Brutal, Beautiful Neglected Christian Theology

By Deanna Alexander

Featuring three pastoral interviews, "Brutal, Beautiful Neglected Christian Theology" does not shy away from the more brutal truths of the Bible. It is the author's goal to showcase for her readers both the beauty and brutality of difficult, uncomfortable topics forsaken by most modern churches today. The author steps back in time and passionately brings back to life neglected areas of Christian theology that are dear to her heart, including regeneration, the depravity of man, the fear of God, and God's divine discipline, just to name a few, while also exploring issues in our modern culture today. There's stirring biblical evidence for the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, and the encouragement to be eagerly looking for the return of Jesus Christ, as the author steps back in time to a place in our American history where the preaching of the living Word of God was once a strong and genuine passionate fire for the salvation of souls. We may be living in an ever-changing global world, but isn't it refreshing to know that these precious, neglected, brutal, yet beautiful truths are still taught HERE? 

 

The author also wishes to inform her readers that a portion of all proceeds goes to benefit the Hope For the World Foundation, a missionary organization which has been helping the orphan children and the elderly of Albania for over 30 years, and has taken what was once a Communist country and has transformed it unto the glory of Jesus Christ. The author also wishes to express that no one individual from the Hope For the World Foundation has asked her to use this book for fundraising purposes in any way, and that this is simply the author's personal desire to use her theological work to benefit a ministry she believes in for the glory of Jesus Christ. 

 

ABOUT THE PASTORS

Pastor Ladue Straughn is the beloved Senior Pastor at Brandon Fellowship Baptist Church in Brandon, Florida and has been faithfully preaching the Word of God for 50 years. When he is not preaching, he can be found actively pursuing his passion for Bass fishing!

 

Pastor Jason Baugh was born and raised in Sacramento, California. In 2003 he moved to Cookeville, TN where he worked as a middle school History teacher. He and his wife, Stacie, have two daughters, MacKenzie and Callie. Jason serves as the Lead Pastor at Center Point Church in Hendersonville, TN, and "Grandpa vs. the Squirrels" is his first children's book release.

 

Pastor Tom Gabbard currently serves as the Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Lewisburg, TN. He taught Bible classes for several years before surrendering to the call to preach. He has been preaching for the last twelve years. Tom was raised in a Christian home and sensed his need of Christ at an early age as he sat under the preaching of his father. His desire is for Christ to be magnified in the salvation of souls and the edification of His people. 

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: DeAnna Alexander
• Release date: May 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201905460

Book preview

Brutal, Beautiful Neglected Christian Theology

Deanna Alexander

Published by Deanna Alexander, 2022.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

BRUTAL, BEAUTIFUL NEGLECTED CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY

First edition. May 25, 2022.

Copyright © 2022 Deanna Alexander.

Written by Deanna Alexander.

Brutal, Beautiful Neglected Christian Theology

We may be living in an ever-changing global world, but isn’t it refreshing to know that these precious, neglected biblical truths are still taught here?

BY

DEANNA ALEXANDER

Copyright 2022 by Deanna Alexander

Brutal, Beautiful Neglected Christian Theology

By Deanna Alexander

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN 000000000000

All rights reserved solely by the author. The author guarantees all contents are original and do not infringe upon the legal rights of any other person or work. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the author.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotations are taken from the King James Version.

DEDICATION

JESUS CHRIST:

This book is lovingly dedicated first to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I lift this work up for your honor and glory!

MICHAEL & RONNIE BOOTH:

This book is also lovingly dedicated to Michael and Ronnie Booth for the spiritual and theological influence these godly gentlemen have had and continue to hold over my life, both through their own ministry through the Booth Brothers, as well as through brutal, beautiful preachers they have exposed me to over the years. Gentlemen, this is not my book. It is yours, for this work reflects all of the rich theology that has been poured into me through your ministry, and through preachers you have both exposed me to. You have both taken a young girl who grew up with no church background or Bible upbringing and richly sowed brutal, beautiful theological truths into my life. Where the church in my early years failed to teach these doctrines, you stepped in and caused me to know the God of the Bible.

