THE LORDS OF LAODICEA - introduction

Introduction

The purpose of this expose is to dismiss the possibility that rock music styles are an acceptable worship format for the local assembly. It is the writers contention that the impetus for this pervasive error is an inordinate fascination with the entertainment industry. This entertainment industry, utilizing base cultural elements and boastful of its appeal to the lust of men, has become the benchmark by which the Christian community must judge its worship worthiness.

This exposition was not written with a sense of aggression toward anything new or innovative, nor to promote sectarian thought; but rather, with a deep sense of inner grief. Dark clouds are gathering, darkening the green pastures to which we were lead, as the hounds search the fencelines for the vomit which once they expelled. This anomaly of returning again to ones own vomit is depicted hereafter in this thesis by variations of the term syncretism.

The title of the book draws, too, from the writers understanding of the mentality which synthesizes profane ideals into the presentation of the Gospel. The lords of Laodicea is a phrase coined by the writer to depict those who promote a synthetic gospel to the ecumenical masses.

Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Another term employed by the writer in this ethical disclosure is that of elitist. This term is used to describe those who are the avant-garde of contemporary Christian thought patterns. These popular speakers and entertainers have risen above the fray of the incremental battles won by faithful men in the past. They take the bloodstained faith that they have received from their fathers and attach the vulgar trends and appeals within a culture to the gospel in a vainglorious attempt to meet people where they are at. Does their gospel have its appeal? Indeed! Yet let us not blithely consider the words of our Lord in his earthly ministry:

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

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