Doug Pagitt- Religious but not Quite Right

Well welcome to Doug’s program….religious but not quite right….where Doug and his ‘friends’ will discuss parenting, natural health, ‘faith’, the news, live music, and a few little bits of his own.

I am fascinated with which faith he will be discussing.

Doug himself describes his qualifications to discuss religion in that he is a ‘professional religious person’

So were the Pharisees, Doug. So were all the state church pastors through the years.

He is a Pastor…who writes books about faith….and a consultant with religious organizations.

He just chooses the way of Jesus…and this is the way of Jesus He is embracing- one that is hope filled open armed alive and well faith of our day….exploring new questions and new opportunities..in the world in which we live. I am interested in a Christianity that is not afraid of any questions and won’t resist any answers no matter where they lead.

That is because they have tossed out sola scriptura (see Phyllis Tickle) and are willing to see Jesus in ‘the other’ (see Samir Salmonovic) You see, the Bible is enough to answer ANY question regarding our faith:

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

But the fact that Doug and his followers will not resist “any answers no matter where they lead” has led them to the practice of Yoga. In an interview on CNN, Doug promoted the practice of Yoga for Christians, and mocked John McArthur for saying that if you want to relieve stress, go to the Bible!

“On Tuesday September 11th I did an interview with Headline News on Yoga and it was with John MacArthur, he’s another pastor and he had an opinion about Yoga not being good for Christians. And I expressed my opinions about it, and we were interviewed–about a four or five minute show–and I’ll put a whole podcast on about the making of that thing. And I’ll ah…”

“But this little piece here is a response of the woman who was recording, or doing the filming, of the…in ‘Mini-apple.’ And I just thought that her response to me after interview–she’s just been very nice and kind–was really interesting. There’s this little part where she says–you might even find it hard to [hear]–she’ll say, ‘That’s the stuff, right there, that keeps younger people from going to church.’ ”

“And she said, ‘That’s just crazy.’ So it’s just kind of a fun little response she was having. I’m not trying to be rude to Dr. MacArthur or anything, but I think her response in just flat out listening to this–I’d never met her before–we just met right there…is really indicative of a lot of things. So this is following–the first bit you hear–is me talking with the people, through the earpiece, in Atlanta.”

“And then she comes in the room and we have a little conversation; about a minute and a half or so. So…here’s that part of it all”:

Pagitt: Yeah, yeah,…well, you’re sure welcome. Ok, so was it on live too, and then be re-aired? Huh; yeah, that’s great. Thanks. Bye-bye.

Woman: [Way to] go.

Pagitt: Well, thanks. It’s just so weird, isn’t it? [background, “Yes.”] To hear people say stuff like that, like what he’s saying?

Woman: [unintelligible] the reason why younger people don’t go to church. You know what I mean?

Pagitt: I do.

Woman: Because everything is so black and white. You know a position has nothing to do with your body and your spiritual th–you kidding me? [Pagitt snickers in the background] Seriously.

Pagitt: Seriously, [mockingly] “if you want to relieve stress go to the Word of God.” [chuckles]

HT Apprising Ministries

But rather than go to the Word of God, we go to human philosophies and the elemental spirits of this world because we do not care where the answers lead-

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Doug, where the answers will lead is into a God of your own understanding, or a “Christianity Worth Believing In”. This will lead to your picture of Jesus that you like as opposed to the Jesus which is presented in the Bible. As you lead, your congregation will follow. Like your theologian in residence Tony Jones who believes that a two men and two women can have a marriage that is just as legitimate and Christ-honoring as one man and one woman. How about the doozie that when you are born again that there is no change of character? Or the one presented on Way of the Master Radio- that we all, regardless of if we have faith in Christ- will end up reconciled and restored on the day of judgement?

The Christ that you are following Doug is a Christ built up in your own imagination. A Christ that is all loving, and not at all judging. Your grace is not transformational, it is a license to believe whatever you want to believe.

I agree, Doug that all religions will lead to God, just like you do. Where we depart is how we will meet God. Because I have been born again by the grace of God, I will get to meet him as my Father. Everyone who refuses to repent and trust in Jesus, whether they are Baptist, Evangelical, christian, buddhist, Muslim, Emergent, modern, postmodern, Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, whatever will meet him on that last day as judge.

I do not know your heart, Doug. I only know your teaching, and that is what I judge. If you believe what you preach, I am afraid when you meet God (and pastors/teachers incur a stricter judgement) you will meet him as judge. I pray that does not happen. I pray that you have or will repent and place your trust in Christ.