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

Take the Catchers Away!

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(Steve Lumbley – Apostasy Watch) I recently received an email from the pastor of a small church in Indiana. He was requesting permission to add apostasywatch.com to the list of recommended links on his church website. I told him that would be fine but I did request more information from him regarding his church and their beliefs. The following is an excerpt from one of the emails we have exchanged since then.

We briefly were caught up in the Pensacola Revival of the mid 1990’s. Several of us went there and thought it was a move of God. We “brought it back” with us to Indiana. … Continue reading →

John Piper Continues to Confuse Followers on Justification

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(Pulpit & Pen News) John Piper has been concerning his followers for quite some time when it comes to elaborating upon the Doctrine of Justification and what he, quite uniquely, calls, “final salvation.” Since Piper’s embrace of Douglas Wilson during the height of the Federal Vision controversy (Wilson has since left Federal Vision behind, thankfully), some Reformed Baptists have uneasily eyed Piper with suspicion on the topic.

Federal Vision, for those who don’t know, holds to twenty or so theological errors (so says the Orthodox Presbyterian Church) which make it aberrant. Since the OPC statement against Federal Vision, most Presbyterian denominations have gone on to formally condemn it. Continue reading →

How abandoning Sola Scriptura shipwrecks your faith

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(Berean Research) What is the difference between the spiritual transformation that happens through the Holy Spirit, and the Spiritual Formation movement that swept through our churches a few years ago?

The difference is night and day. I remember talking about this with the late Ken Silva in 2012. He helped me understand that the Spiritual Formation movement provided the platform and a channel through which mystical practices began entering many different evangelical and traditional denominations. Continue reading →

‘Pope Francis’ Decrees New Feast Day on Liturgical Calendar for Mary, ‘Mother of the Church’

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(Christian News Network) Roman Catholic leader Jorge Bergoglio, also known as “Pope Francis,” has decreed that a new feast day be added to the liturgical calendar to honor Mary, called “Mother of the Church.” The announcement has been deemed unbiblical as the Catholic Church continues to place inordinate emphasis on Mary.

The Vatican announced the decree on Saturday, noting that the new Roman Catholic holiday will be observed every year on the Monday after Pentecost. This year, the occasion will fall on May 21. Continue reading →

Why Teenagers Are Becoming ‘Trans-curious’

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(Joe Carter – The Gospel Coalition) “How is it possible young people are 329 percent more likely than adults to identify as transgender? How is it possible there are almost exactly as many teenagers who identify as transgender as there are adult men and women who identify as gay and lesbian? The only reasonable answer: the phenomenon is a social contagion driven by peers and pop culture, psychologists and pediatricians.”

The Story: A new study published in the medical journal Pediatrics finds many more teens than previously thought say they are transgender or identify themselves using other nontraditional gender terms. Continue reading →

University Goes Further Into PC Oblivion With Brand New Pronouns to ‘Keep Students Safe’

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(Western Journal) “Co,” “kit,” and “sie” are just a few of the personal pronouns advertised by Bryn Mawr College.

The Pennsylvania college’s “inclusion center” published a guide titled “Asking For and Using Pronouns: Making Spaces More Gender-Inclusive.”

The guide explains why pronouns are important, how to correct mistakes made in addressing people by their pronouns, and examples of personal pronouns, reported Campus Reform. View article →

Anne Graham Lotz Says Father Died on Feb 21 to Symbolize He’s Moses

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(Pulpit & Pen News) In the epistle of Jude verse 9 we find a dispute between Satan and Michael the Archangel over the bones of Moses. Different theories have arisen to explain why the two angels would fight over the bones of a dead man, but one seems to have consistently risen to the top of plausibility. It’s likely that the Israelites would have venerated his bones – much like the necromantic death-cult of Roman Catholicism does today – with Satan desiring to parade his bones and Michael preferring they be put to rest.

To our knowledge, there are no credible reports that Lucifer and Michael the Archangel are contending over the actual physical corpse of Billy Graham. View article →

See also:

Open Letter to Anne Graham Lotz Regarding the Circle Maker

Allegations about 40 gay priests in Italy sent to Vatican

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(Yahoo News) The archdiocese of Naples says it has sent the Vatican a 1,200-page dossier compiled by a male escort identifying 40 actively gay priests and seminarians in Italy.

In a statement on the diocesan website, Cardinal Cresenzio Sepe said none of the identified priests worked in Naples. But he said he decided to forward the file to the Vatican because “there remains the gravity of the cases for which those who have erred must pay the price, and be helped to repent for the harm done.” View article →

See our Research Paper on Roman Catholicism

Glenn Beck Chokes Up Over His Recollection of When Billy Graham Defended Him, a Mormon, as Being Christian

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(Christian News Network) “When we were children, we were making fun of the devil, and Daddy stopped us and said, ‘Don’t make fun of the devil. He’s a good devil,’” Ruth recounted, laughing. “Daddy never said anything ugly about anybody. … It’s quite a legacy for me, to not be so critical.”

