For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6.8 

The Associated Press is reporting (5/13/13) that Harold Camping’s American Family Radio network may be on its last legs.

Mr. Camping, it will be recalled, made it a focus of his ministry, over the past couple of decades, to combine some fairly contorted Biblical interpretations with his own analysis of the state of culture and society to declare with confidence specific days and times when the Lord Jesus would return, only to be embarrassed, defensive, and apologetic, all at once, when his prophecies failed to materialize.

Now it seems his platform is being diminished, if not eliminated altogether.

Contributions to the network have dropped by 70% since Mr. Camping’s failed prediction of the rapture last year, his second such failed prophesy (at least). Long-time employees are being laid off, and the ministry’s assets have declined precipitously. The network has sold its three largest radio stations.

What is it about the Lord’s clear statement, “It is not for you to know times or the seasons which the Lord has fixed by His own authority,” (Acts 1.7) that Mr. Camping did not understand? Did he regard himself somehow an exception to this plain teaching?

And, of even greater concern, what about the thousands – perhaps millions – who cheered Mr. Camping on with their support in prayer and contributions, and eagerly joined him in announcing and preparing for the return of the Lord?

I don’t know which aspect of this situation is most to be deplored, Mr. Camping’s hubris or the blind trust of his many supporters.

Certainly many spoke out against Mr. Camping’s antics. But many more stood with him, rationalizing, or embracing Mr. Camping’s rationalizations, concerning their having been excepted from submitting to the clear teaching of Christ.

This situation, however, is only the most public example of Christian leaders bypassing, ignoring, or contradicting Scripture, to the applause of their loyal followers.

Churches today routinely ignore Biblical teaching about many topics, chief among them, the nature and purpose of worship, the work of disciple-making, and the mission to evangelize the lost. In place of Biblical teaching and example in such areas, pastors and church leaders substitute adaptations derived more from the surrounding culture and the temper of the times than the plain teaching of Scripture.

At the same time, the Law of God is ignored or, in many cases, denied and rejected; the Gospel of the Kingdom is set aside for a gospel of self-actualization; and the divine economy of justice and love is shoe-horned into the capitalist framework of a politicized economy. “Tolerance” and looking the other way at the sins of God’s people have replaced the pursuit of holiness and church discipline. The fear of God is hardly taught or practiced. Mega-churches have become the standard to which many church leaders aspire, while almost no one consults the New Testament for instruction about the true nature of a healthy, growing church.

The precipitous decline of American Family Radio and the broadcast empire of Harold Camping may only be what that endeavor has reaped as the consequence of its vaunting its own way of doing the Lord’s work over what He Himself has taught.

But if so, then this would be a good time for churches to review their own labors in the light of the plain teaching of the Word of God. How confident are we that we are making disciples, building the church, and seeking the Kingdom in the ways Jesus and the Apostles taught, rather than simply according to the pragmatic methods of the day?

We must not think to take equally the plain teaching of Scripture and the good ideas or best intentions of even well-meaning men. God will not be mocked. What is not for us to know, is not for us to know.

But what is for us to know, when it comes to the life of faith and the work of the Kingdom, we must both study to know and be diligent to obey.

Because only if we sow to the Spirit of God, rather than the spirit of the times or the egos of self-important men, can we expect to reap the power of the Spirit unto righteousness, peace, and joy in the Kingdom of God.

Otherwise, a whirlwind of divine displeasure awaits all who think they know better than God how to do the work to which He has appointed them.

A conversation starter: Ask a church leader or pastor: How confident are you that we are doing everything in our church according to the plain teaching of the Word of God?