April 23, 2014 – Dave Hodges
April 23, 2014
The times we live in are perilous. Our way of life is under direct attack and Armageddon could be thrust upon us at any time. There, I do not have the time mince words and I will be clear, there is an overwhelming chance that your pastor is not your friend.
Pastor Greg Tucker
I recently condemned pastors who support and lead churches who “enjoy” the 501-C-3 tax exempt status offered by the IRS. This prompted Pastor Greg Tucker to publicly criticize my stance on this issue and he demanded to know what pastors I was attacking. This article will make it clear who I am attacking and why the vast majority of you who are reading this words need to leave your church if you truly value the salvation of your soul.
Pastor Tucker has seen fit to take me to task for my comments regarding my advice for all Christian believers should leave their church if that church is a tax-exempt 501-C-3. Pastor Tucker said “…Not sure which pastors you are implicating, but I would suggest not including ALL pastors in your expression as you have in this article”. Pastor Tucker, let’s be clear. I am implicating all pastors of 501-C-3 churches. Are you such a pastor who is endangering the salvation of your flock?
From Pastor Tucker:
“Point of emphasis…Not sure which pastors you are implicating, but I would suggest not including ALL pastors in your expression as you have in this article. This is a wrongheaded assumption. This pastor for one has spent the last two years bringing my leaders congregation along in developing a watchful eye of what I see coming; occupying (words of Jesus) our space; time in the way He leads us to do so. So to lump me as a pastor in wrong headed assumptions like you have here is a big mistake. For me it invalidates your message. Makes me raise the question, “What other wrong headed assumptions are you building your argument on?” And I’ve been an avid reader of your posts for some time now–but will reconsider this, maybe I was the one making a wrong-headed assumption myself about you; your message. Disheartening to say the least–not all pastors; churches fit the picture you paint of us; you should acknowledge such. Tactics like these are nothing but fear peddling for the sake of instilling fear as opposed to standing your ground in the strength, power; might in Christ Jesus.”
Pastor Greg Tucker
Is your church a friend or foe? Is your church is a 501-C-3 tax exempt church? Is your church an agent of the government? If your church leadership does not condemn anything controversial, no matter how antithetical to the word of God, you are not worshiping in a Christian church. If your church is a 501-C-3 tax exempt church, your church leadership has already been taught to educate the flock to follow the will of the government, no matter how heinous the actions of these people may be. Does the following sound like your 501-3-C pastor?
Romans 13 Does Not Equate to the Divine Right of Kings
Does your pastor command you to follow the will of the government because it is your Christian duty to do so under Romans 13?
The modern interpretation of Romans 13 is pure blasphemy.
To read the rest of this article, go to http://thecommonsenseshow.com/2014/04/23/why-your-pastor-is-not-your-friend/
I think that is a bit broadbrushing and sensationalist, not that the relationship can’t be the source of future problems, but the problems will occur even minus any contractual relation.
You are not one of those who believe we shouldn’t get drivers’ licenses, SS#’s, pay taxes, get marriage licenses, etc? All those are government contracts, including voting.
I don’t believe the government has the right to tell preachers what they can and can’t preach. Only YHVH has that right, and it’s evil for the government to play god. Preachers shouldn’t put themselves in the position where they’re answerable to government for what they preach. To do so compromises the ability to preach the truth of the Word of Elohim.
The Bible tells us to come out of Babylon, but at this time, it’s not possible to come out of all of it (e.g., paying taxes, social security numbers, etc.) —— especially the political and economic aspects of Babylon. We do the best we can. Primarily, right now, Yah’s people are to come out of spiritual Babylon. When Yeshua returns, he’ll destroy Babylon the Great and we’ll all be set free from all the aspects of Babylon that tie us down.
If being part of Babylon causes us to violate the laws of Elohim, then we shouldn’t do it. Voting, having a drivers license or social security number, at this point, isn’t violating Elohim’s laws, as I see it.
I agree that the way things are going, it is best to have as little government encroachment as possible. If people are meeting in homes and no one is paid (which I see as best) you won’t have this problem.