(The Dissenter) Obviously, Jesus never said anything about homosexuality.
Obviously.
That has become such an overused talking point in progressive “Christianity” that it’s practically a meme itself. It’s basically their common stock argument against biblical Christianity.
But it’s dumb.
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10 (LSB)
Over the last few days I have been in ‘discussion’ with a couple of fellows who have issues with the post There Are Only Two Religions in the Whole World. One is a professing Christian. The other is of an Eastern religion. I was astounded when it became apparent that their objections about the articles stance on free will were nearly identical thereby proving the point of the article. The basis of Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism are the very same as that of Islam or Hinduism or Buddhism or any other religion except Genuine Christianity. That basis revolves around Man’s Free Will and making a decision then receiving some sort of blessing or curse depending on whether the decision was according to the tenets of the religion or not. Continue reading
17 Therefore this I say, and testify in the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their mind, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart. 19 And they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. Ephesians 4:17-19 (LSB)
The vast majority of professing Christians in the United States and in other countries, whose churches are patterned after American churches, are enslaved to their flesh. Why? The trend that I have witnessed in our churches for at least the last 40 years or so is a de-emphasis of discipleship. Evangelism or outreach has crowded out in-reach and Bible study. Why? Church growth has become the golden calf of the new evangelism. Because of that, church leaders strive to be culturally relevant even if it means dummying down the Gospel and no longer putting any resources into biblical discipleship. Continue reading
“People hear a song in church. They enjoy it. They search for it online. They discover the artist. Then they discover the church. Then they discover the pastor. Before long, they are listening to sermons, reading books, attending conferences, and absorbing an entire theological framework.”
(Aaron Alvarez – Reforming Worship) Years ago, I was leading the worship music at a small church. At the time, I regularly selected songs from Bethel Music. Like many worship leaders, I operated with a simple principle: if the lyrics of an individual song appeared biblical, then it was fair game for corporate worship.
One Sunday, we sang a Bethel song during the worship service. After the service ended, I stepped off the platform and began talking with people as they were leaving. A woman from the congregation approached me and asked a simple question:
“Who wrote that song we just sang?”
“It’s by Bethel Music,” I replied.
She thanked me and, while standing there in front of me, immediately pulled out her phone and looked them up. At the time, I thought nothing of it. Why would I? She was simply curious about a song she enjoyed. Several weeks later, that same woman approached me again. “I’ve been listening to Bethel’s pastor, Bill Johnson, on YouTube,” she said enthusiastically. “I’ve listened to quite a few of his sermons.” It was in that moment that something clicked. Continue reading
(Revolver) Remember when your mother told you to eat your vegetables because they were good for you?
Well, apparently broccoli from the 60s was pulling a lot more weight than what you’re eating these days.
A new study out of the UK found that the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables has dropped like a lead balloon over the past several decades, with some crops losing 50 percent of key nutrients.
So, buckle up, because you might need to eat a LOT more produce today to get the same nutritional bang people were getting decades ago. Continue reading
“Should pastors engage in the political process? They absolutely should. Because many political issues are, at their heart, theological issues and moral issues that strike at the very center of what we believe to be true and what we believe people need to know in order to flourish personally and as a culture….I think the pastors need to step up. I think throughout American history, pastors have had a strong voice at key moments in American political history.”
(Thomas Gallatin – The Patriot Post) As the old adage goes, “Never talk about religion or politics.” The rationale is to foster a polite society where spiteful arguments are avoided. And in many instances, this advice has been heeded by conservative Christians. Indeed, given the recognition of the separate spheres that the church and the government occupy within society, this is not an unreasonable expectation. Continue reading
“The bottom line is this: Republicans, right now, are in a much stronger position than they have been, not just compared to eight years ago, but over the long term as well, the relative health of the Republican Party, at least in terms of party registration, is pretty gosh darn good relative to the Democrats,”
(Matt Margolis – PJ Media) With less than a month to go before the midterms, the questionable polls keep piling up. I’ve been saying for a while that I think the GOP will outperform the polls this year, and a fresh report from CNN backs that up. Continue reading
9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the wickedly foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept calamity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:9-10 (LSB)
There is a form of Christianity prevalent in post-modern America that has an incredible hold on some people to the point their conception of God is that He is little more than a vending machine or a kindly grandfather who would never hurt anyone. I speak, of course, of all forms of Christianity that are man-based. Their problem is that they are conceived of by people who have no patience for theology…. Continue reading
“Whether they call themselves communists, socialists, or Democratic Socialists of America, they call for power to the people, but their real goal is power and control over the people. They want to become the spigot for all our needs. They want to be our supplier, to decide who gets what – while always setting aside a more than generous portion for themselves.”
