This 'n' That: Pachyderm Edition, Part II

(Online Source)

I'm sorry. Truly, I am. But, it is not my fault that the Elephant Room lingers. The repercussions and the fallout of last week's event will, I fear, be felt for a very long time in American evangelicalism. The more I think about it, the more I think that we ought to be rejoicing. In the midst of the controversy, the ad hominem attacks, and the gross attacks on our God, we've seen two very important things happening. First, we are seeing a renewed interest in the nature of God, especially as concerns the doctrine of the Trinity. People are studying and learning, and coming to understand the grave consequences of remaining too "squishy" in their understanding of Scripture and of essential doctrines. Second, we are witnessing the emergence of a New Downgrade and a great divide. Reader, every generation has had to deal with their own version of the "Downgrade Controversy," and this is ours. Through this, I believe that we have seen and will continue to see the Lord calling out His true Church. So while we can lament the uneasy division that is occurring, we must realize that it is a necessary phenomenon. Remain immersed in His Word, because the deception will only continue to grow from here.

The Elephant Room 2 has begun a trend of brushing aside foundational, essential tenets of the Christian faith. But we do not compromise the truth of God in the name of "love" or "unity" or "brotherhood." And those who do ought to tremble and shudder at the prospect of the consequences of such action.

And so, while it was indeed a busy week in the world, it was a busy in week in the Church as well. While our president twisted the Scriptures as a means to justify taxing those with a greater income than others, Christians committed to the authority of Scripture continued to decry the actions taken by the defenders of ER2. With that, please enjoy another pachyderm-esque week in review (kind of):

• Voddie Baucham was a guest on James White's Dividing Line yesterday. Don't miss this hour-long interview.

• In that interview, Baucham coined a new and rather appropriate term: Ethnic Gnosticism.

• Apprising Ministries has a partial transcript of this interview.

• Better Than Sacrifice has an insightful article on this topic of "ethnic gnosticism."

• Here's a bit of sad irony for you: James MacDonald is slated to speak at a Biblical Counseling Conference. Really? I wasn't even sure he was qualified to have a conversation with Steven Furtick at ER2 about "working out" differences in ministry!

• Phil Johnson addresses James MacDonald's apalling use of the "race card."

• The elephants are being herded over at The Cripplegate.

• Indeed, it seems that the men of ER2 have almost begun to view the event as their very own church council. As such, here are some suggested "Canons of the Elephant Room 2."

• The "face to face" game.

• From now on, perhaps many of us should just step aside and let Carl Trueman do the talking. Well said, sir.

• Kevin DeYoung offers 7 Thoughts on the Elephant Room and T.D. Jakes. No, I don't agree with all of this.

• Gospel Coalition member Justin Taylor also weighed in this week.

• Speaking of The Gospel Coalition, they were pleased to hear that Tim Tebow had canceled an upcoming appearance at an event hosted by prosperity gospel heretic Rod Parsley (many of us were pleased about this. The event also included Kenneth Copeland on the list of speakers!). Interesting that TGC applauds Tebow's decision, yet they still boast their own council member, Mark Driscoll, who has embraced Word-Faith teacher T.D. Jakes. Hm.

• In case you missed seeing the video of Session 4 of the Elephant Room (which has since been removed from YouTube), wherein Jakes supposedly affirmed the Trinity, here's a copy of the transcript. 

• Team Pyro tells a parable.

• The Dangers of Apostasy:

(HT: Apprising Ministries)