"I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me."Isaiah:46:9b
“Your God is
Too Small” in it Rev. Phillips presents the
argument that, the “god” most worship is diminished & small.
How
Great is our God?
Yet, the Bible presents a far different view of God.
It presents a God who is unequaled, & indescribable, a God whose greatness
is beyond anything we can even begin to imagine. A God who is Omnipotent,
Omnipresent, Omniscient God who is , Eternal, with life inherent, without
limitations, a God that is ruled by no power, rule, or compulsion, a God who is
God alone, None before Him, None beside Him, None after Him.
Rev. Phillips book speaks to us all, that we tend to allow circumstances and situations to eclipse the God Who is more than able to deliver us from any and all challenges, but the idea of God being diminished by way of a "theology" is a different matter.
Rev. Phillips book speaks to us all, that we tend to allow circumstances and situations to eclipse the God Who is more than able to deliver us from any and all challenges, but the idea of God being diminished by way of a "theology" is a different matter.
Yet a god, who is basically a “glorified human being”, is being preached. This diminishing of the God of Scripture is happening in some pulpits even up to this very hour . Not as Jesus is glorified in His Resurrection, but one that diminishes His deity while augmenting His humanity, when this occurs there will be a form of legalism that develops to compensate either.
For If Jesus is not fully both deity and humanity , then that leaves a need to be filled, and is left up to the of the individual to preform up to some stranded, or do something, or not do something or to knowing, or have some sort of experience to demonstrate their faith in Jesus.
Forms of Legalism
Either way , legalism is the root , but if we can see that Jesus is who Scripture presents him as then we can rest in Him; we do not need to "add" anything, only but accept and to say "yes" to the salvation offered so freely to us by Grace through Jesus Christ.
There are generally five types of legalism, which are additions to the Grace of God which some believe need to be added to accomplish salvation;
Ergonomical-Grace- That is Works coupled with Grace produces salvation.
Ascetic-Grace-That is Self Denial coupled with Grace produces salvation.
Esoteric-Grace-That is Secret Knowledge coupled with Grace produces salvation.
Sacerdotal-Grace- That is Participation in a Sacred function coupled with Grace produces salvation.
Ecstatical-Grace- That is , having an Experience coupled with Grace produces salvation.
All forms of legalism arise from a distorted view of our Lord Jesus Christ , either His deity is diminished or His humanity is augmented. The result is the same!
A message that actually augments and exult humanity to God’s level and diminishes God to humanities level, to the point where God needs us .
This is a message that is being put forth by some in certain circles of Christianity. Many are hearing this message, yet, not realizing what "theology" truly is behind it and supporting it , or where this "theology" came from.
This "theology" teaches that God lives on a planet of which the Earth is only a materiel copy . Scripture tells us that God fills the Heavens and Earth that nether can contain Him. Yet, the diminished deity that is being preached by some is not the Great God of the scripture!
This "theology" says that God learns. If that would be true , that means there are things that God does not know, yet the Bible tells us that God knows everything.
The God that speaks from the Bible tells us that He encompasses all that there is ever to know.
The Prophet Nehemiah in his prayer address God as "The Lord,The God of Heaven,The Great and Awesome God" Neh:1:5 .
A message that actually augments and exult humanity to God’s level and diminishes God to humanities level, to the point where God needs us .
This is a message that is being put forth by some in certain circles of Christianity. Many are hearing this message, yet, not realizing what "theology" truly is behind it and supporting it , or where this "theology" came from.
New Thought
Where did this "theology" arise from? It is impossible to give a full explanation and history , but basically, it emerges out of what was called the "New Thought" movement , that was found in the New England States here in America. It arrived here, from European cult "societies" that embraced "magic" and other "mind expanding practices".
These cult "socialites" also taught and sought direction from "spirits" and contact with the dead. It is notable that, some in Christian circles who embrace this "theology", have claimed to have conversed with departed "saints" receiving direction from them.
The "New Thought" movement taught that all humanity is part of the "divine" . There is ,however, a difference in the Biblical Teaching that we are "in Christ" due to His acts of Salvation on our behalf . This belief of "Pantheism" meaning "all is god".
As being "god", humanity could learn to utilize the resident power housed in the creation. That is, if you want something just say it and and it will be yours....just like "magic", this is being taught to some Christians.
They heap guilt upon those who might be sick or have limited resources. This mind set that of, how much one has or has not ,is not a Biblical barometer to a persons spiritual condition,or a measure of God's pleasure or displeasure, yet, some of the greatest Christians who ever lived have been sick and poor, yet their lives still are impacting us today.
They heap guilt upon those who might be sick or have limited resources. This mind set that of, how much one has or has not ,is not a Biblical barometer to a persons spiritual condition,or a measure of God's pleasure or displeasure, yet, some of the greatest Christians who ever lived have been sick and poor, yet their lives still are impacting us today.
This "theology" during the early part of the twentieth century was embraced by some well known Christians ministers , and it has found lodgement and merger with the Christian message and is perpetuated still.
It in particular found embrace by those who wanted to see a display of "power" . Those who teach according to this line will often talk of "power" and scoff at those who do not.
It in particular found embrace by those who wanted to see a display of "power" . Those who teach according to this line will often talk of "power" and scoff at those who do not.
For a greater and fuller explanation of this "theology" I would encourage our readers to read two books, both by Mr. Hank Hanegraff "Counterfeit Revival" and "Christianity in Crisis".
God is Great and Awesome
This "theology" teaches that God lives on a planet of which the Earth is only a materiel copy . Scripture tells us that God fills the Heavens and Earth that nether can contain Him. Yet, the diminished deity that is being preached by some is not the Great God of the scripture!
