grace Archives » Stanton Blog

5 May

Rules-based parenting vs. grace

By Kevin|2019-04-11T06:21:49-06:00May 5th, 2017|Uncategorized|23 Comments

Since May Week is legislating new rules for parents this year in order to crack down on teens and their texting habits (I've heard that they are, indeed, banning texting between teens interested in each other), I think it's an appropriate time to write about the subject of rules-based parenting—and how that relates to legalism, Pharisaism, and our understanding of God as our father, and his grace. Have you thought about why the Old Testament comes with 613 rules from God for His people? And have you thought about why the New Testament wiped out such ordinances? Or why people constantly try to interpret the New Testament in such a way as to re-create an Old Testament style legal system? The disparity in how God related [...]

22 January

My Story, by Donna Bennum

By Kevin|2019-04-11T02:09:44-06:00January 22nd, 2015|Uncategorized|56 Comments

I appreciate Donna's willingness to share her story, and hope that others are emboldened to do the same. More importantly, I hope that her experience inspires others to take action! My Story, by Donna Bennum In August of 2014 I made my decision to leave 'the church' (Stanton churches) which I had been a member of for thirty-six years. In the weeks that followed I found Rising Sun church of Christ. I sat in their sanctuary and listened to their hymns, as they were accompanied by musical instruments of all sorts. I listened to the preacher speak about God's love for us and about His GRACE, and how there's NOTHING we could do to work for that grace of Christ dying on the cross for [...]

23 August

The paradigm shift from law to love

By Kevin|2019-04-11T02:08:42-06:00August 23rd, 2013|Uncategorized|72 Comments

I almost corrected her when she said "God never fails" but then I realized that since "God is love" she's actually right on. Out of the mouth of babes! This could be a book-length article, but it won't be. It's just an appetizer; something to whet your appetite before a life-long meal at God's table discovering his love for yourself. I've found the understanding of God's love to be the keystone in the arch spanning God and man, his creation. It's what makes the Bible, God's inspired history of mankind's time on Earth, make sense. Without an understanding of God's love, the Bible--yes, even the Word of God itself--becomes merely a "sounding brass, and a tinkling cymbal." It is a chaotic compilation of laws, commands, [...]

What is legalism?
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What is legalism?

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10 July

What is legalism?

By Kevin|2019-06-17T07:15:51-06:00July 10th, 2013|Uncategorized|29 Comments

Legalism is a term that gets thrown around a lot, and it's generally referring to an approach to the Bible that is law-centric rather than grace- or love-centric. A legalistic theology (or more accurately, hermeneutic), does not necessarily preclude the idea of grace; but generally pushes love and grace to a very minor role in our approach to God, and establishes our compliance with God's laws as the primary means of approaching him. The Pharisees of Jesus' time were a legalistic sect. They measured their own closeness to God by their adherence to the Law, and judged harshly those who did not measure up to their own standards of law-keeping. Of course, the legalist would not describe himself that way. He thinks that his standard [...]

"This needed to be said Kevin, thank you. I believe you are getting to heart of the problem in the church. Instead of a Christian being allowed to exercise their own conscience, the conscience of a few people living in South Carolina and California is forced upon the entire brotherhood." ~Anonymous

"Great blog, Kevin. I'm originally from Stanton (I remember you being a young boy there). I Spent almost twenty years in the church seeing many of the things you speak about but keeping them in the back of my mind, and doubting my own feelings that something wasn't right.

"This constant gossiping was so confusing because it was OK for teachers to talk about people, but no one else to even question actions of a teacher. Being outside of that influence and away from the constant intimidation, it is so much more clear. There was no love or understanding. I'm sure most, except for the leaders, know something is wrong if they would just be honest with themselves. I regret so much putting my children through this more than I regret putting myself through it.

"I'm just glad I left. No need for being bitter toward anyone because it was my choice to be there and stay there. Keep up the good work." ~Loraine Forshee

I have read every word of this blog… I spent many hours/days reading… Feeling so sick inside… I felt so grateful to find this blog." ~Anonymous

"I left the group because I realized that what the group taught and what God teaches were often-not always-vastly different. I had to make a choice; stay out of fear, obligation, because of relationships, or leave so I could continue to follow Christ. I left. You know, one thing I heard A LOT while in the group is that “fallen away ones” are always longing to come back into the group.” At the time I believed it, but I just haven’t found it to be true! If it were, there would be plenty of people flocking back, and it isn’t happening. I have been in contact with quite a few who have left, and not one of us has thoughts about going back. Ever." ~Debby Stevens

"What’s ironic is that we point these things out to them only for them to ignore, dismiss and scoff at the blog both publicly in talks or sermons, and among themselves in secret. For you leaders and members of the SCOC who still read this blog, it’s one thing to dismiss the dissenters, but when you have people in your own ranks parroting the SAME EXACT PROBLEMS we talk about here (some of whom don’t even read the blog yet they see the same things we do), it may be time to consider your ways instead of having “unity” (conformity) meetings trying to ignore it." ~Advocate for Peace

"I too am a current member in 'good standing' in the church. I read the blog and I know of two other current members who also read it. I am sure you're wondering why in the world I would still be attending after reading all of this. Honestly, I am weak and just don't have the courage to leave because of family members who are still involved. Because of the threat of withdrawal for murmuring it's impossible to ask others what they think of the blog posts and videos. I am sure I will leave someday, I'm just not quite ready." ~Anonymous

