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

Homosexuals as PCA Elders?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

According to the Holy Scriptures, a Christian who publicly identifies as a homosexual does not meet the qualifications to be an elder in the church.  When he “comes out,” he must be “ruled out” as a qualified man to serve as an elder in the church.  He doesn’t make the cut.  He is not above reproach, no matter how many study committees say otherwise…I believe that the “Side B” status is untenable as we interpret the Scriptures, but just as clearly, where his identity is made public, it disqualifies a man from being an officer in the church.  A member who needs help? Yes!  But an officer? No!

(Larry Ball – The Aquila Report)  There have been a number of helpful articles on the Aquila Report recently in regard to a homosexual (gay) pastor in the PCA.  Some churches are leaving the PCA.  Even if a pastor believes his church should wait for a greater defining-moment to leave, many congregants are forcing the hands of their leadership to exit now…. Continue reading →

Comey Ran Intel Op Against Trump

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

Frighteningly, after Trump was elected, Comey “was essentially ‘running a covert operation against’ the president, starting with a private ‘defensive briefing’ he gave Trump just weeks before his inauguration. … They said Horowitz has examined high-level FBI text messages and other communications indicating Comey was actually conducting a ‘counterintelligence assessment’ of Trump during that January 2017 meeting in New York.”

(R. Cort Kirkwood – New American)  Former FBI Director James Comey lied when he repeatedly told President Trump the agency was not investigating him in connection with the now-discredited allegations that he “colluded” with the Russians to win the 2016 election. Continue reading →

Confused performance by Mueller raises questions about handling of investigation

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

“Mueller’s performance raised questions that reached far beyond one appearance before one committee. It called into doubt the degree to which Mueller was in charge of the entire special counsel investigation.”

(Byron York – Washington Examiner)   It took just minutes for Robert Mueller’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee to turn into a painful exercise when it became clear the 74 year-old special counsel had difficulty handling the questions posed to him about his long, complex investigation into the Trump-Russia affair. Continue reading →

From Sorrow To Joy

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

“In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” 17Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”19Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. John 16:20  

The concern of the disciples is how long Jesus’ absence is going to last. Jesus had said, In a little while you will see me no more,and his disciples had immediately picked up on that phrase a little while. Their hearts clutched with fear, they said to themselves, How long does He mean? Continue reading →

John Piper Returns to Passion Conference in 2020, Joins Host of False Teachers

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“So what’s the problem with the conference? For starters, it’s filled with false teachers — and Piper, who so many hold in such high regard as a solid Bible teacher, clearly approves of them. He is, in his own words, united with them. He isn’t there just to get on the stage to preach the gospel to their audience. He sees himself as one of them and clearly sees them all in full communion with him.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  John Piper used to be a reputable pastor. In Reformed circles, he was one that you could turn to for solid biblical advice and theological teaching…. Continue reading →

All That Is Mine Is Yours

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.  John 16:12-15

Sometimes when you listen to Bible teachers today, you get the idea that there is to be a kind of Jesus-oriented Bible teaching with which we begin the Christian life but that as we mature we are to move on to Spirit-oriented truth, to recognize that the sign of maturity is to be concerned no longer with Jesus but with the Spirit…. Continue reading →

Mueller’s testimony will not give Democrats what they crave. Can they handle it?

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

““I never believed a special counsel was legally or factually warranted. But if we assume for argument’s sake that a special counsel was necessary, then the single central issue he was needed to resolve was: Is there a prosecutable obstruction case against the president?”

(Andrew McCarthy – Fox News)  Prepare to be disappointed.

That should be Democrats’ mindset heading into Robert Mueller’s appearance this week before two House committees. The greater the anticipation of the testimony, the more the letdown is apt to be. Continue reading →

Christian, do you unintentionally delve in religious superstition and magic?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“Many people think that they, like the witchdoctor, can control or manipulate the spiritual realm by performing certain rituals, saying certain words or wearing certain charms.  This is the essence of religion.”

(Pastor Fish)  A number of years ago I spent a couple of days with a hiking club in the rural Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

On the first night of the back-breaking, blister-producing trip, a few of us sat around the fire and a sangoma joined us – one of SA’s few white witchdoctors. Continue reading →

‘Alarming’ rise in STIs strongly linked to gay sex

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , ,

NYC Pride Parade

“The increases in syphilis infections that we see across Europe, as well as other countries around the world, are a result of several factors such as people having sex without condoms and multiple sexual partners, combined with a reduced fear of acquiring HIV.”

(The Christian Institute)  The number of people in the UK with sexually transmitted diseases has risen rapidly in the last 10 years.

Cases of gonorrhea tripled between 2007 and 2017, while syphilis cases more than doubled over the same period of time.

The UK has the second highest rate of syphilis among men in Europe, and experts believe the rise is connected to homosexual sex. Continue reading →

Please, Women, Stop Reading Ann Voskamp

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

“This is part of the larger problem, particularly with these charismatic women Bible study teachers that are running rampant within evangelicalism. These women, such as Voskamp, Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, etc., tend to write and speak in ways that are emotionally captivating to women and draw them into the experience. While so much of it seems to be benign on the surface, at a deeper level, it’s very dangerous and borderline blasphemous.” 

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  People who are familiar with author Ann Voskamp know that she is a quasi-charismatic, melodramatic writer, who writes in a tedious, semi-poetic style of that you either love or hate…. Continue reading →

The Spirit, The World, And You

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. John 16:8-11

Most of us read this as though the Holy Spirit is going to come into the world and work directly upon the hearts of unbelievers and convict them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. But if you read it in that way, you have not read this verse correctly…. Continue reading →

The Return of An Obama Presidency?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

“Michelle Obama’s memoir became “the best-selling book of 2018”, according to Penguin Random House…which called it a first-week sales record, and which, despite all kinds of problems, is still the country’s largest brick-and-mortar bookseller; Amazon, the online bookstore turned e-commerce giant; and NPD BookScan, which tracks roughly 80 percent to 85 percent of print trade book sales in the country.”