This "theology" says that God learns. If that would be true , that means there are things that God does not know, yet the Bible tells us that God knows everything.
The God that speaks from the Bible tells us that He encompasses all that there is ever to know.
The Prophet Nehemiah in his prayer address God as "The Lord,The God of Heaven,The Great and Awesome God" Neh:1:5 .
Isaiah wrote of God and speaks of a God without limitations with out equal with out peers. A God Who is above and beyond the comprehension of the minds of all humanity.
"Before him all the nations are as nothing;They are regarded by Him as worthless and less than nothing. With whom,then will you compare Him? Isa:40:17-18
God
Caught Off Guard?
There are some, even from the pulpit, that are
declaring that God, this limitless God, was somehow "caught off guard", at the very beginning of creation when our first parents chose the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil" , that God was only able to recover His
plan on a "technicality".
One pastor declared that God is a failure, that God was caught off guard in the garden of Eden. That Adam, who some are teaching , was an exacted duplicate of God Himself, equal to God in every way, able to rule all things as a god , and the events that ensued , they all were unprepared for .
The god of this "theology" was nearly out flanked by an adversary who is his equal in every way. This amounts to nothing but the pagan teaching of dualism, where there are two opposite, yet equal powers , resident in creation which are locked forever in cosmic battle that ether might finally win.
One pastor declared that God is a failure, that God was caught off guard in the garden of Eden. That Adam, who some are teaching , was an exacted duplicate of God Himself, equal to God in every way, able to rule all things as a god , and the events that ensued , they all were unprepared for .
The god of this "theology" was nearly out flanked by an adversary who is his equal in every way. This amounts to nothing but the pagan teaching of dualism, where there are two opposite, yet equal powers , resident in creation which are locked forever in cosmic battle that ether might finally win.
This is not the teaching of the Holy Bible. Isa: 45:5-10- tells us that God is in complete control of all thing, all time and eternity,there is none who can out flank or Him or defeat Him.
"God declares the end from the beginning" Isa:46:10 . He is in full control of all time and eternity. The God of Bible can not be out witted or defeated. His will ultimately is done even in the face of random chance and of free will that He has bestowed.
God Rules
Yet ,it is proclaimed brashly that God can do nothing
with out us that God needs humanity to complete his purpose. That He is somehow "needy" .
Though it is so that God has chosen not to be without us, that does not means that God "needs" us , rather He wants us.
Though it is so that God has chosen not to be without us, that does not means that God "needs" us , rather He wants us.
Dan:
4:34-35- God Rules over all, none which can hinder the
God of the Bible
Job:
25:2- Dominion & awe belong to God
Ps: 47:7- God is King over all the Earth
You
Are "god"
There are some who are influenced by the New Thought Movement, who are preaching that we are "little gods" , this idea, of godhood has crept into the some pulpits .
Not through adoption provided by the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus but by virtue, as they learn, by faith, to utilize the same power that God "learned to use", and they can learn to direct its power and have anything that they want just by speaking it.
Not through adoption provided by the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus but by virtue, as they learn, by faith, to utilize the same power that God "learned to use", and they can learn to direct its power and have anything that they want just by speaking it.
Where then does this idea come from?....... It is the same old deception that was from the very beginning. That same spirit cited above. This spirit that seeks expression though any willing conduit .
“You’ll be like God”Gen:3:4 .
The same old deception from the eternity past now being foisted off on humanity and in some places and it is being done in the name of Jesus.
He
is God Alone
There is a voice that speaks even from the
ancient times, a voice of lust and jealousy who wanted to to be God . One that wanted power and sought to take it.
Speaking of a king that sought undue honor, but, not just to the human instrumentality
, but to the spirit that move him. A spirit who wanted to be exulted himself above the very God of Heaven.
"How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!You said in your heart,“I will ascend to the heavens;I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;I will make myself like the Most High.”
But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,to the depths of the pit." Isa:14:12-15
When any take on the idea that they are or can be God they will be in the end brought down . Ezekiel address the king of Tyre, but through this prophecy the Prophet spoke to that spirit that want for power found expression through this King.This spirit look upon its own appearance, an appearance that the God of Heaven created , and believed in vanity that it could assert its self above the Great God. This vain thought brought this spirit down to destruction and it will do so to any who attempt to take what belongs only to God. Ezk:28:1-19
God's Glory belongs only to God for e alone is God.
"You Alone are God" Isa:37:16
"No God Before Me" Isa:43:10
"No Other God but Me", "Isa:44:6
This is the God Who has came in the Pearson of Jesus
Christ who is revealed perfectly completely in the very Son of God. The very One Who brought in to being all things that determines the out come history, the One Who is like no other.
All The Fullness in Jesus of God is met in Jesus, Cols:2:9.
God, the Word, Who created and then joined that creation in the Incarnation Jhn:1:1,14
Jesus from eternity past is God, with the Father and in glory and is one with Him and the Holy Spirit .Jhn:17:1-6,20-21 .
There is but One God Who has revealed Himself and offers us to come to know Him and live for eternity in eternal fellowship. This God has reached out to us He is great than we can ever know, In Jesus we meet our the Great God Who is above all things.
Through Jesus God has blessed us to be coheirs as children of God sharing in all the blessing that are our Lord's . Rom:8:17, 1Jhn:3:2.
This is not just some materialism for the here and now , things which will fade away, as gold and silver, titles, or mansions and estates , but ever lasting blessing found in and by our Lord Jesus ,Who of all humanity, is God. Amen
Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor
The
Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.
2101 Old National Pike.
Washington,
Pennsylvania.
www.gcfountainoflife.org
The
Fountain of Life is heard on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in
Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM in the Arden Fair Grounds area
of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela,
Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com
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