(Pulpit & Pen) Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) trustees were under immense outside pressure during yesterday’s meeting to oust long-term president and bulwark of the Conservative Resurgence, Paige Patterson. Patterson, an old war-horse of conservative evangelicalism, has survived many scandals over his tenure. From protecting rapist, Darrell Gilyard to enrolling Muslims in the seminary as an evangelism strategy, Patterson’s giant footprint in Southern Baptist life has generally protected him from closer scrutiny. He could not survive, however, the current trajectory of the Southern Baptist Convention’s political correctness and fixation on social justice. … Continue reading
Author Archives: Marsha West
Are there codes in the Bible?
Well, a lot of professing Christians believe that there are secret codes in the Bible. Supposedly the original text of Scripture contains hidden messages. In fact, some “experts” would have us believe that they’ve used mathematical patterns to discover codes in the Bible. Others who’ve searched for codes claim to have discovered them though the use of computers.
So, what does researcher and blogger Elizabeth Prata think about hidden codes in the Bible? Are those who claim they’ve discovered cryptic messages God hid in Scripture and written books about their discoveries to be believed? Let’s visit Elizabeth’s blog, The End Time, and find out what John MacArthur has to say about Bible codes: Continue reading
In Politicized Justice, Desperate Times Call for Disparate Measures
(Andrew C. McCarthy – National Review) “Clinton’s bid was saved, not destroyed, by Obama’s law-enforcement agencies, which tanked a criminal case on which she should have been indicted. And the hush-hush approach taken to the counterintelligence case against Donald Trump was not intended to protect the Republican candidate; it was intended to protect the Obama administration from the specter of a Watergate-level scandal had its spying on the opposition party’s presidential campaign been revealed.”
We wuz robbed. That’s the theme Democrats and their media allies are working hard to cement into conventional wisdom. And robbed in a very specific way: The 2016 presidential election, we’re to believe, was stolen from Hillary Clinton by disparate treatment. As Democrats tell it, the FBI scandalized their candidate while protecting Donald Trump. Continue reading
10 ways to identify false teaching
In March we linked to Rick Becker’s “8 reasons believers shouldn’t remain in a church” and in April “10 invalid arguments in defense of false teachers.” So now Becker offers his view of the 10 ways to identity false teaching. In #5, False teaching Misinterpret the kingdom of God, he reminds us:
Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world, but some teachings make the kingdom all about this world. Dominion theology teaches that man lost dominion in the garden, and this is the time of restoring that dominion. The church will supposedly conquer the seven mountains of society: religion, education, business, family, government, arts, media. Jesus contradicted this false notion: ” “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36
Learn more on the New Apostolic Reformation aka Dominionism’s 7 Mountain Mandate here
Now, discover some of the ways in which we can identify false teaching: Continue reading
A Royal Wedding: How Bishop Michael Curry’s Sermon Was Not Royal Enough
(Gabriel Hughes – Junction City) So there was a royal wedding this weekend. Did you know that? You’ve probably had little contact with the outside world in the last several weeks if you hadn’t at least heard about it. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, an American actress, were proclaimed husband and wife yesterday during a fairy-tale wedding at Windsor Castle in the English county of Berkshire.
As you might expect, it was quite lavish: the bride wore a 16-foot veil, the couple rode in a 1968 Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero converted to electric, and they had a wedding cake worth more than I’ve ever made in a year. An estimated 1.9 billion people tuned in to watch worldwide. Yet I was not one of them. Continue reading
The Misleading Language of the Social Justice Movement
(Darrell B. Harrison – Kaleoscope) “The concept of the black race and the white race originated with the Enemy himself. Just as he sowed seeds of doubt in the garden of Eden with his “hath God really said,” he has continued through the ages to offer a lie in the place of God’s truth. His attack has been anything but subtle. This web of deceit has brought hatred and bigotry into the church. What we are left with is a huge divide that is no more evident than at the 11:00 worship hour on Sunday mornings.” – Dr. John M. Perkins, One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race
It was more than half a century ago, on December 18, 1963, to be exact, when, during a Q&A session at Western Michigan University, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated the following: “We must face the fact that in America, the church is still the most segregated major institution in America. At 11:00 on Sunday morning, when we stand and sing and Christ has no east or west, we stand at the most segregated hour in this nation.”