Not only that, but after so many years of corrupt church experiences, that exposure to Paul Washer caused me to seek out a church where the preaching was More along the lines of a Paul Washer. I went looking for real preaching that matched what you both had exposed me to, and the church family I am with today is the sweetest, richest fellowship I have ever known where these biblical truths are properly taught. For the first time in my life, my family and I are in what I consider to be a good, healthy bible-based church. I consider my church family a gift the Holy Spirit brought into my life, and He used both of you to make that happen. I pray that this work will be a living and meaningful reflection of the effectiveness of your ministry and of the precious neglected doctrines you have sown into my life where they once never existed. It is my prayer that this book brings meaningful fulfillment to your souls for the rest of your lives. Surely you can see all of the love and gratitude which flows behind these words to both of you.

My life has become so rich and brutally beautiful in spiritual blessings of truth poured into me. There is something to be said for having godly leaders, which are sadly missing in our society today. Seeing the level of brainwashing and evil in our modern world today, it only makes me all the more grateful that God gave me the gift of godly leaders to impact my life in such a strong, godly way. I am eternally grateful that God gave me the gift of a Michael and Ronnie Booth in my life. I treasure both of you, my brothers in Christ, very much!

A portion of all proceeds from this book will be going to support the

HOPE FOR THE WORLD FOUNDATION

To learn more about Hope For The World Foundation’s accomplishments in caring for orphans and the elderly in Albania for over 30 years, and learning how they have transformed what was once a Communist country prior to 1991 to the glory of Jesus Christ, please visit their website at:

www.hftw.org

The author wishes to sincerely thank each and every reader for their purchase of Brutal, Beautiful Neglected Christian Theology and for your love in helping to support the orphans in Albania.

The author also wishes to express that this book is being used to raise funds for Hope For The World freely of her own accord, and that neither Buddy Mullins, nor any other official from Hope For the World has asked her to use this book for fundraising efforts in any way. This is solely the author’s desire to use this book to make an impact for the glory of Jesus Christ.

The author in no way seeks or desires endorsement from either Buddy Mullins, nor Hope For the World, and the views and beliefs expressed in this book are the author’s and may not necessarily reflect the beliefs of Hope For the World.

Table of Contents

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

CHAPTER 2

THE BEAUTY & BRUTALITY OF GOD’S HOLINESS

CHAPTER 3

THE DEPRAVITY OF MAN

CHAPTER 4

CONVICTION OF SIN, REPENTANCE, WHAT SALVATION IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT

CHAPTER 5

EXAMINE YOURSELF, OR GOD WILL!

CHAPTER 6

THE FEAR OF GOD, YOUR HIGHEST TREASURE FROM THE LORD

CHAPTER 7

THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

CHAPTER 8

GOD SPEAKING THROUGH CHURCH, CULTURE, & AFFIRMATION OF THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST

CHAPTER 9

WALKING & TALKING WITH THE LORD

CHAPTER 10

REVELATION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

F

irst and foremost, to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for His unmerited gift of salvation, and to the Holy Spirit for His sweet in-dwelling, and for prompting me to do something with the passion He has given me for good, biblical theology and for His wisdom and guidance for important decisions that needed to be made to make this work possible.

To my mother, Frances Gralla, and my sister April Riley, for all of your love, support, and prayers. I love you both very much and am so grateful that God gave you to me.

To Michael Booth, for your godly leadership and influence, and for allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through your preaching, which gave me the inspiration and the push I needed in McDonough, GA on October 10, 2021 at the Glen Haven Baptist Church to begin this theology book. That night I was feeling a holy discontent, wanting to do something with my passion for theology, but feeling inadequate. You seemed to preach specifically to my situation, preaching, Maybe you feel unequipped, for whatever reason. You continued, If you can believe that He can redeem your soul, just go on and believe that he can use you for His purpose. You might as well go the whole way. The Holy Spirit spoke through you the conviction I was needing to hear to stir me into action. After also receiving encouragement from Paul Lancaster that night, I left your performance knowing that it was time to begin this journey.

Little did either you or I realize that night in Beebe, AR when you gave me that list of preachers you asked me to listen to, just how much that would influence my theological thinking. After being in what turned out to be corrupt churches for so many years which failed to preach on essential Christian doctrines, the preachers you asked me to listen to have exposed me to essential Christian doctrines and some theological topics I was hearing for the first time. For all of the endless days I would sit and listen to one sermon after another, drinking them down like water, the Holy Spirit used that to fuel my passion for theology. I never dreamed this book would be a part of God’s plan, but writing this has been fulfilling and rewarding to me spiritually in ways that words cannot even begin to describe.

