For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4, NASB)

Standing Together For The Absolute Truth In A Time Of Growing Apostasy

One of the blessings of Apprising Ministries, which is the internet arm of my ministry as pastor of Connecticut River Baptist Church, is the Lord giving me the privilege of not only preaching the Gospel but also of defending the historic orthodox Christian faith during this time of apostasy. And doing so for more than a year now God has afforded me the opportunity to meet dear Christians from all over the world and on occasion to give an even bigger voice to some Brother Pastors and co-laborers for Christ.

This is once such time. What I will share below was birthed out of a very difficult trial and test, but in spite of the pain undoubtedly the Body of Christ will be strengthened by what you are about to read. Pastor Paul Walker and I met when I began my investigation into the penetration of the neo-liberal cult of the Emergent Church and its heretical Contemplative Spirituality into our Southern Baptist Convention. Both of us are disgusted we are now hearing the names of arrogant apostates like Brian McLaren and Rob Bell in SBC circles.

Following my article Southern Baptist Convention Embracing Gnostic Mysticism, which subsequent research shows to be so deep within our denomination that I created an entire category here at AM called SBC/Contemplative/Emergent, I received an email from Brother Paul. His very first words to me were, “Wow, Thanks for calling a spade a spade. This ought to ‘rattle a few cages’.” I already knew then I had met someone with a kindred warrior spirit to defend the cause of our dear Christ during this growing apostasy.

In a personal letter to me Brother Paul, who has since become a very dear friend as well, gave me permission to share with you this truth, “I believe you and I are in the battle of our lives, far bigger than the ‘War on Terror.’ We must stand together in this fight. I know that God has placed us here at this time for His Own reasons and in His plan. I can’t understand why He is calling us for the job, but He is. So let’s battle for Truth together.” Yes, and as we hear the enemy drawing nearer through his further advancing into the Church of our Lord let us ride to the sound of the guns!

As A.W. Tozer said in my morning devotion today, “One of the first things a Christian should get used to is abuse… To do nothing is to get abused for laziness, and to do anything is to get abused for not doing something else… A traveler must make up his mind to go on regardless of the insects that make his trip miserable… One thing is certain, a Christian’s standing before God does not depend upon his standing before men.” (Tozer on Christian Leadership, December 7).

So here now the words of my friend and brother in arms Pastor Paul Walker, a real man of God in this time of timid tolerance, with what I have been led to call:

Five Solas Warrior’s Code For Christ

As many of you know, recently we suffered the loss of our first grandson (second grandchild), Isaac, after 8 days here on earth. Any who have lost a child truly understand the depth of this grief.

This has also been a time of renewal in my own life. In times like these as God winnows away the chaff, the Master makes clear what He regards as important. My temporal happiness is not of great importance to Him, but holiness is. As a result, I’m letting all of you know that I’ve been working on a list of what is important to me and, I believe, to my God.

It’s a very short list. The list of the unimportant is growing longer very quickly. I find that my short list reflects the list of the great Reformers.

1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone). Translation: Don’t bore me with the latest Church Growth/Self-help/Goal setting manual. Not interested, won’t read it. Only clear Biblical doctrine is important to my faith.

2. Solus Christus (Christ alone). Translation: Salvation is in Christ alone, the Christ of Scripture. No social gospel, no works based “servant evangelism”, just the genuine Jesus of the Bible, period.

3. Sola fide (Faith alone). Translation: I’m not interested in methodologies, only the one given by Christ, “go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”

4. Sola gratia (Grace alone). Translation: Salvation is only by His grace, not new-age meditation, not purpose-driven works, not numbers based strategies. Just God’s grace.

5. Soli Deo gloria (For God’s glory alone) Translation: Don’t bother me with politics, church or secular. If you want to wield authority, if you want to “build the kingdom”, if you want to play church, if you want to discuss modern culture, I’m simply not interested because God’s Word is timeless and unaffected by all these things. He will establish His kingdom and it is not of this earth. And all things exist solely for His glory.

From now on, all that matters to me is in the preceding list. My decisions will be based on whether any issue is compatible with these. I will no longer waste time worrying about numbers, whatever is being counted, whether money, members, success, or whatever.

I will no longer fret about hurting feelings. Whether or not this hurts some is of no great consequence. I must obey my God, not “the tyranny of the urgent”. I have heard a higher call and I must follow Christ Jesus, our Great Shepherd.

If you are like-minded, come alongside and we’ll travel together. If you’re of another mind, please get out of the way. For it is written: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3, KJV)

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Paul Walker

If you’d like to encourage Brother Paul, he is Pastor
Elm Avenue Baptist Church
1510 N. 17th Street
Grand Junction, Colorado 81501
pastorpaul@elmavenuebaptist.org