“Segregated”?
Really? Continue reading
Pope Says God Makes People Gay
(Rod Dreher – The American Conservative) “But if the Pope means that homosexuality is a matter of moral indifference, then Catholics have a very serious theological problem on their hands with this Pope, who has just blown a hole into Catholic moral theology with regard to sexuality.”
Via Eponymous Flower, one of the molestation victims of a Chilean priest tells the Spanish daily El País what Pope Francis said to him in their recent meeting:
“Juan Carlos, that you are gay does not matter. God made you like that and he loves you like that and I do not care. The Pope wants you like that, you have to be happy with who you are.”
The Mystery of History
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. Sovereign Lord,
they said, you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them
Acts 4:23-24
After being released from custody of the Sanhedrin, the apostles did not go out to organize a revolutionary committee to overthrow them. They did not even try to arouse a popular demonstration. The clear evidence of this passage is that they had popular support. But the apostles do not rely for even one minute upon political or popular pressure. Continue reading on Ray Stedman Daily Devotions
All Chilean bishops offer their resignation over sexual abuse cover-up
(The Guardian) Chile’s bishops have offered to resign en masse over a sexual abuse and cover-up scandal that has embroiled Pope Francis and has been highly damaging to the Catholic church.
Thirty-one serving bishops and three retired bishops signed a letter of resignation on Friday. “We have put our positions in the hands of the Holy Father and will leave it to him to decide freely for each of us,” they said. “We want to ask forgiveness for the pain caused to the victims, to the pope, to God’s people and to our country for the serious errors and omissions we have committed.” Continue reading
Middle Schoolers in West Virginia Had to Write ‘Allah Is One True God’ in Arabic
(Kyle Becker – LifeZette) A West Virginia parent, Rich Penkoski, was displeased to see his 7th grade daughter bring home a “calligraphy” assignment that asked students to write an Islamic pledge to Allah in Arabic last week.
He contacted the principal, Ron Branch, at Mountain Ridge Middle School — and wanted an explanation as to why his daughter was asked to inscribe the Shahada.
The Arabic passage translates to, “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah.”
Transgender Woman Sues After Muslim Refuses Body Waxing Service
(Amanda Prestigiacomo – Daily Wire) An unnamed male-to-female transgender is suing a spa in Canada after a female Muslim employee refused to wax him, citing religious grounds.
According to the filed complaint, the trans woman tried to get a body waxing at Mad Wax beauty spa in March but was turned away when no one was available to perform the waxing. The employee who typically waxes male customers was out on sick leave, and the other employee working, a Muslim woman, refused, as she will not make physical contact with any male she is not related to.
Confrontation!
They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. Acts 5:40b-42
I love that. They did not stop. They counted themselves fortunate to suffer dishonor for his name. It seems to take Christians so long to face up to the simple declaration of Scripture that, when they were called to be a Christian, they were called to suffer. As Paul said in his letter to the Philippians, For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.
(Philippians 1:29). We are called to this. Suffering is an integral part of the Christian experience. It is not something that is unusual or reserved for just a few; it is for all. Peter wrote, Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
(1 Peter 4:12). Don’t think it is strange. You go through problems, difficulties, heartaches, disappointments, ostracism and coolness from others, all for the sake of the Name.
Don’t think that is strange. It is that to which we are called. Continue reading on Ray Stedman Daily Devotions
‘Your Prayers Don’t Work’; Hollywood Uses Shooting to Push Gun Control
(Corinne Weaver – NewsBusters) Sympathy and charity are the natural reactions to a tragedy. Using the deaths of innocent people as an immediate platform for political gain is inhuman.
