is definitely more radical. They have found ways and means to outdo, outsmart, outshine, exceed, surpass, outclass, and supersede Jesus of Nazareth’s radicalism. Yep, their mere online presence helps people all over the world to follow Jesus better and more radically everyday. In order to pinpoint echurch’s superlatively greater radicalism than that of Jesus of Nazareth, we first need to examine HIS radicalism whom they claim to follow. To do this we need to consult His Word, something echurch rarely or ever does. So here goes, and brace yourself while we examine Jesus of Nazareth’s radicalism.
QUESTION #1: WHAT IS MORE RADICAL THAN THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT?
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)
ANSWER TO QUESTION #1
is definitely more radical. It boasts that through their example they can teach you how to follow Jesus better and more radically every single day.
Anyone who claims to have found ways to improve Jesus’ method of following Him, i.e. to deny oneself, to take up your cross and follow Him, is not only deceived but conceited. They assume they have found a better way to follow Him, a way that is radically different from His own. This new radical way is to serve others in a Mother Theresaian kind of way. Her Gospel, if you can call it that, involved the belief that Jesus is in everyone and therefore there was no need for her to present the Gospel of salvation to them. All that was necessary was to alleviate their suffering through service. She said:
“We never try to convert those who receive [aid from Missionaries of Charity] to Christianity but in our work we bear witness to the love of God’s presence and if Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, or agnostics become for this better men — simply better — we will be satisfied. It matters to the individual what church he belongs to. If that individual thinks and believes that this is the only way to God for her or him, this is the way God comes into their life — his life. If he does not know any other way and if he has no doubt so that he does not need to search then this is his way to salvation.” (Life in the Spirit: Reflections, Meditations and Prayers,Pages 81-82)
. . . And this sounds so much like Brian McLaren, one of Stephan Joubert’s favourite Emerging Church leaders, who said:
I don’t hope all Buddhists will become (cultural) Christians, I do hope all who feel so called will become Buddhist followers of Jesus; I believe they should be given that opportunity and invitation. I don’t hope all Jews or Hindus will become members of the Christian religion. But I do hope all who feel so called will become Jewish or Hindu followers of Jesus. Ultimately, I hope that Jesus will save Buddhism, Islam, and every other religion, including the Christian religion, which often seems to need saving about as much as any other religion does.1 (A Generous Orthodoxy, 264)
Now that’s radical for you – really and truly RADICAL! It supersedes Jesus of Nazareth’s radicalism by far.
What Brian McLaren, and of course his confidants like Stephan Joubert, are saying is that Buddhists, Hindus, Jews and for that matter any other person from whatever religious persuasion, have no need to obey Jesus Christ’s doctrines and teachings. Was this what Jesus taught his disciples when he commanded them to make disciples of all the nations? Listen to the real Jesus of the Bible who said:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Christians in name only, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, , Rosicrucians, Satanist, New Agers, Bahais, Muslims, Freemasons etc. are eventually going to follow the (Anti)Christ Jesus. This false Jesus is going to allow them to believe whatever (there’s that favourite word of Stephan Joubert again) they please, just as long as they follow him.
QUESTION #2: WHAT IS MORE RADICAL THAN THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT?
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26).
ANSWER TO QUESTION #2
is definitely more radical. It boasts that through their example they can teach you how to follow Jesus better and more radically every single day.
No, no, no, no Jesus, you’ve got it all wrong. Followers of Jesus Christ must at all costs foster good relationships with all people of all religions, even to the extent where you, like Brian McLaren, participate in their religious festivals such as Ramadan. McLaren says:
“Jesus seems to say, ‘The kingdom of God doesn’t need to wait until something else happens (in reference to the Second Advent of Jesus Christ). No, it is available and among you now . . . Invite people of all nations, races, classes, and religions to participate in this network of dynamic, interactive relationships with God and all God’s creation!” . . . the kingdom of God will be radically, scandalously inclusive. As we’ve seen, Jesus enjoys table fellowship with prostitutes and drunks . . . He affirms and responds to the faith of Gentiles.2
QUESTION #3: WHAT IS MORE RADICAL THAN THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT?
Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Matthew 12:48-50)
ANSWER TO QUESTION #3
is definitely more radical. Stephan Joubert says: NO! “Remember every person you serve turns into an immediate friend of Jesus. Go one step further: see him or her as Jesus in disguise.” This is exactly what a Christian living in Pakistan was doing, serving others, when she was arrested by Muslims and thrown in jail because she claimed that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and is now seated at the right hand of God. She is awaiting her trial and could be executed for her heinous crime. Are those who arrested her and are now calling for her execution friends of Jesus? Are these haters of Jesus and his TRUE FOLLOWERS Jesus in disguise? Now remember, this is a highly educated Professor in theology who is disseminating such utter nonsense. Does Stephan Joubert know who the real Jesus of the Bible is? Apparently NOT! And he is supposed to be a leader who visits churches, in house Bible studies, Prayer breakfasts etc. to teach people how to follow Jesus? May God have mercy on those who listen to him and follow his wretched advice.
The people you serve become friends of Jesus regardless of their refusal to do the will of the Father in heaven? Everyone who does not do the will of God the Father in heaven is Jesus in disguise? Really? NO! says Jesus: My family circle includes those who do the will of my Father in heaven and radically excludes everyone who refuses to do His will. Whatever, as Stephan Joubert would say, they may not be doing the will of God the Father in heaven but they are better followers of Jesus and they are radically following Him everyday because through echurch’s online presence, they are learning to be better and more radical followers of Jesus everyday.
1) Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy, p. 264
2) Romans and Syrophonecians and Samaritans.” (Brian McLaren, The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth that could change everything (Nashville: Thomas Nelson’s W Publishing Group, 1006), page 74 & 94).