(Judi McLoud – Canada Free Press)  Desperado Democrats would have us believe that Michelle Obama is not only the “Forever First Lady” but also “The most admired woman in the world”.

But are those diamonds or rhinestones flashing from Michelle’s tarnished crown?

Continue reading →

Klein v. Oregon: Religious Liberty & Freedom of Speech vs. Gay Rights

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , ,

“The first basis for relief from the reach of the anti-discrimination laws is the claim that such laws violate the freedom of speech of the providers. At first blush, it may seem a stretch to regard baking a cake or arranging flowers as “speech.” However, federal Constitutional cases have long recognized that protecting speech is not limited to “the spoken or written word.” Engaging in conduct that expresses a point of view or idea is speech, and that expressive conduct is protected by the First Amendment.”  

(John A. Sparks – The Aquila Report)  Among recent actions by the U.S. Supreme Court, a four-sentence order may set the stage for the court to eventually address the collision between free speech and religious freedom on one hand and gay rights on the other…. Continue reading →

Willow Creek Elders Release Statement Supporting the ‘Women’; Yet One Woman Says Hybels’ Sins Were ‘Far Worse’ Than Anyone’s Said Publicly

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

Dyer said she hopes the elders will provide more detail on Tuesday night about what led them to their conclusions. “I believe that detail, rather than causing unnecessary obscurity and harm, would help illuminate truth and give needed closure to people in the congregation, to the global church, and to the women and their advocates.”

(Julie Roys)  The elders at suburban Chicago Willow Creek Community Church today released a “last statement” about the scandal involving church founder Bill Hybels, charging Hybels with “unchecked sin and intimidating behavior,” and addressing “specific harms” against Hybels’ accusers and their advocates. Continue reading →

Who is God?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

Moses said to the Lord, “Please show me your glory” (Ex. 33:18). In effect, he asked, “Who are you, God?” God responded with these words: “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy” (v. 19). He promised to reveal Himself.

But no man can see God and live. That is too much for any man—sinful man in particular. God told him to stand on the rock and said, “While my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by…. Continue reading →

National conference teaches librarians how to sneak drag queens past parents

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Drag queen “Annie Christ”

In one breakout session about LGBT-themed children’s literature, librarians took time to brainstorm suggestions for “Non-Trad Families” books they could promote. This included titles such as “My Brother’s Husband,” “Lumberjanes,” and “Pregnant Butch.” 

(Doug Mainwaring – LifeSiteNews)  The American Library Association’s recent national conference provided librarians from across the country with strategies for advancing gender identity ideology in schools and finding ways to bring “Drag Queen Story Times” into public libraries despite the objections of local communities. Continue reading →

Charismatic Preacher Calls Out Bill Johnson for Denying the Divinity of Christ

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

“Bill Johnson it is time for the Church to hear a defining statement which is spoken in clear facts so you can be numbered and marked if you continue to teach the Kenosis Hersey. If you believe Jesus Christ was just a man in the incarnation, you join the false teachers of antiquity who are the numbered of the heretics. To be marked and avoided as demanded by Church history, as you have been judged by Church Fathers, and present days saints who have tried the spirit, and found you in a spirit of error.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  The entire charismatic movement is a false movement attributed to the Holy Spirit by those who adhere to the teachings of the movement…. Continue reading →

God Will Give You More Than You Can Handle

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

“These days I am able to balance two profound truths in my head at simultaneously: God will give you more than you can handle, but He will never give you more than He can handle.”

(R.D. McClenagan – For the Church)  Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. – Psalm 61:1-3

God will give you more than you can handle. Guaranteed. Continue reading →

Occultist Swedenborg’s influence on A.A.’s co-founder Bill Wilson

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“Swedenborg’s influence upon Bill Wilson can be observed during the 1950s when Wilson was experimenting with LSD as a means of helping alcoholics. One of the basic Swedenborgian terms is “influx.” Swedenborg wrote about both physical and spiritual influx.”

(John Lanagan – The Word Like Fire)  “In January of 1918 Bill and Lois were married in the Swedenborgian church in Brooklyn, New York.”[1]

“Bill learned that [Lois’ family] were all Swedenborgians, and the mystic aspect of the faith so fascinated them they vowed to explore it more deeply one day.”[2] Continue reading →

The Binding of Satan

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that she might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.  Rev 20:1-3

Revelation 20 is the only place in the Bible that speaks of “the millennium”—the thousand-year reign of the triumphant Christ on earth. Nowhere else does Holy Scripture mention this word, so it is necessary to look at related teachings elsewhere in Scripture to understand what it means in Revelation…. Continue reading →

Beth Moore Has Departed The Faith to Embrace Homosexuality

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

“Moore has openly embraced homosexuals while emphatically impugning and rebuking Bible-believing Christians who hold to a biblical position on homosexuality and other sound doctrines.” 

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  If you think that is a big leap and jumping to conclusions, let’s examine the trajectory Beth Moore has been on for the last several months. Moore has always befriended homosexuals and LGBT activists, like Rachel Held Evans and Jen Hatmaker. She enthusiastically proclaims her dedication to them — that, despite the biblical command for Christians to do the exact opposite (1 Corinthians 5:11), she will break bread with them. Continue reading →