The “Bystander Effect!”

March 16, 2017

Dale & Jeannie Daly

What is the “Bystander Effect?” It became a phrase after a story of a 28-year-old arriving home after her shift at work. Getting out of her car she was attacked by a man hiding in the shadows. Neighbors hearing her screams many turned on lights and peered out windows, but the only response came from one neighbor who yelled at her attacker. The attacker continued by beating and stabbing her. Finally, the police were called. Most hearing her screams told police they “didn’t want to get involved”. Psychologists began referring to such events as “The Bystander Effect!”

I want to deal with an issue, and not be part of the “Bystander Effect”. In reading this CRA Moment, I want to present 8 of 13 ways Dr. Michael Youssef, pastor of the 3000 member, ‘The Church of the Apostles’ in Atlanta, Georgia shared regarding the book and now movie, “The Shack” when compared to the Bible. Some would say, ‘The Shack’ is not intended to replace the Bible; rather, it is written and filmed as a novel. However, it does matter a great deal when it contradicts truth specifically given in the Bible.

A little background on William P. Young author of the book, he begins by saying he “met God in person”. Reading some of his past history one finds he rejects the atonement, the very heart of the Gospel that Jesus was our substitute going to the Cross and willingly taking the wrath of God for your sins and mine. Young also denies the central point of the Gospel as he clearly demonstrates a flawed view of the justice and holiness of God, which then affects his view of wrath, which then affects his view of the atonement. While Young is not a member of a church, he is, in fact, a Universalist which by way of basic description is one who accepts everyone with “many different religious beliefs”.

Here are 8 ways Dr. Youssef gives, that “The Shack” provides the reader, and Scriptures that follow that stand against the statements from “The Shack”. In doing so I will follow the words of Jesus; to “…judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24b).

1. God the father was crucified with Jesus. (Not correct as to the Bible shown within parentheses. Matt. 27:46, Jesus said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”)

2. God is limited by his love and therefore cannot practice justice. (Hebrews 10:30, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”)

3. God forgave all of humanity, whether they repent or not. (Matt. 4:17, Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”)

4. God will never judge anybody for their sins. (2 Cor. 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done…”)

5. Justice from God will never take place because of love. (Ps. 51:4, “I have sinned against you—only against you, and done what you consider evil. So you are right in judging me; you are justified in condemning me.”)

6. There is no such thing as eternal judgment or torment in hell. (Matt. 13:50, Jesus said, “…and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing & gnashing of teeth.”)

7. It doesn’t matter which way you get to God, Jesus is walking with all people in their different journeys, and everyone will make it into heaven. (John 14:6, “Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, & the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”)

8. Jesus is constantly being transformed (altered, changed) along with us. (Heb. 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, & forever.”)

The Apostle Peter warned in 2 Peter 2:1-2, “There were…just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money.”

Robert J. Morgan in his book “This Day in Christian History” wrote words describing what is quite similar with “The Shack”. “In the early 1500’s, St. Peter’s basilica was plagued with sin. Priests finding it impossible to live in celibacy broke their vows, and Monks became involved in filthy talk, gluttony, and promiscuity. One observer noted that ‘many convents differ little from public brothels’. On March 15, 1517, Pope Leo X, needing money to rebuild St. Peter’s announced a special sale of indulgences. Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar, became the principal agent of the sale, and while traveling through central Europe he had with him a brass-bound chest and a bag of printed receipts. Beside him, an assistant carried Leo’s edict on a velvet cushion. The men would enter a village to the ringing of church bells. Crowds gathered and jugglers performed. Tetzel would call out, ‘I have here the passports to lead the human soul to the celestial joy of Paradise. Any and every sin could be forgiven. Pardons could be purchased for deceased loved ones. As soon as the coin rings in the bowl, the soul for whom it is paid will fly out of purgatory and straight to heaven’. Tetzel was a virtual money machine, exceeding his quota everywhere….until he entered the region of a young monk name Luther!” The Martin Luther!

If and when a discussion comes up, don’t take the attitude of those who became known as tied to the term, “The Bystander Effect!” Let others know of the unchanging words of the Bible taking to heart Proverbs 14:12 that “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,” for in truth Peter warned in 2 Peter 2:21, “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”

Blessings,

Psalm 20:7

Dale & Jeannie

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