"I'm currently a member in "good standing" in the church. I read the blog, even though its frowned upon. I can't begin to tell you how closely the comments and personal testimonies align and match what's happening in the church. You read something here, and it opens your eyes to that behavior now. so that when you see it happening, you instantly think about who it happened to here on this blog, and you know the damage it causing." ~Anonymous

"I’m not giving up on God like they believe I’m lost now. I’m so glad I found this blog. It helped open my eyes to what I was a part of for TOO long." ~Not going back

“The members of the church have a right to question and ask for Bible answers from those who are doing the preaching. But this is considered almost tantamount to heresy by the preachers of today; and if a member persists in such he is usually slandered and called a trouble-maker… We should know our Bible and we should be ready and willing to take a stand for the truth. We are commanded to ‘contend for the truth.’ But this can hardly be done seeing that the church is ignorant and the preachers are content to have it so. Individually and collectively we should take scriptural stands upon all subjects…” Merie Weiss (Brethren Letter, 1967) More Merie Quotes

"Someone told me here just recently that, Gary, do you realize what’s happening, under cover? People are coming out and expressing what it is that they feel, their disdain and contempt for what you believe. I’ve got to know how to respond. And I know how I respond. That’s the basis of this lesson. I refuse. I refuse, to the uttermost of my being to dignify the absurdity of the questions and the challenges in which it is that people will present. What I mean by that is that I will not honor, they are not worthy of my consideration. … [M]y whole estimation was to not give it a nickel’s worth of consideration. But I want to give you what it is how I deal with things like this. How I respond. Because I don’t. I don’t." Gary Preman

Trusting in women teachers. on Why I care about politics and cultureTrusting in women and teachers There are very good reasons why God wanted men to be preachers, men to be teachers, men to be elders, men to be deacons, men to be bishops, and meant to be a evangelists…
Merie, women teaching, and lust on Why I care about politics and cultureMerie Weiss, women teachers, and lust. There is absolutely no arguing the fact that there has never been, in the history of humanity, a time when there was more temptation for lust then exists today.…
Women keep silent on Why I care about politics and cultureHow is an older woman going to instruct a younger woman to love and obey her husband, and to raise her children, of the older woman never learned herself, and isn’t practicing it? She can’t, can’t giv…
Rebellion is witchcraft on Why I care about politics and culture1 Samuel 15:23 or rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king What…
Rudolph on Rules of attireIt’s a pagan tradition, and wasn’t even widely celebrated in America in 1776.
anonymous on Rules of attireIn today's 'Woke' culture, the term 'patriarchy' is considered a toxic and outmoded vestige of a bygone and oppressive era; I would daresay that even the word 'masculine' now has a universally pejorat…
anonymous on Rules of attireAnything beyond teaching a scriptural admonition for modesty of dress, is personal opinion, and cannot be bound upon anyone, as neither can one impose their own conscience upon another. That being sai…
anonymous on Rules of attireDon't forget that Christ is in Christmas!
Confirm, don’t just conform on Rules of attireSo very sad, The vast majority of humans will go with the flow, not realizing only dead fish go with the flow, and no one kicks a dead dog. A church begun by a woman, funded by a likely communist, Mr.…
Plot against the Church on Why I care about politics and cultureAccording to the Jewish Talmud, every woman who isn't a Jew is a prostitute. Their disdain towards other peoples goes so far as to assert: “What is a prostitute? Every woman who is not a Jewess.”5 And…
Annie Mouse on Rules of attireHere we were teaching manmade rules/judgements/doctrine and screaming at nonmembers for following religions with manmade rules. Members would claim that those crazy teachings were judgements and not d…
Advocate For Truth on Why I care about politics and culture1929, Jewish bankers crashed Wall Street, with their manipulation of the Federal Reserve. By removing money from circulation, and calling in loans, it brought on the crash of 1929. Afterwards, it brou…
Sunny on Rules of attireThis was taught under the context of whatever the scripture is that says a women shouldn’t wear things pertaining to a man. That is the explanation given when I inquired what the big deal with wearing…
Advocate For Truth on Why I care about politics and cultureExactly what the Jews are doing today. Whining about being victims, while they try to plunder and loot the entire earth. “However, this Christian opposition to racial discrimination is very skilfully…
Anonymous on Why I care about politics and cultureNot DWC she was in Des Moines, the other wicked false female teacher was in Great Falls Montana. (BD)
Striped Fish on Why I care about politics and cultureIf you’re talking about DWC being the regional counselor who fell away; she didn’t fall away; she was permanently ousted and told never to return. She had no choice in the matter of attending once thi…
Anonymous on Why I care about politics and cultureGuess who?
Craig Cusick on Why I care about politics and cultureThere is no such thing as private counsel with the cult. Counsel is shared and even the more so if you leave the cult.
Anonymous on Why I care about politics and cultureOne of the greatest gifts I was given in the SCOC was the teaching of daily study. I still study every day and not just the Bible but people as well, to me people are just like books. I learn the begi…
Anonymous on Why I care about politics and cultureAnother question one must ask when being accused of wrong doing from the pulpit is when did this happen? I was constantly being reproved for things I did one time years earlier. You could do a load of…