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

When Paul Sent the Celebrity Pastor

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church and a Council Member of The Gospel Coalition, wrestles with what it means to be a “celebrity pastor.” Could Christians be misguided in their allegiance to specific teachers and leaders? He writes:

Here is a verse that caught my attention yesterday: “With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel” (2 Cor. 8:18).

There are many things we’d like to know, but don’t know about this verse.

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Oprah Still Insists She is a Christian

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

Oprah Winfrey once again has declared herself to be a Christian, and many of her fans believe her. Examining Oprah’s own words, Marsha West exposes how Oprah’s profession contradicts the truths of Scripture.

Oprah has consistently, and unapologetically, rejected an essential tenet of the Christian faith: There is only one path to God, through the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus stated unequivocally, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Yet Oprah rejects Christ’s own words while at the same time declaring: “I’m Christian!”

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Nebraska Football Coach: "To Be Fired for My Faith Would be a Greater Honor"

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News

LifeSite News reports:

University of Nebraska’s assistant football coach, Ron Brown, who is facing censure and calls for his dismissal for publicly expressing his biblically-based views against the homosexual lifestyle, has stated that he’d rather be fired than retract his comments.

Brown expressed his belief in the Bible’s condemnation of homosexual acts as sinful, then stated, “the real question I guess I have for you all is – what does God say?”

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Evolution Pushed in Roman Catholic Bibles for Latin America

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

Ken Ham of Answers In Genesis, a ministry that seeks to provide answers to questions surrounding the book of Genesis and creation, brings to light a Roman Catholic Bible, written in Spanish, that is the “official” Bible used in Latin American countries. This Spanish Bible maintains that evolution is a fact, something Ken Ham disputes. He writes:

The universe, say the authors in their introduction, took “millions and billions of years” to form. After the authors describe how evolutionary ideas came about, they write, “Where are we trying to get with this? Simply that a vision of the world in evolution fits perfectly with the Christian notion of time and of the ‘ages’ of history.”

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Kay Warren Preaches at Controversial Crystal Cathedral

By ∙ ∙ In Opinion

The Christian Post reports that Kay Warren recently delivered a sermon at the Crystal Cathedral at two Sunday Services.

Until his retirement in 2010 after 55 years in the pulpit, controversial preacher Dr. Robert Schuller held the prestigious position of Founding Pastor of the famed Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA. Schuller was also the host of the Hour of Power televangelism broadcast with a worldwide audience of over 20 million viewers.

Robert Schuller is known for his positive, uplifting message. The late Christian apologist Dr. Walter Martin coined the phrase “gospel of self-esteem” to describe Schuller’s teaching. Schuller’s message conveniently left out man’s sinful nature and need for a Savior and instead focused on man’s need for “self-dignity.” Indeed, Schuller’s overarching message could be viewed as a type of “new liberalism.”

In his piece, “The Root of This New Downgrade No-Controversy,” Pastor Ken Silva quotes Dr. John MacArthur as saying just that:

And I’ll tell you, how do you know it’s the new liberalism? Because you can’t stop a seeker-friendly movement, because it’s going to be redefined, it’s going to be redefined, it’s going to be redefined… It’s relentlessly being redefined because the culture changes so fast in a media-driven society. It changes so fast!…

You know, Schuller is the architect of this. Robert Schuller is the absolute father. The grandfather of the movement, who was a little bit below the radar, was Norman Vincent Peale. Norman Vincent Peale is a classic liberal. The primary impact that Norman Vincent Peale has had on the world is through his leading disciple, Robert Schuller, who said to me, “I can sign the confession of my denomination and makes the words mean anything I want them to mean.” Well, that’s classic neo-orthodoxy—or liberalism (whichever).