In a video posted to YouTube on the day of Billy Graham’s death, talk show host Glenn Beck emotionally recollected to Ruth Graham, the daughter of Billy Graham, a time that he said Graham defended him—knowing that he was a Mormon—as being a Christian. Continue reading →

Facebook Threatens Christian Satire Site Babylon Bee over CNN Story

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Image via Babylon Bee

In a piece entitled “Facebook admits mistake in flagging satire about CNN spinning the news with a washing machine” uber liberal The Washington Post reports that Facebook flagged popular Christian satire site The Babylon Bee after the “independent fact-checkers” at Snopes reported that one of the site’s satirical articles was false. Eric Wemple has the story:

No, CNN doesn’t actually use a household appliance to prepare its daily output of scoops and analysis. That was the point that fact-checking site Snopes made in a March 2 story under the headline: “Did CNN Purchase an Industrial-Sized Washing Machine to Spin News?” Continue reading →

Discernment: What’s Love Got to Do with It?

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Spiritual discernment (wisdom) comes from knowing Jesus Christ. Those who have spiritual discernment have a heart for God, a biblical worldview that comes from reading God’s Word, and a love for Truth. Those who are spiritually discerning have no trouble recognizing false doctrine and those who teach it. Those who are spiritually discerning know exactly what has to be done when they encounter wolves in sheep’s clothing — they are to expose them, they are to turn from them, and most importantly, they are to warn the sheep about the wolves.

In 2016 Bible study author, speaker and blogger Michelle Lesley addressed the barrage of criticism leveled at those of us who are involved in online discernment ministries. One of the enemy’s favorite fiery darts is the Don’t judge lest ye be judged dart. And then he pulls the cruel You’re unloving dart from his quiver. Bing!  Right between the eyes. Our wily enemy is fully aware that getting accused of being judgmental and unloving (mean and divisive) can shut a person down. Continue reading →

Review: What Is The Bible? by Rob Bell

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Dr. Gary Gilley of Southern View Chapel reviews Rob Bell’s latest stab at discrediting God’s Word, What is the Bible? How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything. In this book “beloved author” Rob Bell claims that Jesus didn’t have to die, denies God’s wrath, says he believes all people are saints….and there are far worse unbiblical musings from the former pastor. Berean Research wrote in a post about his 2016 book How to Be Here, “We are in for another round of worldly, self-focused fulfillment. Not in Christ, but in, you know, you.” Here we go again. Continue reading →

God Does Not Give A Fresh Revelation, But He Rivets The Old One

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

Now there are some persons who make a great mistake about the influence of the Holy Spirit. A foolish man, who had fancy to preach in a certain pulpit, though in truth he was quite incapable of the duty, called upon the minister, and assured him solemnly that it had been revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, that he was to preach in his pulpit.

“Very well,” said the minister, “I suppose I must not doubt your assertion, but as it has not been revealed to me that I am to let you preach, you must go your way until it is.” I have heard many fanatical persons say the Holy Spirit revealed this and that to them. Now that is very generally revealed nonsense. View article →

Billy Graham’s Funeral Attracts Gaggle of Heretics

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(Pulpit & Pen News) Like moths to a flame, a gaggle of the world’s most notorious false teachers have flocked to eulogize and celebrate the death and life of Billy Graham. Attendees at the private, invitation-only event included Elevation Church pastor Steven Furtick, survival-slop peddling doomsday felon, Jim Bakker, and wild-eyed prophetess, Beth Moore.

Held at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, the whos-who of evangelicalism gathered for the occasion. Continue reading →

YouTube Secretly Using SPLC To Police Videos

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(The Daily Caller) The Southern Poverty Law Center is assisting YouTube in policing content on their platform, The Daily Caller has learned.

The left-wing nonprofit — which has more recently come under fire for labeling legitimate conservative organizations as “hate groups” — is one of the more than 100 nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and government agencies in YouTube’s “Trusted Flaggers” program, a source with knowledge of the arrangement told TheDC. View article →

Cleaning house: ‘No more free heresy!’

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This is the story of one church taking drastic steps to rid itself of the heresy from its church library.

Church libraries are a great source for free Christian reads, and those nice librarians rarely charge late fees. Notice I didn’t say “great Christian reads;” I said “free.” Unfortunately many church libraries contain some of the worst fiction in Christendom. Books by authors promoting the New Age, Spiritual Formation, Word of Faith, New Apostolic Reformation, Hebrew Roots, and every seeker-sensitive, feel-good, self-esteem-building, purpose-driven, paradigm-shifting message that distorts the True gospel of Jesus. View article →

Moody Bible Institute Takes Bold Step to Affirm Biblical Inerrancy

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(Julie Roys) In wake of allegations that not all its faculty affirm biblical inerrancy, the Moody Bible Institute (MBI) yesterday took a bold step to define and strengthen its position on inerrancy, and to hold its faculty accountable.

