Comments for TerryIvy.com

Comment on Why I Boycott Boycotts by Terry Ivy

Terry Ivy — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:48:00 +0000

Nate, thanks for your comments. I do believe you are missing several issues which I will attempt to point out in this response. I will respond to each one of your points by number.
1. Of course ‘it could,’ but that is not the issue. Is it the biblical way of presenting the gospel? I contend that it is not as it lacks biblical warrant.
2. You second point can be done without an official boycott by a group of social activists.
3. Again, yes. However, if there is one thing we learned from the ‘moral majority’ work in the 1980s is that it results with a greater hurdle for preaching the gospel by manipulating free markets. If markets are affected, it should be because people’s hearts have been converted to Christ, not because we are on a social vendetta. (Acts 19:23-41)
4. Your fourth comment seems irrelevant to the discussion.
5. No, boycotting is not absolutely wrong. It can even be honorable as individuals. However, the politicized boycotting by ‘so-called’ Christian activists violates the spirit and call of the gospel.
6. We should not avoid declaring with clear voices the godly principles against the immoral positions of society and government. However, an organized attempt to change society apart from the declaration of the gospel dumbs down the message of salvation.
7. Yes, individually and spiritually, instead of professionally and naturally.
8. Boycott in your statement is an absurd eisegesis. Our demonstration is a life changed, in practice as well as verbally.
9. No, but you will make it harder to present the gospel to those needing redemption by unnecessarily offending the world with social boycotts rather than letting the message of repentance and faith in the gospel remain the scandal.
10. The Old Testament paradigm was one of protection and nationalism. The NT paradigm is one of infiltrating and sharing with all nationalities. Israel was a theocracy. The Church is on a mission to take the gospel to all men!

Thanks for your input. I also pray the Lord fulfills His call in your life.

Because of the Cross,
Terry

Comment on Why I Boycott Boycotts by Terry Ivy

Terry Ivy — Sat, 11 May 2013 14:27:23 +0000

Here is a reply I received via email from a person which warrants a response.
+++++++++++
From: Nate
I read your article on boycotting boycotts and had mixed feelings about your thoughts.
I wonder if in one aspect you have mistaking the hostility that sometimes attends boycotts with the intent of boycotts in general. All boycotts are not created equal, or the motives and attitudes fueling them. I think your “Ten” questions are only one side of the coin. I think that the blog could cause some Christians to take weaker stances against growing evils that when unopposed in public settings metamorphosise into norms that breakdown the family unit and weaken the Church/bride of Christ.
Ten questions that could be from the other side of the coin.
1. Could boycotting a business that targets Christian and traditional family values possibly convict the owner that what they are doing is wrong, causing them to make a change and reevaluate their practices and the possible ramifications?
2. Could people who witness real living conviction from Christians who take a stand against something that is wrong make some onlookers start to ask their selves where they actually stand on the issue at hand such as abortion?
3. Could a great harm be stopped by the financial impact of boycotting a business such as the demonstrations in the civil rights movements?
4. Did Jesus ask for offerings from those he preached to? I.e., comparing some things to what Jesus or Paul would do may not be completely parallel.
5. Can we say that boycotting is an absolute wrong? Is it opreori truth, does it break a commandment?
6. Could boycotting or other similar active displays of resistance have stopped or hindered atrocities in the past when religious figures chose to avoid any kind of boycotts, demonstrations and the like? I think WWII has more than one story about the Church ducking and palliating the sin of the hateful attitudes that became the driving force that culminated in the deaths of millions.
7. Are there appropriate ways to boycott an event or business that still allows Christ and the message of the Gospel to stand without shame?
8. Isn’t the message of the Gospel and the Cross one giant offense to the world because in its essence it boycotts and demonstrates against evil, death and sin.
9. If more Christians boycotted events, businesses and popular ideas would there be any less evil in the world?
10. In the Old Testament isn’t God constantly calling the nation of Israel to boycott the practices, ways and Gods of those around them, both privately and publicly?

These are just some quick thoughts I had after reading the blog. I don’t want to beat you up on this; I hope I have spoken in love and not condescendingly. Keep the faith and go with God.
In His grip

Comment on Restored Legalism – The Danger of Messianic Christianity by Aaron Gann

Aaron Gann — Wed, 08 May 2013 02:13:37 +0000

Shalom, I`m unsure how old this article is, but i wanted to say amen, amen and amen. I am a messianic Gentile and I agree with all your points. Now i do say Yeshua rather than Jesus. Not that saying Jesus is wrong or evil, people who say so are generally ridiculous and have half baked theology, rather because it means salvation is what His mother named Him. I do celebrate Passover, First fruits etc. And yes lol, i do blow a shofar. However this is not out of some covenental requirement, rather it is an expression of worship and the Jewishness of scripture. The main point I wanted to bring out is that not all Messianics are legalists, to many it is an expression of worship and a way of identifying with the Jewish Messiah who died for the sins of all the nations. Thank you for posting good articles such as these for truly legalism has been trying to take Messianic theology by storm. Be blessed my brother, shalom.

Comment on Pastors Should Be Worshippers by Evaluating “empire”; Doctrine; The Origins Debate; Purity Rings and Wisdom; Jim Wallis Jumps the Shark; « ChosenRebel's Blog

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:42:46 +0000

[...] (Gospel Coalition—Justin Taylor, Looking at ourselves through the action of a terrorist.) Pastors Should Be Worshippers (Terry Ivy—great article with some practical suggestions.) Understanding the Myths [...]

Comment on Pastors Should Be Worshippers by chosenrebel

chosenrebel — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:06:17 +0000

Great article with some simple and practical suggestions. Thanks Terry.

Comment on Pastors Should Be Worshippers by The Distant Pastor | Worship Links

The Distant Pastor | Worship Links — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:50:12 +0000

[...] Terry Ivy writes about this in a recent post called Pastors Should Be Worshippers: [...]

Comment on Pastors Should Be Worshippers by Pastors Should Be Worshippers | TerryIvy.com | Worship Leaders

Pastors Should Be Worshippers | TerryIvy.com | Worship Leaders — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:54:17 +0000

[...] From Google Blogs Search- Mens Worship Leaders [...]

Comment on Did Paul Make a Mistake at Athens? by exceptionnoted

exceptionnoted — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:50:44 +0000

Reblogged this on exceptionnoted.

Comment on Holiness is Essential for Evangelism by The Seven 04.09.13 | Dead Pastors Society

The Seven 04.09.13 | Dead Pastors Society — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:31:17 +0000

[...] alike, one element that is important that we realize one thing we need to be is holy, check out this article by Terry Ivy as he breaks down this thought for [...]

Comment on Did Paul Make a Mistake at Athens? by Terry Ivy

Terry Ivy — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 02:35:48 +0000

Steven, you are wrong on several accounts and offer a straw man argument. The provinces of Greece responded enthusiastically to the Gospel…including in Athens! Dionysius, mentioned in the account of Acts, became the first bishop in Athens–verified through archeology and written history. False realities?? Take a look at the self-defeating and mythological religions of ancient Athens. Now that takes intellectual weakness and superstition to believe.