It is certainly important to call error, error. But I think more important is praying for a revival of theological teaching in evangelical churches. It is deadly serious business.

One of the, if not strange, then unique things about ministry as the preaching pastor of a church is the perspective I get on the congregation. I’m not speaking metaphorically, I’m not talking about having a special insight, I mean actual perspective.  I don’t sit looking at the back of the heads of my church family, I stand in the pulpit and look in their faces.

And I’ve seen some interesting things.  I’ve seen a visitor’s face change the precise instant they were offended by the gospel. I’ve seen tears of conviction roll down the face of someone I think of as very godly and advanced in their sanctification. I’ve seen tears of joy flow in response to the gospel and once when I was an interim pastor at a small country church, just because someone was hearing teaching in their church for the first time in a long time (who knew a new seminary graduate fumbling through the date and authorship of James could move anyone to tears). Once preaching in a Southern Baptist storefront church on L.A.’s Skid Row I even saw somebody strip down and use the drinking fountain at the back of the room to take a bath of sorts (fortunately no one else noticed and I just kept preaching).

A couple of weeks ago I had a new experience. As I was preaching, I said something that to me was old news and I heard an audible gasp. And it didn’t come from one person, it came from about 3/4 of the people in the congregation.

I was preaching John 8:21-30 (you can listen here). The central point of that passage is the deity of Christ. It is emphatic. In fact, Jesus says that there can be no salvation apart from believing that He is fully divine. Really, He said it.

I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins. – John 8:24

Although “I am he” is eigo eimi the Greek for “I am” the background isn’t Exodus 3:13-14, Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.”  Rather it is the use of ego eimi in the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament) in Isaiah chapters 40-55.[1][2][3][4]

Read More