PTM WEEKLY UPDATE -- MAY 19, 2008
What our readers and listeners say
Armstrongism and the name of Plain Truth
I read the Q & A in the last PTM Weekly Update where a reader asked why you don't change the name of your magazine -- and I agree with your perspective. Several years ago my wife was receiving a women's magazine that went out of print. The replacement was Plain Truth magazine. I was immediately alarmed and told her I would read it cover to cover first to see if this was the Armstrongist publication I remembered from years before. I was fascinated with the articles and found nothing suspicious or in error. I went online and discovered what had happened with The Plain Truth and read the humbling accounts of God's transforming power. I have shared your story with anyone who would listen and have encouraged many to become subscribers. Your magazine is an integral part of our home church and greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work! -- EmailI am a huge advocate of PTM; keep up the great work! I look forward to the PTM Weekly Updates. My family still suffers greatly from Armstrongism and will for years to come. My family's Armstrongism story goes back to the late 40s and continues under the worst of his like-minded progeny. -- Email
Doubts about Jesus
I read "Help! I'm having doubts about the Jesus "story"! from the May 19th PTM Weekly Update. How disappointing! While your advice had some good points, I feel you had a great opportunity to share how Jesus has changed your life, how your relationship with Jesus completes you, gives you purpose for your existence, how you are assured of Jesus being the ONLY way -- and all you could do recommend a couple of books (neither being the Bible) and bash the Body (again). I do agree with your advice, to seek the Lord with all your heart and have a personal relationship with him, but it seems to me you always denounce all churches/religions. I do share the belief that many religions/churches have led their flock astray, but that is a small portion.
I enjoy many of your articles and I'm sorry if I appear to be critical -- I'm sure you are equally passionate about our Lord and Savior! I’ll pray for you and your ministry to focus on bringing glory to his Kingdom. -- Email
• Thanks for your input, and thank you for allowing PTM to be of service. Some clarifications:
1) We do not bash the Body. You capitalize "Body" indicating that you have the actual, authentic body of Christ on earth in mind. The body of Christ includes all who accept him, unconditionally. It includes all who believe in him, all who absolutely trust him. The body of Christ is composed of people from many denominations -- the body of Christ is not encompassed or contained by any one denomination. The body of Christ includes a) people known to us, visible to us, whom we would identify as Christians, b) people known to us and visible to us whom we would not consider Christians (but God does!), and c) people unknown to us, invisible to us -- who are just as Christian as we are. The body of Christ doesn't include many folks known to us, visible to us, church-going folks, who consider themselves, and whom we consider Christians. Inhabiting a building at frequent intervals doesn't magically turn us into a Christian (or ensure that we remain a Christian, for that matter).
2) We don't denounce all churches. First and foremost, we proclaim God's amazing grace. We take exception to people who claim to have some exclusive or superior claim to God's grace, and thus demean and diminish the relationship that someone outside of their group or someone outside of their religious pattern of rituals and ceremonies may have with God.
3) We believe our relationship with God is absolutely based on Christ alone. We believe, without compromise, in faith alone, grace alone and Christ alone. That belief, however, leaves religious legalism and authoritarianism as being outside of the body of Christ. We don't hesitate to identify religious legalism for what it is -- a curse! (see Galatians 3:10). We would disagree with you about such entities being a "small portion" of those who proclaim the name of God. Based on what we see, religion is rampant throughout what is called Christianity in our world today.
4) Thank you again for your comment -- we don't take your comment as "critical" at all. We understand the nature of your comment, and appreciate your concerns. We seldom miss an opportunity to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, but we realize that we may not proclaim it in a way that everyone is used to. We don't use some of the standard forms and formats that many evangelical Christians are used to. We don't use terms like "give our testimony" -- "share our burdens" -- "come up alongside" -- "issue an invitation" -- have "praise reports" -- or "offer the sinner's prayer." We realize such practices and terminology are well known and used by many, but we believe we are free in Christ to express ourselves, to communicate the gospel, without using such ritualistic patterns. -- In Christ, Greg AlbrechtRETURN TO PTM WEEKLY UPDATE CONTENTS PAGE
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