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

Demise of LifeWay: Changing times or because they peddled heresy?

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

“[A] movement was launched against LifeWay by comments construed as elitist towards its customers in 2014 by Ed Stezter in response to concerns over John Piper’s cozy comments to the Pope.”

(Ray Fava – NOQ Report)  It’s not the best of times to be a book store in 2019. Amazon crushed much of the competition. Still, LifeWay remained the retail branch of the Southern Baptist Convention until its announced closure of all of its stores back in March. The brand will continue to operate online…. Continue reading →

Bethel Redding singer Amanda Lindsey Cook’s Jesus as ‘Enlightened Master’?

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

“Bill Johnson believes the miracles Jesus performed came about because He, as a man, and only as a man, had access to the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Johnson teaches that Christians should be capable of wondrous feats of healing and miracles due to our own relationship with the Holy Spirit.”

(John Lanagan – The Word Like Fire)  “Happy Good Friday everyone. I never know how to greet people on this day….a day we mark as a moment in time when the Enlightened Master seemed to descend into shadows.”[1] — Amanda Lindsey Cook

Enlightened Master? Continue reading →

Evangelical Leader Testifies for CA Resolution Pressuring Pastors to Affirm LGBT identities

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Author, speaker and ordained pastoral counselor Joe Dallas expressed frustration with Mannoia’s endorsement on his Facebook page. “It’s very discouraging to hear that Dr. Kevin Mannoia, Chaplain of Azusa Pacific University, has testified in support of ACR 99, a California assembly resolution which essentially tells California pastors what they should or should not say about homosexuality,” Dallas wrote. “We expect Christian leaders to be about the business of saving, not caving.”

(Greg Burt – California Family)  Azusa Pacific University Chaplain and the former head of the National Association of Evangelicals, Dr. Kevin Mannoia, shocked Christian leaders last week when he testified in favor of a California resolution directing pastors and counselors to affirm LGBT identities and behavior…. Continue reading →

Teen ‘Pride’ Event Includes ‘Chest Binder’ Giveaway, Info on How to Use Condoms, Drag Show

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“How many 14-year-olds are sexually active? More than their parents know about. Allowing someone to have access to free condoms and to be taught how to properly use them so they are being safe is so much better than them being denied knowledge and a form of birth control, which then makes them susceptible to an STD, HIV, or an unwanted pregnancy,”

(Heather Clark – Christian News Network)  A pride event for teenagers that was promoted as “[t]he most rainbow-filled fun you can imagine” and featured a drag show, a presentation on safe sex and how to use a condom, and a giveaway for “chest binders” for girls who identify as boys was held at a public library in Washington on Saturday. Continue reading →

Beth Moore Refuses to Denounce Homosexuality as Sinful

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“It appears that Moore has made a half-witted, half-hearted attempt to divert the focus of the question by giving the impression that she was answering the question without actually addressing the issue at hand. In her response, she refuses to directly answer the question, “is homosexuality a sin?” and instead, quotes a Scripture that does no mention homosexuality.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  Beth Moore has been under scrutiny for the last several weeks due to her outspoken advocacy for feminism and egalitarianism in the Southern Baptist Convention…. Continue reading →

The young are regarded as the most tolerant generation. That’s why results of this LGBTQ survey are ‘alarming’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“Ellis is confident the younger generation can rise again as beacons of unbiased values. When numbers dipped a year ago for young males, GLAAD went to where male audiences consume content: video games. The advocacy group worked with the industry to introduce diverse characters and help shape attitudes.”

(Susan Miller – USA Today)  Young people are growing less tolerant of LGBTQ individuals, a jarring turn for a generation traditionally considered embracing and open, a survey released Monday shows. Continue reading →

Life’s Hardest Trial

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

[Abraham] said to his servants, Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you. Genesis 22:5  (Read Genesis 22:1-14)

The word is silent about the emotional reaction of Abraham here, but we have only to put ourselves in his place to sense what he felt, how his heart was torn, how he avoids telling Isaac the fearful truth until the very last possible moment, how he perhaps trembles within when Isaac asks the question, Where is the lamb? We know there is no real answer to Isaac’s question until we run through intervening centuries and listen in the New Testament to John the Baptist standing before the people of Israel saying, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Continue reading →

We Remember: The Charismatic Day of Infamy, June 23rd, 2008

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

“ALL of these “Super Apostles” claim to hear directly from God and claim to have special “powers” and “anointings.” They claim that they are part of a new and better church-not like the old, stuffy Bible-focused churches. They claim to “move in the prophetic” and some even claim to be “seers” who can predict the future. Rick Joyner claims to go to heaven on a regular basis-he evens claims to talk to the original (real) apostles, and he claims they wish they were him! Why didn’t God tell any of these people the truth about Todd Bentley?”