Source

Robert Schuller claims to have launched the megachurch movement through his Church Growth Institute, and his website has included Rick Warren at the top of the list of pastors who were mentored there:

We are the home of the world’s first Church Growth Institute, launching the mega-church movement in the 20th century. Tens of thousands of pastors, including famous graduates Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Bishop Blake, Walt Kallestad, and Sundo Kim of Korea, were mentored here. Source

Interestingly, in a 2002 Christianity Today article, Kay Warren acknowledged the influence that Robert Schuller had on both her and her husband:

During his last year in seminary, he and Kay drove west to visit Robert Schuller’s Institute for Church Growth. “We had a very stony ride out to the conference,” she says, because such nontraditional ministry scared her to death. Schuller, though, won them over. “He had a profound influence on Rick,” Kay says. “We were captivated by his positive appeal to nonbelievers. I never looked back.” Source

One may wonder why, as part of the Southern Baptist Convention, Kay Warren would be found preaching in a church that has long propagated false teaching. Yet, the above evidence seems to offer a more than adequate explanation.

Is Transhumanism 'Inevitable'?

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David Yonke, religion editor of The Toledo Blade, reports on a lecture that outlined the subject of transhumanism, the use of technological means to modify the human species with the intention of improving the human condition. The lecture was given by Rev. Mark Douglas, a Presbyterian minister, theologian, ethicist, and professor at Columbia Theological Seminary. It pointed out that transhumanism raises many religious, ethical and practical concerns. View article →

Dr. Martin Erdmann offers a more orthodox view on the subject in his 2011 article, “Creating a Posthuman New Breed.” View article →

All For Gaia: Earth Day and Total Transformation for a Post-Christian World

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

On Sunday, 22 April, millions of Americans celebrated the environmental holiday Earth Day. But what exactly is being celebrated on Earth Day? It is not a stretch to say that most Americans are unaware of its pagan roots. The truth is, Earth Day isn’t so much about saving the planet from the “ravages of mankind” as it is a day to worship Gaia, also known as the Universal Mother. Carl Teichrib of Forcing Change uproots what Earth Day really represents and why Christians should think twice before they join in the festivities and “offer sacrifices of ‘good works’ to the planet.” View article →

An Invasion of Error: A Review of Bill Johnson's "When Heaven Invades Earth"

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

In a recent article and interview, Bob DeWaay offers a detailed review of Bill Johnson’s book, When Heaven Invades Earth. DeWaay demonstrates that Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, CA, and a key figure in the movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, “has departed from orthodox Christian teaching in many serious ways.” DeWaay illustrates how Bill Johnson pushes spiritual experiences, special knowledge (not found in Scripture), and points out that Johnson offers detailed formulas for performing miracles. View article →

SBC's Richard Land Issues Apology for Plagiarism

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Baptist Press reports:

Richard Land, recently in the news for comments about the Trayvon Martin killing, has responded to charges that he failed to attribute the comments on air to a Washington Times columnist.

In a statement to Baptist Press April 16, Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, expressed regret for the way he handled remarks on his March 31 radio broadcast.

Source

The official statement has been posted on the Richard Land Live! website, and reads in part:

“On occasion I have failed to provide appropriate verbal attributions on my radio broadcast, Richard Land Live!, and for that I sincerely apologize. I regret if anyone feels they were deceived or misled. That was not my intent nor has it ever been. Clearly there has been no attempt to deceive the public or we would not have posted the articles that are used on the air. Source

In the statement, Land also noted that he was “grateful this oversight was brought to my attention.”

On 18 April, an additional announcement was made regarding the availability of archived episodes of Land’s radio show:

We, the Executive Committee of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, have decided, with Dr. Land’s encouragement, to remove the links to past shows for the reason set forth below.

We recently became aware of instances in which Dr. Richard Land read from materials written by others during his radio show without clear and proper attribution to the authors of those materials on the program. We have also learned that news agencies occasionally access this website and use clips from Dr. Land’s past broadcasts without prior notice or permission. Due to the danger that such unauthorized use by news agencies or others might include quoted material used by Dr. Land without clear and proper credit being given to the author or source of the quoted material, we have removed links to prior radio broadcasts. Richard Land Live! will continue to post links to broadcasts from this date forward, with careful attribution given to the authors of any material quoted on air.

