I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. -- 2Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV)
https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/in-the-line-of-fire/72636-do-christians-really-want-pablum
For someone who does not believe in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), Dr. Michael Brown sure espouses a great deal of their theology. For the uninformed, Michael Brown is a learned scholar who has served in ministry for over four decades. Master of biblical languages, Brown has garnered quite the reputation for biblical knowledge and exposition. Except when it comes to Charismania. Then Brown jumps off the Benny Hinn cliff with glee as he belly flops into the Bethel cesspool. Since the last election, he has also gone full NAR and become the chief apologist for President Trump. Every now and again he will print an article trying to give himself some cover but one needs only to read his material to know he has accepted the dominionism that rests at the heart of NAR theology. Remember the NAR ascribes to the Seven Mountains heresy that says Christians must take over seven cultural mountains in order to facilitate the second coming of Jesus Christ. The spiritual side of this false teaching is that the devil has convinced the apostate church to value this life over the eternal life. This world over the next. That is why they are always hung up on a revival that is not promised anywhere in Scripture. The above linked article is Brown's latest attempt to convince believers that they should be neck deep in the sordid affairs of the world. You know, for the cause of Christ of course. Wink wink. Let us reason together once more beloved:
"It's true that the road to destruction is as broad as ever (Matt. 7:13-14). It's true that many churchgoers are attracted to preachers who tickle their itching ears (2 Tim. 4:3-4). And it's true that many pastors seem to have an unwritten 11th commandment, "Thou shalt not offend." But is this true for all? Hardly. Plenty of Christians want anything but compromise. I'm aware, of course, that there are mega-churches famous for failing to preach against sin. And I'm aware that far too many leaders avoid addressing cultural issues like the plague. And to the extent that these ministries see "success," this would indicate that there is always a large audience for a non-confrontational, baby food gospel. It breaks my heart to hear leaders dance around controversial issues. It saddens me deeply when I see people drawn to a message that bypasses the cross and calls for neither sacrifice nor service." -- Dr. Michael Brown
Brown sets up a false foundation for his false narrative. He posits that those that have itching ears want to avoid talking about social problems in America. That is of course utter nonsense as they wish to avoid talking about sin. Most churches, Christians and leaders have no problem talking about the sins of the world. It is true that most churches today follow the seeker friendly purpose driven paradigms of church growth which avoid offense but the avoided offense is any discussion of personal sin and repentance, not an avoidance of politics and worldly sin. Every mega church refuses to confront personal sin. The subterfuge Brown engages in though is to conflate that refusal with his fantasy that churches do not wish to address societal issues as well. What makes matters abhorrent here is the conflation of the Gospel with preaching about social and cultural problems. The Gospel has absolutely nothing to do with preaching about social and cultural issues beloved. The "baby food gospel" he refers to is no gospel at all because once you take out the cross and the blood you have left the true Gospel behind. The feel good, prosperity, false signs and lying wonders, experiential, take over the world NAR gospel is a false gospel. The sacrifice is one of self and sin and the service is only unto our God not the societal and political whims of false gatekeepers like Michael Brown.
"But, to repeat, there are plenty of Christians who have no interest in pablum. They want to be challenged. They want to hear the truth. They want sin to be confronted (starting in their own lives). They want their leaders to address the culture. They want to be salt and light. I hear this all the time as I travel and speak around the country and as I interact on social media. The very fact that thousands of people thank me (and others) for speaking the truth and for taking a stand tells us two things. First, not enough leaders are doing this; second, their congregants really want them to. Is it possible that some pastors are underestimating their flocks? Is it possible that some leaders are misjudging their followers?" -- Dr. Michael Brown
Pablum is considered bland, infantile unappetizing fare. I agree that there are some Christians who do not want pablum. They want to be challenged by the Gospel however -- not confronting the sins of society. There is nothing challenging about calling someone else a sinner. It is also not our job as Christians. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. So understand spiritually what is going on is the oldest sin on record. Wanting to be like God. The reason why so many who attend church want their leaders to address the sinful world is it provides them with a sense of superiority and avoids having to deal with their own sin. Christians are salt and light when they follow the Gospel and live according to it. Then they will "stand out" as a shining city on a hill would. Then the lost will want what they have. Jesus even qualified what it meant to be light:
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. -- Matthew 5: 16 (ESV)
