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

Why Trump doesn’t admit Russian election interference

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Photo attribute www.kremlin.ru

“So why did he do what he did? The answer has to do with the peculiar nature of the Russia investigation, and the peculiar nature of Donald Trump.”

(Byron York – Washington Examiner)  Was Russia’s effort to interfere in the 2016 election the most important issue on the table at President Trump’s Helsinki summit with President Vladimir Putin? No. But it’s not an unimportant issue either, and Trump knew the American press is obsessed with it. So he knew it would play a big role in the Trump-Putin post-summit news conference. Continue reading →

Gallup Polls Show Americans Couldn’t Care Less (Literally) About ‘Situation With Russia’

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(Joseph Curl – Daily Wire) Judging from the mainstream media’s breathless coverage of President Trump’s alleged blunders in Helsinki during his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, it’s clearly the biggest story in the history of the world (mankind’s harnessing of fire is a distant second).

Google “Trump” and “treason” and you’ll break your computer.

So what do Americans think? What percentage think the “situation with Russia” is “the most important problem facing the country today”?

*

No, that’s the answer, an asterisk. The percentage of people who think Russia is the most pressing issue is literally unmeasurable.

Gallup did a poll of 1,033 people from July 1 to July 11 and found 37 issues Americans care more about.    View article →

Matt Chandler Preaches Charismatic Poppycock

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“Using what appears to be snippets of a few of the Church Fathers on miraculous gifting that were obtained probably from a brief Google search of charismatic websites, Chandler claims that the first 500 years of church history were replete with accounts of the miraculous. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.”

(Pulpit & Pen)  Something eventually happens to everyone who calls themselves a Charismatic Calvinist;” they eventually become all of one thing and none of the other. Like with Mark Driscoll, the charismatic side of the Charismatic Calvinist grows and grows more wildly out of control as claims of dubious supernatural manifestations grow so pervasive that it strangles out any vestiges of good theology that remain. One simply cannot deny the sufficiency of Scripture (which is the foundational anthesis of the Charismatic Movement) for very long without having it grow like a pervasive and invasive fungus upon the rest of their theology, stifling and snuffing out anything wholesome or true. Continue reading →

Genetically modified babies given go ahead by UK ethics body

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The Nuffield Council on Bioethics says changing the DNA of a human embryo could be ‘morally permissable’ if it is in the child’s best interests

(Ian Sample – The Guardian)  The creation of babies whose DNA has been altered to give them what parents perceive to be the best chances in life has received a cautious green light in a landmark report from a leading UK ethics body.

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics said that changing the DNA of a human embryo could be “morally permissible” if it was in the future child’s interests and did not add to the kinds of inequalities that already divide society. Continue reading →

The dangerous theology of Spiritual Breakthrough

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“Spiritual breakthrough” is a term that seems to have more in common with animism and African Traditional Religion, than Christianity.  ATR and animism teach that there are evil forces that constantly bind and oppose us and we need to break through these oppressive forces to access God’s favour.

(PastorFish)  Many conferences and meetings, under the banner of Christianity, promise spiritual breakthroughs to take your faith to the next level.

There are books written about spiritual breakthroughs: Continue reading →

Revoice Pastor Open to Hosting Christian Pedophile Conference

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Intro from Crosspolitic interview on YouTube: “Pastor Greg Johnson, whose church is hosting the Revoice.us conference, joins us for a very challenging conversation. We hope this hard conversation is a blessing to the Church, and to Greg, who was willing to join us knowing the disagreements.”

(Pulpit & Pen)  Greg Johnson, the pastor of the PCA church that is hosting the infamous “Gay Christian” Revoice Conference, says that he’s open to a similar conference for Christians identifying as pedophiles. Continue reading →

Your Respectable Sin Is Your Achilles Heel

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“There are many different examples of respectable sins that we often overlook because they aren’t on the same level as open adultery or murder—but they’re just as deadly. Interestingly enough, the small venomous snake is often more deadly because they inject their venom without any restraint when they bite their prey. “

(Josh Buice – Delivered By Grace) The author of Hebrews sounds like a track and field coach explaining the need for proper attire and the danger of unnecessary resistance as he writes, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1). The Christian life is not a sprint—it’s a marathon. Who dresses in long jeans and bulky leather shoes for a marathon? Continue reading →

Shroud of Turin Bloodstains Likely Fake, Not of Jesus Christ: Forensic Experts

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“This is just not what happens to a person on a cross,” Borrini said, noting that the comparison model displayed very different blood angle patterns than the shroud.

