Dear Lambert and Paraclete Forum Members: Before I respond to Lambert's questions, I wish to respond to Richard Young's last email in which he stated: "I have placed my response to the basic question you raise about
whether God hates some people on not on my web site at: My response: It is not necessary to answer every point of contention over interpretation of Scripture if the foundation of the opponent's argument is false and unbiblical. I have proved Rick's foundational premise blasphemous which denies that salvation and God's love for His Elect are inextricably linked, the one necessary to the other, the one flowing to the other. Rick's theological house is built on quicksand, and great will be the fall of it on the Day of Reckoning. I find it more that curious that not one of the Paraclete members rose to defend Rick's heresy. Lambert asks: "Suppose Billy Graham, Hank Hannegraaf, the current Pope, and one or two of us Paraclete Forum members, actually do to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ?" My response: For Lambert to ask such a question raises a red flag as to his personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I say this not to be hostile and sarcastic. It is the duty of every one who takes upon himself the responsibility of teacher to understand the fundamentals of the faith. Once one grasps those prerequisite truths, salvation by grace alone, justified through faith alone, in Christ's merits and righteousness alone, graciously imputed to the Elect alone, it is impossible to raise the question as to regeneration of the Pope of Rome. The Roman Church is accursed of God, having preached a false Gospel and false Christ for centuries. Furthermore, this curse is seen detailed in the Revelation, as it describes the false Mother church who persecutes and murders the saints of God. Her Pope is described in numerous Scriptures as the arch-enemy of the true Church, the Antichrist. History and the united testimony of the martyrs confirms the fulfillment of the prophecies. To not discern these great truths is to display a spirit of stupor, a blindness and hardening of the heart. Billy Graham is the greatest false prophet of our generation, deceiving untold millions. Though our Lord has sovereignly placed enmity - hatred - between the seed of the Woman (the true Church whose head is Christ), and the seed of the Serpent (the false church whose head is the Antichrist), Rev. Graham feels no hostility toward the cursed Roman church and her Antichrist. This is because he is of his father, the devil, just as were the Pharisees before him. Satan will not cast out Satan. Hank H. and the adjective 'humble' are opposites. His pride knows no bounds. He is the Bible Answer Man you can trust on any question. So his ministry promises. Yet when comparing his teachings with those of Scripture and the testimony of God's teachers through the centuries, Hank fails miserably. Why? Because he has not the Teacher, without whom the Bible remains a sealed book. Lambert then quotes Romans 14 to prove that it is possible that the greatest, most famous and revered teachers in the professing Church are 'weaker' brothers. This is impossible. Their office speaks to their superior wisdom, unsurpassed honor and glorious spiritual gifts. Feigned Christian humility, of which the Pope and Graham are in no short supply, is a sign of the wolf in sheep's clothing, of whom we are to beware. I quote Christ on false brethren: Take heed that no man deceive you, for many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many………For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the elect. Behold, I have told you before. The dynasty of popes are the false Christs predicted by Christ. Billy Graham and Hank H. the but two of the many false prophets who declare the Church of Rome a true church, her head a good Christian man. "Should you not then be approaching us weaker brethren gently with a desire to correct us and help us see the truth more clearly?" My response: I have written Graham and Hank, with no response forthcoming. I will not write the Pope as he has been predestined to the Lake of Fire. God will not change His mind, having written His judgment of the See of Rome centuries before it existed. Lambert, are you now stating that you are my weaker brother? If so, I beseech you to repent of your errors, believe the true Gospel which cannot fail to save those for whom Christ died, and embrace the true Christ who cannot but save all those whom the Father gave Him. "I know quite a few dear people who are in the Catholic Church, or were at one time. I am eager to build them up in the knowledge of the Word of God whenever I can. I have not found it helpful in most cases to condemn their institution." My response: If those 'dear' people do not Come out of her, those 'dear' people will feel the eternal wrath of the holy God who has publicly condemned the very institution, leader and hierarchy whom you piously refuse to condemn. Please re-read Revelation 17 & 18 to discover the condemnation of the harlot Church of Rome and her adherents. "The same charges of corruption can be levelled at many of the Protestant churches as well." My response: Please name them with corroborating evidence. "In our area the manager of Family Radio network, Mr. Harold Camping, is teaching that the age of the church has in fact now ended. Christians should resign from the church since every church has departed so far from truth that God has now removed all the "lampstands." Mr. Camping does not tell us what God has done to replace the church. If I were to leave the Catholic church, for example, where would I go in this age of widespread apostasy on all sides?" My response: Harold Camping is a false prophet whose teachings cunningly mix error with truth. Like Hank H. he sets himself up as an infallible Bible Answer Man, who easily leads astray those with little to no knowledge of hermeneutics, historical theology, or Church history. If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the pit. Though the love of many has waxed cold in the local churches, false teachings abounding, the Lord has promised the gates of Hell will not prevail over His Elect Church, comprised of believers, not buildings. In my experience, the local churches dispense milk rather than meat, which is much harder to chew and swallow. Sweet milk guarantees a larger congregation. A larger congregation guarantees a larger money purse. A larger purse guarantees a higher standard of living for the preacher. In contrast, Christ had no church building, only a small flock of 12, all of whom were broke, one of whom was a devil. Wherever 2 or more are gathered in His name, there He is in the midst of them. The Lord is capable of directing you and any ex- Roman Catholic to a true fellowship of believers. "Do you lead a church you would like me to join?" My response: 'Joining' an organization is not necessary unto salvation. It is spiritual membership in the Body of Christ which is necessary. This miracle is performed by the gracious sovereign baptism of fire by the Holy Spirit. Man has no part in this unique work of God. Repent and believe the Gospel, pick up your cross and follow Christ. He alone is capable of leading you out of error into truth. He alone will lead you to green pastures and still waters. "Eschatology is one of the major areas the Reformers sadly neglected." My response: Your ignorance shouts in this false statement, Lambert. I collect rare Reformed eschatological works. I am a student of the history of eschatology. From such a study I have confirmed the claims of the Reformers, that the Jesuits are the originators of Futurism, that false doctrine which you and Paraclete hold so precious. But on that note, I must conclude until next time when, Lord willing, I will address your other postulates. Sincerely, Rand
