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

PreachersNSneakers and Pastors as Lifestyle Brands

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

“I don’t think God gives a rip about the labels, but I’m convinced he cares a great deal for the heart behind the labels. What we wear on the outside has an interesting way of revealing what we really value on the inside. Our clothing reveals who we want to be known by and what we want to be known for.”

(Tim Challies)   Everyone is talking about PreachersNSneakers. Well, not everyone, I’m sure, but enough that it has ended up in my inbox plenty of times over the past few days. PreachersNSneakers is an Instagram account that simply shares photos of preachers in their sneakers. No big deal, right?… Continue reading →

Progressives to Hold Political ‘Just Gospel’ Conference to Affirm Democrat Politics in the Church

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

“The Democrat party, at it’s core supports the slaughter of innocent children (abortion), gay rights, gay propaganda, “gay Christianity,” theft (redistribution of wealth), lawlessness (i.e. open borders), a complete and total lack of individual responsibility (i.e. nanny state welfare system, single payer insurance, etc.), and the endless sweeping away of our right to worship God freely. And this is who these progressive leaders want us to reconcile with.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  It’s no secret that the Democratic party is trying to take over the Evangelical Church. Some of the most prominent liberal outlets in the Church, such as the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) are funded by subversive political movers like George Soros and James Riady…. Continue reading →

TGC’s Same-Sex Attracted Christian Apostasy Cover-Up

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

“What does the Bible call men who write and promote perverse articles like this in the name of “Christian ministry” and put them up on the World Wide Web for years — leading Christ’s Church, pastors, fathers, mothers, men, women, boys, and girls astray from God’s truth? The Bible calls such men false teachers, deceivers, and wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

(Chuck O’Neal)  The Gospel Coalition (TGC) and 9Marks are fully engaged in a cover-up of Sam Allberry’s abominable doctrines. Stop and think. Livingout.org has been full of appalling teaching and counsel for years. The men behind TGC and 9Marks have been promoting Sam Allberry and livingout.org for years…. Continue reading →

Ted Cruz Threatens Lawsuit After Yale Law School Blacklists Christian Firms

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , ,

“Due to this very activism, the far-left smear factory the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) branded ADF a “hate group,” placing it on a list along with the Ku Klux Klan. Even ADF’s ideological opponents with the ACLU and the atheist group Military Religious Freedom Foundation have denounced this label as false.”

(Tyler O’Neil – PJ Media)  In February, a group of Yale Law students invited a lawyer from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a Christian law firm, to speak at the campus. The student LGBT group caused a ruckus and demanded the school yank all funds from students and alumni who work with organizations that “discriminate” against LGBT people. Yale caved in late March, and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) responded with a scathing letter threatening legal action. Continue reading →

Judging With Right Judgment

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (v. 24).  – John 7:14–24

Six months or so before the brothers of Jesus implored Him to go up to the Feast of Booths and do signs, He escaped a crowd that attempted to force Him into leading a revolution against Rome (John 6:15). That is likely one of the reasons why our Lord did not initially follow His brothers’ wishes but told them that His time to go up for the feast had not yet arrived (7:8). Due to the speculation about His ministry (vv. 10–13), it seems He did not want to cause a stir among those who had false expectations about the Messiah. He would enter the public eye on His terms, not theirs. Continue reading →

Kids Aren’t Born Trans

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

“I underwent my own “sex change” in April 1983. I had no idea then that I would be here today talking about the subject, or that the evidence against “born that way” had started oozing out as early as 1979, four years before I was mutilated.”

(Walt Heyer – CNSNews)  People who pursue a cross-sex identity aren’t born that way, and children should not be encouraged to “transition” to the opposite sex, according to a reference work endorsed by the American Psychological Association. Continue reading →

Democrat Presidential Conference Opens with Communist Cop-Killer’s Chants

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

Domestic terrorist and convicted cop killer Assata Shakur escaped from prison in 1979 and fled to Cuba. Photo by Wikipedia Commons

“In 1973, while wanted for multiple crimes from bank robbery to murder, Chesimard and two accomplices were pulled over for a tail-light violation on the New Jersey Turnpike. As the troopers were routinely questioning them, Chesimard in the passenger seat, and her pals opened up on the lawmen with some stemi-auto pistols (no word on whether these were properly registered.)”

(Humberto Fontova – Townhall)   “I’m gonna actually have you participate with me in repeating some words from a leader by the name of Assata Shakur!”  (NAACP V.P. Jamal Watkins opening the We The People conference this week.)