Source

For Shame—Speech Crimes and Ideology

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Dr. Peter Jones, Director of truthXchange and Adjunct Professor of New Testament at Westminster Seminary, examines the new character of shame. In today’s culture, shaming is used to “punish speech against the new reigning orthodoxy of politically correct relativism, rather than to condemn personally reprehensible moral acts.” He writes,

Fifteen years ago James Twitchel’s For Shame: The Loss of Common Decency in American Culture argued for the socially redeeming character of shame: “Shame is the basis of individual responsibility… It is where decency comes from… shame inhibits behavior — that’s the point. It retards action, it increases reticence, it invokes self censorship. Its final object is not banishment, but reintegration.”

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Jesus: The Illumined Illuminator

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

By Marsha West

Contemporary Christianity is following “every wind of doctrine” in spite of the fact that the Bible warns about taking this route. Self-professed Christ followers no longer “endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Tim. 4:3).

Regrettably, many believers have embraced neo-Gnosticism.

One of the many obstacles the first century Church faced was Gnosticism, a heresy that held that salvation was only available to those who possessed the hidden truths of Christ.  GotQuestions.com explains Gnosticism thusly:

Christian Gnosticism is the belief that one must have a “gnosis” (from Greek “Gnosko,” to know) or inner knowledge which is mystical knowledge obtained only after one has been properly initiated. Only a few can possess this mystical knowledge, limiting the number of those “in the know”. … Gnosticism today seems to provide a lot of the form and color for the New Age portrait of Jesus where Jesus is seen as the illumined Illuminator: one who serves as a cosmic catalyst for others’ awakening. As such it is as false and heretical as the Gnosticism of the first century and needs to be roundly condemned for the heresy that it is.

Let’s face it. Being “in the know” gives a person an exaggerated feeling of self-importance. Even mature believers, who should know better, are seeking the so-called hidden truths of Christ.  How does one go about uncovering these “truths”?  By way of Catholic mysticism, which has its roots in Gnosticism.

A decade ago who would have dreamed that scores of evangelicals would even consider being involved in monastic disciplines.  One such discipline evangelicals have borrowed is contemplative or centering prayer.  This meditative practice was introduced by the Desert Fathers. It entails going to a quiet place to clear one’s mind of all outside interference so that God’s voice can be heard. But in order to connect with God on a deeper level the practitioner must repeat a word (mantra) over and over until he/she falls into an altered state of consciousness.  Once this is achieved the practitioner will allegedly feel God’s presence and then seek His guidance.

Evangelicals also participate in Lectio Divina or divine reading.  Lectio Divina involves Scripture reading, meditation and prayer. Its purpose is to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of the scriptures.

Christians have been initiated into monastic mysticism through reading the books of priests such as William Meninger, Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, Brennan Manning, Henri Nouwen and Brother Lawrence.  Likewise, Richard Foster and Dallas Willard are driving evangelicals into Catholic mysticism.

The Apostle Paul warned the Body of Christ about the Gnostics. He told them “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14).

Clearly, God does not wish His people to involve themselves in any sort of unrighteousness. Yet many Christians are participating in the very things God condemns. They’re not going to God for their marching orders; instead they’re participating in practices found in false religions. Endeavoring to seek God on a deeper level they’re falling into sin.

Christians have got to start taking the Bible seriously. Scripture teaches that Satan and his minions are highly intelligent beings with supernatural powers. What is more, Satan comes to us as an angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:14). Hence, undiscerning, biblically illiterate believers are easily bamboozled.

So here’s the bottom line: Neo-Gnosticism is evil. Christian that involves themselves in practices that stem from unscriptural practices, such as the ones described above, will not find a deeper spiritual experience with God. In fact, just the opposite will result.

