{"id":10060,"date":"2021-02-19T14:54:50","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T18:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/?p=10060"},"modified":"2022-08-15T15:17:21","modified_gmt":"2022-08-15T19:17:21","slug":"on-ravi-zacharias","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/?p=10060","title":{"rendered":"On Ravi Zacharias"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It is just a matter of time for me to write this, now, especially after the revelation\/report<\/a> and announcement<\/a> from the post-humous investigation done by RZIM (Ravi's ministry) of Ravi Zacharias' sexual scandals. I'll post the report in the comment, just in case it's removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I checked out what people are talking about it on Facebook, and this is what I in one of a apparently Malaysian (DUMC affiliated?)<\/a> thread:
I did a search, don't know how I get here. I don't need some long essay reflection on this. The reaction is simple:Jesus said not everyone who said \"Lord Lord\" shall enter his kingdom.Am I saying that Ravi's not saved? No.I'm saying don't be surprised if he's not saved.What is the whole point of all this? Just because things are legal or you can hide things, doesn't mean it's right with God; Just because it's illegal or the whole world is against you, doesn't mean that it is wrong with God. Watch your walk and life with God. God is not mocked. No buts.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don't know where I first heard of Zacharias. Perhaps during my exile in the States. I do remember it was a good impression of him. He is popular for doing Q&A with his audience, so I always love those preachers. Unfiltered responses are hard challenges. I had recommended occasionally his Q&A to others, only Q&A. I've always skipped to Q&A, which are the last parts of his talks. He's the one who talked about the sanctity of sex against LGBT. He shared testimonies like a woman (Edith Taylor) who forgave her husband who married someone else in Japan by even raising his bastard child and took care of his Japanese mistress\/wife. He even shared his admiration (or rather shock, after this scandal of his) of his brother's view on finding a wife - not by desire but by will. I also followed his podcast for a while, until I got bored of it due to repeated content. He seemed to love poems and quoting them, not my thing, but it is fine arts appreciation, no big deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I became worry of his ministry\/theology when he was invited to preach at the Mormon Tabernacle. Not because he was invited (why not, it's a great Gospel opportunity) but how he handled it. There's no clear Gospel message in the talk, it seemed that he was trying to give a Mormon friendly Christian talk, titled \"The Exclusivity and Sufficiency of Jesus Christ<\/a>\". <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Amun1RBONPw\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

around @21 minute, Mormon founder Joseph Smith was introduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

@24 min, someone joked about the mormons as \"the goats\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n

@1:10:00, he did however call sexual immorality wicked. But maybe only for those against 18 month old or younger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

@1:33:22 he managed to find a way to sneak in the word \"Trinity\" (not Mormon doctrine) and get applauded for it:
Wanting to honor your marital commitment yet tempted by lust to be dishonorable, wanting not to be greedy yet tempted by greed on the other side, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, all of these diverse proclivities, how do we find unity and diversity in our existence\u2026and there is no way else that you'll find unity and diversity in the first cause, except when you find it in the unity and the diversity and the community of the trinity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first part, is mystifying human sins by confusing right and wrong and then points to the trinity, without much explanation of what the trinity is. I would assume that the audience who applauded were not aware of what he was actually saying about the trinity but they recognize the superficial climax, hence the applause. In other words, nothing he preached there meant to distinguish Mormonism from Christianity. Since he wouldn't clarify the terms he snuck in, such as \"Trinity\", etc. Now, I do not condone an extreme form of preaching against the Mormons such as pointing out all their faults in doctrines, but what Ravi's doing is just the opposing extreme. There is clearly no responsibility here, merely display of wits in speech and knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was questioned about it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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