So, naturally, that’s the route Hollywood elitists chose to take just hours after the school shooting in Santa Fe that left 10 dead and several injured. Actors and actresses attacked everything they could get their hands on with blind, misdirected rage and virtuous grandstanding. It was like a wake of ghoulish vultures, screeching “YOUR PRAYERS DON’T WORK.” Continue reading
Let’s Stop Calling It Liberalism
(Yosef Cohen – American Thinker) “…if we are to move forward during the Trump presidency and when it comes to its close, men and women of dignity across the land must abandon the words “liberal,” “progressive,” and “Democrat.” Yes, a linguistic turn is that important. To continue with misleading propaganda is to carry forth in darkness, when we have been given one last chance at the light.”
America is being made great again in the wake of Obama’s failed presidency, which in hindsight already appears as nothing more than the absurd climax of affirmative action gone off the rails. Trump has wiped the floor with his legacy while building an incredible one of his own. Continue reading
Sharing Faith Is Increasingly Optional to Christians
(Barna) “Christians today, more than 25 years ago, perceive social barriers to sharing their faith. They are more likely to agree that faith-sharing is only effective when they already have a relationship with the other person (47% vs. 37% in 1993) and to admit they would avoid a spiritual conversation if they knew their non-Christian friend would reject them (44% vs. 33%).”
When was the last time you had a conversation about God? For most people, the unfortunate and surprising answer to that question is not very often. Spiritual conversations are exceedingly rare for most Americans, and even for Christians, who are at best reluctant to have them. Continue reading
Discernment: A Spiritual Battle, Not a Logical One
When it comes to convincing a professing Christian that their doctrine is unbiblical or that a teacher they follow is actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Bible study author, speaker and blogger Michelle Lesley reveals how she deals with this issue:
“My job is not to argue my friend into believing that Joel Osteen or Beth Moore or Benny Hinn or Christine Caine is a false teacher. My job is to lovingly present what Scripture says, demonstrate how the teacher is in conflict with it, leave it on the table, walk away, and continue to pray for my friend. My job is done. It is now the Holy Spirit’s job to open my friend’s eyes and change her heart.” Continue reading
Should I Stay Home from Church When Life Gets Hard?
(Eric Davis – The Cripplegate) A wise man once said, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). The “many,” “tribulations,” and “must” combine to make life really, really hard at times. Pain seems to crash upon its victims with inhumane force. It comes in all forms—physical, spiritual, relational, some excruciating combination. There are times when it just seems impossible to continue another moment.
Thankfully however, we have a loving God who is sovereign over suffering. He’s not pushing buttons from a distance, but intimately walking through it with us. What a great thing it is to have the Lord as our shepherd. He cares for us, not by always sparing us from sorrow, but leading us through it. He binds us up through various means; the word of God, prayer, corporate worship. Continue reading
‘I Kissed a Girl’ Katy Perry Speaks About Transcendental Meditation at Vatican Conference
(Heather Clark – Christian News) Pop singer Katheryn Hudson, who goes by the stage name Katy Perry and is known for her lesbian experimentation song “I Kissed a Girl,” recently spoke on transcendental meditation alongside her mentor at the Vatican’s “Unite to Cure” conference. Her appearance, along with others, such as Deepak Chopra and Dr. Mehmet Oz, have raised concern about ongoing ecumenism at the Vatican in joining together all kinds of beliefs and practices under one banner.
“Bobby was able to teach me meditation in India,” Hudson told those gathered during the talk entitled “Impacting Children’s Health Through Meditation Globally.” “The stillness that I found is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.” Continue reading
Che Ahn: ‘The 1994 revival in Toronto restored the office of the apostle’
(Churchwatch Central) One of the reasons why we are publishing a lot of particular articles at the moment is to lay the groundwork in order to expose Dr. Michael Brown’s attempt to mainstream the New Apostolic Reformation’s teaching on the ‘new apostolic paradigm’ of restored offices of apostle and prophet. To do this, we need to acknowledge the top leaders of this movement and how they perceived the revivals of the 1990s – and how they read that in light of the developments of the New Apostolic Reformation.
