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"The Cross the Modern Preachers
Put in the Back"

Paul Washer:

Art's Comments:

Paul Washer seems to bash "Charismatic Christians" with a couple blanket statements in this video; but what he has to say is powerfully true. I would consider myself to be a "Charismatic Christian." This isn't because I subscribe to all the trendy e-mail lists or agree with all the carnal excess that runs rampant among many "ministers" who call themselves by that name. Rather, it is because I believe in the "Charism" of the Holy Spirit. This refers to those supernatural gifts that the Holy Spirit gives people, which empower us to be the Body of Christ and reveal Him in the world.

Now, with all that said, there are--as I said--many who call themselves "Charismatics" who present a false Christianity that is man-oriented rather than God-oriented. And such people have a tendency to try too hard to humanize Jesus.

It's true that Jesus Christ was 100% human--Philippians 2 says that He gave up everything about Himself that could be called "God" and humbled Himself to the form of a servant--even to the point of death. That means that every miracle, prophecy, healing, teaching, or anything else Jesus did when He walked this earth was not done as God. Rather they were all done as a human being who lived in right relationship with Father God through the Holy Spirit.

The Charismatics at large have figured this out. Unfortunately, many have chosen to run too far with the idea. As a result, they find verses like the one mentioned in this video and try to interpret them with human experience. What results is a people who try to make Jesus look more and more like themselves rather than trying to make themselves look more and more like Christ.

I find this video to be a powerful message that rightly reveals the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It wasn't the cross He feared--it was the wrath of God. The Bible says that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before him. The torture of man didn't scare Him. Rather, our Lord agonized over the fact that He would take on the wrath of God on our behalf. It wasn't easy to accept the guilt of the whole world, but He did it in love "for the joy set before Him."

We too should have the same mentality. It is right and proper to have an intense fear of God's wrath. This gives us compassion for those who are lost and perseverance to remain in right standing with Him. But we should not fear man. Jesus told us not to fear the one who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul, but He also said we should fear the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell. This is the One who loves us and longs for a relationship with us. It seems like a paradox, and maybe it is. I'm okay with that.

You might also want to check out one of the "Car Rides with Art" Podcasts entitled "The Truth about God." You can download it immediately or go to the Podcasts page.

E-mail me: Art@SupernaturalBlogger.com

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