(Stoyan Saimov – Christian Post) Bloodstains found on the shroud of Turin burial cloth, believed by many to have once wrapped the body of Jesus Christ, are likely fake, according to new research reported in the Journal of Forensic Sciences.

In June 2017, researchers at the Institute of Crystallography found traces of blood on the 14-foot-long relic, with initial analysis of the particles discovering “a scenario of great suffering, whose victim was wrapped up in the funeral cloth.” Continue reading →

First Lesbian Reinstated to U.S. Army Comes Out Against Transgender ‘Erasure of Women’

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“Earlier this month, a group called “Get the L Out” marched against transgenderism at the London Pride Parade. This group claimed that the transgender push for “the social transition of lesbians” is actually a form of conversion therapy, because it turns lesbian women into straight men. The group also warned — rightly — about the long-lasting damage transgender “therapies” can wreak on healthy human bodies.”

(Tyler – O’Neil – PJ Media) Feminists have finally begun to clash openly with the transgender movement, and the strongest attacks have come from lesbians. A lesbian Army veteran with an impressive pedigree has joined the charge, denouncing the transgender movement for erasing women. Continue reading →

A Sober Warning from the Earliest Christians

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“People today are perfectly willing to tolerate the Christian faith as long as it doesn’t disrupt the unifying principle of tolerance.”

(Tim Challies)  When I was a kid, my family once watched a movie that included vivid scenes of persecution against the earliest Christians. I remember lying awake at night, terrified by these images of Christians burning in the streets and being fed to the lions. I couldn’t help but imagine myself in the place of those beleaguered believers. At the time, I assumed they were being persecuted simply for being Christians, but as I’ve studied early church history, I’ve come to realize it’s not quite so simple. And as simplicity gives way to reality, I see there are some important lessons we can learn today through that early church persecution. Continue reading →

Brannon Howse Scurries to Cover Lies, Justin Peters Responds

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[Howse] has repeatedly lashed out at Peters for the last year, while Peters has remained stoically silent. Only after these repeated falsehoods has Peters decided to respond.

(Pulpit & Pen) We originally highlighted this story in a post on July 11. However, we then had to update the post on July 13, after Howse filed a copyright claim against Justin’s response video (in a stunningly hypocritical move, considering Brannon used a snippet of a recording that he did not own, also under the Fair Use Doctrine). In the update, we included the video, linked elsewhere besides YouTube, where Howse had it removed under his false complaint. Continue reading →

Assertions and Assumptions are NOT the Foundation of the Church

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Steven Kozar of Messed Up Church, a blog over at Pirate Christian, believes that much of the bad teaching in churches happens because people who teach often make unbiblical assertions.  And the gullible folks in the pews just assume what they’re being taught is the gospel truth.  After all, pastors/teachers/church leaders would never stray from the truth, right?

Some pastors/teachers/church leaders get away with using assertions by claiming that what they’re teaching came directly from the Almighty, even when what they’re teaching is patently absurd. In other words, they use the “God told me” card to get gullible folks to accept what they’re saying.

So – now to Steve’s piece. He writes: Continue reading →

Pedophiles Believe They Should Be A Part of the LGBT Community

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Many blogs exist on Tumblr showing support for MAPs, claiming that they should be a part of the LGBT community and attempting to create “safe spaces” for these “minor attracted persons”.

(Jessica Jenkins – Daily Caller)  Pedophiles are rebranding themselves as “MAPs” or “Minor Attracted Persons” in an effort to gain acceptance and be included into the LGBT community.

According to Urban Dictionary, the blanket term MAP includes infantophiles (infants), pedophiles (pre-pubescent children), hebephiles (pubescent children), and ephebophiles (post-pubescent children). Some MAPs also refer to themselves as NOMAPs or “Non-Offending Minor Attracted Persons”.   View article →

Related:

Homosexual Agenda

The United Methodist Church has appointed a transgender deacon

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“I understand the rules of the church,” Barclay said. “But here’s the truth: I’m queer, and I’m called to this. I tried to walk away.”

(Julie Zauzmer – Washington Post) The bishop spoke the traditional words as she placed her hands on the new deacon named M with just a slight difference from the way those words have always been spoken before.

“Pour out your Holy Spirit upon M,” the bishop said. “Send them now to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to announce the reign of God and to equip the church for ministry.” Continue reading →

Growing in Discernment

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

How do you measure maturity? It is not a function of how old you are—society is dominated by multiple generations of immature adults who refuse to act their age. Maturity is tested by time, but it’s not a question of how long a person has lived. Rather, it’s determined by how wisely he or she lives.

