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MISTREATMENT OF THE DIVORCED (Divorce and Remarriage in a Few Minutes #1)

Posted on December 17, 2019June 10, 2020 by WLPublications

Hi. I’m Weldon Langfield, author of The Truth About Divorce and Remarriage: A Politically Incorrect View of Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage in Today’s Church. Feedback from those who have read my book and visited my website, WeldonLangfield.com, where articles on divorce and remarriage can be studied, have convinced me that many divorced Christians want to follow the Bible. They are not so eager to remarry that they throw caution to the wind and ignore God’s word, or read into it what they want to believe. Just the opposite. They usually want to be married again. Their failed marriages and bleak single lives have taught them something that folks in original, intact marriages usually cannot understand: the truthfulness and wisdom of Genesis 2:18: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper suitable for him.”

DIVORCED CHRISTIANS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

Posted on February 13, 2019February 14, 2020 by WLPublications

The late Johnny Ramsey, a powerful Texas preacher, believed criticism is actually a benefit of the ministry. Some members are not shy about telling their preacher how they think he can improve. I have experienced that sort of criticism. It seemed that I sometimes preached to a bunch of folks who all had one thing in common: they “knew” far more about preaching than the preacher. Being on the receiving end of criticisms is almost always unpleasant. When we have done our best, it is often disheartening when a well-meaning hearer points out areas that could stand improvement. Nevertheless, Ramsey believed that some criticism is beneficial.

THE ROTTEN FRUIT OF HOMEWRECKING PREACHERS #4: The Bad Fruit of Division – A Sad Email

Posted on February 13, 2019February 14, 2020 by WLPublications

Occasionally, WeldonLangfield.com receives email from those damaged by preachers who believe their take on divorce and remarriage is absolutely correct and beyond question. So much so, that all other Bible teachings, including those commanding unity, are far less important. Such an email arrived recently. Reproduced below, it has been slightly edited, and names have been withheld. Consider:

THE ROTTEN FRUIT OF HOMEWRECKING PREACHERS #3: The Bad Fruit of Division

Posted on February 13, 2019February 14, 2020 by WLPublications

A prominent, influential Central California church acquired a new preacher. Once his “honeymoon” was over, he began teaching on divorce and remarriage aggressively and often. An elder at that time said their PC pulpiteer insisted that prospects for baptism and members must be questioned to determine if their marriages were “scriptural.” When the preacher refused to baptize a couple, the elders called respected Foy Wallace Jr. for advice. Wallace said, “If he won’t baptize them, I will.”

THE ROTTEN FRUIT OF HOMEWRECKING PREACHERS #2: The Bad Fruit of Destroyed Lives

Posted on February 13, 2019February 14, 2020 by WLPublications

A preaching school student was taught that his marriage wasn’t “scriptural,” so he abandoned his wife. He then learned firsthand how serious the biblical calling of celibacy is. The Lord said in Matthew 19:11 “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given.” He made himself single by leaving a spouse who trusted him to be a faithful husband until death parted the couple, and thus violated a vow before God. In leaving his bride, the man also rejected his duty to take care of his family. 1 Tim. 5:8 commands, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.”

THE ROTTEN FRUIT OF HOMEWRECKING PREACHERS #1

Posted on February 13, 2019February 14, 2020 by WLPublications

Jesus gave humans a yardstick with which to measure any teaching or practice: the fruit test. Christ said:

Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits (Matt. 7:15-20).

IS BEING DIVORCED A SIN?

Posted on January 17, 2019February 13, 2020 by WLPublications

A nearby congregation added another manmade burden on divorced folks. Elders there began screening prospective members for past divorces. They also issued a decree that no divorced person may preach or teach from the pulpit. That arbitrary and extremely unbiblical rule assumes that being divorced is sinful. Let’s explore this further.

DOES THE BIBLE PERMIT PREACHERS TO RULE CHURCHES?: Part 4 – What Results from Preacher Dictatorships?

Posted on February 12, 2018February 13, 2020 by WLPublications

Clearly, God does not authorize preachers to rule congregations. 2 John 9 says, “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God…” Venturing outside the limits of God’s word is very dangerous. What results from this practice?

DOES THE BIBLE PERMIT PREACHERS TO RULE CHURCHES?: Part 3 – Preachers Who Rule Another Way

Posted on February 12, 2018February 13, 2020 by WLPublications

Not all have book, chapter, and verse for ruling churches. Some reject the doctrine of evangelistic authority. Yet they still “lord it over” congregations by overassertiveness. A sound, Australian missionary raised support in the United States. He told me that his biggest obstacles were outspoken, overbearing preachers. He would present his case to a congregation’s leadership, only to find the men who said they would contribute had changed their minds. Preachers met with them later and talked them out of contributing to his work. He said he cringed when a local preacher was in the elders’ meeting when he asked for financial support.

DOES THE BIBLE PERMIT PREACHERS TO RULE CHURCHES?: Part 2: The Error of Evangelistic Authority

Posted on February 12, 2018February 13, 2020 by WLPublications

Evangelistic authority proponents use 1 Titus 1:5 as a proof text. Paul wrote, “For this reason, I left you in Crete, that you may set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.” They believe preachers are to resolve all problems and appoint elders. Evangelists also must determine lines of fellowship and control a church’s business.