Recently, I received a response from Sam Jordison asking why our supposed debate have not been organized. The response goes like this:
“Why did you chaps never manage to organize that debate in the end? I’m still very keen. In the meantime, I thought you might like to know that my new book has been released…”
The talk of a debate against Jordison started when a reader of mine asked me what can I say about an article by (Jordison) calling the Bible as a “readable mess”. I, in turn, answered with an article. Jordison’s first comment on that article was:
“…I’m not sure if I’ll be coming back here as I’m finding the experience a bit – uh- unsettling, but do feel free to post on my blog again… I’m sure we can have an interesting discussion.”
Although he said this, Jordison did came back and visited my blog — this time to promote his book.
“…Hey, listen, I wrote a book you chaps might find interesting:
The Joy Of Sects. You should be able to pick up a copy from amazon.co.uk…”
After that, I made a follow-up article also dedicated to Sam Jordison. Surprisingly, he (Jordison) took his time out to visit and post a comment (again) on my “unsettling” blog. The comment goes like this:
“Hello again,
This article is very interesting too…
…I’ve been getting some comments on my blog about running a debate with Bro Eli and I’d be happy to accept… as long as “logistics” all work out and co… The moderator of this blog is welcome to email me so we can arrange details…”
This was when I learned that brothers in faith actually posted a challenge on his website for him to have a debate against me. I have learned that brethren from London tried to arrange everything for the said debate to transpire.
I would like to make this clear to my readers that I am, with God’s help, always willing and ready to any discussion or debate wherein I will have an opportunity to prove the existence and the magnificence of the Almighty God that I have been serving all my life.This fact is known to every brother and sister in faith in the Church of God, International.
Since the planned debate was provoked few months ago, brothers in faith have been working for the realization of such event, but much to my dismay, an email was forwarded to me by a brother in London which came from Mr. Jordison himself asking for payment and expenses that he will encounter.It is explained by the email hereunder:
“…Have you found a suitable time and date (about the debate)?
…I’d also like to discuss payment, travel expenses and co if possible… Much better to get these things down in email so there’s no confusion than on the phone… What are your terms/ budget etc. I can’t imagine that the whole event is going to be anything less than personally humiliating from my point of view so I’d like some compensation…”
In my four decades of preaching the Gospel, with God’s help, I never asked for a fee from anybody.To this, my witnesses are innumerable.
(2 Corinthians 11:7)Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
Abasing* is humbling oneself before God and before fellowmen.
[*ταπεινόω
tapeinoō
tap-i-no’-o
From G5011; to depress; figuratively to humiliate (in condition or heart): – abase, bring low, humble (self).]
This is a virtue that was not learned by preachers who preached for the sake of money and gain.
(Micah 3:11)The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? None evil can come upon us.
Abasing or humbling oneself is one of the most important admonitions of the Bible.
(James 4:10)Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
(Luke 14:11)For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased;and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
This is the best example that was shown when the Lord Jesus Christ took the form of a man.
(Philippians 2:5-8)Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
A preacher, by not asking for profit, abases himself.This is the first rule Christ gave His apostles when He sent them to preach.
(Matthew 10:7-8)And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:freely ye have received, freely give.
But there are those pretending to be of God preaching because of money or material gain.
(John 10:12)But he that is a hireling,and not the shepherd,whose own the sheep are not,seeth the wolf coming,and leaveth the sheep,and fleeth:and the wolf catcheth them,and scattereth the sheep.
The hireling fleeth,because he is a hireling,and careth not for the sheep.
The first century Christians did not (in any manner) took anything from none Christians in preaching the word of God.
(3 John 1:7)Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
The apostle Paul went to the extent of working with his hands to sustain his needs in preaching the Gospel.
(Acts 20:33-35)I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said,It is more blessed to give than to receive.
And these sacrifices for the Gospel’s sake He has done with gladness.
(2 Corinthians 12:15)And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
Look for a preacher now in this dispensation who spends his own earnings to finance the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will find most of them amassing wealth by perverting the Gospel.
(2 Corinthians 2:17)For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word; but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.RSV
And the apparent result is their failing effort to hide their riches and luxuries coming from the very little resources of poor members.
(Jeremiah 5:26-27)For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
It is a great disappointment for me to hear that Sam Jordison, who will futilely disprove the existence of God and expose to people the ‘garbage’ in his mind, is asking for a fee.
(Isaiah 55:2)Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
I would rather add my last cents to my contributions for the poor children of the earth than to spend it to somebody like Sam Jordison; as always for the praise and glory of my God!
Sincerely in Christ,
Brother Eli
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