Author Archives: Marsha West

About Marsha West

Marsha West is the owner and managing editor of Christian Research Network, Apprising Ministries (the late Ken Silva’s blog) and On Solid Rock Resources. She is also co-founder of Berean Research. For two decades Marsha was the owner and managing editor of Email Brigade website as well as the EMB News Report, a bi-weekly email report for conservative people of faith. For many years Marsha was a regular contributor to several blogs including CRN, RenewAmerica, News With Views and Web Commantary as well as popular websites she no longer endorses: American Family Association, Worldview Weekend, Stand Up For The Truth, The Christian Post and Christian Headlines. Although Marsha still blogs, her primary focus is CRN. Marsha also writes Research Papers (White Papers) on various topics that are published on CRN, Berean Research and On Solid Rock Resources. Visit Marsha’s other sites: On Solid Rock Resources https://www.onsolidrockresources.com/ Apprising Ministries http://apprising.org Marsha’s RenewAmerica Column http://renewamerica.com/columns/mwest Marsha’s Facebook Page http://facebook.com/marsha.west.77

What Churches Should Know About YWAM: ‘Hearing God’s Voice’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , ,

“[G]iving prophetic words to another person while blindfolded – has been practiced at YWAM’s Impact DTS in Skien, Norway. A former student named Stephen – who attended this DTS in 2018 –  reports that, through this exercise, God confirmed he should serve in the U.S. Army as a chaplain. Thus, he made a major life decision based on what he believes he “heard” from God during this exercise. But how do Stephen and other YWAM students know that the messages they have heard are actually from God and not from their imaginations or another more sinister (i.e., demonic) source? Such a practice is irresponsible at best and dangerous at worst.”

(Holly Pivec – Spirit of Error)  This post is the third in a series on the influential Christian missions organization Youth With a Mission (YWAM). YWAM was founded in 1960 by Loren Cunningham as a way to deploy young people as missionaries throughout the world…. Continue reading →

Idaho State Capitol to Hear Arguments in Favor of Stopping Charismatic ‘Faith-Healers’ From Harming Children

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“A panel of experts and advocates is set to discuss whether to limit a faith-healing religious exemption in Idaho, one of few states that shields practicing adherents from civil or criminal prosecution when their child dies or sustains disabling injuries without medical care.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte) The charismatic “faith-healer” movement is one of the most nefarious perversions of Christianity in the world plaguing practically every populated continent with its false gospel of physical healing, health, and wealth. Faith-healing, a subsect of the sub-Christian Word of Faith sect, features false teachers like Todd White, the now-defunct Todd Bentley, and most people you’ll find featured on the sub-Christian television network, TBN. Continue reading →

Max Lucado’s Endorsement of Jen Hatmaker: What it Means and Why it Matters

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , ,

[Paul’s] comments on unity were actually followed by specific instructions for Christians to reject their old way of life and to pursue holiness and Christlike compassion. Paul warns the readers to avoid even a hint of sexual immorality or greed. He advises them not to partner with anyone who is openly disobedient to Christ but instead to live as children of the light. So, according to Paul, Christian unity can only exist within the framework of God’s holiness.*

(Alisa Childers) In the past couple of years, Jen Hatmaker has received quite a bit of attention, not only as a New York Times best-selling author and social media sensation, but also as one of the most high-profile Christians to affirm same-sex marriage. This ignited a controversy that lit up the blogosphere with equal parts disagreement  and praise.… Continue reading →

Golden Globe Awards Speech Defends Abortion

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

“The number of women who have abortions because of rape or their own life being in danger pales in comparison to the number of women who, like Williams, will kill their unborn child to fulfill their life goals.”

(Alan Shlemon – Stand To Reason)  I often hear abortion defended for two reasons: rape and the life of the mother being in jeopardy. It turns out these are two of the least common reasons why women have abortions in the United States. That’s not according to me, but according to the Guttmacher Institute, an organization started by Planned Parenthood. Continue reading →

President Trump is doing something with Iran that every American should be proud of

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

Let me say this clearly: this is precisely what the President of the United States should be doing, and every American, regardless of his or her politics, should be proud that he’s doing it.

