It’s a well-known phenomenon that hyper-charismatics have a tendency to play it fast and loose with ministry standards, and few in this theological camp practice any discernment in policing their own ranks. Ironically, Micahel Brown is considered someone who does this, even though he has continuously defended Bethel Redding and argued that Martin Luther is worse than Benny Hinn.
Earlier this year, John Lindell debased himself by endorsing the faith of a sword swallower and then milking his beef with Mark Driscoll. Both operate in this world, but Mark Driscoll spoke out against what he believed was demonic. It’s no coincidence that Mark Driscoll is not an egalitarian, unlike Lindell.
Because Pentecostalism is downstream from Methodism, female pastors are not a surprising development. The Methodist Church does not know what a pastor is, so they ordain women. This tearing of 1 Timothy 2 is theological liberalism. And this liberalism plagues the charismatics and is prevalent in their worst teachers.
Robert Morris is yet another example of theological liberalism, as his church elders in 1989, tore out the next chapter in 1 Timothy. 1 Timothy 3 lays out the qualifications for elders/pastors/bishops/overseers.Â
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 NASB1995
In 1987, the reproach of Robert Morris was made known. He committed numerous crimes and should have been prosecuted. He did this while married and being a pastor. This is a reproach that is disqualifying from the pastorate. It’s not because sin cannot be forgiven; rather, he abused the authority he was entrusted with, and therefore, not be entrusted with this office ever again, much less in merely two years, if that long.
Morris’s elder did not stop at tearing out 1 Timothy 2. They also tore out 1 Timothy 3 because liberalism does not limit the scope of Scripture it will choose to override.
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