July 6, 2005

The Question of Association - Guilty or Not Guilty?

I was reading through Ingrid Schlueter's blog site, A Slice of Laodicea, where she posted a short note leading to the introduction of her radio show, Crosstalk, on VCY America. In her commentary titled 'Affiliations Matter' she writes:

If I were to appear at a white supremacist convention as one of the keynote speakers, what would it tell you about me? (Subject: The Leadership Skills of Jesus) If I were to accept an invitation to speak at a National Organization for Women conference and teach a seminar on 'Women and Religion', what would it say about my values and basic belief system? (By the way, the only way I would attend the above conferences would be with Christian tracts in hand outside the hall!) Rick Warren and Dr. David Jeremiah, along with scores of evangelical teachers and preachers think they can consort with New Age spiritual leaders and teachers without a single explanation and remain unquestioned.

Deborah Dombrowski from Lighthouse Trails Research has just released new information on the affiliations of these evangelical leaders. It should be cause for grave concern for those who love Biblical truth when you consider the millions who mindlessly follow these men.

Having inside information, I knew that Deborah Dombrowski was going to be speaking about an affiliation between Ken Blanchard and Rick Warren. As Christians, we have to realize that our witness for Christ has to be guarded. We must be clear on who we associate with in our walk.

When Ingrid speaks of affiliations here, I do not think this refers to the passing of two people on the street that happen to meet. In my opinion, Ken Blanchard is not just a New Age sympathizer. By his own words--just in the last few years--one could easily deduct that he is a practitioner and promoter of the New Age and a follower of the New Age Christ. Rick Warren did not just happen to meet Ken Blanchard on stage unnoticed until their first meeting. Both Rick and Ken have a close relationship with Peter Drucker, the marketing guru, who is about changing the world and the church by implementing the world system into the church using his own business model. Rick admits meeting with Drucker twice a year (Rick's mentor) to learn more of Drucker's program to bring about changes in the world, blending both in a syncretistic plan to bring about world transformation or bring about a New Reformation. Ken Blanchard has made it a point to say that Peter Drucker is his mentor.

The Scriptures warn us about becoming friends with the world, making ungodly alliances even for the purpose of bringing good to the world (Africa) by relying on the World system (Satan), to bring about these noble goals. We are told to trust in the Lord for our needs and not the world. We become enemies of God by becoming friends with the world, and if you step back and look at the bigger picture, one can see a new form of Christianity that does not resemble anything in the least like biblical Christianity, but does fit the shoe of the New Age grand plan.

I ask you all to do some research on your own and not go blindly over the cliff to your own destruction, like lemmings going to the sea. We are responsible for our own deception; we are warned to let no man deceive us in Matthew 24:4. We are commanded to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:19); to test the spirits (1 John 4:1); to guard our hearts and minds (1 Timothy 4:16), and to discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:14).

Anyone in the marketing and business world today knows that you spend a large amount of time building associations to grow your business, hoping beyond hope that all of these associations and connections will lead to a greater end product. It is ironic, and hypocritical, that Christians cry foul against those who accuse us of guilt by association when our careers are built and even lost as we rely on these associations. We are encouraged to be around great men and women, to be seen with them, even if we do not know them personally. And, if they take a great fall, we, in all likelihood, will fall with them. That is the cost of making affiliations or associations, especially if these are with men who are ungodly.

Yes, affiliations are important and our reputations can be won or lost by our associations.

I write this commentary as a result of my own experiences. When I first began working while in college as a young man, I was told by some of my peers that I needed to learn the business acumen to begin my growth in the search for a sound and successful career. Learning the important ins-and-outs of how to be successful became one of my goals in life. My father even tried to help me out by giving me some relevant literature to read and some well known management books that could provide me some clear direction in my search for success. The only book I can remember now from those my father gave me is Norman Vincent Peale's, The Power of Positive Thinking, which led me to investigate further the principles and dynamics of management (I read this book before becoming a Christian and I warn everyone to beware of this author and his books which are promoting New Thought or New Age Occultism.).

As I pursued my personal studies in the management arena, it became apparent that one of the important areas necessary for my growth was to actively make associations and begin what is now called "networking" with my fellow peers, and to build specific affiliations with the long term goal of building a foundation for my career growth. I was also encouraged to meet with men and women of importance, those who had gone before and had learned the ropes, so that I might learn from their successes. It was especially important to try to be seen with them because image is everything.

Now, to put this all in perspective, I gave my life to Jesus Christ shortly after I began my career pursuit and I, in effect, laid these goals down at the foot of the cross and fully surrendered my life to follow God's will. I willingly made a decision to give up my personal ambitions, to serve the Lord on His terms. I was faced with new concern regarding my witness for Christ, that I should beware of ungodly associations.

As I entered church life, I was shocked to see the same exact success principles being practiced by most of the leadership without any thought as to its source. All the same language was used, but sugar coated with Christianese to make it more palatable for the unsuspecting believer. I was encouraged to form relationships (associations, affiliations) for the purpose of moving successfully to get ahead within the church hierarchy. We were told to associate with godly men and women and by being seen in their presence, one could go far in their Christian pursuits.

I have visited many churches that promote the same attitude; in fact I was invited to a local church to "experience" a Christian leadership conference with some of the most noted leaders in the world. One of the key points made at the conference was to build associations and to network. If we are to take these principles seriously, how can anyone say that associations are not considered vital for church growth success and for accomplishing the many goals of the church throughout the world today?

I want to be perfectly clear on this matter: I do not endorse or promote these worldly principles, and have not for many years. I realize that I have to be extremely careful when it comes to the associations I make as a Christian. Who we are affiliated with is not to be taken lightly. In fact, the spiritual lives of many (hundreds, thousands, even millions) can be affected by those we are seen with, or stand on a platform or stage with, even if we do not know each other or speak to one another, enter into alliances with, become board members of a ministry with, or joining  together in a cobelligerent relationship with non-believers to accomplish a social or global agenda.

And to the question of whether or not we can be found guilty by our association with New Agers, Occultists or non-believers, the answer is definitely, Yes! We spend our lives hoping to gain position or prominence by our associations and we want all the perks and blessings that come with this success. So, why do we think we are not culpable when we are caught or embarrassed by an association that has gone awry? We must be willing to pay the price for whom we associate ourselves.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. Ephesians 5:11

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:17, 18

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. Galatians 2:4, 5

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20: 28-30

My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: [and] meddle not (associate) with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? [Emphasis mine] Proverbs 24:21, 22

Steve Muse

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