(Peter Heck – Disrn)  In June of 2009, hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to the streets of Tehran to protest the stolen election by the then Ayatollah-approved dictator Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Dubbed the “Green Movement,” desperate protestors braved bullets from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to rally for freedom and change. Continue reading →

Karma Versus Sowing and Reaping — What’s the Difference?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , ,

“The principle of karma burdens people with an unknown amount of effort throughout an unknown number of life cycles in order to attain a supposed state of bliss called nirvana. Yet, the Bible encourages us that the one true God will right all wrongs and bring about complete justice in his perfect timing.”

(Lee Ann Trees – Beautiful Christian Life) Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap (Gal. 6:7).

If people reap what they sow, why do we see so many instances where justice is not carried out in this world? The principle of karma has an answer for this dilemma: people will eventually be paid back with good or evil in future reincarnations for the deeds they have done in the past. Continue reading →

Passion Conference: Parents barred from attending, errant teachings introduced, false teachers lauded, and more. Linkapalooza inside

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , ,

Elizabeth Prata has blogged about her concerns before, as you will see in the links she provides at the end of her piece. Before we get to her major concerns, I must remind you that in 2012 CRN reported that Lectio Divina, a sacred reading that was introduced to the West by John Cassian, one of the Roman Catholic “Desert Fathers,” early in the fifth century. Lectio Divina, a form of contemplative prayer, was practiced by over 40,000 people who gathered for the Passion 2012 conference led by John Piper, Beth Moore, Francis Chan and Passion founder Louie Giglio. These supposedly solid Christians took turns reading from the book of Ephesians [watch here]. Following each reading the entire stadium was asked to “be still” as all waited to “hear” from Jesus. So much for spiritual discernment.

Now to Elizabeth’s report over at The End Time: Continue reading →

Nunes: Defender Of Carter Page Surveillance Picked To Oversee FBI Reforms

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , ,

Nunes told SaraACarter.com Sunday, that “It’s a ridiculous choice. The FBI lied to the FISC, and to help make sure that doesn’t happen again, the FISC chose an FBI apologist who denied and defended those lies. The FISC is setting its own credibility on fire.”

(Sarah Carter)  Former Justice Department official David S. Kris was selected by the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court Friday to oversee the FBI’s reforms after Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz revealed serious malfeasance within the FBI as it illegally spied on short term Trump campaign advisor Carter Page. Continue reading →

IG Report Bombshell: Did The FBI And DOJ Ask Putin’s Buddy To Help Get Trump?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , ,

DOJ official Bruce Ohr called a meeting of several federal agencies to discuss ‘working with’ a Russian oligarch because of his belief, premised on the unverified Steele dossier, that Trump was corrupt

(Margo Cleveland – The Federalist)  A previously unnoticed passage in Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s report on federal surveillance abuse suggests Bruce Ohr and his compatriots were willing to bargain with a Russian oligarch to take down Donald Trump. Continue reading →

Not Pushing Back Fuels LGBT Tyranny

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“We shall sodomize your sons…” “We shall seduce them in your schools, in your dormitories, in your gymnasiums, in your locker rooms, in your sports arenas, in your seminaries, in your youth groups, in your movie theater bathrooms, in your army bunkhouses, in your truck stops, in your all male clubs, in your houses of Congress, wherever men are with men together. Your sons shall become our minions and do our bidding.” – Michael Swift, The Gay Manifesto, 1987

(Lloyd Marcus – American Thinker)  In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down state bans on same-sex marriage making it legal in all fifty states. The ruling requires states to honor out-of-state same-sex marriage licenses. Continue reading →

CNN: Racism To Blame For Meghan Markle Split

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

“Good Morning Britain” co-host Piers Morgan, who previously hosted “Piers Morgan Live” on CNN, roasted his former employer for using the British Royal Family drama for an escapade of “race-baiting,” arguing that Meghan Markle invited most of the bad press she received.

(Paul Bios – Daily Wire)  The big narrative following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s split from the Royal Family is that Britain’s racism played a role in their decision. Continue reading →

Repudiating the Right-Wing Idolatry of Trump and Believing Trump is a Good President are Not Mutually Exclusive

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , ,

Franklin Graham, Greg Laurie, Jack Graham, and a host of other Southern Baptist pastors who surround Donald Trump have endorsed Paula White. This is a serious compromise of the gospel and should be rightly condemned.

