Nov 28 2007
Shibboleths of the Faith
“And the Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. And when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me go over,” the men of Gilead said to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” When he said, “No,” they said to him, “Then say Shibboleth,” and he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right. Then they seized him and slaughtered him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time 42,000 of the Ephraimites fell.” (Judges 12:5-6, ESV)
Way back in November 2006, I posted on the old site about the travails of Kent Hovind. To date, that single post has gotten over 5000 visits, with more than 140 comments. Hovind was/is a sometime preacher and advocate of a young-earth creation (YEC) model. He is currently spending time at a Federal Prison in South Carolina and blogs here. (The posts on his site are interesting, but reveal someone who seems to be trying desperately to keep it together.) The problem is that he also opposes the payment of any taxes, payroll or otherwise, by any of his ministries or employees. What’s in the man’s heart is between him and the Lord, but his approach brings great discredit on himself and on believers in general. Pray for him and his family - his wife Jo was also found guilty of many of the same charges.
I still get scathing comments to my original post (since moved here), and I’m not sure why. Is it that the man has become an icon and hero of the “faith vs science” debate? I don’t think so. Many, even among the YEC crowd, have rejected his more specious arguments. Is it his stance on not paying taxes? I don’t relish the idea of giving a large chunk of my income to the government, but I recognize the obligation under federal and state law.
His positions are a stumbling block and a modern day shibboleth that divides believers and holds them up to ridicule. Whatever the reason for his continuing popularity, I pray that God would soften his heart - and those of his followers - and help them to focus less on the arguments for or against his chosen positions, and more on the gospel of Christ.
December 9th, 2007 at 20:55 pm
I haven’t read Dr Hovind’s posts here but I have seen a few of his sermons. I shy away from most people claiming religion and turn a deaf ear to most sermons by men after a few errors. You see, half right is still half wrong, knowing which part is half wrong is really the point. I did not find fault with the sermons. Just because Dr Hovind did not pay his taxes? How many so called “religious institutions” pay taxes? If that was all they could get on him, he is a good man.
Please allow me, if you will to explain to you the truth, not read, not told, but experienced. When we die we will see, at the speed of light, yet slow enough to comprehend all of it, everything we have done and thought. Let me assure you that many things we do that are ok to do on earth will not be ok as you approach the Light of God. You will be so amazed at how much isn’t ok. Then, as you lay there, helpless and see what you have done and thought, you realize that much of what you thought, much of what you have done is far from ok. You have fell miserably short. The church thought it good, the government thought it good, good people said these things were good, small things, things you thought unimportant. There is no way of changing those things you thought were good that were not. There is no excuse for you falling into the trap set by anybody.
Just when your over burdened by these, the deeds you had for opportunities to do good you did not take, come flooding in. The atrocities you have allowed to be accomplished while you turn a blind eye. There are no ropes to pull, no reset, you can’t help yourself nor can any man help you, and you know this, you are aware your physical life is dieing. If you want to know the real meaning, the real feeling of Humble, I assure you this is the time you will know it. When you get to this point, all that can save your soul is Grace.
God does not care if this man pays his taxes. God will hold him accountable for many things but not this. From what I have seen of this man he is guilty for only telling the truth. Then again, I do not know his heart, only God knows that.
Now you may read all you wish, talk to whom ever you wish but I speak from experience, as everybody will one day. The only difference is I was made to come back, why, I have no ideal. Maybe for this, maybe for something else, maybe just because one day, one word may make a difference. Even the smallest difference is large in God’s eyes, good or bad. Think about that for a while.
December 9th, 2007 at 22:21 pm
Anthony »
As I’ve long said, his sins are between him and God only. It’s not our place to judge him, but as you said, if he is half right, he’s still half wrong. If the law of the land says to pay taxes, then ‘render unto Caesar’ and pay taxes. My concern - and the reason for the post - is that he has become an idol in every sense of the word for the Young Earth crowd. If people have come to faith because of his sermons, then God bless him, but my fear is that he leads people to his own altar and not to the Lord’s.