(Steven Kozar – Messed Up Church)  It’s the eleventh year anniversary of June 23, 2008: “The Charismatic Day of Infamy,” but you are NOT supposed to know about it (or even talk about it). Continue reading →

Elizabeth Warren Comes Out For ‘Gay Reparations’

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“In February, Warren came out in favor of reparations for black Americans “economically affected” by slavery, Reuters reported. That same month, she co-sponsored Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s patently insane Green New Deal resolution, which would cost up to $93 trillion over 10-years, according to the American Action Forum, Bloomberg News reported.” 

(Amanda Prestigiacomo – Daily Wire)   On Thursday, presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) came out in favor of legislation that has been equated to “gay reparations.” Under the Refund Equality Act, same-sex couples would be able to amend their past taxes, readjusting with jointly-filed tax returns and accepting refunds from the IRS. Continue reading →

Human trafficking in America among worst in world

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In 2018, the DOJ began 230 federal human trafficking prosecutions, a drop from 282 in 2017. Federal convictions rose from 499 in 2017 to 526 in 2018. More than 70 percent of the cases resulted in jail sentences of more than five years, according to the State Department report.

(Andrew Keiper, Perry Chiaramonte – Fox News)  Graphic video! The United States is again ranked as one of the worst countries in the world for human trafficking. According to a recently released report by the State Department, the top three nations of origin for victims of human trafficking in 2018 were the United States, Mexico and the Philippines. Continue reading →

Dealing With Anger

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

“Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly” (Prov. 14:29)

A wise man once compared the human personality to a minefield. “Some people,” he said, “have relatively few mines and interacting with them does not often provoke anger. Others have mines lined up side-by-side from one end of the field to the other, and it does not take much to push them over the edge into a fiery rage.”

All of us have mines buried in our personalities. Some of us respond calmly to most situations that upset us. But others among us explode with anger at the slightest provocation…. Continue reading →

Cultural and Theological Stockholm Syndrome

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

“People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated.” 

(Joseph E Torres – truthxchange)  Stockholm Syndrome can be defined as the “psychological response wherein a captive begins to identify closely with his or her captors, as well as with their agenda and demands.”…. Continue reading →

Children of the Devil

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me” (vv. 44–45).  – John 8:41–47

First-century Jews took great pride in being descendants of Abraham, whom God chose to be His agent of blessing to the world and who was even called the “friend of God” (Gen. 12:1–3; James 2:23)…. Continue reading →

Beth Moore’s Beliefs on Homosexuality Are Called into Question in Open Letter from Bible Teachers

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

The letter focus[es] heavily on Moore’s seemingly close relationships with two progressive Christian authors, Jen Hatmaker and Jonathan Merritt, who have openly shown support for the LGBTQ community. Merritt has even expressed that he had “at least one homosexual encounter about a decade ago.”

(Kayla Koslosky – Christian Headlines)  Nearly a half a dozen woman Bible teachers have called Christian author Beth Moore’s views on homosexuality into question this week. Continue reading →

Draining the Rainbow Swamp

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

“Vengeance is His, let’s remember. But these harmful actions need to stop. And they will if enough of us keep saying “No.” “Drag Queen 101” was cancelled recently in Delaware and Licking counties in Ohio not because of “threats” as alleged but because enough people called, wrote, and said “No.” Even brave Republican lawmakers flexed their muscles. If thinking citizens do this, they will go away. It doesn’t take much, but it does take enough of us. And all the while, we must lift up prayers for these poor lost people.”

(Linda Harvey – Mission: America)  Have you had your fill of “pride” yet?

Corporations, government agencies, online sites, schools. AT&T, Walmart, Kellogg’s, Nationwide, Ikea. I was already on rainbow overload when I opened the mail. Continue reading →

Behind the music: The baffling views about God held by Bethel Music’s Amanda Lindsey Cook

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

“Some of her songs that you may have heard include “You Make Me Brave,” “Closer,” and “I Will Exalt.” They’re played on Christian radio stations and sung in churches throughout the nation. But the combination of Cook’s half-baked theological views and the popularity of her music raises the question: does the songwriter’s viewpoint or intent matter when it comes to writing songs for others to worship God?”

(Holly Pivec – Spirit of Error)  I was baffled and dismayed by the responses in an interview the Christian Post conducted, in April, with Amanda Lindsey Cook, a prominent worship leader and songwriter with Bethel Music. The interview was about her most recent album, House on a Hill, and about what Cook was thinking about God as she wrote the songs for this album. Continue reading →

Tullian Tchividjian is Planting a New Church

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , ,

“You can’t “restore” yourself, people. Podcasts, blogs, and…churches with no moral standards can’t restore Tullian. The only ones who can restore Tchividjian are those who removed his credentials from ministry for his sins and subsequent lack of repentance. And they’re the ones who won’t restore Tchividjian if they’re responsible leaders.”

