After stumbling upon this some time ago and bookmarking it, my plan was to return in a day or two and take the time to read it all. And you know what they say about the ‘best laid plans’….
Anyway, I ‘re-discovered’ the bookmark tonight so hopefully I can finally read through it and (also) tackle a second website which has listed some of the author’s writings: they may or may not be the same (in content).
The author is Philip Livingstone, who frankly, I know little about:
Biographical Information
Born in 1962, Philip Livingstone embarked upon his career as a commercial photographer in 1980, before serving as a military photographer from 1984 to 1988. On returning to civilian life, from the sheltered world of military living, he was appalled at the open displays of immorality on television, music, and film industries, and was deeply shocked by the profanity coming from the mouths of children and parents alike, when walking along the public streets. But it was in seeking a church home, that he was most deeply affected. “Christianity” had become “convenient”. Churches had degenerated into nothing more than entertaining social centres. And the modern “Christian” was completely and willfully, ignorant of Biblical doctrine. The Received Text Bible of the historic Protestant Faith, had been discarded in favour of a half dozen modernised, easy-reading, Bible per-versions. The great hymns of faith had been replaced by flighty, superficial “choruses”; and “Jesus” was reduced to the level of a doting “friend”.
In 1989, Livingstone and his wife moved to Vancouver where he began to serve as an itinerant preacher. Having been challenged several times by various modernist pastors who ridiculed him for his lack of “formal training”, at the age of 32, Livingstone embarked upon studies at the most conservative theological college and seminary in the area, ultimately obtaining a Bachelor’s degree. He was now able to speak to the apostates on their own level, with a far greater understanding of the extent of modernism inherent in contemporary theological “education”.
Livingstone’s efforts cumulated in utter failure when, in 2001, he was informed that he would be unwelcome as a pastor, because he used the Authorised (King James) Bible.
This site is intended to serve as an introduction to the writer, whose refusal to compromise Biblical standards, has resulted in a life without friends, a church to worship in, or opportunity to continue the preaching ministry that he lived for. The site itself provides the necessary information needed to contrast New Testament Christianity with the modern counterfeit, and is made available to encourage those who despair at the state of the modern church; and also, to educate others who are caught up in the contemporary nothingness of modern “Christianity”.
“He is currently working on a doctoral dissertation, “The Incompatibility Of Contemporary Theology With Biblical Christianity.” , which addresses the matter of that great Abomination that has made desolate, the New Testament Church.” (The Forgotten Bible)
The above (bio) was last revised in 2001; and as a work in progress is mentioned, I’m wondering if this dissertation, The Religious Humanism of the Modern Evangelical Church, is the work mentioned.
A few introductory quotes from from the author on the index page:
The following dissertation comes as the result of tremendous sadness … It has, certainly for the past thirty years, broken my heart to see, and to hear, the dishonour and degradation that is done to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by those who claim to follow him. Religious hypocrites ridicule the godly for they despise what they cannot imitate. The example of godly men and women sticks like a thorn in the conscience of the hypocrite … but to be like them would involve giving up too much – loud, worldly conversation, a feel-good mindset, and social-club “Christianity”.
To multitudes over the past seven years, this dissertation is seen as “fanatical”, “legalistic”, and “out of touch with the modern world”. The writer is regarded as “narrow-minded”. He is. But he is accompanied by other “narrow-minded” souls throughout the world, who strive (with frequent failings and miscarriages) to walk a “Narrow Way” out of love and respect to their Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. This dissertation endeavours to explain why a few people in the world, are so hopelessly “out of touch” with the religious masses of popular evangelicalism.
In the eyes of the general public, God-fearing men and women are equated with the blustering arrogance and bullying antics of what is commonly regarded as “American Fundamentalism”; and the feel-good frothiness of popular Pentecostalism. It is hoped that this paper will demonstrate that Biblical Christianity, and what has passed for Evangelical Christianity over the past forty years, have nothing – nothing – in common.
There has no greater vexation in life, for me, than to see the dishonour that is heaped upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the frothy choruses, feel-good antics, counterfeit “bibles”, worldly imitation, and man-centred psychology of the modern evangelical “church”. Evidence gleaned from letters received, since this thesis was first published in 2003, has confirmed that the complete and openly visible absence of practical godliness that is displayed in the daily lives, speech, and actions of multitudes upon multitudes of people professing to be “Christians” has made a mockery of the name of Christ in the eyes of anyone with the least degree of spiritual discernment.
The research and observation that has gone into this thesis encompasses the years from 1972 to 2002. Since that latter date, the carnality of evangelical “Christianity” has become so extreme – so obscene – that research undertaken for this dissertation could never have anticipated the depravity that is carried on under the name of Christ by human beings today. This Internet site will appeal to a very, very few. It will be regarded as a waste of time … legalistic … extreme … even fanatical. It stands for reverence and humility towards the Lord God … and that, to the bulk of the world is offensive. From experience of the past thirty years, I am aware that the avowed Atheist will dismiss it; the majority of church-going, professing Christians, despise it.
For the purposes of this Internet site, half-truth is far more frightening than full error; Darby, more terrifying than Darwin; Arminianism more destructive than Atheism. The smiling assassin far more destructive than the blaspheming enemy.
If your interest has been piqued, you will find more at these websites:
The Brook Cherith
The Forgotten Bible