In this article, we look at the work of Che Ahn, a leading NAR leader who openly talks about the New Apostolic Reformation and calls it the ‘Apostolic Reformation’ or the ‘apostolic movement’. Continue reading
Andy Stanley’s Modern Marcionism
(Wesley Hill – First Things) Walk into one of the old Episcopal churches on the East Coast, and once your eye has adjusted to the light slanting in through the clear glass windowpanes onto plain white walls, one of the first things you’re likely to notice is the writing on the eastern wall behind the pulpit. Step closer and you’ll see it’s a placard with the Ten Commandments in flowing script. In 1604, this placarding of the Decalogue became a canonical requirement for Anglican parishes. A posting of the Commandments was to be “set up on the East end of every Church and Chapel, where the people may best see and read the same.” Right above the communion table, in view of all sermon-hearers, the Commandments were to issue their silent implication: These ancient words remain the word of God for the people of God. Continue reading
Trump expected to cut Planned Parenthood funding through regs
(Jessie – Hellmann – The Hill) The Trump administration may take action to cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood as a result of pressure from congressional Republicans and anti-abortion lobbyists.
Opponents of abortion have launched an all-out campaign urging the administration to bring back Reagan-era abortion restrictions on federal family planning dollars that would target Planned Parenthood. Continue reading
Artificial Intelligence Summoning Demons According To Tech Genius – ‘No One Is Paying Attention.’
(Ruby Henley – InvestmentWatchBlog) “I think we had better start to pay attention. This must be way more advanced than what we know, so we must be aware of what is most likely another great deception.”
When I watched this video, I had to do a second take. I thought I had misunderstood this man’s words, but I was not mistaken. I am still amazed at what he said to the audience in trying to explain the sinister facets of artificial intelligence. As Elon Musk had said at an earlier time, “we are summoning the demon.” Continue reading
Church Pastor asking SBC to vote down ‘social justice’
(OneNewsNow) A pastor is urging the Southern Baptist Convention to take a stand next month against the social justice movement and its liberal worldview.
Grady Arnold, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Cuero, Texas, has submitted a proposal to the SBC resolutions committee for the annual meeting, scheduled for June 12-13 in Dallas.
The proposals are given to the committee which can accept them and present them to the convention “messengers” that represent South Baptist congregations. Continue reading
Mormon, Mitt Romney, Throws Fit that Baptist Preacher Led Prayer at Jerusalem Embassy Opening
Pastor Robert Jeffress
(Pulpit & Pen) Mormon ex-presidential candidate and current U.S. Senate candidate has spoken out in anger about Baptist preacher, Robert Jeffress, praying at the opening of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem. Calling Jeffress a “religious bigot,” Romney took exception that the pastor would be given the honor of praying at today’s opening of the embassy, by invitation of the President of the United States. The embassy had previously been located in Tel Aviv, and although other presidents have pledged to move the embassy to Jerusalem in a symbolic overture noting that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, until President Trump, no one has followed through on the promise. The embassy opened today amidst protest by Palestinians and at least one Mormon in Utah.
See Rromney’s tweet on the site Continue reading
For Our Kids’ Sake, Responsible Adults Have to Raise the Bar on Sexual Behavior
(Meg Meeker, MD – LIfeZette) “We must use these scandals as an opportunity to confront a toxic sexual culture that confuses our children, ushers numerous diseases into their lives (if you doubt me, check out the latest data on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website), and stand firmly against the foul sexual messages pushed out by the media.”
Powerful men often fall short in their personal lives. We’ve all seen Matt Lauer, Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, and many others fall — scandalously. Continue reading