Kingdom theology?

[highaim]

I heard this term loosely used in the past, but never paid close attention to it. Recently in another forum the following link was posted:

http://www.dimensionsoftruth.com/bhennessy/list.htm

Out of curiousity I followed it, and was drawn to the article entitled "the valley of the steeples". I read it and was deeply touched by it. Since we were called into ministry a few years ago we have expereinced a tremendous and almost constant level of conflict within the church regarding various aspects of our ministry (from style, to theology). In fact, our church has consistently denied any aspect of our ministry to occur within the church congregation or physical building. We, of course, believe we are called by God and do not understand why we are consistently denied this acknowledgement by our church, yet each time we pray are reconfirmed in other ways. This article spoke to me in terms of fixing my eyes on Jesus and not worrying about pastoral approval. Our ministry is missionary/evangelical minded, so we operate outside the church anyway. So, perhaps trusting God for the resources is the appropriate way. But, I have questioned so many times whether God is calling us out of this particular "denomination". And, after reading this article, I was leaning even more strongly in that direction.

However, after researching the site more thoroughly, I came across some odd and unfamiliar "language". It all, is some vague way, seemed to lead back to this "kingdom theology" and the Toronto blessing, and all that junk.

http://www.dimensionsoftruth.com

Interstingly, our pastor mentioned this morning that the church (in general) seems to be at another crossroads in decision in regards to ministries such as ours (which is counseling focused). He equated it with the Toronto blessing and other "revival" movements, and how the church had to decide which way to go and ended up being sharply divided. He particularly seemed to be referring to the "psychologizing of the church".

I am really having a hard time with this myself. Our ministry is NOT psychologically based, nor do we incorporate such theories. We do, however, recognize that people have REAL problems that need a REAL solution- which is Jesus Christ. And, we also, while we do "counsel", always counsel with Scripture. The issues, I perceive, becomes more apparent in terms of Scriptural intepretation.

I guess what I'm getting down to is this: when you are certain God has called you, yet the church does not recognize the call, either you are deluded and unsubmissive, or the church is assuming an authority other than Christ. How do you discern which is the case? This, I believe, is perhaps the fundamental reason people become involved with cults. And I certainly don't want to be one of those people.

I read enough about "kingdom theology" from an apologetics standpoint online this evening to know that it is certainly unscriptural and more than a little bizarre. Yet this particular article truly spoke to my heart. I don't want to step that one step down the slippery slope, so in faith, I ask anyone who would like to respond to review this article and/or the general site and comment.......

[countrymouse]

Greetings, highaim!

I have only given some of the articles on the website a cursory reading, and I'll put more time into it this week. My first impression is that there is a grain of truth, but this guy has taken off in the wrong direction with it. I'd be really cautious about it.

Blessings to you,
countrymouse

[countrymouse]

excerpts in quotes; my comments in brackets

Quotes from “Valley of the Steeples” - Brian Henessey

"In this vision she saw Jesus sitting on a hillside looking down into a valley filled with steepled churches of all shapes and sizes. As she stared at the scene she saw that Jesus was weeping. Then He slowly turned to her and said, with tears in His eyes, "I'm not in there." The sorrow in His voice was so deep it caused her to start crying also. Then the scene faded."

"Most of His people were in those places. His Word was often in those places. And His Name was repeatedly mentioned. But He was missing. Men and their traditions were being served instead!"


[While Hennesy is correct is saying that our building is not man-made, it is also true that where his people gather, Christ is among them. There are no perfect churches. The Messianic kingdom is not institutional, but it is a community.]

[Also, I would recommend being highly skeptical of people claiming to have visions from God. We have the complete word of God in the Bible; test every claim by it.]

------------------------------

"The institutional church, on the other hand, is merely a religious framework derived from pagan antiquity, which long ago, was imposed on the Body of Christ. It usually includes, in all its expressions, an earthly sanctuary, a certain well-defined theology,…"

[Any time you run into opposition to well-defined theology, you should think, “red flag.” It can be a highly manipulative ploy.]

-------------------------

"To paraphrase Paul's argument to the Galatians, all religious systems are forms of law which can give no life, or impart any righteousness. If life or righteousness could be acquired through practicing a system of religious works, Jewish or Christian, then Jesus died for nothing."

[That’s some really free-style paraphrasing! Another red flag. No one should take a book or passage from Scripture and “beat to fit.” Paul warned the Galatians against taking the old covenant law of Moses upon themselves as Gentile believers.]

[Moreover, Paul gave instructions for sound ecclesiology in his letters. The apostolic churches had bishops, elders, pastors, teachers, deacons, etc. There was order and organization.]

[The real trick, I think, is to keep everything in its proper perspective. We have great potential to glorify God as an organized community, and great potential to accomplish good things while we tread the soil of this planet. None of us can truly participate in the covenant in isolation.]

For what it’s worth!
countrymouse

[highaim]

Thank you countrymouse for taking the time. I know there are "red flags", but it didn't seem to me to be so completely off that I would dismiss it quickly. It seems often in the "institutional church" the works of the Holy Spirit are greatly hindered because people's callings are not recognized and/or the process to establish ministry is so lengthy that the seed never reaches maturity (unless of course you're an elder or one of the "inner circle" of pastoral friends).

I have been watching/listening to TBN the past week. I usually quickly turn it off in disgust. One thing I do have to say is that they do not limit the workings of the Holy Spirit. While they may "go overboard" in many respects, they remain seemingly open to the ministry callings of other people, and by outside appearances seem to give up their desire for control to Jesus.

I don't want to allow this hindrance in our ministry calling to push us out of one church and into the arms of what may be the false prophet. Perhaps this thread belongs in another forum, but it is fundamental to theology and specifically to what some would call "kingdom theology" or even the "pentacostal" expression of faith. Does anyone know enough about the claims of such to express the error in their beliefs?

[countrymouse]

You're welcome to any help I can give!

About TBN, "kingdom theology," or pentacostalism, it will be easier for me and others to make appropriate comments
if you will post specific doctrines or practices you have questions about. If you haven't already, I would suggest that you browse some of the other threads in the Cultology forum about Benny Hinn and other leaders of the Word of Faith movement. I am highly suspicious of these leaders based on what I've seen and heard; I wouldn't want to mislead you about where I stand on that. It's true that we must not quench the Holy Spirit or resist his leadership; we must also always remember that he will never lead in a direction that contradicts the word of God, the Bible.

Our best defense is always, always to immerse ourselves in the Bible, God's written word. We must test every teaching and observe the fruit of every teacher. We who are members of God's kingdom have God's anointing, the Holy Spirit, to give us understanding as we carefully study God's word. Remember, Paul commanded Timothy to study so that he would be able to demonstrate that he was approved, by "rightly dividing the word of truth."

May God guide and protect you,
countrymouse