I am also grateful to you for the sacrifices that both you and your family make for the sake of this ministry, and I wish to honor those sacrifices. Truly, the work that the Holy Spirit has done in my life through you and the Booth Brothers Ministry would have never been possible without the sacrifices you and your family have been making for so many years, and continue to make for the sake of the Gospel. I am deeply indebted to you and your family for those sacrifices. Thank you does not seem to be sufficient, but from the bottom of my soul, a sincere thank you. Without those sacrifices, this book would have never been possible.

Your song that I call a masterpiece, What About Now, co-written by Jim Brady, exposed me to the preaching of Paul Washer, and continually fuels my desire to encourage professed believers in the sadly neglected act of examining themselves to see if they are truly in the faith. This song has exposed me to much more than you realize. After years of being in either corrupt or watered-down churches, I went looking specifically for a church where the preaching was a little more of what I’d call, Along the lines of a Paul Washer-style preaching. I honestly did not believe it existed, but the Holy Spirit led me to my current church family where the preaching is strong and the body of believers are so precious to me. For the first time in my life, I feel that my family and I are in a good biblically-sound church that is neither watered-down, nor consisting of a liberal abusive narcissist preacher, which were my former church experiences. I consider this a gift the Holy Spirit worked into the life of my family through you. What a powerful influence What About Now has had in my life.

To Vicki Booth, for writing The Wildflower, which encouraged me at a time in my life when I was in a toxic church with a toxic, narcissist preacher who badly abused my sister with a learning disability. After that experience, I was angry, and I took a 2 month stretch of time where I said in my pain, I am done with church. That healing time was essential, and re-reading The Wildflower caused me to realize that you cannot allow toxic people to change who you are. Your words resonated with me and were a vital part of that healing process. It was during that time of healing that the Holy Spirit opened my heart up again to the idea of searching for another church. I also thank you for sharing your insights which helped to guide me in the self-publishing selection process.

I would also like to personally honor you here for the sacrifices that I know you and your family make for the Booth Brothers ministry day in and day out. My life has been enriched with vital Gospel truth because of your sacrifices, and I want you to know that this book would never have been possible without the sacrifices you make. I am deeply indebted to you, and from the bottom of my soul, I sincerely thank you.

To Ronnie and Kim Booth, Ronnie, your encouraging words to write this book in a spirit of love have resonated within my heart throughout the entire process. I pray that you will find that I have written in such a spirit of love, while also not watering down the vital truths of the Gospel message. Your encouragement that It is worth it even if one person comes to access good theology as a result of this book has encouraged me to stay the course and to not give up, feeling that this undertaking was too big or beyond me, but also during those moments when I felt that it might be too small of an undertaking to really benefit anyone. I value your encouraging words. I also owe you a tremendous thank you for encouraging Pastor Straughn to do the interview with me for this book. I was not aware of that until I had arrived in FL on that trip and spoken with him. I am deeply moved that you would be so gracious to do that. From the bottom of my soul, thank you! I pray that this book will be meaningful for both you and Michael, having Pastor Straughn on board! This work is a result of the spiritual influence you and Michael have both had on my life in exposing me to strong preachers of the Word of God. Thank you to you and Kim for also inspiring me to start doing some gardening when Covid hit in 2020.

Kim Booth, I would especially like to thank you for that day several years ago when you shared an Amir Tsarfati sermon on Facebook, back before I knew who Amir Tsarfati was. I listened to that sermon, and thanks to you, that was the beginning of my journey in listening to Amir Tsarfati regularly after being hooked by his teachings on Revelation. I listened once, and I never stopped! Thanks to that one post you shared, my continuation in listening to Amir Tsarfati combined with Jack Hibbs really expanded my passion and knowledge of bible prophecy. Who knew that God could work through a Facebook post? It just goes to show you that when you plant a seed, you never know how the Holy Spirit may use that to sow spiritually into another life. Thank you for your rich influence on me theologically through a simple Facebook post. I have also learned so much from you from your garden updates and I am very grateful for your influence on my life.

