Quote:
Originally Posted by Evangelical
My theory is that a general fear pervades Christianity in both Catholic and Protestant churches to claim or admit that apostles and prophets exist today or could exist today. The reason is that the denominations both Catholic and Protestant are headed by men put in those positions by other men and not God. Apostles and prophets appointed by God are a threat to their control. To think that any God-appointed no body could rise up and take over their role is a threat.
|
This is an interesting point and worthy of consideration. But in my opinion concern is not justified in this day and age. Anybody and everybody is writing books and expressing their point of view. I even wrote a book myself (not published yet). So anyone with computer and an Internet connection is potentially the next "oracle."
No one heard of Rick Warren until he wrote
The Purpose-Driven Life. That work was not marketed or strategically endorsed by the power elite. It just struck a nerve and took off. The rest is history.
So what does it mean to be "appointed by God?" Wasn't Rick Warren appointed by God? If not, how did his book achieve such success? There is nothing in it that appeals to the flesh or the masses. The first sentence in the book is "It's not about you." That a Christian book that starts that way goes on to be the best-selling non-fiction book of all time has to be something of God.
So in this day of the Internet the playing field is leveled. In keeping with human nature, some of those in positions of attainment likely are threatened by the newest star. But history shows they come and they go. The pure of heart understand this, and have their moment and do not begrudge the next in line. The self-interested on the other hand might be envious. This would be true whether the person in question is in a religious organization or thinks he is "appointed by God."