“(The conference speakers) included 2020 Democratic White House contenders Cory Booker, Julián Castro, Beto O’Rourke, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Jay Inslee and Kirsten Gillibrand.” Continue reading →

R-Rated Pro-Life Film ‘Unplanned’ Cut More Gruesome Footage, Producer Reveals

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

“In the film, they are emotionally engaged. It’s been effective. We’ve had a lot of people who said they never thought about it before, but now their eyes are definitely opened.”

(Tyler O’Neil – PJ Media)  When the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) gave the pro-life film Unplanned an R rating, a minor scandal erupted. Few knew that some of the most gruesome footage died on the cutting-room floor.

Speaking with PJ Media this week, producer Joe Knopp said that while members of the Unplanned team publicly expressed disappointment at the rating, he thinks it’s a positive development. Continue reading →

Dr. Albert Mohler’s Opportunity for Historic Repentance and Reformation

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“It was bold hypocrisy for Dr. Mohler to post a picture of himself during the 500th anniversary celebration of the Reformation preaching over Luther’s body while simultaneously refusing to remove his longstanding compromise of Luther’s Gospel and Luther’s Reformation from the World Wide Web.” 

(Chuck O’Neal – Reformation Charlotte)  Dr. Mohler very recently and very quietly requested his name be removed from the Manhattan Declaration! That’s a big deal, but not a historic deal. Continue reading →

Mormon church pledges to reverse its anti-LGBT policy

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

The Mormon Church, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), denies the doctrine of the Trinity, believes salvation is by grace plus works, that people will become gods and goddesses, also that the true gospel has been perverted and lost, therefore founding “prophet”Joseph Smith was called upon by God to restore the true church. Mormonism is not the true Church of Jesus Christ, as they claim. The truth is, Mormonism has a counterfeit gospel.

Now to the BBC News piece: Continue reading →

The Breastplate of Righteousness

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. – Ephesians 6:13-15

Christ is the ground of your righteous standing before God, your acceptance before Him. If you are wearing that breastplate, you can rest secure that your heart, your emotions, are securely guarded and adequately protected against attack. This is perhaps the most frequent ground of attack against Christian faith. Christians often feel they lack assurance…. Continue reading →

Setting the Stage for TGC19 – Conversations with Jesus: Emotionalism, Collectivism, Universalism and Error

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

“Ligon Duncan wrapped-up day 1 with a session titled “Catechetical Evangelism,“ and while he elevated doctrine, he also issued a stern warning against becoming “lovelessly doctrinal.“ He gave a shout-out to the  ecumenical, inter-denominational New City Catechism, produced by [Tim] Keller’s Redeemer Network and The Gospel Coalition.”

(Toni S. Brown) The Gospel Coalition launched their annual conference this week in Indianapolis, TGC19-Conversations with Jesus, and considering the massive global influence they have successfully established it seems fitting that we should pay attention to the message and instruction coming out of this powerful and far-reaching organization. Continue reading →

Roma Downey’s Financial Contribution to New Ager Marianne Williamson Raises Many Questions

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“Our concern (one that is growing by the day) is with Christian leaders (men and women who name the name of Jesus Christ, who are highly influential and looked up to by millions – such as Greg Laurie and David Jeremiah) who are exhibiting very little or no discernment, such as in the situation with Roma Downey. And many are being misled because of this.”

Evangelical leaders such as Rick Warren, Greg Laurie, and David Jeremiah have shown public support for Roma Downey and her books, movies, and other media work for a number of years now. Lighthouse Trails has attempted to alert these leaders and the church at large that while Downey may be a sincere person, she is a New Age sympathizer and has consistently supported those sympathies. Continue reading →

Most Evangelical Leaders Have No Idea How the Gospel Works

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

“Homosexuality is a sin. Lust, even when not physically acted upon, is a sinful desire of the heart. It must be confronted with the gospel, and the gospel cannot be compromised. But these men are worried that we’re going to lose people in the Church if we don’t “soften our tone” or become more tolerant of homosexuals.” 

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  The Evangelical-Industrial Complex has long departed the historic and Biblical Christian faith and exchanged it for a system of emperors who have nothing better to do than to build and protect their own kingdoms…. Continue reading →

Mike Abendroth & Tom Buck tackle whether SSA is simply a temptation…or a sin against God

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

Sam Allberry is an Anglican priest who is same-sex attracted (SSA). Allberry has become one of the leading spokesman on the issue of homosexuality in the Church. In a series of articles, Pastor Tom Buck shares the bad theology and perverted counsel he discovered on Allberry’s website, Living Out, written by two of the website’s leaders. (Some of the posts were recently removed.) No Compromise Radio host Mike Abendroth invited Tom Buck on the program to discuss the reason for his concerns about SSA and to explain why he felt that it was necessary to write a 4 part series where he tackles the “gay Christian” movement that has swept through the visible Church like a prairie fire. What is in question is whether or not SSA is simply a temptation or a grievous sin…. Continue reading →

Ex-Gay Testimony: The Gospel Radically Changed My Heart and Desires

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“The Bible teaches no such thing as same-sex attraction for a Christian. Therefore if a man or women can live year after year with vile affections, they are habitually sinning and are not born of God. I fear and I believe most of these same-sex attraction preachers and ministers are not even born again. I see no fruit of repentance in their lives. I see no power of the cross working to kill their desires.”