In an email sent to faculty and alumni, the institute announced it is adopting the Short Statement of the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, as well as its Articles of Affirmation and Denial. The institute further stated that all faculty will be required to sign an affirmation of the Chicago Statement as a condition of employment beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year. View article →

Leighton Flowers Accuses MacArthur of Inclusivism…Phil Johnson Responds

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(Pulpit & Pen) Leighton Flowers, defending Billy Graham’s assertion that people can be saved without knowing Jesus, has made the waters of Synergism even muddier. Flowers himself espoused the idea that it was possible to be saved without having heard of or believing in Jesus or the Gospel. He said…

Would God show Cornelius grace even prior to when Peter showed up with the Gospel? Of course…why…of course He would. He obviously showed him enough grace to send him the Gospel. Why wouldn’t He show him enough grace to save him if he perished prior to hearing the specifics of Jesus’ work? Again, I don’t think that’s unreasonable and that’s not beyond orthodoxy to hold to that worldview.  Continue reading →

Sarah Palin Just Exposed Anti-Christian Joy Behar’s Complete Hypocrisy

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(Western Journal) Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin pounced on “The View” co-host Joy Behar’s double standard when determining whether hearing from God is a “mental illness.”

“So, Joy Behar,” Palin tweeted on Wednesday, “do you consider our friend Oprah Winfrey’s prayer a sign of ‘mental illness,’ too? Double standards, much?”

The 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee’s question was a clear reference to Behar mocking Vice President Mike Pence for believing he can hear from Jesus Christ in prayer.  View article →

Photos: President Trump and First Lady Melania Pay Respects to Evangelical Icon Billy Graham

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President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump participated in a ceremony honoring Reverend Billy Graham in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday.

Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries said of Billy Graham, “he was always someone I had looked to as an example and someone I greatly admired in Christ. That is until troubling quotes and questionable associations he’d been making through the years kept coming up in research.” In a piece he wrote entitled John MacArthur on Roman Catholicis, Billy Graham, and ‘Evangelical’ Inclusivism, Silva posted a video clip of John MacArthur talking about how evangelicals, including Billy Graham, are accepting apostate Roman Catholicism as genuine Christianity. Silva also included a video of an appearance by Rev. Graham on Hour of Power with the late Robert Schuller that shows him saying some rather disturbing things about the future of Christianity.

So with this backdrop in place, here are Breitbart’s photos:  View article →

See also:

Bill Clinton Pays Respects to Billy Graham, Who Claimed Former President Had a Heart to ‘Do God’s Will’ 

In Disney’s much anticipated Frozen 2, Elsa just might be a lesbian

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(LifeSiteNews) Lending credence to rumors which surfaced a couple years ago, principals involved in the making of Disney’s Frozen 2 are keeping alive the possibility of Elsa coming out of the closet as a lesbian.

In fact, everyone involved with the production seems to love the buzz that speculation about Elsa’s sexual orientation is creating regarding the planned sequel.

“I love everything people are saying [and] people are thinking about with our film ― that it’s creating dialogue, that Elsa is this wonderful character that speaks to so many people,” said writer and co-director Jennifer Lee in an interview with the Huffington Post.  “It means the world to us that we’re part of these conversations.” Continue reading →

Finger of God: a Review of Darren Wilson’s Documentary

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In this piece over at Junction City, Gabriel Hughes responds to questions about a so-called “Christian” movie.

Dear Pastor Hughes: I would like to ask you a few questions regarding this film [Finger of God]. I read your blog, but I cannot find any new information. The Church I attend is planning to show this film. Would you recommend we do? If not, why? Any updated information will help me.  Thanks, Mario

Continue reading →

My Protestant Oscar Predictions

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(Carl Trueman – First Things) “The red carpet will provide us with a parade of beautiful people. That’s one way of looking at it. Here’s another: It will provide us with an endless stream of people who have cheated on spouses, betrayed friends, broken marriage vows, wrecked homes, had abortions.”

I make a point of never watching the Oscars. If I want to waste four hours of my life being alternately patronized and reminded what an abject failure I am according to the criteria contemporary society holds dear, I can always read The New Yorker. But I am sufficiently aware of what goes on at the Oscars to venture a few predictions. Continue reading →

Teacher talks about safety after Florida school shooting, is told to get psych exam, go on leave

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(Todd Starnes – Fox News) By nearly every account Timothy Locke is one of the most beloved teachers in the Cherry Hill, N.J., school district.

Locke is a veteran of the Iraq war and for the past 17 years he’s flavored his classroom lessons at Cherry Hill East High School with real-life experiences.

But on Feb. 22, the veteran school teacher was summoned to the principal’s office where his bag was searched, he was placed on administrative leave and was ordered to undergo a physical and a psychiatric evaluation. View article →