Winburn _____________________________________________________________________________ Rick Young’s reply: I
was recently reading an article in Scientific American magazine (Mar
2002)
Mr. Winburn, My Paraclete Forum friends and I often talk back and forth among ourselves about how better to help people when they write us. We don't like to give up on anyone, but we also don't want to get into arguments that can't be won. "Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." (2 Timothy 2:24-16) I realize that face to face, in person, it is far easier to discuss theology and philosophy with someone. I am glad to be working with this team of godly, spiritually mature, wise men and women. They keep me from jumping to conclusions too early in a discussion. I expect you will hear from others in the group. I believe we do have a general consensus among us about your "ministry." Meantime I'll pass along my own opinion about you. I feel no malice or ill will towards you. What you have written and what you stand for, and what you have said to us, makes me very sad. It is clear to me that you are seriously misrepresenting the living God. I am of the personal opinion that you are not a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, (God knows). I find you arrogant, self-righteous and very judgmental. I see no meekness, lowliness, gentleness, or humility in what you write--these attributes would mark you as more likely genuine and not counterfeit in your beliefs. Whether you are self-deceived or deliberately stirring up dissension among God's people I do not know. I do know God will give you a fair hearing at the end of your life. When that happens I sincerely hope you will be found in company with us at the throne of grace, and not shut out as an apostate. All of us care about you. I speak frankly out of a sense of responsibility to my Lord Jesus Christ to speak the truth to you in love, whether you hear or fail to hear. Surely there is no point in further discussion? Sincerely, Lambert Dolphin ______________________________________________________________________________________ My final response to Lambert Dolphin: Dear Lambert and Paraclete Forum Members, In your last communication you stated, among other things: "Surely there is no point in further discussion?" I agree. There are, however, a few observations I wish to make in closing this dialogue. 1. Had you not claimed status as sapient Teachers of the Word, you would not have been objects of my warnings and heedings. 2. Had you understood and taught the fundamentals of the faith correctly, but misunderstood the prophetic Word alone, my approach would have been one of brotherly concern, encouraging you to further study on crucial points missed. 3. Because your fundamental doctrines of the faith exalt unregenerate, wicked man while deprecating the Lord Jesus Christ, I can only conclude you to be among the unregenerate, false teachers of which Christ and the Apostles warned throughout the Gospels and Epistles, the likes of which have been infiltrating the Church since the 1st century. 4. These several false doctrines include: a. A false depiction of fallen, evil man whose alleged 'free-will' decision is the determining factor in his salvation, whereby he is miraculously able to love that which he naturally loathes; b. A false Christ who, allegedly having died for every human ever born, fails miserably to save those whom He loves and sincerely wishes to save; c. A false God the Father who fails miserably to save those to whom He gave His only begotten Son, His eternal plan of salvation doomed to lose in perdition the majority of mankind; d. A false Holy Spirit who fails to effectually apply the saving blood of Christ, unable to regenerate all those for whom Christ died. e. God the Holy Spirit's failure to convict most men of their sin, of Christ's righteousness and the coming judgment, though that is His desire and appointed office. f. Denial of the attributes of the Godhead teaching instead defects in His wisdom, omniscience, omnipotence, sinlessness, (including not achieving His eternal purposes), perfection, (including the prayer of forgiveness on the cross on behalf of all humanity; a prayer evidently refused by the Father), and saving grace which saves no one without their 'free-will' cooperating grace. g. A divine love which is not the grounds for saving His people. It, too, fails to save those to whom it is sent. h. An eschatology which is remarkably similar to that of false prophet Harold Camping, whereby you expect a total apostasy of the professing Church in the future, after a so-called 'secret' Rapture. Camping alleges this apostasy now, calling for true Christians to leave their fellowships to join the only true congregation left on planet Earth --- his. i. An eschatology which knows not the identity of the Antichrist, the arch-enemy of Christ and His Body, though the martyrs and saints of God through the centuries have known, identified and fought him to the death. j. An eschatology which knows not the identity of the false prophets, having linked to several known abusers of the Word, including TBN, Jack Van Impe, Billy Graham, Hank H. and Hal Lindsey. k. An eschatology which identifies the Restrainer as the Holy Spirit. This in direct opposition of Scripture which promises Christ, who sends the Comforter, will never leave or desert His people, Jew or Gentile. Lo! He will be with them until the end of the world, not 7 years before the end of the world. Furthermore, by teaching such false doctrine you teach salvation apart from the regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit, which is clearly Pelagian, anti-biblical and impossible. 5. In opposing the teaching and testimony of the saints and martyrs from centuries past, you display open hatred of the brethren who came before you, those having died for the faith and cause of Christ, whose testimony was true, who did not die in ignorance nor in believing a lie. Hatred of the brethren is a mark of the children of the devil, 1 John 3:10-15. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death, no matter how pious the outward profession may be. It is my prayer that the Lord would convict each one of you - Bruce, Bill, John, Irene, Lambert, Ed, Helen, Doug, Patricia, Mike, Renee, Derek, Carolyn, Eric, Elaine - of your sin before it is too late. May His mercy and grace extend to you, His open enemies. May your blasphemy be not against the Paraclete, whose name you have taken for your own. Sincerely, Rand
Winburn |