(Josef Löwdin – Reformation Charlotte)  In an ungodly movement in the Church today, the idea that one can be a Christian while still sexually attracted to people of the same sex is gaining momentum…. Continue reading →

Raising ‘Theybies’: How Gender-Neutral Parenting Reinforces Stereotypes

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

Nate and Julia Sharpe of Massachusetts are raising their twins Zyler and Kadyn to be “aware of their own body parts,” but they “are not taught to associate those body parts with being a boy or girl.”

(Annie Crawford – CNS News) At a recent baby shower, Princess Meghan is said to have told a friend that she and Prince Harry will be raising “their child with a fluid approach to gender” and “won’t be imposing any stereotypes.” In keeping with this plan, Princess Meghan has decorated her nursery in gender-neutral white-and-grey color scheme. Continue reading →

Yale Law School Yanks Stipends From Students Who Work For Christian Firms

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , ,

Conservative students who read the announcement were outraged. At first glance, the policy looks like it applies to organizations with disfavored policy positions. A student working for ADF, for example, would not receive school funding because ADF advocates for natural marriage.

(Aaron Haviland – The Federalist)   Several weeks ago, I wrote about the challenges of being a Christian and a conservative at Yale Law School. A few days ago, the law school decided to double down and prove my point. Continue reading →

Planned Parenthood says your sex is whatever you feel like. That’s crazy.

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , ,

What exactly is a “prostate-owner,” you ask? Well, according to soft-core porn mag Teen Vogue, it means those whose anatomy includes a prostate. Detesting the precision of language, they refuse to call that individual a male, hence, “prostate-owner.”

(Ryan Bomberger – LifeSiteNews)  “Your genitals don’t make you a boy or a girl.” This is Planned Parenthood’s “gender spectrum” sex ed pseudoscience, championed by leading LGBT organizations including the ACLU, Lambda Legal, and Human Rights Campaign. It has rapidly become a religion among leftist politicians and Bible-evading churches where blasphemy can get you  fined,  fired and finished financially. Continue reading →

Satan Isn’t After the SBC, God Is

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

“If leaders and church members alike don’t fear God more than they fear the consequences of standing up for the abused, the possibility of church scandal or the threat of personal conflict, if we don’t fear God in light of what he promises is to come—abused sufferers will continue to get silenced and dishonestly characterized.”

(Rebekah Hannah – For the Church)   Last week as a series of articles outlined a detailed history of sexual abuse within Southern Baptist churches. I have friends and family affected inside what was reported. I am affected. Continue reading →

It Was Not So From The Beginning: What Nature And Grace Teach Us About SSA

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“Paul was not saying that sinners cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is composed of sinners redeemed by the grace of God. Those who continue in their former way of life, however, who profess faith in Christ but who live like pagans will not inherit the Kingdom because they have never entered the Kingdom. They have no saving relation to King Jesus by grace alone, through faith alone.”

(R. Scott Clark – Abounding Grace)  It is being argued in some evangelical quarters that same-sex attraction (SSA) or homosexual attraction is “natural” and that it SSA (sexual desire for someone of the same sex) is not per se sinful. One writer who defends this view quotes John Cheever who wrote that every attractive man was like a loaded pistol…. Continue reading →

What is ‘Rededicating Your Life to Christ’ and is it Biblical?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

“If you find yourself in a cycle of “rededication,” sadly to say, you may be deceiving yourself. If your life is not marked by genuine repentance, and a true desire to follow Jesus, and obey God’s word, you very well may be lost.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)   A popular concept within evangelical churches, especially college-age and young adults, is the idea that one can “rededicate” their life to Christ…. Continue reading →

The Disproportionate Rate Of Measurable Harm For Males And Females In Homosexual Relationships

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“Jesus taught us that the God-ordained union of “male and female” is our best clue that God intended sexual unions to be between two (and only two) persons. The requirement of two different sexes is the only foundation for rejecting more consistently the excessive structural sameness of incest. Eliminating this male-female foundation opens the door to other distorted sexual unions, at least for now of an adult-consensual nature.” 

(Robert A. J. Gagnon)  What’s the harm in endorsing homosexual relationships, apart from a violation of the overwhelming witness of Scripture, including the teaching of Jesus, leading to a consignment of many to eternal separation from God? Continue reading →