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The Testimony of James Rozak: Difference between revisions
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[[File:James_Rozak.jpg|250px|thumb|right|James Rozak preaching at Edmonton Living Word Assembly, a message church in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada]] | |||
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I've been staring at a blank page for a very long time. It's almost become a daily ritual, my hands held in primed posture to express the concerns that weigh heavily upon my heart. Behind me is a proverbial pile of crumpled paper, all discarded efforts to put on paper something I could share with the people I one time preached to. | I've been staring at a blank page for a very long time. It's almost become a daily ritual, my hands held in primed posture to express the concerns that weigh heavily upon my heart. Behind me is a proverbial pile of crumpled paper, all discarded efforts to put on paper something I could share with the people I one time preached to. | ||
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Yet, over the course of the last two years, we had observed that few people were giving these questions any reasonable merit. As time went on, the most common response was an emotional reflex, based on little else than cliches and dismissive references to Dathan & Korah, Cain, Balaam, Judas, Foolish virgin, pharisees and the like. I silently studied and examined the claims. I remained certain that the Message, though imperfect, was the answer. Answers were possible - if one retained the wellspring of Message rhetoric available. I began to realize, that's what all the ministers were doing. Essentially, the argument became a showdown of 'facts' vs 'faith'. | Yet, over the course of the last two years, we had observed that few people were giving these questions any reasonable merit. As time went on, the most common response was an emotional reflex, based on little else than cliches and dismissive references to Dathan & Korah, Cain, Balaam, Judas, Foolish virgin, pharisees and the like. I silently studied and examined the claims. I remained certain that the Message, though imperfect, was the answer. Answers were possible - if one retained the wellspring of Message rhetoric available. I began to realize, that's what all the ministers were doing. Essentially, the argument became a showdown of 'facts' vs 'faith'. | ||
I confess things had been bothering me for some time. It wasn't that I had any premeditated plan of leaving the Message. I thought, in sincerity, I could be a catalyst of change in rediscovering the heart of the Gospel. Over the last months of 2012, I was passionately preaching what I felt was the "gospel"; that is, Jesus Christ alone. It was causing confusing in our congregation, and I could feel the tension building. I wasn't in any way attempting to disprove or disagree with the Message. But I did strongly feel something was very 'wrong'. My preaching was a genuine attempt to ensure people were actually finding Jesus Christ, rather than withering on the church pew in confusion of doctrine they couldn't really understand or legalistic works to prove their salvation. But I was causing more hurt than good | I confess things had been bothering me for some time. It wasn't that I had any premeditated plan of leaving the Message. I thought, in sincerity, I could be a catalyst of change in rediscovering the heart of the Gospel. Over the last months of 2012, I was passionately preaching what I felt was the "gospel"; that is, Jesus Christ alone. It was causing confusing in our congregation, and I could feel the tension building. I wasn't in any way attempting to disprove or disagree with the Message. But I did strongly feel something was very 'wrong'. My preaching was a genuine attempt to ensure people were actually finding Jesus Christ, rather than withering on the church pew in confusion of doctrine they couldn't really understand or legalistic works to prove their salvation. But I was causing more hurt than good and many and people were misunderstanding my motive. Why the anxiety about preaching from the Bible without a multitude of "Brother Branham said" quotes? | ||
It was when I began to realize how strong the tone of 'fear' was in the pews and pulpits that I stepped back and hit the 'pause' button. Streaming other services from message churches, I had to ask: Why the necessity for anger? Why the threatening tone? Why were other ministers passionately imploring the congregations to refrain from investigation and declaring any personal study via the 'internet' as a form of rebellion of headship? Why begin enforcing the view that it was only the 'five-fold' who were gifted to read and understand the Word of God? Why not just answer the questions? | It was when I began to realize how strong the tone of 'fear' was in the pews and pulpits that I stepped back and hit the 'pause' button. Streaming other services from message churches, I had to ask: Why the necessity for anger? Why the threatening tone? Why were other ministers passionately imploring the congregations to refrain from investigation and declaring any personal study via the 'internet' as a form of rebellion of headship? Why begin enforcing the view that it was only the 'five-fold' who were gifted to read and understand the Word of God? Why not just answer the questions? | ||
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But that doesn't dismiss the actual issues. My wife and I didn't wade into the waters of debate. You don't need to, nor do you need to adopt anyone else's attitude towards Brother Branham. But if you value your spiritual walk, I encourage you to TRY to answer the issues. YOU need to know for yourself. Don't accept a leader standing over you and telling you to close your eyes, close your ears, close your mind - and surrender yourself to his leadership, or to the words of a man who died 48 years ago. And if you find courage to jump into the waiting arms of Jesus Christ - don't be afraid. He's been waiting for You. We know. He didn't strike us down or banish us from His presence. He's been sweeter than we've ever known. | But that doesn't dismiss the actual issues. My wife and I didn't wade into the waters of debate. You don't need to, nor do you need to adopt anyone else's attitude towards Brother Branham. But if you value your spiritual walk, I encourage you to TRY to answer the issues. YOU need to know for yourself. Don't accept a leader standing over you and telling you to close your eyes, close your ears, close your mind - and surrender yourself to his leadership, or to the words of a man who died 48 years ago. And if you find courage to jump into the waiting arms of Jesus Christ - don't be afraid. He's been waiting for You. We know. He didn't strike us down or banish us from His presence. He's been sweeter than we've ever known. | ||
I apologize to those who read this, and who are shocked or hurt. But if this is my final act as a man who was once regarded as a Minister of the Message of the Hour, then I share this with the hope that someone might be helped and learn | I apologize to those who read this, and who are shocked or hurt. But if this is my final act as a man who was once regarded as a Minister of the Message of the Hour, then I share this with the hope that someone might be helped and learn the deepest riches of his mercy and grace. | ||
My name is James, I am a Christian, and I serve a living God. | My name is James, I am a Christian, and I serve a living God. | ||
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[[Category:Legalism]] | |||
[[Category:Critical analysis of William Branham]] | |||
[[Category:The Message]] | |||
[[Category:Testimonies]] | |||
[[Category:Leaving the message]] | |||