No, no, no, dear ol’ Marcus. Not you. I’m sorry, that does read bad on a second look. I meant the church. With the sign. That was not on its way to pick up the lad.

I must be getting too tired, or maybe just too rushed today, to carry on a conversation. Sorry about that.

“I’m surprised it hasn’t made its way to the great white north yet. ”

It likely has, but the more overt forms of dominionism are looked on as American colonialism in many circles. Because of internationalist influences, from what I’ve seen, Arminian-based dominion teachings here are more likely to take an earth-stewardship or humanitarian-aid aspect.

Matt, I’m not sure which is worse, to tell you the truth. I’m guessing they’re both bad, and often seen hand in hand or exchanging notes under the desk.

“How could God infallibly know what I would do? I hadn’t even created Him yet!”

Do you mind if I borrow this one sometime, Matt?

Sounds as though I’m being reprimanded. I’ve noticed in the past that you constantly correct me for doing this. I’ll have to be more attentive to it in the future. I’ll try to prevent this one from coming back to haunt you, but I can’t make any promises

“I’ve never heard a doctrinal twist quite like that one”

I’m surprised it hasn’t made its way to the great white north yet. It’s HUGE down here and other places.

“I think that’s the core reversal of truth when it comes to the idea of God’s hands at work in the earth…”

Nicely put.

Sounds good to me, Randy.

I also know that we are called to represent Him on this earth. But it’s as representatives, not His causal agents.

Couldn’t agree more! There’s so much doctrinal error and indifference (which is worse?) that plagues the north American church, that the recovering Arminian in me wants to despair. Thankfully, though, as a Calvinist, I have much reason for hope!

Not exactly on topic, but related: a buddy and I were out for coffee the other night discussing Open Theism. We were wondering if God knew ahead of time that Greg Boyd would become an Open Theist before he was born. I’m thinking Boyd’s response would be “How could God infallibly know what I would do? I hadn’t even created Him yet!”

This makes my heart ache. You’ve put your finger on exactly what we’ve faced in past ministry: an insistent demand for revival without doctrinal correction.

“No, the sign was not on the way to pick up the lad; I was. ”

Sighhhh…and that’s the sort of caveat you have to include when referencing the name of Brandt…

“Call me theologically pedantic, but the message was all wrong.”

Not in the least pedantic! (Okay, coming from a word nerd, that may lack weight.) Phrases like these speak to an underlying set of presuppositions while cloaking their advocacy of errancy behind weasel words and precisely that sort of accusation towards truthful speakers. Yes must be yes, and no must be no. No waffling.

“Reborn man has dominion over the earth, and through the force of faith, determines what God does and does not do. ”

I’ve never heard a doctrinal twist quite like that one, I mean the combination of dominion teaching with charismatic/positive-thinking “have faith in your faith” phrasing.

“Some of these are worse than others–some are downright occultic”

Yes, indeed.

“I know that God does not have hands.”

Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man.

~Ezekiel 1:26

It’s we who are made in the image of God, not God in our image, I think that’s the core reversal of truth when it comes to the idea of God’s hands at work in the earth…

“Where there is a lack of truth there will not be revival”

You also use the word “reformation” differently than I’ve heard. Perhaps we’ll talk more about that later. Thank you for the breath of fresh air, Marc.