(Peter Lemiska – RenewAmerica) I am what’s called today a “baby boomer.” I suppose the younger crowd might call me a dinosaur. Continue reading
“Tragically, his family read victim impact statements to a weeping Flynn, including from his 12-year-old and 10-year-old daughters, who begged him to confess and repent of his sin, saying in part…”
(Protestia) Days after it was revealed in court that former worship pastor and ‘American Idol’ alum Caleb Flynn texted his mistress his dark fantasies about killing his wife, he has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
During the trial, Prosecutor Paul Watkins revealed that Flynn had been engaged in a long-term affair and had sent his mistress more than 100,000 text messages in the year leading up to his wife’s death, saying things like: Continue reading
“Bakker is the archetype of the celebrity televangelism downfall. Bakker was never accountable to a local church or congregation. He was essentially his own pope, king, and god. And it proves that financial success, fame, lavishness, a large audience, and even political connections are not evidence of God’s blessing.”
(The Dissenter) “Lord, Lord, did I not…?”
“Depart from me … I never knew you.”
Those are the dreaded words that many will hear on that day of judgment. Many believe that the outward works they perform in this life will somehow lead them into the Kingdom, but many will hear Jesus say, “Depart from me.” Continue reading
“What Nate walks into is an ideological stew, complete with Communist imagery, a protester praising Hamas leadership and calling for Sharia law in New York. There were even women marching beside a man who says he wants women wearing burqas, while those same women tell Friedman they have absolutely no interest in wearing one. And of course, the usual threats of violence directed straight into the camera.”
(Revolver) Americans have been forced to watch the same left-wing political theater play out in the streets for eons now.
8 And a roadway will be there, a highway,
And it will be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean will not pass by on it,
But it will be for him who walks in that way,
And ignorant fools will not wander on it.
9 No lion will be there,
Nor will any vicious beast go up on it;
These will not be found there.
But the redeemed will walk there,
10 And the ransomed of Yahweh will return
And come with joyful shouting to Zion,
With everlasting gladness upon their heads.
They will attain delight and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:8-10 (LSB)
5 And this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.1 John 1:5 (LSB)
God is holy and immutable. There is not now nor has there ever been nor will there ever be any darkness in Him. He is eternally holy. In James 1:17 we read that with God, there is no variation or shadow due to change. The Puritans referred to God as the “Thrice Holy God!” Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:14-19 that the redeemed of the Lord are commanded to be holy as He is holy then he tells us why and how we are to do so. Continue reading
“…major corporations like Disney suppressing the news in order to weaken the President. The Founders who devised First Amendment protections for the press could never have anticipated that. What we have now is a Constitutional protection for corruption. The Supreme Court needs to take a hard look at that scenario”
(Bill O’Reilly) The best perk of my job is going to the White House. Magical place, no matter who is sitting behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. I have been invited by Bush the Younger, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. Tremendous experience every time. Continue reading
“This illustrates the problem I am referring to. Phil Johnson was able to identify some of the most popular online self-proclaimed Christian nationalist figures as representative of the movement, but if anything, they are liabilities for the guys Sean McGowan mentioned who are trying to make a difference in the ecclesiastical debate. For the record, I did critique the sermon but also noted that Johnson was encouraging Christians to vote, which for me was positive.”
(Jon Harris) I am frequently asked to weigh in on the ever-shifting fault lines in the debate over “Christian Nationalism.” I would to explain why I am more reticent to do so at this point. Continue reading
3 For we have wasted enough time participating in the desires of the Gentiles, having proceeded in licentiousness, lusts, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties and unlawful idolatry. 4 Wherein they think it strange you are not running with them into the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 1 Peter 4:3-4 (translated from the NA28 Greek text to English)
I got the following A.W. Tozer quote from a friend.
The Loneliness of the Christian
“The loneliness of the Christian results from his walk with God in an ungodly world, a walk that must often take him away from the fellowship of good Christians as well as from that of the unregenerate world. His God-given instincts cry out for companionship with others of his kind, others who can understand his longings, his aspirations, his absorption in the love of Christ; and because within his circle of friends there are so few who share his inner experiences he is forced to walk alone. The unsatisfied longings of the prophets for human understanding caused them to cry out in their complaint, and even our Lord Himself suffered in the same way. Continue reading
“Panentheism is gradually being legitimized by the Roman Catholic church and some evangelical leaders. Within Evangelicalism, it is coming in through the Roman Catholic mystical practice of Contemplative prayer and panentheism, in which Fr. Richard Rohr and the Enneagram are deeply rooted. “Shepherds” have been using the Enneagram as a nine-week sermon series, as well as for counseling, “discipleship,” and other “spiritual formation” programs.”
(Don & Joy Veinot – Midwest Christian Outreach) Acts chapter 20, we find the Apostle Paul making his way to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. To keep to that schedule, he bypassed Ephesus (Acts 20:16), but he still had issues he wanted to address with the Ephesian elders. Therefore, when he landed at Miletus, he sent for them. (Acts 20:17) The elders traveled from Ephesus to Miletus, a journey of about 3-4 days each way…. Continue reading
In modern times, R. C. Sproul often said, “To live coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the presence of God.”
