Because she was upset about my post Rob Bell Emerging Into Evangelicalism, in Ken Silva preaches a Christ-centered gospel????? Erica Martino, the wife of contributor at the Watcher of the Watchdogs website CRN.Info Joe Martino, writes:

I was just visiting one of my least favorite sites on the internet, Apprising Ministries. Once in a while I will head over there. I am already sick to my stomach so I figured today would be a great day to check out the latest articles in the best Tabloid on the internet. (Online source)

First, it’s important you understand that Joe Martino has informed us that he and Erica are “choosing to live in covenant community” at Mars Hill Bible Church, which essentially means they are members of this church and Rob Bell of the Emergent Church is their pastor. And second, this short piece isn’t so much about the Martinos as it is to set the record straight concerning my recent article on Rob Bell, who is a recognized leader in the emerging church.

And the Ken Silva preaches a Christ-centered gospel post apparently also came about in part because Erica feels:

Mr. Silva thinks it is ok to lie and manipulate to get his hits up? Than he has the nerve the say he preaches a God-centered gospel while Rob preaches a man centered gospel. How does a man who lies, and manipulates his way through life preach a Christ Centered gospel.

If the above really outlined the whole story I would leave it at that; however, I was a little surprised when Martino’s post was brought to my attention because she had just written me an unsolicited email about an hour before the time stamp on her post. Even on New Years Day I took time away from my family and made the effort to try and explain to Erica what I meant by my so-called “lies.”

Unfortunately, it has become obvious that what I had to say to her wasn’t considered sufficient. And so I will now share the below without edits, and with no further comment, in order to present my side of these alleged lies. The reader can then make up their own mind from there:

—– Original Message —–
From: Erica Martino
To: Apprising Ministries
Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 6:58 PM
Subject: Re: You amaze me

Wow, I can not believe you said that! Rob is questioning your salvation? I give you props! That is a very creative, and a dishonest way to drive up your hits! “Good, at least he may be starting to understand the very heart of the matter. Rob Bell preaches a man-centered gospel (at best), and I preach a God-centered Gospel. One of us is preaching a different gospel. And finally—for now:” That is a very arrogant thing to say seeing you have never been to Mars Hill Bible Church. If anything I would say the exact opposite! Robs teaching are all about Jesus. Your teaches our all about yourself. All you do is critique, and search the web for things to destroy other. I am not sure what bible you are reading but my bible says that is not a God-centered Gospel!

Seriously, come out here and visit Mars Hill. We could introduce you to Rob and the senior pastor. You could even sit with us and have dinner with us. It would be good times! Until than I am not sure how you can sit back with a good conscious and make the statements you do. You lie there is no way around it. I hope this year, that Jesus will truly impact your life.

Erica Martino

“Never take someone for granted. Hold every person close to your heat because you might wake up one day and realize that you’ve lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones…”

—– Original Message —–
From: Apprising Ministries
To: Erica Martino
Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 8:22 PM
Subject: Re: You amaze me

Erica,

We are not going to agree here because it would seem to me you have trouble understanding what I write. You said: “Rob is questioning your salvation?”

This is really quite simple logic: A) The article quotes Rob Bell: “Addressing anyone who is critical of such a movement, Bell said, ‘I wonder whether that person is a Christian.’” B) This is Bell questioning whether “anyone who is critical of such a movement” is actually saved, “a Christian.” C) As I said in my article: “it’s pretty obvious that I am highly ‘critical of such a movement’”; therefore D) Rob would have to then “wonder whether” I am “a Christian.”

Next you quote me: “‘Rob Bell preaches a man-centered gospel (at best), and I preach a God-centered Gospel. One of us is preaching a different gospel. And finally—for now:’ That is a very arrogant thing to say seeing you have never been to Mars Hill Bible Church.” Erica, I’m afraid this is a very ignorant thing to say to a pastor-teacher who has been specifically involved in Comparative Religion and apologetics for over 20 years.

The Lord be praised, and with all due respect, you need to understand this has afforded me the opportunity to become quite versed in soteriology. I don’t need to go to Mars Hill to know that the gospel preached by Bell is synergistic (man-centered) while the Gospel I preach is the monergism (Soli Deo Gloria) of classic Reformation theology. Bell is semi-pelagian (at best) where I preach man’s total depravity and God’s sovereign election.

Next you share your opinion: “Robs teaching are all about Jesus.” Unfortunately it’s more like Rob’s teachings are all about his wrong ideas about what he’d like Jesus to have taught. And frankly, this next statement is just plain foolish: “Your teaches our all about yourself. All you do is critique, and search the web for things to destroy other.” The fact is Erica you actually have absolutely no way of knowing “all” that I do. So to use your logic, “seeing you have never been to” my church and my community the above “is a very arrogant thing to say”.

And in closing, I’ll simply present your words right back to you with prayerful hope you’ll finally come to realize just how impudent you have been toward a man of God sent by Christ as one of His teachers: “Until than I am not sure how you can sit back with a good conscious and make the statements you do. You lie there is no way around it. I hope this year, that Jesus will truly impact your life.”

For the real Christ’s honor I labor,

Pastor Ken Silva
President
Apprising Ministries
https://www.apprising.org/
Ezekiel 3:7-14

General Editor
Christian Research Net
http://christianresearchnetwork.com/
2 Corinthians 11:12-15

*UPDATE*

I received the email below from Erica Martino, which in the interest of fairness I will now publish below:

—– Original Message —–
From: Erica Martino
To: Apprising Ministries
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 2:07 PM
Subject: Re: You amaze me

I never got an e-mail from you. In fact, I waited for a response. Hey, thanks for putting your response on your blog. I am glad I was able to read it there. You can question my logic all you want. I knew what you meant when you said “Rob questions your salvation.” It was still a statement made by you to drive up hits.
There is nothing in the bible that says I can not speak to you or call you out. I have searched and searched and have yet to find proof you are a pastor of a church. If you would like to send me proof I would love to look it. There is an excellent message from Pastor Rob Turner at Apex church in Dayton, OH on the internet. The issue of roles in the church. You would find it very enlightening! If you go to there the message is entitled “Who is leading us!” it is April 22nd. Listen to it please! It will change your mind, I hope, on this silly argument that you are above everyone!
Have a blessed day Ken and Happy New Year!

Erica Martino
“Never take someone for granted. Hold every person close to your heat because you might wake up one day and realize that you’ve lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones…”

And her husband Joe has decided to comment on this article because he believes I have “a man crush on our pastor” Rob Bell. You can read Joe’s alternate version of reality here.