If you needed proof that Christian infighting can sometimes be at least as vicious as that found in politics, with accusations of sleaze thick in the air, check this story out: Mark D Smith in his book “Testing the Fire”, a closely argued analysis of the mid nineties Toronto blessing, reports the words of Mark Stibbe, a Christian leader who favoured the “Carpet Blessing” (so-called because the blessing involved lying around on the carpet making strange noises). Stibbe, it seems, was displeased with anything less than an enthusiastic acceptance of the blessing and felt urged to make his own accusation of sleaze toward Christians who were critical of it. So what did he accuse his fellow believers of? Handling Slush money? Initiating smear campaigns? Visiting dodgy addresses under cover of darkness? Lying under oath? No, it was none of these sins, common in politics, which after all can be dealt with and forgiven. Instead he warned fellow Christians “To be very careful not to commit the unforgivable sin – namely blaspheming against the Holy Spirit”. Now that's serious sin; a lot of Stibbe’s fellow believers were critical of the “blessing” and therefore he effectively accused them of committing the dreaded unforgivable sin of Matthew 12:31! Accusations of sleaze don’t come worse than that!
(The above article was published in the first VNP of April 2001)
(The above article was published in the first VNP of April 2001)