To Paul Lancaster, your encouraging words at the Glen Haven Baptist Church in McDonough, GA on October 10, 2021 where you encouraged me by saying, I would listen to what God is telling you to do, along with Michael’s preaching that night was the confirmation I needed to begin this journey. That night, your encouraging words shattered my self-built walls of telling myself I’m not equipped, and began the journey of proving myself wrong. Thank you for your encouragement, which has played a very vital role in beginning this journey. I am very grateful to you.

To Jim and Melissa Brady, my family is so grateful for your ministry and for the joy that you both bring into our lives. I will always cherish the memory of surprising my mother for an early birthday surprise by seeing you in Athens, AL at the Berea Baptist Church on July 11, 2021. Mother’s shocked expression of seeing you, Melissa as we walked in the door and exclaiming in delight, There’s Melissa, is a precious memory I will always cherish. Melissa, we love you and your sweet, joyful demeanor. Your song Finest Hour from your Shine cd has encouraged and stimulated me so many times along my journey, teaching me to be open to hearing and believing in the power of the Holy Spirit in a life that is willing to be obedient. You are a treasure, and we cherish each of our memories in times we have spent with you and Jim.

To Jim Brady, What About Now has shaped and influenced my life and my theological thinking in deep, rich ways, and I will always regard this song in my heart as the masterpiece that it is. Learning the story behind the song caused my curiosity to ask, Hmm, who is this Paul Washer guy? My curiosity caused me to search him out and has begun the greatest theological work in my mind and my heart, stirring within me a passion for theology and going on to a deeper and richer knowledge of and walk with the Lord. I am also moved by the beautiful friendship you display to the Booth Brothers, always willing to lend a helping hand. I am extremely grateful to you and Melissa for your beautiful ministry and influence on my life.

To Buddy Mullins, I want you to know how proud I am of your faithful obedience to the Holy Spirit in serving through Hope For the World. Thank you for your loving labor for the Kingdom of God.

To Brittney, Nels, Carlin and Amita: Aunt Deanna loves each of you so much. To Carlin and Amita, my prayer for both of you is that you will grow up to know and fear the Lord and serve Him with all of your heart. I will save a copy of this book for each of you when you get older, and I pray you will be able to look back and know the love that Aunt Deanna has for both of you! Always trust in the Lord throughout the journey of your lives, and He will direct your paths!

To Tom and Donna Gabbard: Tom, I am so grateful to you for your dedication and faithfulness to the Lord. When I say I am proud of your preaching, I don’t say that lightly, as it takes a lot of trust for me to say that to any preacher. I am so grateful for the time you willingly gave to participate in an interview for this book, and it is an interview I am extremely proud of. Thank you for your willing spirit to serve the Lord. To Donna Gabbard, you are a cherished friend and sister in Christ and I love you very much. Thank you for the sacrifice of your time for the sake of this book. I treasure both of you very much.

To my church family at Grace Baptist Fellowship who I love dearly and who always bring me such joy. You are each precious in my sight, and I love each of you very much. I am so grateful for all of your love and encouragement. God indeed blessed me immensely the day He led me into the sweet gathering of fellowship with each of you. Each of you are written on my heart, and always will be!

To Ladue Straughn: I am very grateful for your willingness and your time in furnishing me with an interview for this book. I am honored that I had the privilege of getting to meet you and spend some time with you, and I will always very lovingly cherish that Homecoming weekend and how we laughed together and created some very precious and meaningful memories that I shall always cherish. Thank you for your faithful service to the kingdom of God and for spiritually influencing Michael and Ronnie Booth, who have both transformed my life theologically and spiritually. That could not have happened without all those years of your spiritual influence over their lives, which have spilled over into mine, and for that, I am eternally grateful to you.

To Jason Baugh: I am grateful for your encouragement which has resonated with me all throughout the constructing of this book. Thank you for taking the time to be a vital part of this book in sharing your insights.

To Clasic_Design01 :(Fiverr.com): I am truly overwhelmed at how you took my vision for this book cover and transformed it into what is in my mind, a Thomas Kinkade-like masterpiece! I value your skills and talent, and I am truly grateful for all of the extra little touches you added to the cover that really adds a nice touch, like the haze within the trees, the shadow on the ground from the church sign, the church cross within the O of "Theology, the sunset blend of colors; so many creative touches that were truly and uniquely your own. I am grateful for your talents and services!

