In my research, I came across an interesting blog post by a man who had been to an ATF. The title of this post comes from him. Unfortunately, he has since deleted his blog. Luckily, google has a cache we have the Wayback Machine. He comments here on Ron’s preaching:
Again, the cross was simply pictured as an example – Christ died in obedience to God, therefore you should die to your sinful ways and live for God. that’s no gospel. that’s a message of salvation by works.
But Mr Luce committed about the worst sin imaginable for a preacher of the gospel the night I heard him speak – he got the gospel wrong. He wasn’t just unclear. He didn’t just present one aspect of the gospel. He turned the gospel of grace into the gospel of works. Paul doesn’t have much good to say about that (Galatians 1).
I haven’t been to an Acquire the Fire Event in years but I don’t find this hard to believe at all. After spending 2 years at the Honor Academy, the books of Galatians and Colossians were revolutionary to me. Learning I didn’t have to strive to perfect myself was mind-blowing and freeing at the same time.
Over and over, Teen Mania seems to take a Gospel of love and good news and turn it into a burden.