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte) I constantly hear from the left-wing progressive branch of Evangelicalism that those who support President Donald Trump are selling out the gospel because we support a man who is immoral and we give credibility to his false testimony of Christian conversion by not calling him out on it…. Continue reading →

Yes, Sadly, The UMC Split Is Pretty Racist

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

“The UMC “deal,” boils down to this: the American WASP UMC told their African brothers and sisters in Christ that these Africans don’t get to dictate policy to the WASPs. The African churches were started by western UMC missionaries, and the churches were successfully transitioned to growing, indigenous-led, healthy congregations. Now that the black-led African churches have held to Biblical values that American progressives reject, the lily-white Americans say the black Africans need to learn their place.”

(Steve Berman – The Resurgent)  It’s very sad that the United Methodist Church can’t put the issue of Biblical marriage vs. same-sex marriage to bed. But American progressives won’t let it go until they’ve made every church denomination bow to their worldview…. Continue reading →

Elizabeth Warren Named in New Lawsuit by Nick Sandmann Claiming Damages For Calling His Face “Punchable”

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

The lawsuit then lists several “labels” that are now tied to the kid’s image for the rest of his lifetime, including, “racist,” “shameful,” “compared to genocide,” cavemen gestures,” “bullies,” and “be punched in the face.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  Just one day after CNN settled a $275 million defamation lawsuit against them for falsely portraying a Covington Catholic High School kid as a racist and a perpetrator of “hatred” toward people of color, Nick Sandmann is now going after high profile congresswoman, Senator Elizabeth Warren, along with Ana Navarro, Maggie Haberman, and Kathy Griffin. Continue reading →

Bill Johnson – Power over Principle, Honoring the Dishonorable

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , ,

“In reality then, there is no power or principle from God in the NAR.  It’s one big sham, a false movement and a delusion sent by God on those who have rejected truth. This is a movement that dishonors God by attributing false signs and wonders to God.”

(Rick Becker – Famine In The Land) Todd Bentley is the product of a movement that has elevated men, women, and miracles above God. In the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) the supernatural is a vital element. In fact, the value placed on the supernatural is the underlying philosophy that has enabled charlatans, and in this case a sexual predator to thrive in the NAR. The leaders and the movement value power over principle….  Continue reading →

Environmentalists Want To Take Your Food, Your Home, And Your Children

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

“How many resources do children consume versus the resources consumed by streaming video via Instagram’s massive array of Facebook server farms in places like Alabama, Singapore, or near the Arctic Circle, to millions of people around the country? But if Alexandria Ocasio Cortez were forced to choose between having 2.5 kids and being a celebrity living in a luxury building with an infinity pool, a rooftop dog park, massage rooms and a wood-fired pizza oven, which is especially good for the environment, it’s an easy choice.”

(Daniel Greenfield – Front Page)  At CNN’s Climate Town Hall, which set out to save the world by having ten of the 2020 Democrat presidential candidates, their staffers, drug dealers, and mistresses fly out to appear in the fake news network’s facilities, Senator Bernie Sanders proposed saving the planet by killing the children. Continue reading →

Blasphemous ‘Gay Jesus’ Comedy Removed From Netflix by Judge’s Order

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , ,

“While we are glad to see that the movie has been removed, this should not be viewed as a “victory” for Christians.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  In a stunning display of judicial overreach, a Brazilian judge has ordered the removal of a blasphemous comedy on Netflix that depicted Jesus as a homosexual. Reformation Charlotte reported early last December that Netflix was airing a “Christmas” special by Porta dos Fundos, which received over a million signatures on a petition calling on Netflix to remove the movie. Continue reading →

Warning to Parents: New Disney Cartoon Teaches Kids How to Be Witches, Using a Demon to Do So

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“Folks, if you think this latest “Owl House” show is just “fantasy and fun,” think again. Over the years, Disney has gone farther and farther into the darkness of the spiritual world that opposes the living God, coming up with programming and characters that lead the vulnerable into that dark world of deception.”

