Friday, April 22, 2005

Exciting New Insight Brings Genuine Freedom

The latest insight from the Advanced Training Institute...

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Many times over the years, concerned fathers and mothers have approached us with one question: How do we equip our sons and daughters to go into the world and save souls, without risking harm to their own souls? These wise parents recognize that these are perilous times, and Satan delights to steal the radiance from committed young people.

The answer came about only after fasting, prayer, and studying the rich insights of the life of Christ. God granted us a rhema which gave us an unprecedented level of freedom. We are excited to share it with you here:

The Great Commission does not apply to Believers who are committed to living high standards.

Scripture admonishes us to avoid the appearance of evil and to live apart from the world. We cannot live in obedience to these commands if we regularly visit such places of sinfulness such as bars, theaters, sports games, and churches which play "Christian" rock music. These places are given over to Satan, and a Christian who frequents them opens himself to attacks from the enemy.

"But how are we to bring the lost to Christ?" someone may ask. Scripture clearly indicates that if we are living lives of virtue, our radiance will attract others to us. Our holy living will call them out of their own sin, while preserving us blameless and unblemished.

Those blinded by worldly wisdom, whose carnal spirits react to high standards, scoff and say, "But Jesus ate among publicans and sinners, and allowed a harlot to wash His feet." But Jesus is God, and as such was invulnerable to the influences of sin and Satan. Who are we to question His works? It is for us rather to obey the clear commands of Scripture, to be not conformed to the world.

Others, with lower standards, may go into the world, and may work a measure of success. But we who live according to God's highest purposes know that a pure heart is most pleasing to Him. Fathers, protect your sons and daughters, encourage them in virtue and genuine love, and you will see the world come to them.

-Submitted by Mairzy

13 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for taking the burden of following Christ into the dark off my shoulders. Now I can go back to my all white, middle class, suburban home and content myself with the knowledge that God never meant for me to rub elbows with the trash of society.

1:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm a father of seven, who was in ATI for seven years, who left seven years ago, and sometimes I've thought about cancelling my email subscription to your notices, figuring, why bother? Just leave bad experiences behind and move on.

Then you send something along like this:
"The Great Commission does not apply to Believers who are committed to living high standards."

And I think, no, this should not be left behind, as a trap for others to fall into as I did. Others need to be warned, again and again, until this twisted organization stops twisting truth into grotesque shapes to suit the personal dictates of one fallen man.

Thank you for pressing on in warning others of the grace-by-works trap of Bill Gothard (works that just happen to involve building up the organization *he* controls.)

I am presuming that this submission from ATI is factual because it is consistent with the tone and trend of ATI. It'd be useful to post some reference for the quoted material.

tim

6:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mairzy, you must have worked in editing at HQ to be so familiar with the ATI writing style! You really captured the tone, but I am detecting a lovely ripple of sarcasm in this piece. Of course, I thought the genuine stuff was funny, too. That's why my brother and I were removed from HQ years ago.

6:37 AM  
Blogger X-er said...

tim,

Please don't forget my opening post: "unless we indicate that we're telling the truth, you can assume we are making it up. It's satire, folks."

We've got great writers who are able to imitate the "tone and trend" of ATI, as you say.

~X

7:24 AM  
Blogger IDigAK said...

"tone and trend" no kidding...it's definetely a good counterfeit. but sometimes i'm tempted to think that it doens't quite take working in the editing department at HQ to get this...more like just a good dose of BS and a well honed ability to pull stuff outta yur ass. you'd think, after reading through 54 wisdom booklets we'd know their writing style pretty damn good!

8:28 AM  
Blogger Averyswife said...

Yeah, it always amazes me how little ATI encourages evangelism in the name of remaining pure from the evils of this world. Obviously we need to be careful to avoid sin, but 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 clearly states that we are to reach out to all kinds...

10:56 AM  
Blogger Josh said...

So true. I never even had a real conversation with a lost soul until I came to a *heathen* university. Lord help those poor folks still blinded by confusion. Proverbs 19:27

1:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ouch...this one hit home! Realizing I may still be in that pattern and missing opportunties for evangelism...something I so wanted to do while serving with ATI, yet felt trapped.

10:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with some of the things in this jestitious(made up word) letter, but not all, I am curresntly working with IBLP in another country and we are very aware of the need for Christ, and do not shun opportunities to share Him with the people we meet. We also do not refuse to go places because of temptation.

6:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

sorry about the gramatic errors

6:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know some of the international ministries have people committed to evangelism...however, in my limited experience, people get locked up in fancy training centers looking good for officials and have to fight to hang out with the poor. What about the prostitutes on the street...the druggies?

7:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

great post.

1:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How much more could Billy Graham have accomplished for Christ if he had only known this vital and powerful principle?

12:30 PM  

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