by Edward J. Hassertt, J.D. on April 16, 2010
I am a bit crushed today. Seeing preterism devolve into an attempt to get the biggest piece of the pie possible instead of ministering to others and helping others learn, it depressing. Then seeing a man I respect support such things, just tears my heart out. Then when I look in the mirror I see the man I should be pointing a finger at.
When did preterism become about getting monetary supporters and money? When did we become futurists?
It makes me want to walk away from preterist radio, all the forums, all the groups, and just circle the wagons with my friends and get back to just existing in a small, unseen, unknown corner of the preterist world.
Ego has always been present in preterism as some people see it as a way to bypass authority and set themselves up as “pastors” or professors etc. Now sometimes these are people with genuine gifts and abilities to pastor and then it is a great thing. But sometimes it is people who just want to make a living as a pastor, or who want to promote themselves or see themselves as having the one true word and needing to teach everyone else their superior theological position. Then it is a determine to God’s Kingdom not a benefit. I also think it has been tempting at times for all of us to think of making money with our teaching and writing etc. I know I have fallen into that trap before, so it’s not like I can point a finger at others without pointing at me too.
The individual, renegade, cowboy nature of preterism has often led to preterists trying to come up with novel theologies they can promote, “Idealism,” “IBD,” “CBV”, “Realized Preterism,” “Hybrid Preterism,” and so on and so on. Instead of studying to learn from others, new preterist men seem to want to invent something to make their mark on preterism. They want to be known. It is often just about ego any more, and that saddens me. I know 11 years ago, I tried this as well, trying to marry Reformed Preterism with Process Theology categories. You all might remember that fiasco! So again, I cannot point fingers at others without pointing them at me too.
We have become just like the futurists, promoting ourselves instead of the faith; promoting hitting people over the head with our theology instead of showing love and care for others. We have become what many of us saw as a good reason to leave futurist churches. I have seen the enemy and it is us!
I know I have been one who has had heated theological discussions in the past with those who were theologically astute in preterism and its critics. I have often been arrogant myself in these discussions, but through my sinful pride, I still saw a need to be a minister to those who were not as learned as I, those in real need and those hurting. Now many seem to be throwing aside anyone without the theological sophistication of a professor, it seems acceptable to treat those in need and the poor with contempt. I see very little Christianity in many preterists these days.
I am just as guilty as others and I am sick of what I have become in many ways.
When we cannot even discuss feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, taking care of the hurting, and ministering to those in need without using theology or politics as an excuse for ignoring them, something has gone terribly wrong.
Again, it saddens me. There is no need to point fingers or place blame, we have all let it happen. But I really want to just crawl back into a hole, write as I can, read as I can, and just take care of my friends and family.
Today I am sick of preterism.
Now I know of many faithful men who have stood fast in preterism for many years, and I respect them a great deal, this is not about them, this is about me.
I know our critics will latch onto this email and use it against preterism. But maybe that is what it will take for us to see what we have become.
Preterism should be about bringing healing to the nations from the New Jerusalem, not about protecting our territory, or attacking each other, or ignoring those in genuine need.
I am the chief of sinners in this, and for my role I apologize to all of you!
Blessings In Christ,
Ed
by Edward J. Hassertt, J.D. on March 24, 2010
What is a pastor? Is he a good teacher? Is he a good leader? Is he someone good at drawing people together? Is he a counselor? What are his responsibilities? One of the big problems the church has faced is that many people have decided to follow the brick-and-mortar model of a church and appointed themselves to start such a church. The problem is that many of these men are not qualified to be pastors. I am talking more here about heart, focus and shepherding than anything else. If a man is unable to be a shepherd, a gentle guide who cares for every member of his flock as his own, he should not even be thinking of starting a church. I hear often from futurist pastors “I need to do what is best for the majority of my congregation.” By which they mean shunning a small minority they believe are beyond help. But Jesus left the 99 to try to save the 1; that is being a shepherd, not playing to your power base!
Pastoring is much more than preaching on Sunday and organizing a few events, or doing some writing. Pastoring is nurturing and loving every single member of the congregation, regardless of their place in life. The thing I see lacking the most in pastors these days, is love. Some are great teachers, outstanding writers, great organizers, but instead of shepherding a flock they are more interested in carving out a niche for themselves. When a bump in the road (read: less than perfect member) arrives they circle their wagons instead of following scripture and being a minister to those in need. This is also obvious in the community when pastors and churches only help certain kinds of people, instead of being the church to everyone in need.
This is where the model of the scriptures comes into play so much. A pastor should be under the guidance and support of older, more experienced pastors. He should be taught how to shepherd. He should learn how to counsel his people in love. He should learn how to care for those in the community. For many pastors, preaching comes naturally, but they can and do permanent damage spiritually, psychologically, and physically when they fail to learn the other necessities of being a shepherd. Let’s say, for example, a person in the church needs marriage counseling. If the young pastor, without being a good counselor, or knowing what he is doing, dives right in to counsel the couple because he is their “pastor,” a relationship has started that can never be severed. He is now a part of their marriage. They have opened up themselves in a way that does not go away just because counseling stops. If he gives bad counsel, he could damage lives forever. If he abandons the counseling, he could make it impossible for that couple to ever entrust their marital secrets to another counselor. If, on the other hand, he brought an experienced pastor along side with him in the counseling process as he learns, he has less risk of creating problems. That pastor would be able to be someone else the couple could trust.
Pastoring is much more than preaching on Sunday. There are so many things pastors can do that can be spiritually devastating to their members without even knowing it. I focus in on counseling in particular, because that is part of my training and background. I have seen hundreds of people personally whose spiritual, emotional, and psychological lives have been completely shattered by pastors who give advice when they should keep their mouths shut, who counsel people with no knowledge of what they are doing, but especially of counselors who start the process with a member, gain trust, and receive intimate secrets from couple or individuals, and then either walk away from counseling or hand the people off to other counselors. Anyone trained in psychology, or counseling knows this is one of the most damaging things a counselor can do. So why do people with no experience and no oversight think they can pastor people and counsel them? I am not sure. But the damage is rampant in our pews and in people that will never step foot inside a church again.
That is why it is essential for men thinking of starting new preterist churches to find an experienced mentor, to guide them through these landmines. AS a shepherd your first concern should be for your sheep, each and every one. (Remember Jesus left the 99 to try to save he one, he didn’t stay with the 99 to do what was best for the majority!) There are many experienced pastors in the preterist movement who can guide young pastors through this process. Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help.
