"A New Reformed Idolatry" by Shane C. Montgomery

 The idolatry of the Charismatics has found its way into the Reformed faith.  It sickens me to hear of the rash of Reformed Cruises that have popped up over the last year, bringing this sick TBN type idolatry to our churches.  Is this something that serves a purpose?  Is it a necessity?  Does it edify the believer?  What about the cost? From $599 a person up to $3,218 a person, is this making good use of God's money?  Is this type of frivolous spending, this pampering of the saint in the name of education, is this right?   Could we be putting this money to better use? Say by spreading the Gospel, or feeding the poor.  This is nothing but self-centered adults who have become complacent and spoiled indulgencing their materialistic lusts and all in the name of Jesus Christ.


  The list of on-board speakers for these floating seminars would surprise you, some of the best known and most respected and beloved Reformed theologians, scholars, pastors and teachers are participating.  I will not name names, this is not a witch hunt, besides you can easily Google this information. These events are being advertised everywhere, there appears to be a huge promotional pitch taking place on the net and in some mailings and I can't help but wonder how those men of God before us would react to all this?   Would the early Reformers take part in this?  Would Luther, Calvin, Knox or Bucer condone these luxury cruises?

  Maybe I am making to much of all this, after all, I could not ever afford to attend one of these cruises, so maybe I am just jaded and bitter, no doubt some of you reading this might have accused me of this already, but I can say in all honesty, even if I had the money, which money means very little to me, I would not spend it on something like this.  I do not play the lottery, but say a close relative of mine did and they won big, they hit the jackpot, and out of their compassion they gave me a large sum of their winnings, would I schedule a trip on one of these floating seminars?   Nope, never.

  I might not have much money, but the money I have I put to good use in promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ!   What could be more important.  Yes, I do spend money on books, academic and edifying, but that is so I can be better prepared, a better minister of His Word.   I will buy books before I buy clothes!  Of course taking care of my family is first and foremost, but a very close second is the Gospel,and that second place doesn't mean I put my family before Christ, He will always come first, and that in every way, and in part of providing for my family is in making sure they worship and grow in grace, this at times takes supplies, catechisms and so forth, but spending money on luxuries is not even thought of in our house, not when we can use even the smallest amount of money in spreading the Gospel.  I am tired of people using the excuse of their ministries for greedy reasons.   How much money do you need sirs?   How much does it take?  How many millions do you need to do when so many do so much more with little to no money at all?
Everyday I visit my mailbox to find it stuffed full of request from large ministries, of all denominations and they are all telling me how they need money to spread the Gospel.  Really?  How much?  I for one have been spreading the Gospel for years with almost no money.  So has my wife and our children.  So have others in our family as well as many of our friends.  How is that we can do it without millions of dollars in donations?  Is our Gospel offer less attractive?  Is the Gospel we deliver not as good?  If you really want to spread the Gospel and make disciples, well then, you can do it without the use of one single US dollar!
Call your greed what it truly is sirs.  Quit making excuses and start acting like His Church, His Church is here to help, not take.

   I thought this was only a Charismatic and Arminian problem, but it seams it is making its debut in the Reformed circles.  Now we have no right to correct them we are acting the same and partaking in the same idolatry.   Shame has come to the house that Augustine built.  Shame has come to the house that the Apostles built, that the early Church fathers labored for, that the Puritans carried on so vehemently.  We are just like everyone else now, not because we are sinners again, we have never ceased being sinners, but now we are the worse kind of sinners, we have become idolaters, we have a new god and his name is DOLLAR.

  No matter how they defend these cruises, no matter how much they dress them up, no matter how well them pitch them, it is nothing more than the very worse form and practice of idolatry.  May God have mercy and show extreme patience with the Reformed Church today.

Be Holy!
Shane C. Montgomery