comment, let me know.
Your comment is a straw man argument, my comment never implied that Christians don’t struggle with sin. All I was trying to say is the lack of good preaching sure doesn’t help the issue. I thought my second comment would clarify that for you…but evidently it didn’t. Sorry if I didn’t make my reasons for believing this clear.
“I went there for 4 years and never once herd the true Gospel of Jesus Christ preached..”
To you what is the true Gospel? I ask this question out of complete sincerity. I think you think I am here to fight with you and defend the city church. I am not. I am trying to learn.
“Your comment is a straw man argument..”
Is it really? I think it is a comment that would provoke a discussion not a reaction. You were not saying a lack of good preaching. You were saying: “I have come to realize it is because they teach a false gospel of prosperity…†you inplied that because the city church and (even any church) that teaches a false gospel of prosperity is the reason that people struggle with sexual sin.
What is a false gospel of prosperity vs a true gospel of prosperity?
You asked what the true Gospel is…I think we could agree it is the payment of our sins on the cross by Jesus Christ that we access through faith in Jesus, and repentance of our sins.
I don’t think there is a true prosperity gospel, the prosperity gospel is “another gospel”, a false gospel.
If you listen to Wendell Smith preach on “the Gospel of Blessing” in 2006 he says something like “apparently the good news of Jesus Christ dying on the cross and forgiveness of sins is not the only gospel, but the gospel of blessing was preached to Abraham” (paraphrased). Basically saying the good news of the cross is good, but we should also be looking at the “other gospel” preached to Abraham for material blessings.
I believe Paul sums up the Gospel here:
Then he chastises the Galatians for following another Gospel…
I think the “gospel of blessing” or the “prosperity gospel” falls under the 2nd part of Paul’s opening to the Galatians. The gospel of prosperity has no power to help us overcome sins, and there are not 2 different gospels…only one. I think all of Galatians is written to show us that the gospel preached to Abraham was the same as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And by faith in Jesus Christ we inherit the promise to Abraham, that is the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3).
I think Jesus promised us that we will have food and clothes because God is good (Matthew 6:24-28 and 1 Timothy 6:7-9). I also believe God has blessed some with more than others, but prosperity isn’t a right that we need to be seeking to experience from God.
“You asked what the true Gospel is…I think we could agree it is the payment of our sins on the cross by Jesus Christ that we access through faith in Jesus, and repentance of our sins.”
I 100% agree. Repentance is a key to what is missing in probably a majority of churches in america.
“I also believe God has blessed some with more than others,”
Then God has favorites? I mean, if he blesses you more then he blesses me. Would that mean God for some reason has favored you more? Or perhaps that means God knows (which He does) who He can entrust more financially then others?
Maybe “blessed” isn’t the word I should have used…maybe I should have said entrusted. I think all who live in the USA are blessed through the grace of God, but that does not mean He trusts all of us equally.
Perhaps, but I don’t think the Bible answers that question. Does God entrust Bill Gates more than us? Does God entrust Saudi oil tycoons more than us? I don’t think so…I think scripture tells us to not worry about it, to seek after the true riches of Christ and be diligent with our lives (including work). If “money cometh” then be sure it isn’t an idol because there are many warnings about earthly riches. If money doesn’t come, what does it matter because Jesus asked, what good is it for a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul?
If you google Dating Delilah you’ll find that there has been a punk band in Seattle of the same name for some time. So much for originality.
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Its a band made up of current and or former city church members that used the name from judahs message Dating Delilah. So actually it is orginal to judah.
The website says:
Um I have a question that no one seems to be asking? Maybe it’s just me but how does this guy have the wisdom and experience to preach on overcoming lust and impurity? JS has got to be one of the purist men alive. Wouldn’t you rather read something from someone who’s walked through the storm of life and been beat up by the world a bit, then come out of it to God’s glory, such as a reformed homosexual or prostitute (i.e. the book “A Piece of Cake”). Why would I want to read about this subject from the perspective of a rich, spoiled pastors kid who has been spoon fed his whole life and has only kissed one girl? Where’s the vast wisdom that he can pass along to me? Maybe no one else cares, but to me its like a white man telling other white men how it is to be black. Just doesn’t work.
Hey, why cant we have two types of books. One book for the people like myself who was involved in all kinds of sexual sin and learned how, by Gods grace and the bible to walk free and a book for people or maybe kids who have not walked down that road before or yet?