(Warren Cole Smith – MinistryWatch) On Monday, I drove from my home in Charlotte to Greenville, S.C., to have dinner with one of MinistryWatch’s long-time supporters, someone who has over the years also become a friend. He lives in Anchorage, Alaska, but he was visiting family in South Carolina. The fact that he was so close was an opportunity I could not pass up.
At the end of a pleasant and encouraging two-hour dinner, we walked to the parking lot and prepared to get in our cars. My friend asked, “How can I pray for you?” I answered with a phrase that may sound like a “canned answer,” a cliché, but — for me — is not. I answered, “Greg, pray that I finish well.” Continue reading
28 And now little children, abide in him that when his is manifested we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 29 Since you know that he is righteous, you also know that everyone practicing righteousness has been born of him. (1 John 2:28-29 translated from the NA28 Greek text to English)
Antinomianism is an attempt to claim to be Christian without Christ being Lord of a believer’s life. Christless Christianity is a man-made religiosity in the form of Christianity, but totally denying the power of our Saviour and Lord because those within are neither rooted nor grounded in Christ. This man-made religion offers only “feelings” and the forms of religiosity (dead works) in an attempt to assuage the consciences of those ensnared in it just as does Antiomianism. On the other hand, genuine Christianity can be put to the test and those who are in Christ can know if they are truly saved. This is called assurance. All false religions have people looking within to find that change within the inner person to see if that “salvation has really happened.” Only genuine Christianity looks at undeniable proof. Continue reading
“They grew up more online than any generation, but many of them are now looking to get offline. They romanticize old technology, physical media, records, CDs, flip phones, older fashions, and pieces of life from generations they never even experienced.”
(Revolver) There’s been a pretty grand assumption over the past decade or so that every new generation of American kids would identify as more sexually “fluid” than the one before it. That’s been really discouraging for a lot of folks who believe in faith and tradition.
UPDATE
(Matt Margolis – PJ Media) Kevin Reddington has gone nuts.
The 75-year-old defense attorney spent six weeks telling a Massachusetts jury that his client, Lindsay Clancy, killed her three children because of postpartum psychosis and therefore she was not criminally responsible. On Tuesday, he stood in Plymouth Superior Court and asked the judge to acquit her because, suddenly, nobody can prove she did it.
“Where is the evidence that she did this?” Reddington asked. Continue reading
“Though Americans offer a wide array of reasons why they oppose AI and data centers—from job losses to infiltration—there’s a deeper reason. They gather at city council meetings because these places allow a mostly unchurched crowd to fulfill its desire for community, meaning, and a mission that church once provided.”
(Chris Johnson – American Reformer) The growing panic over AI is about more than technology—it’s a sign of what happens when a people lose their confidence in God’s providence.
The internet is brimming with citizens flooding town halls and city council meetings to protest data centers. In Louisville, protesters with a group called No Data Center 502 have taken to unfurling rolls of red ribbon and chanting “Liar! Liar!” and “Shame!” at planning commission meetings, before processing out en masse as police escort them from the room…. Continue reading
“Desronvil introduced himself as the “lone juror” and urged, “I know the whole focus has been on me, but we want to reel everything back and put the focus on the three angels… the ones that can’t speak for themselves, the ones that can’t defend themselves, and the ones that can’t fight the battles.” He was referring, of course, to Cora (5), Dawson (3), and Callan (8 months).”
(Catherine Selgado – PJ Media) Lindsay Clancy, the woman who fully admitted to strangling her children but claimed she was perfectly justified because she was depressed at the time, is starting her new trial on September 29. On the eve of this trial, the brave man was the only holdout for justice in the last trial tried to refocus everyone’s attention on the “angels,” the slaughtered children. Continue reading
Glenn Beck receiving a “mantle” from NAR false prophet Chuck Pierce.
“We expose such darkness to the light of Scripture in the hopes that many will see their sin, repent, and come to Christ, and that those whom God has called will exit the darkness and come to the saving light of the gospel.”
(The Dissenter) Last week, I published a clip on X that unexpectedly went viral. I mean, really viral. The most viral tweet I’ve ever posted. At the time of this writing, it has received well over 8 million views, several thousand likes, comments, and retweets.
And that’s just on my tweet, not including all of the other accounts that hijacked my clip and reposted it as their own. Continue reading
“In the face of all this, Congress does what it usually does: nothing. Plenty of pandering and bickering. This amuses the killers in Beijing. They are busy figuring out how to maximize their power by developing AI. Maybe they will ramp up the Wuhan lab for some experiments.”
(Bill O’Reilly) The sharpest knife in the drawer has arrived, and no one will escape the vast changes about to descend on the world.
AI will shape the future, and it might already be out of control.
China and the USA are in a race to harness artificial intelligence, but the competition is rigged. The Chinese, as we saw with COVID, have no rules. America will have to practice some restraint in its oversight of AI. Human life means something here. It doesn’t in China, Iran, Russia, and other places. Continue reading