In Response
I received this in an email today... Click Here
I decided I would keep the sender anonymous, but respond openly.
Dear Sender,
I knew as soon as I read, "I love Calvary Chapel," that there would be a "But" or "However" soon to follow. Be that as it may, I must admit that I have at times pondered the very same things that you write of and I do appreciate that you clarified some of your remarks as being generalities.
I've been a part of Calvary for some time now and have had opportunity to visit many Calvary Chapel's; I've met a great number of men and women that passionately love the Lord and are stepping out into new ground all the time. As I have traveled among the Calvary circles I have found an interesting trend, a group of people, like yourself, that have "grown away from Calvary." You've learnt so much at the feet of great pastor/teachers that happen to be from Calvary and then it is as if one day you awake with the thought, "They're keeping something from me, they're holding me back." Where does such a thought come from, is it of God? I sincerely doubt it.
Often as I prod a bit deeper with some probing questions I find that most who feel as you do have been reading titles written by revivalists or reformists. You've acquired some new knowledge from your reading that Chuck doesn't seem to talk about, or rather speaks of as being divergent from Calvary's distinctive or hermeneutic understanding.
So you believe in God's sovereignty, so does Calvary Chapel, the last time I checked. However, we also believe in the freewill of man; the Bible, as I read it, seems to teach both. You see, as I mentioned before, I've considered the very same thoughts that you now dwell upon, especially as I read John MacArthur's "The Gospel According to Jesus" a few years ago. An interesting thing happened as I read that book and flipped through some others like it; my heart grew critical towards others in the body of Christ and I found myself seeking fellowship with likeminded people. It isn't difficult to find likeminded people when you are critically minded (no offence), walk in to any church and you'll no doubt find them... or perhaps they'll find you.
It was a bit of a surprise that you ended your letter with "READ EPH. 4:10-17;" that just so happens to be the passage that the Lord used to call me into vocational ministry 7 years ago. But I am glad that you brought this passage up, because I believe the Lord would have a word for you from that text.
God gave some apostles (I'd encourage you to do a deep word study on that word, for your interpretation of it is not correct), prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for a very specific purpose. Their calling and mission is to equip the saints for the working out of the ministry of God and to build up the body of Christ. God uses these men to lead sinners into a single, unified faith in God and a deeper and precise knowledge of His Son.
One of the things that I respect about Chuck Smith (and Calvary Chapel) is that he has simply taught the Word, which has led me to a stronger faith and a truer knowledge of who God is. My challenge and encouragement to you, in light of your letter, would be to set aside other books for a time and only read and study God's Word.
May the Father of Glory grant unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
Blessings,
Miles
I decided I would keep the sender anonymous, but respond openly.
Dear Sender,
I knew as soon as I read, "I love Calvary Chapel," that there would be a "But" or "However" soon to follow. Be that as it may, I must admit that I have at times pondered the very same things that you write of and I do appreciate that you clarified some of your remarks as being generalities.
I've been a part of Calvary for some time now and have had opportunity to visit many Calvary Chapel's; I've met a great number of men and women that passionately love the Lord and are stepping out into new ground all the time. As I have traveled among the Calvary circles I have found an interesting trend, a group of people, like yourself, that have "grown away from Calvary." You've learnt so much at the feet of great pastor/teachers that happen to be from Calvary and then it is as if one day you awake with the thought, "They're keeping something from me, they're holding me back." Where does such a thought come from, is it of God? I sincerely doubt it.
Often as I prod a bit deeper with some probing questions I find that most who feel as you do have been reading titles written by revivalists or reformists. You've acquired some new knowledge from your reading that Chuck doesn't seem to talk about, or rather speaks of as being divergent from Calvary's distinctive or hermeneutic understanding.
So you believe in God's sovereignty, so does Calvary Chapel, the last time I checked. However, we also believe in the freewill of man; the Bible, as I read it, seems to teach both. You see, as I mentioned before, I've considered the very same thoughts that you now dwell upon, especially as I read John MacArthur's "The Gospel According to Jesus" a few years ago. An interesting thing happened as I read that book and flipped through some others like it; my heart grew critical towards others in the body of Christ and I found myself seeking fellowship with likeminded people. It isn't difficult to find likeminded people when you are critically minded (no offence), walk in to any church and you'll no doubt find them... or perhaps they'll find you.
It was a bit of a surprise that you ended your letter with "READ EPH. 4:10-17;" that just so happens to be the passage that the Lord used to call me into vocational ministry 7 years ago. But I am glad that you brought this passage up, because I believe the Lord would have a word for you from that text.
God gave some apostles (I'd encourage you to do a deep word study on that word, for your interpretation of it is not correct), prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for a very specific purpose. Their calling and mission is to equip the saints for the working out of the ministry of God and to build up the body of Christ. God uses these men to lead sinners into a single, unified faith in God and a deeper and precise knowledge of His Son.
One of the things that I respect about Chuck Smith (and Calvary Chapel) is that he has simply taught the Word, which has led me to a stronger faith and a truer knowledge of who God is. My challenge and encouragement to you, in light of your letter, would be to set aside other books for a time and only read and study God's Word.
May the Father of Glory grant unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
Blessings,
Miles
posted by Miles at
8/28/2006 06:16:00 PM
2 Comments:
I so appreciate your open response and agree with your conclusions. I am praying for this brother, may God be glorified in our love for one another and zeal for His Son, Jesus Christ, being lifted high, so as to draw all people to Him. Thanks
Was sent this to me by your mom. Excellent counsel Miles, to stick with God's word exclusively for a while. This post shows you thought about your response. Nothing glib or cliche about it at all.
again excellent and right on.
Marsha
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