Overselling the Gospel

Reuben has levied the following charges and criticisms of our work here at the www.biblestudyhour.net
& .com websites. (Others, without fanfare or explanation, simply dismiss us as "U idiots".) What is
your opinion, comment, question or criticism?

Name: = Your Name Here
E-mail Address = Your URL (e-mail or web address) Here
Comments: = You What is the address of the Main Office so a person can write a letter.???

All this on Computer is just too complicated.
Not designed for "the average guy".

You all mean well but you`re overselling.
No = on
REMOTE_HOST: 205.188.117.12

Overselling the Gospel
Message
Is our site really over the top, in the Lord’s Eyes?
By Alvin Mitchell
Copy write 2005
By Alvin Mitchell

Reuben, Reuben! (or Hello, Dr. Schmidt!):

So nice to hear from you again! I have seen (through our web analysis data) that you have taken the time to visit with us several times
since your first, several weeks ago. I have been waiting and longing to hear "the rest of the story", surrounding your background,
your involvement in the ministry and you Divinity Degree. Speaking of which:

What's this about your being "...the average guy" and your thinking that our website is "...too complicated", an exercise in "...
overselling"?! Is this the same Rev. Reuben J. Schmidt, DD, whom I met via our sites several weeks ago, who "wept" for joy, over
having found us (the numerical designation for the severer/computer sending this mssg certainly indicates as much)?!!! Well, I must
confess, and like I told you before--Reuben--this "ain't no child's play". Guess you might say, furthermore, it is not for the "faint of
heart" (yet, anyone willing and wanting to extend themselves, or to expend a little bit of time and "self", can and will profit form this
effort). I have no time and less tolerance for the typical Sunday morning/Wednesday night messes and messing around so common in
today's churches [in reality, Satan has an established beachhead there (or, in far, far too many), is dug in for the long haul,
deeply entrenched and, of course, won't let go], life's too short, there's too many people out there in the same boat I was when I was
first saved, as a younger man--searching for and demanding good solid biblical answers, yet not able to find them, 'cause the local
churches insist upon promoting themselves, their agendas and denominational points of, as opposed to the pure,
unadulterated Word of God or the Christ thereof. Furthermore, this is a great opportunity, one I may never get again, insofar as I
"...may never pass this way again" (remember that one, by Crosby, Seals, and Nash, I do believe was the group, wut'n'it?!).
Speaking of "life's too short", I have lost three family members in the past year, which for me, when coupled with all the other deaths
one's hears about daily without fail (even innocent young children and babies--murdered! by strangers often, but sometimes by their
own parents--who will never get the chance to live or no what life is all about), it just kind of constantly regurgitates and re-enforces the
issue of the "brevity of life": one never knows how or when it will end (I lost my grandmother of 107 years old yesterday, and uncle
a couple of weeks or so ago, and a younger brother almost one year ago). Hence, it behooves me, and anyone concerned about the
plight of the lost to be ever about the business of soul winning and strengthening the saved so that they too can in turn make
positive and dynamic contributions to the process. Remember, we may not get this chance, ever again, and we will have to give an
account of how we have used our time, our talents, in addition to being scrutinized in terms of how well we have handled
impartation of the Word of God to others. Bear in mind, furthermore, that this will all be a measure of how well we have
implemented this same Word in our own lives.

Also, recall and remember, if you would Rev. Dr. Schimdt, things like the Old (and New) Testament prophecies, which Prophets like
Daniel, Nahum and Isaiah often voiced, but, frequently did not grasp themselves. Was God concerned about them being "too
complicated"? Was He "overselling"? Consider the many times Jesus in His earthly ministry went "over the top" in the presence of His
disciples--including the apostles--as you also "think" about His "Bread of Life Dissertation" (and the people's negative respond to it);
did He in fact throw up His hands in frustration and disgust because He (or the Father voiced) concerns such that He might be
"overselling", or necessarily being "too complicated"? Ponder again the OT prophecies and the Book of the Revelation: many people,
yea!, even most church people and the much, much better than the average of all ministers look at these works and, they just don't get it
(in fact, most avoid them altogether!)! They are clueless! But, was Yahweh (Jehovah) Elohim, Hayah--the Self- Existing, God who
really does Exist and live Eternally)--was He "overselling", being "too complicated", necessarily? Granted, some things were impossible
for "Bible Times" readers and hearers to comprehend and fully appreciate. Yet, on the other hand, I would argue (and I think rightly so)
that more often than not, one of the chief goals of the Lord's approach was to force His people to think, to stretch, to grow and
strengthen their intellects, to see beyond their sometimes self-imposed limitations. Be ever mindful that we today are in a unique
position, not available to those of yesteryears, even those living as late as the early 1900s. We have to our avail, the benefit of hindsight
through education (often superior) and heretofore unimaginable informational outlets, avenues and highways, by which we--per His
guidance and leading--are able to work the Word of God into submission, wringing from it accurate conclusions and interpretations, by
which we in turn may grow and thrive spiritually. [Before moving on, let me urge you reflect upon I Peter 3:15, where Peter calls his
readers' attention to the epistles of Paul, which in addition to "wisdom" materials, contained things difficult to grasp, and as such
therefore were an occasion for stumbling for the ignorant and wishy-washy thinkers who claim to be of the Faith, but could not or
would not apply themselves beyond their own limited sphere of understanding so as to draw accurate inferences in terms of the
messages Paul sought to convey. Yet, Paul was not denounced by Peter for being "too complicated", or for "overselling" the gospel. In
so many words, when dealing with the Word of the Living God, one will often be prevailed upon to think and meditate "outside the box",
or he will ever be stunted in his growth, spiritually, so that he is ultimately a "thing" of no value in the Master's economy.]

May I say, moreover, Reuben, that this Book is in a sense "wired", even in its simplicity. Its "matters" and the issues it raises, we
are told--and if you will recall--are "spiritually discerned". One may claim to be a Christian, even a minister--to say nothing of the
plight of the unbelieving who trifle with it--and yet fail miserably to apprehend or to appreciate the things of God (deep or otherwise),
not matter how carefully it is explained or expounded. One must be in fellowship with, in regular communion with, daily walking
with his Maker, "seeking, searching, and asking", otherwise, any presentation of His Word and Will is subject to come across as
"over the top", "overly complicated", or an act of "overselling"!

If you wish to contact me via letter, Dr. Schimdt, you may do so at:
Alvin Mitchell
11801 Washington, Apt. # H210
Northglenn, CO 80233-1801, or you can simply respond, as in old "times" by dropping me an e-mail: www.
amitchell@biblestudyhour.net. My phone number is (303) 903-9951, should you see fit to call.

I shall be waiting to hear from you, my friend. Don't forget to include a little bit about yourself, your background, education, what you
do with youself these days, etc. (Also, Reuben, you may feel free to print the materials on our websites, if you like. Or, for a nominal
charge, I can print and bind them in a nice spiral, vinyl book covering for and send them to you by way of USPS.)

Bye, now.

In Service for the Great King (my Savior and yours!),

Alvin