PROJECTS, in alphabetical order, and their status:
Anguish Annuls Anger: 1-day seminar with full outline
Divorce As “Required” by Scripture: 240-page book; free pdf on this site
Goat Grappling: rightly reversing. . .Matthew’s sheep & goats. Here now is an abbreviated example of Deeper Doctrine (or deeper teaching) as opposed to Common Doctrine (or common teaching).
Nowadays there is much emphasis, with some of it being admirable, on helping “one of the least of these,” as found (NIV) in Matthew 25:45. On the other hand, Matthew 25:40 states, “one of the least of these brothers of mine.” (emphasis supplied.) Since the antecedent brother appears first (verse 40)…it “informs” the latter appearance of the same word brother (verse 45). It is therefore rather important to define “brother.” In Mark 3:35 Jesus said, “Whoever does God’s will is my brother….”
So…, if I visit prison inmates who are not brothers when I could have sought to visit those who are brothers, I am actually a goat. However…, many in my congregation (and myself included) would unwittingly & wrongfully see me as a sheep…unless we knew of the Deeper Doctrine. Said Doctrine actually shows me to be a goat.
Additionally, the gravely important verse of Matthew 25:46 cannot be ignored; because Jesus indicates that the goats will go to eternal punishment whereas the sheep will go to eternal life. Similarly many well-meaning Christians give some of their 10% tithe money to high-profile, secular causes. These monies belong to Christ’s Church; and, without them…brothers doing World Missions often “go begging.” And needy believers in whom Christ’s spirit dwells also “go begging.”
Does all this mean that we should not support ministries to hurting people? The answer is certainly not. However such support could, and perhaps should, come from the “Golden Rule,” i.e. love your neighbor as yourself. Then the improper use of the sheep & goats passage could be abandoned; along with the guilt and coercive motivation provided by such improper usage.
Marriage, Divorce, Celibacy & Remarriage: 1-day seminar
Meaningful Modesty: 3-hour, interactive seminar
Proving “Peace” Church: 2-hour, interactive seminar
Sinning Only Once: work in progress (see I Kings 15:5, and other vss.)