(Deborah Bunting – CBN) This is so beyond Cinderella it’s not even funny. Disney has come up with a new cartoon about a teenager who, in their words, “finds herself stuck in the Demon Realm and battles the forces of evil alongside a rebellious witch and a pint-sized warrior.” Continue reading →

Planned Parenthood Murdered Record Number of Unborn Babies in 2018-2019 While Receiving $616 Million in Taxpayer Funds

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

“[T]he role of mother in the home is greatly despised in our society. The career woman is glamorized. She is the liberated woman. She is the one who has insisted on her rights which, according to the spirit of our age, all women must by all means do. She has made a name for herself in the world,” 

(Heather Clark – Christian News) The abortion and contraception giant Planned Parenthood has released its annual report, which shows that the organization performed a record number of abortions during the 2018-2019 fiscal year, as 345,672 babies were murdered in their mother’s womb, up 12,915 from the year prior and up 24,288 from two years ago. Government funding was also at a record high, as Planned Parenthood received over $616 million in reimbursements and grants. Continue reading →

Harry And Meghan Announce Split From Royal Family

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙

“The couple have continually promoted progressive causes. This summer, for example, the Duchess and Duke announced that they will have two children at most to help save the planet and slow down climate change.” 

(Amanda Prestigiacomo – DailyWire) On Wednesday, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, announced that they would split from the Royal family to become “financially independent.”

Continue reading →

Trump says Iran ‘appears to be standing down,’ missile strikes resulted in no casualties

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

“U.S. defense officials told Fox News the U.S. military did not attempt to shoot down the ballistic missiles fired from Iran because there were no American military assets in place to intercept them.” 

(Fox News)  President Trump declared Wednesday that Iran “appears to be standing down,” in the wake of missile strikes on American bases in Iraq that he said resulted in “no casualties.”

“Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned,” he said, in remarks from the White House the morning after the attacks. Continue reading →

Are Names Up For Grabs?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

“What should be evident to the reader is that the evangelicals who claim proper names are arbitrary, as regards the actual sexual identity of the person using them, are wrong. In the abstract a particular name may be used of either a man or a woman, or both. However, when it comes to “trans” individuals changing one’s name ties directly into their overall understanding of themselves as the sex which they believe themselves to be.” 

(Hiram R. Diez – Involuted)  Pronoun Hospitality?

Pressure to conform to the ways of the world will always be present in our lives as Christians. This is very clear in areas that the world deems important. For example, in the world’s current obsession with transgenderism there is a great deal of pressure placed on Christians to violate our conscience by calling men and women by their preferred gender pronouns…. Continue reading →

Jeff Durbin, Secret Recordings, And Apologia Church: Delete After Reading

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , ,

The following accounts are given to demonstrate that Apologia Church in Phoenix has repeatedly used secret recordings of church members in an abusive fashion and engaged repeatedly in ‘hard shepherding.’ All of the information to follow has come directly from those closely associated with Apologia Church who contacted Pulpit & Pen or Bible Thumping Wingnut after seeing their elders continue in the same cult-like practices repeatedly. In some cases, names were changed to protect the innocent.

(Seth Dunn – Pulpit & Pen)  Sean Samson* looked down at his iPad, troubled by what he saw.  Being a bit of a tech geek, Sean had set up his iPad to save all of his daughter Eleanor’s* text messages…. Continue reading →

An Update On The Rise of Perry Noble. 2016-2020.

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

Removed from his Church, he spent 30 days in rehab and went through a dark time of depression and doubt, including having suicidal thoughts at having lost it all. With no more involvement with Newspring and no money coming in (other than the monster severance package he likely received) he founded a business called “The Growth Company”.

(Dustin Germain – Pulpit & Pen) For many people, the last they heard of Perry Noble was back in 2016. At the time he was the founder and lead pastor of Newspring Church, an SBC mega-church with a daily attendance of 32,000…. Continue reading →

Wisdom

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“Freedom of thought doesn’t always lead to wisdom as Ben Franklin surely knew.  But lockstep rejection of different beliefs bolstered by loathsome propaganda does always lead to brutal tribalism.”   

(Bill O’Reilly)  Americans are in danger and it’s kind of complicated so please stay with me here. Way back in 1722, an anonymous source who called himself “Silence Dogood” sent a newspaper editor a few opinions.  One of them simply said: “Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom.”

Continue reading →