Nope, cant have that because the person that wrote the 2nd book happens to be: “the perspective of a rich, spoiled pastors kid who has been spoon fed his whole life and has only kissed one girl?” aka Judah Smith.
“Where’s the vast wisdom that he can pass along to me?”
Probably none because JS is just the spoiled and spoon fed rich kid who has nothing to say about anything.
To be honest I wish when I was a teenage I had a book like that, maybe it would have helped, maybe it would not have helped. I wasn’t a “christian” then so I probably would not have read it.
The key is, how do we get these types of material: “Dating Delilah” and “A Piece of Cake” into the hands of people that need it?
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When I wasn’t saved, I was very used to hearing stories of those living in sin and came out. Those are examples of God’s grace. However a person that encouraged me to live a pure life and led me Christ was a Christian, homeschooled girl who had no idea about the jokes she heard from some of my friends. She was naive and didnt know a lot of things. Even though I couldnt believe her innocence. Even though me and my friends made fun of her behind her back, I saw that she had a good heart. She reached out to me and didnt judge me. That made the difference. And of course, I actually admired her for her lifestyle.
At one point, I actually said to her “Wow, look at you. You have your life straight and look at me. I did so many stupid things…” She then told me about grace and didnt look down on me or think I’m a horrible sinner. I saw compassion.
When I accepted Christ, her homeschooled Christian background influenced me to live and change my ways. Why? because I saw that she grew up in a Christian home and ways and that was different. And actually hearing stories about other people who lived pure lives didnt discourage me. It was actually refreshing. It’s how its portrayed that matters. As long as there’s no condemnation, I’m fine with it.
A person does not need to be ashamed of being a spoiled, Christian that never kissed or whatever. I feel sometimes Christians that lived in a church and didnt struggle with extreme sins like drugs feel that they dont have a real testimony. Actually they do. Its their attitudes that matter. When I saw these Christian kids, I thought – “wow, at least I can change & give my kids a stable, supporting home that I never had growing up.”
It takes both types to reach out to the world. Books are one thing but what really makes a difference is relationships. As Christians we need to go out and share your life with a non-believer. They’ll see what you do and then come to know the Lord by watching your actions, intentions and words.
whether its a pastor’s pretty boy kid like Judah or a person from a past of sin that came to Christ, it takes both types and you may never know who it may influence. Give that guy a break, he can’t change his background, he happened to be born as a PK.
Just be yourselves. There’s no need to embellish truth. The only thing I don’t like about purity books is what I mentioned. If its honest, truthful and not fake, its all good.
Nina excellent post. I agree we do need all types of people that can be the examples of Jesus Christ to a world that in all reality is lost with out Him.
“As Christians we need to go out and share your life with a non-believer. They’ll see what you do and then come to know the Lord by watching your actions, intentions and words.”
I think what you said here is really the spear head in reaching the world we live in. Not the “world” but the world we live in.
The church spends so much time with dramas, plays, teaching classes on winning people to christ, people do not know how to share their life with an un-believer. Laugh with them, cry with them, have a cup of coffe, go to a co-workers kids baseball game and actually hang out with people, simply live life with people that are lost.
It just takes time. Its much easier to get someone to a church meeting with a hope they respond to an “altar call” of some sort. To be honest, there are so many people that will not step in a church because they know to many christians and they are not interested. BUT, if we take the time to live life with people they see our lives (which unfortunatly could be the problem) see the way we treat our spouse, our kids, our bosses, our neighbors and see our transformed lives (which I believe is greatest demonstartion of Gods power on earth) and per chance may listen to what we have to say. By the way I have learned a lot by un-believers…
Good word Nina.
Not saying he should, but I would have more respect for the guy if he ventured out on his own, away from mommy and daddy’s bosom and learned to live and survive in the real world on his own. Writing books about the great struggle of sexual sin that he’s overcome is bordering hilarious.
Case and point: I have a good friend who grew up with 5 times the wealth Judah did. His dad is the pastor of a 5,000 plus member church in the south. He is only 25 years old and comes from generations of wealth (his grandparents own millions of dollars worth of Texas commercial real estate which he is set to inherit). But rather then sit back and swim in the riches of mommy and daddy he moved 2,000 miles away from home enrolled in law school on his own dime and actually works for a living. He and his wife are heavily involved in the outreach and service of others including missions to Africa to serve children with AIDS. Now he could easily be a Judah Smith type and swim in his dads riches, write books, speak at conferences, hype himself up as the next “big” thing, but no he chooses to follow the way of Jesus and live in humility. This guy has more respect and adoration from people then Judah ever will. So although I agree Judah can’t change the fact he was born a PK, he can improve upon it instead of reveling in it.