To Paul Washer: For being one of my go-to preachers and for showing me what a real preacher, and I mean a real honest-to-goodness genuine preacher should be. I have always said we need more Paul Washers in the pulpit, and I sincerely mean that with every fiber of my being. We have stopped pleading with men for their salvation in the pulpit, and the fire and passion with which you handle and deliver the Word of God is beyond compare. Thank you for being a living example in showing us how preaching ought to be done.

To Amir Tsarfati and Jack Hibbs: for their willingness to faithfully preach bible prophecy when so many preachers would rather turn and run the other way. My passion for bible prophecy and forming my theological thinking regarding end-time events has been shaped by the faithful preaching of these fine gentlemen, and I am thankful everyday for their courage. They have both become my go-to preachers for bible prophecy.

To Lindsey Graham (that’s Lindsey Graham Ministries, not the senator!) for always being such a delightful spirit, radiating the light of Jesus Christ. I have always enjoyed the opportunities I have had to be in your presence. I am grateful to you for your godly leadership and example and for inspiring me through your music and godly lifestyle. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to meet you and come to know you through that first solo performance you did with Michael Booth in Greenwood, Indiana.

To Gayle Bledsoe: Here’s to the memories we have created together at each of the Booth Brother events! I am so glad that you came and sat down and talked with my family and I that night in Somerset, KY as we waited for the Booth Brothers event to begin. There are some people in life who you just instantly hit it off with, and I am so grateful for your friendship, and for the way we have remained in touch ever since then! I love my Booth Brother friends! You truly became a sister in Christ that night! I do value your friendship so much.

To Shannon Knaak: My dear, sweet Shannon, what can I say? You are a faithful friend, and I truly enjoy our weekly phone calls. You have been such a blessing to me, all along my journey, always there whenever I simply needed a friend to talk to, always encouraging me. It is always special to have that one friend who is really more like family who you know you can share anything and everything with, and boy have we shared everything together! Thank you for being that kind of a friend.

To Heidi Swander: Thank you for all that you do in promoting and supporting our great southern gospel groups. Thank you also, Heidi, for your sweet friendship, and for being the kind of person who always takes the time to provide vital information to others in need. We think alike on a lot of things, and I am grateful for your friendship and all of your hard work.

To Victor Maxson and all of the fine folks at Chapel Library, a ministry of Mount Zion Bible Church in Pensacola, FL for all of their wonderful free and low-cost materials from prior centuries. Many of their religious material they make so easily available have been such a blessing to me, and I am extremely grateful for all of the theological resources they provide. I do freely of my own accord recommend their resources to all of my readers for further theological study, and you can visit their website at: www.chapellibrary.org. Also check out the recommended resources page at the conclusion of this book, where Chapel Library is mentioned, to learn more about their ministry and their Christian literature they provide free-of-charge.

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INTRODUCTION

B

efore this book could exist, God had to first break me of myself. I stood in my own way by allowing that voice, (You know that voice that we all have in our own heads that often rears its ugly head? Hmm, it must be from the devil), Anyway, for a time, I allowed that voice of self-defeat to control me with its limiting thoughts like, "I can’t write about theology! I’m not a preacher! Only preachers write about theology! Who would ever listen to me or take me seriously?" I had the passion and the desire burning within me, but I felt unequipped. While I am currently studying theology both online through Dallas Theological Seminary and through personal study of my own, not being a preacher left me feeling empty and unqualified.

After the events of Covid hit, I sought some extra part-time work. I ended up taking a job where I thought I would be able to learn some new skills, but quickly found that the job was just not suited to me. I was beginning to sense the Holy Spirit speaking through my misery after the first few days. Little did I know that God only intended for me to be there for a few weeks…just long enough to make me miserable beyond what I could stand, because looking back on it now, I can see that He was using that situation to get me to see something. I began sensing how miserable I felt, the dread I experienced in coming in to this new job each day. It didn’t take long for me to begin seeing the ungodly things which took place behind the scenes which were wrong, but I’ll leave it at that. The point being that God will sometimes place you into situations to make you miserable on purpose. Yet, He does it with your good in mind. Looking back, I can see that God had intentionally placed me in a position where I would be miserable for those two weeks to stir within me the thought which would override Satan’s limiting voice and cause me to see that I was suppressing my desire to do something with my passion for theology. Although the desire was there, the writing, editing and proofreading skills were all