'Have I grieved thee with an ill kept vow?'Every Salvationist publicly states at the time of their enrolment that they ‘believe and will live by the truths of the word of God expressed in The Salvation Army's eleven articles of faith.’ In addition every soldier solemnly declares that they “will be true to the principles and practices of The Salvation Army, loyal to its leaders, they will show the spirit of Salvationism whether in times of popularity or persecution.”
In his well known song “I renew my covenant with thee’ Will Brand asks the question – ‘have I grieved thee with an ill-kept vow?’
TSA in the UK has a hardcore clique of Officers and soldiers who are openly dismissing (in both practice and public preaching) the following Army beliefs:
In his well known song “I renew my covenant with thee’ Will Brand asks the question – ‘have I grieved thee with an ill-kept vow?’
TSA in the UK has a hardcore clique of Officers and soldiers who are openly dismissing (in both practice and public preaching) the following Army beliefs:
- Doctrine 5 – Original sin
- Doctrine 9 – The possibility of back sliding
- Doctrine 10 – Holiness
- Doctrine 11 – The general judgment and eternal punishment of the wicked
In addition we have:
- Officers who baptise new converts
- Corps that regularly hold what can only be described as communion services,
- Officers who question our commitment to total abstinence from tobacco and alcohol,
- Officers who only ever wear their uniform when compelled to
- Officers and soldiers who openly rebel against the instructions of their leaders in these particular areas,
Under the guise of post modernism, cultural relevance, free expression and intellectual freedom these Officers and soldiers are all attempting to serve God ‘with an ill kept vow’ for they are living lives completely at odds with the two covenants mentioned above.
Anyone who disagrees with TSA's beliefs and practices to such a degree should feel morally obligated to resign their Officership and ask for their soldiership to be cancelled. Once they are not in disagreement with the covenants they voluntarily made they are then free to fight their revolution. To be so at odds with one (and for Officers two) sacred covenants is deliberate sin and dishonours themselves, the Army and most of all God.
Broken covenants are a serious business – either keep your covenants or cancel them but please don’t compromise them – such sin in the camp merely withholds God’s blessing from the Army.
Anyone who disagrees with TSA's beliefs and practices to such a degree should feel morally obligated to resign their Officership and ask for their soldiership to be cancelled. Once they are not in disagreement with the covenants they voluntarily made they are then free to fight their revolution. To be so at odds with one (and for Officers two) sacred covenants is deliberate sin and dishonours themselves, the Army and most of all God.
Broken covenants are a serious business – either keep your covenants or cancel them but please don’t compromise them – such sin in the camp merely withholds God’s blessing from the Army.
“Have I ceased from walking close beside thee?Yours set apart by God, for the Lost, IN THE ARMY!
Have I grieved thee with a well kept vow?
In my heart of hearts have I denied thee?
Speak oh speak dear Lord and tell me know.”
AJB
PS - the photo is a 'stock image' from IHQ and not a renegade Lieut-Colonel weeping over a broken covenant (at least not as far as I know!)
6 comments:
Can we cancel a covenant? Is a cancelled covenant just the same as a broken one?
I heartily agree with all that you say, especially with regard to compromised doctrine and compromise with regards to our prophetic stance on communion and baptism. It is not just 5, 9, 10 and 11 that are challenged, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 are too! Seems like everything and anything goes these days.
I've always felt that if people want to baptise and have communion of the ritual sort, then there are numerous places where they can do that. The thing is, is that there are more opportunities for service in The Salvation Army than there are in any other part of the body, and sometimes there can be folk who jump on the Army bandwagon to have the opportunities that the Army give.
I suppose there are times when the Army fails to see this, more than that, the Army sanctions 'renegade' officers.
However, there is great hope. I firmly believe God is raising up people who will speak, stand, testify, fight, and call the Army back to its first love.
Lord, let it be so!
yours in the fight
Andrew C
Gracious Father, we thank you for the prayers of Will Brand.
Speak with clarity into the lives of the people within our movement. Bring renewal to this people, and make us your army.
Amen to the first statements you make, but grave sadness at the following ones - after all, these are decisions made by the denomination, but not particually God. Be careful not to create a cult. Officers are above all accountable to God in a movement that has created a lot of its own ideals, and many of them could be questioned as to whether they are right. Many will not dedicate a child, without the flag beig brought forward - and the reality is what difference does it make - its a piece of cloth, nothing magical - yet some are horrified if we do not use it - same arguments for baptism and communion though!!!!
Officers who baptise new converts
Corps that regularly hold what can only be described as communion services,
Officers who question our commitment to total abstinence from tobacco and alcohol,
Officers who only ever wear their uniform when compelled to
Officers and soldiers who openly rebel against the instructions of their leaders in these particular areas,
preach it brother! Ive had the same problem here in Australia and have copped alot of flack for being so hardcore on our doctrines and practices.
the problem i have is that no one wants to make the big decisions to challenge then 'let go' of officers if they dont repent.
if people believe different doctrines than us i believe they should leave The Army and go elsewhere. I/We will still love them as brothers in Christ, but for sake of unity, the unity that can bring revival, I believe we need to clear the deadwood.
reminds me, "is there sin in the camp?"
Andrew your holiness manifesto on your Blood & Fire site states that it is "an extension of my Articles of War, and is from now on a sacred part of my Salvationist covenant." Yet you have admitted previously that you have not fully complied with it's contents. Therefore have you broken your covenant to the Salvation Army and God? You seem so quick to condemn others simply for questioning certain beliefs and practices peculiar to this denomination. James, are those that question Salvation Army practices 'dead wood'? Perhaps those that hang on to legalism are the problem.
im not saying those who question are deadwood, rather those that continue to completely disregard their covenants are. Questioning can be healthy...
The covenant isnt legalism. If they dont like the covenant they should go somewhere else. thats all
and i agree, those who hang onto legalism are just as bad... id much rather people who comitting to the covenant as a response to Gods love...
james
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