Hi ALL!
On another thread a poster mentioned that he thought a certain man was a Man of God. I certainly am not going to bring up the particulars of that argument, but it started me thinking exactly what this phrase, "Man of God" means.
I think it is important for those who were brought up in the Assembly to understand the proper or improper use of the above phrase. We were all told that GG and the Workers deserved such a designation, and that the rest of us should strive to attain to this goal.
Paul calls Timothy a "Man of God" in I:Tim. 6:11-15. The phrase in context seems to pertain to the charge to Tim. to make a valiant defense of the Gospel. I know that GG makes this passage appear to mean that Tim. had to get busy in making sanctification his via reckoning faith, but I don't think that's what Paul meant by "laying hold on eternal life."
Paul's exhortation pertains to Tim's "good confession" which was a clear understanding of the Gospel. To lay hold on eternal life is to constantly make sure that we have a clear grip on the message of the grace of God in truth. A Man of God is first and foremost sound in their understanding and commitment to boldly stand for the Gospel. This Gospel message is clearly designed for the entire Christian life (not just the beginning) and frees individuals from the bondage of false religious systems.
Of course this individual is to "adorn the Gospel" with a behavior that is beyond reproach. Was GG a Man of God until the time his moral failures were exposed? Were his followers Men/Women of God while GG's moral failures his alone?
According to I Tim. 6 we would have to hear the confession of these individuals and decide whether their understanding of the Gospel was correct and since it is abundantly clear that the practices of the Assembly were authoritarian, abusive, controlling, and highly toxic there would have to be a willingness to understand how a member was influenced by the above.
What of the charge that "we are all sinners", and "who are you to judge!" While it is very true that we are all sinners, and must hold our own judgment of others in humility, the two areas of teaching and practice we are to eneregetically use discernment in. If I understand Paul's charge to Tim. this is exactly what it means to be a Man of God. It is also how we can most help our Christian bros./sisters; who can complain re. an open and honest dialogue re. the truth of the Gospel?
There is more that I would like to say about other Men of God from the Bible that show them to be very human sinners indeed, but it is their reaction to the rebuke of sin in their lives that is the key, not the fact that they failed. I will try and post a follow up today that focuses on 2 of my favorite Wounded Pilgrims, Jacob and Peter.
God Bless, Mark