That is what your friend “chose” to do. With the realization that he will NEVER worry about money. Whats the difference between your friend and JS? They BOTH know that the money is there no matter what. I take my hat off to both of them.
Hey this is a good read too…http://www.doctrinetalk.com/?p=90.
You know I haven’t really followed JS or cared much about his life or what he’s up to but he does seem to be a rock star of sorts in the WA/OR areas. I’m down in Southern California where most people could care less about a Christian Pastor. If you ain’t in movies, TV, music or sports you don’t get much attention around these parts. I find it interesting however that young people seem so desparate for leadership that they will follow anything that will give them a good show and get them to believe in themselves. I pray God’s truths will still be revealed despite the error in his message.
I don’t think that people have to have pasts riddled with “outrageous sins” in order to “have a testimony.” All we need is a true understanding of our wicked hearts and the incomprehensible love of God and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that reconciles us to Him when we put our faith in Him. I know lots of people who grew up walking the “straight and narrow path” that think they have no testimony, so they have nothing to witness to unbelievers about…but I say that’s because they don’t really understand the true nature of man or God.
In terms of purity, I don’t think it’s based on one’s experience, what one has or hasn’t done; it’s based on the work and blood of Jesus. How many people do you know with serious pornography addiction or lustful thought lives who haven’t “acted” on them but who think and/or talk about them all the time? Or people who did unspeakable things but who have repented and accepted God’s forgiveness and restoration? Or people who say their first kiss was on the wedding altar, but who kissed everywhere BUT on the mouth before that (like some CBC leaders)? Who is pure? Less pure? More pure? Are there gradations of purity? Can we earn it?
All that being said, I haven’t read this book, and probably never will since I don’t read any books authored by MFI-types anymore. Let’s help people learn to be real with struggles and urges, to truly understand who they are in Christ, how to walk victoriously over sin, etc.
You know, whether The City Church/City Bible Church and Judah and Wendell, etc. do everything right or not, I feel like it’s stupid for us as Christians to sit here and debate about what someone else is doing right/wrong. I mean, if they are so wrong (which I’m not sure they are), then instead of arguing about it, get out there and provide an example of what is right… you know? I don’t necessarily agree with the whole prosperity message and such, but I know Pastor Judah and I know that he really loves God and has a passion for helping young people. You might disagree with some things he does, but we should be able to settle our differences and at least accept what we DO agree on, and that is Jesus Christ. I mean, Jesus even says “let he who is without sin cast the first stone”… if you’re perfect, then you can sit here and talk about Pastor Judah all you want, but if not… stop throwing rocks…
in love
I can’t believe no one has mentioned this part.
An escape route!?!
I totally don’t get how an escape route is going to help me. I’m trying to keep my mind clean, not plan a successful bank robbery.
But then, he follows this up with “ancient boundary markers”? What are we doing now, placing stones and sticks around my home, as markers to ward off the evil spirit of sexual tempation. Seriously, I don’t get it.
And I think that’s ex-CBC’s point. If you’re looking for practical advice on how to avoid tempataion, it might help it if that advice came from someone with a lot of experience fighting tempatation. Judah has spent his entire life telling everyone he’s perfect and pure. You know, which is great. I just don’t he’s the best person to counsel me on how to keep my mind off sex.
“with “ancient boundary markersâ€?
It goes with the same generational curses argument I would think??
EXACTLY! Thanks Cat, glad to see someone gets it…but then again we were at the same place, during the same time, dealing with the same people, which most of these bloggers will never be able to understand. They didn’t have their teen years trashed by “leaders” similar to Judah, who was our age at the time, but who has now unfortunately become just like them 10 years later.
Opps Grace Girl is my wife….that last post was from me
… you didn’t stare too hard at Starbuck’s new logo.
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sola fide, you are ridiculous, delilah is straight out of the bible, try reading it sometime before you try to mock somebody about something you don’t even know about.
From the Delilah site:
How’s THIS for “purity from a new perspective?”