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An Exclusive Interview with Controversial Author, J.D. Faust--The Rod: Will God Spare It?  Pastor J.D. Faust is the author of the highly controversial book, The Rod: Will God Spare It? An Exhaustive Study of Temporary Punishment for Unfaithful Christians at the Judgment Seat and During the Millennial Kingdom. Recently, WDC News met with Pastor Faust to discuss why his book is so important and why so many are upset with it.

WDC: Pastor Faust, your book has started a theological firestorm in the Christian community. What is the main argument you make in your book?

FAUST: Although Christians can never lose their eternal salvation, this does not mean that we are entirely free from all consequences for sin after we are saved. These consequences for disobedience include chastisement in this life as well as chastisement at the future Judgment Seat and during the coming 1000-year Kingdom of Christ. Jesus died for all our sins; however, this fact does not preclude us from chastisement in this present life for unfaithfulness. Most evangelical Christians would agree with this point. Yet, the Bible does not simply warn believers of chastisement in this life. It speaks of this life as an age of patience and grace, and warns us about the future Judgment Seat of Christ where every believer must stand before God (2 Corinthians 5:9-11). If chastisement in this life is consistent with the death of Jesus for our sins, then temporary chastisement at the Judgment Seat and during the 1000-year Kingdom is also possible and consistent with the Gospel. The Bible warns Christians of future, temporary judgment for sins, and these warnings have been neglected by much of mainstream Christianity today.
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WDC: What led you to write your book?

FAUST: The fact that there is a scarcity of religious material that makes a distinction between the gift of God (eternal salvation) and the prize of God (the 1000-year Kingdom) moved me to write my book. The result of this scarcity has been that many professing Christians, even many Christian leaders, have grown worldly and careless, and they are bringing shame to the name of Christ and to fundamental Christianity. As Jonathan Edwards once cracked the whip with his classic sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," today, CHRISTIANS need to hear the rest of the story! The Bible teaches that judgment will begin at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17)! Therefore, we need more books and sermons today about CARELESS CHRISTIANS in the hands of an angry God.

WDC: Why is your book so important?

FAUST: In history, these warnings and promises concerning the coming Millennial Kingdom have often been revived directly before times of great persecution. For example, this happened in the first few centuries of the Christian era as well as the situation in China directly before the communists took control when Watchman Nee revived these hopes and warnings. I believe the Lord has given me and others this burden because we are entering perilous times. It is important that every Christian understand these promises and warnings in these latter times so he or she will be able to awake from the great delusion and drowsiness that is growing so prevalent. Many will fall because they would not receive the fear of the Lord.

WDC: Why is your message so controversial?

FAUST: Imagine a child with a red sucker in his mouth that had been dropped on the dirty floor of a public restroom. The sucker must be removed, but many children would throw a fit the moment someone tried to remove their candy! In the same way, for too long, the warnings of Jesus Christ to His own disciples have been ignored. But whoever brings the message of accountability will be received about as well as a parent who must take a sucker out of the mouth of a spoiled child. Sometimes the truth hurts at first. But in the end, it brings true, lasting peace. In short, my book is controversial because it goes against the spirit of this age which is against accountability in every realm including the home, the secular courts, and the schools, etcetera.

WDC: What are people saying about you and your book?

FAUST: A few refer to it as heresy and scorn me with bombastic, emotional tirades. However, thus far, none of these detractors have been willing to debate the thesis of my book in a formal manner. The Lord's words are on my side. The spirit of the age is on their side. But on the other hand, the acceptance of these truths has surpassed expectations. It seems that many Christians have been seeking for answers to these warning passages. And since they can see that on one side we cannot lose salvation, they have struggled to explain the warnings. My book shows that there is another possibility that was once a popular view. People need to hear of this option so they may search the Scriptures and judge it of its merit.

WDC: What message do you have for your critics?

FAUST: Please read the whole book, and do not answer a matter before you hear it! My book includes lengthy excerpts from hundreds of Christian writers who are otherwise still praised today. Therefore, this doctrine of accountability for Christians is not just some pet doctrine that I advocate. It is the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it has also been taught by many great men of God throughout history. One purpose of my book is to revive the writings of these great Christian leaders. The last quarter of the book contains exhaustive quotes from Christian leaders throughout history on the subject of the Judgment Seat of Christ. Most of this material has been out of print for many years. Therefore, those who are researching the Judgment Seat of Christ should, at the very least, find these quotes valuable to their studies.

WDC: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

FAUST: People often say, "I don't care about Heavenly rewards, and I do not think that I should fear God; I serve God because I love Him." In response, we should remember that Jesus commands us, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Jesus commands us to seek the Kingdom of God first (Matthew 6:33). He commands us to fear God who can kill body and soul (Matthew 10:28-29). He commands us to seek treasure in Heaven (Luke 12:33, etc.). How can people who claim that they love Jesus break each of these commands? How can they say, in the face of these commandments, that fear and the hope of Heavenly rewards are subjects not lofty enough for their theology or attention? The more treasure we possess at the Judgment Seat when the Lord returns, the more glory we will bring to Him when we lay these crowns at His feet in adoring worship. It is for this reason that I have written my book And it is for this reason, so Christians may one day be crowned to bring glory to Jesus, that I think the subject matter of my book is worth the time of every Christian.

The Rod: Will God Spare It? $18, (458 pages) is published by Schoettle Publishing Co.

Or order online go to www.fundamentalbooks.com or call 1-877-70-BOOKS

For media or radio interviews with J.D.Faust, please contact Susan Zahn of WDC Media at (866) 736-1702
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