The same is true in the spiritual realm. It doesn’t matter how long a person has sat under the teaching of God’s Word if his life is still dominated by fickle emotionalism, foolish worldliness, and shallow spirituality. Exposure to the Word alone won’t make us mature Christians—we must be faithful and disciplined to put it to work in our lives.  View article →

The Rise of Woker-Than-Thou Evangelicalism

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“Those of us who don’t believe that kind of “wokeness” reflects biblical integrity have been scolded, shamed, and called racists by key leaders from both organizations.”

(Phil Johnson – Pyromaniacs)  Unless you have been living in seclusion somewhere, you will have noticed that a radical putsch is currently underway to get evangelicals on board with doctrines borrowed from Black Liberation Theology, Critical Race Theory, Intersectional Feminism, and other ideologies that are currently stylish in the left-leaning secular academy. … Continue reading →

More Black Babies in New York City are Killed in Abortions Than Born Alive

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“The magnitude of the death toll is nothing short of staggering.”

(Dan Undrusko – Life News) Can you imagine the response of Planned Parenthood or New York’s reliably pro-abortion-to the-max Gov. Andrew Cuomo to this proposal made yesterday by Wall Street Journal columnist Jason L. Riley?

Let’s Talk About the Black Abortion Rate

How about no, absolutely no, positively no, and “you must be a racist for asking it”? Continue reading →

Reciprocity Is the Method to Trump’s Madness

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“During the lifetime of NAFTA, Mexico has encouraged millions of its citizens to enter the U.S. illegally. Mexico’s selfish immigration policy is designed to avoid internal reform, to earn some $30 billion in annual expatriate remittances, and to influence U.S. politics.”

(Victor Davis Hanson – National Review)  Critics of Donald Trump claim that there’s no rhyme or reason to his foreign policy. But if there is a consistency, it might be called reciprocity.

Trump tries to force other countries to treat the U.S. as the U.S. treats them. In “don’t tread on me” style, he also warns enemies that any aggressive act will be replied to in kind. Continue reading →

Fifteen Ways to Know you are Growing in Holiness

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“We should be constantly fighting against sin, and going to war with particular sins in our lives. These fifteen examples will prove helpful in our ability to notice growth when going to war against our flesh.”

(Jordan Standridge – The Cripplegate) Over the past few weeks I have been reading Edward Welch’s new book A small book about a big problem. Although I wouldn’t have described myself as someone who struggled with anger this book has revealed how much and how often I do fall short in this area. Continue reading →

Are You Living Worthy of the Gospel?

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“God expects us to live in ways appropriate for citizens of this heavenly nation. We need to live in such a way that we enhance the reputation of the gospel and the Christ of the gospel.”

(Tim Challies)  The Bible tells us that we are to live lives that are worthy of the gospel. Specifically, in Philippians 1 Paul tells the church, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” I recently found myself reflecting on that word worthy. How can we actually live in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ? Is that even a possibility? Continue reading →

When Abortion Becomes A Sacrament

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Gloria Steinem once remarked, “If men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament.” But modern-day feminists have determined that abortion is a sacrament specifically because women can get pregnant…

(Ben Shapiro – Daily Wire)  This week, amid widespread Democratic tumult regarding the selection of a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, alleged comedian Michelle Wolf paid tribute to the most important facet of American life: abortion. On her Netflix show on Sunday, Wolf dressed up in red, white and blue, and shrieked into the camera, “God bless abortions, and God bless America!” She explained: “Women, if you need an abortion, get one! If you want an abortion, get one! … And women, don’t forget: You have the power to give life and men will try to control that. Don’t let them!” Continue reading →

Video: Justin Peters Responds to Slander/Libel By Brannon Howse

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“Peters noticed that Howse had made (or updated/re-uploaded) a blatantly untrue video attacking him this Spring. Peters did a response video this morning, with indisputable evidence that Howse knowingly bore false witness against him.”

(Pulpit & Pen)  Although he is often right about important issues, Brannon Howse has a scorched-earth policy towards those who disagree with him on non-essential matters. Angered that Justin Peters would politely disagree with James White’s 2017 Interfaith Dialogue but that Peters stopped short of outright condemning White, Howse set his sights on Peters and some of his other Worldview Weekend broadcasters who took a more measured approach of criticism. … Continue reading →