Sword of the Spirit?


Some Christians are quick to criticize things that don’t fit their mindsets. Church folk called rock and roll “the devil’s music” when it first came out in the 1950s. Nowadays, most believers accept Christian rock as an alternative. When I worked for Billy Graham’s film ministry, some pastors refused to show our movies for various religious reasons. In 2016, Hillsong NYC experienced flak because the youth pastor parodied “The Naked Cowboy”, a popular Times Square street performer during a women’s conference. That incident came to my remembrance after another conference three weeks ago generated even more controversy. 

James River Church in Springfield, Missouri has an annual Stronger Men’s Conference. The opening night features entertainment ranging from weight lifters to monster trucks. This year’s conference had a sword-swallower originally from Moldova who appeared at the 2014 Olympics and on TV’s “America’s Got Talent” plus is a two-time Guinness World Record holder. Alex Magala put a sword down his throat, climbed a pole, and then slid downward but stopped just before touching the floor. 


Eventually, one of the conference speakers spoke out against Alex’s performance. Mark Driscoll is the pastor of Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona. He claimed a “Jezebel spirit opened our event.” James River Church’s senior pastor John Lindell told Driscoll he was “out of line” and ordered him off the platform for not following Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 18:


15 Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 

16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 

17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.


At first, I agreed with Mark’s “rebuke.” Initial Facebook posts about this incident described Alex as a pole dancer who worked as a stripper in gay nightclubs. Gradually, my opinion changed as more details emerged. First, I logged on James River Church’s website and noticed Bill Johnson of Bethel Church recently ministered there. I respect Bill’s ministry and figured he would have enough discernment not to speak at a church that promotes ungodly behavior. 


The next day, I saw a Facebook post by a man named Chad Germany, who previously attended James River Church and listened to Mark Driscoll’s podcast while on the mission field. Chad reaffirmed his respect for both pastors while sharing additional information. He revealed Alex’s booking agent got saved at the Stronger Men’s Conference. 


The day after that, I read a statement by Alex, who ironically pointed out that his mentor attends Mark Driscoll’s church! Here’s part of what Alex said:


“My performance, which some have controversially likened to inappropriate entertainment, is deeply rooted in a historical and cultural tradition that dates back over 1200 years and has since become a respected discipline showcasing human strength and agility. Pastor Mark Driscoll's remarks about my act failed to recognize the difference between a male strip tease and a stunt performance rooted in art and sport. Only an uninformed person would draw a comparison between my act and an inappropriate performance.”


I shared a link to an article featuring Alex’s statement on my Facebook page and encouraged my friends to read it. It received mostly negative feedback. One man accused me of justifying strip club entertainment. Another blocked me after posting a comment (which I deleted).


Later, I watched a YouTube video from James River Church’s midweek service following the conference. Pastor John shared texts Mark Driscoll had exchanged with him and his sons David and Brandon Lindell that were “sowing discord among the brethren” (Proverbs 6:19). After attempting to correct Mark privately and through another minister, John felt it was necessary to bring it before his church. With tears in his eyes, John called for Mark to repent.


If you still agree with Mark Driscoll and disapprove of Alex’s performance at a Christian gathering, here are a few other things to consider:

  • Alex's sword-swallowing act took place in an arena, not a church. Again that was part of an “entertainment night”, not a worship service.
  • Alex was hired to perform the same act he has done numerous times before at other venues and on television.
  • Alex wasn’t “pole dancing” like an exotic dancer. The pole was simply a prop for his act.
  • Some Christians were disturbed by Alex “ripping his shirt off” before climbing the pole. He removed a vest but in a non-seductive way. By going shirtless, Alex couldn’t hide his sword.
  • Others objected to Alex licking his sword before climbing the pole. Sword-swallowers moisten them to make it easier to go down their throats. Perhaps Alex could have done that another way.
  • Mark Driscoll didn’t issue his remarks until the day after Alex’s performance. Prior to that, he spent time with John Lindell in the green room but didn’t say a thing about Alex.
  • After Mark briefly left the platform, John brought him back to discuss how to process conflicts among church leaders. Both men appeared to do their best to reconcile.

What bothered me the most about this incident was false information circulating. Unfortunately, Pastor John wasn’t immune to that. During that midweek service, he claimed Alex had been a born-again Christian for almost ten years and is married with children. Two days later, Alex posted an Instagram video clarifying he’s been “Orthodox all his life” and has no kids. Pastor John has since apologized for being misinformed.


Alex also denied having been a stripper. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, he worked as a go-go dancer to make ends meet while perfecting his craft as a sword-swallower. Alex clarified, “Guys were performing in shorts and girls were covered.”


However, Alex has said and done other things that caused me to question his standing with the Lord. In his Instagram video, he showed photos and footage of himself at a Buddhist temple. Alex stated he’s “not locked into one religion.” Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” A photo on Alex’s website shows him giving the middle finger. That’s akin to profanity.


Some may continue to argue that sword-swallowing doesn’t honor God. It’s not something I care to watch. Nevertheless, 576 salvations occurred at this year’s Stronger Men’s Conference. The event likely had men attending who might not have walked into a church otherwise. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:22, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”


One thing we can learn from all this is not jump to conclusions and be quick to judge one another. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says we are to believe the best about people. Also, we cannot put God in a box by declaring certain art forms are not of Him. He uses individuals from different walks of life to reach the lost with the gospel. I pray Alex has a genuine conversion experience (if he hasn’t already) and then becomes bolder testifying his faith in Christ.


“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe...
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of ...
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Hallowee...
Read more