(Pulpit & Pen)  Tullian Tchividjian is the grandson of Billy Graham and a one-time replacement for the honorable D. James Kennedy at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. Theologically astute believers noticed Tchividjian’s slide into antinomianism – a dangerous teaching that makes light of God’s laws, morality, and piety – several years before his eventual dismissal from the ministry on account of an extra-marital affair…. Continue reading →

How Prayer Works

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.  Genesis 18:33 (Read Genesis 18:16-33)

This verse does not say, The Lord went his way when Abraham had finished speaking to Him. It says, When He had finished speaking to Abraham. In other words, Abraham did not quit here, God did. The verse suggests that God initiated this whole conversation with Abraham and led him along all through it, and when he had responded in fullness as God desired, God terminated the dialogue and went His way. So Abraham was not asking God to do something for him; it was God who prayed in Abraham and set the limits of the conversation. Continue reading →

SEBTS Secretly Scrubs Website of Critical Race Theory

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“It does not seem that SEBTS or SBC leadership is capable or willing to publicly repudiate the ideologies that it seems they only now are beginning to understand, even if they’re careful to scrub their websites or walk back their rhetoric in social media.”

(Pulpit & Pen)  BREAKING… Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, which is the ‘woke’ epicenter of Southern Baptist life, just secretly scrubbed its website of material explicitly promoting Critical Race Theory (CRT). After widespread criticism that the SBC adopted a resolution in favor of CRT, written about in publications like Pulpit & Pen and The Federalist, it seems that SEBTS has decided to reel back a bit on their overt promotion of the Marxist ideology, deciding instead to take it underground. Continue reading →

God’s holy name, misused and abused, even by believers

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(Marsha West – Christian Research Network)  You can run, you can hide, but you can’t get away from it, “God knows I’ve tried.”  It seems that wherever you go, whether it’s to the mall, a movie, the golf course, the hardware store, or even a buffet line, God’s name is being misused loudly and proudly.  It’s so common that most people don’t even notice.

But some of us do.

It’s rare to watch a TV program without hearing G-d this, G-d that….”Oh my G-d!”  Some people like to punctuate each word, “Oh – my – G-d.” Others say it as if it’s a single word, “OhmyG-d!” And there are those who shorten it to “Oh G-d” in a despairing tone. If he’s a guy of few words, just saying “G-d!” will make his point.  For added punch, some people tack on damn, as in “G-D America!” Continue reading →

The DNC Sold The Brooklyn Bridge To The FBI

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“When was Russia-was-behind-the-hack proven to be true? The FBI never tested the computers. The DNC at the time was constructing a Russia-did-it excuse to deflect attention from its damaging emails and did not want law enforcement to poke around its story too much.”

(Thomas Farnan – Human Events)  George C. Parker was a con man who specialized in selling unwary immigrants the Brooklyn Bridge. His ruse was discovered when the police had to arrest a few poor souls who set up toll booths on the access ramp. The resulting expression, “I have a bridge to sell you,” is a gibe at the victims of dumb frauds.

Last week, Andrew McCarthy ended his article about the dubious Russian origins of the Steele Dossier with the following statement: Continue reading →

The Shack author brings new ‘Reformation’ to the church

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“On Mother’s Day, the influence of The Shack was very clear when a congregation worshiped “Mama Ghost” and the “Mother”. A church leader spoke about the “Mother Heart of God” which is also the title of a Paul Young teaching. Reformation indeed.”

(John Lanagan – The Word Like Fire)  In an interview with The Shack author Paul Young several years ago,  Bethel Redding’s Kris Vallotton asked, “Do you think that this book is really a catalyst for Reformation in the church?” [1] (27:13 in video)

Paul Young replied, “I think this is part of whatever this is that the Holy Spirit is doing in the world.” [2] (27:23) Continue reading →

The Circumcised Life

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.  Genesis 17:10

What a strange thing this is, literally carving in the flesh the sign of God’s lordship! This is the great sign of the Jews, intended by God to be the mark of His possession, that they were God’s instrument to use as a blessing among the nations. It was placed upon this particular part of the body to indicate that they were to be physically separate from the other nations. The very organ by which that separation could be violated bore upon it the mark of God’s ownership. As we read the course of Jewish history, we see how this mark, intended to be the sign of humility and instrumentality, became perverted into a mark of superiority and favoritism…. Continue reading →