Related:

The Gnostic Gospel—Dr. Peter Jones’ lecture

Psalm 46:10 Does Not Teach Centering/Contemplative Prayer—Pastor Ken Silva

Research

Spiritual Formation

Discernment

Copyright by Marsha West, 2012. All rights reserved.

Christians ‘Vilified’ by British Courts

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The BBC reports:

Christians are being ‘vilified’ by British courts and ‘driven underground’, Lord Carey, a former archbishop of Canterbury, has said.

In a written submission to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), he blames judges for treating some worshippers as ‘bigots’.

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Christianity the Only Means of Eternal Life? Some Pastors Disagree

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The Christian Post reports:

A recent survey conducted by LifeWay Research found that while a majority of Protestant pastors believe Christianity is the only way to obtain eternal life, there is a small percentage who strongly feel other religions offer eternal salvation as well.

The survey asked 1,000 Protestant pastors the question, “If a person is sincerely seeking God, he/she can obtain eternal life through religions other than Christianity.”

Seventy-seven percent of the pastors questioned said that they strongly disagree with the statement and seven percent somewhat disagreed. Another seven percent somewhat agreed and five percent strongly agreed. Three percent said they are not sure.

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False Conversions Are the Suicide of the Church, Pastor Warns

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The Christian Post reports:

False conversions are a serious problem that could lead not only to the “suicide of the church” but also to the defaming of God’s name, an evangelical pastor warned.

Mark Dever, senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., told some 8,000 ministers Tuesday at the Together for the Gospel conference that he fears there are thousands, if not millions, of people in churches who are not truly converted.

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Vanderbilt University Tells Catholic Student Group to Change Name

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Fox News reports:

The chaplain of Vanderbilt Catholic, one of the largest student religious groups at Vanderbilt University, said their organization has been ordered by university officials to change their name. The order came after the Catholic group announced it was leaving campus rather than comply with the university’s new nondiscrimination policy.

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Secular Humanism Fizzles; Cosmic Humanism Flourishes

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

Writing in the Christian Post blogs, Marsha West maintains that secular humanism is on the way out. This atheistic, anti-religious belief system has caused spiritual deprivation. As a result a large number of people have moved on to Cosmic Humanism. Cosmic Humanism is a pantheistic worldview which holds to the notion that God is all, all is God. The cosmic humanist believes humanity is evolving, moving upward toward an age of higher consciousness where we will experience “cosmic unity.” View article →

Church Of Famed “Brownsville Revival” Struggles

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In the mid-1990s, the Brownsville Assembly of God church in Pensacola, Florida was home to what was known as the “Brownsville Revival.” In the time since then, much has changed. The Associated Press notes that Pastor John Kilpatrick, who was leading the church at the time, has moved on. The AP also reports that the church is $11.5 million in debt and on the edge of financial ruin. View article →

Reviving Faith by ‘Taking Up Serpents’

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Julia Duin, the former religion editor of the Washington Times, reports ‘a new generation of Internet-savvy Pentecostals’ who are engaging in the century-old practice of snake handling. These young adults claim that handling poisonous reptiles provides ‘anointing’ from the Holy Spirit. View article →

First Circuit Court Hears Arguments in Same-Sex Marriage Case

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The Christian Post reports :

A Massachusetts appeals court heard from lawyers challenging the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, on Wednesday.

A lawyer for gay married couples argued before the three-judge panel of the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston, saying that any law that prohibits them from receiving the same federal benefits that heterosexual couples get should be struck down as unconstitutional.

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Obama: Jesus is 'A Son of God' Who Knew 'Doubt' and 'Fear'

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On 4 April, the White House hosted its annual Easter Prayer Breakfast. CNS News reports on an interesting choice of words from President Obama:

Speaking to a group of Christian clergy at the Easter Prayer Breakfast he hosted at the White House on Wednesday, President Barack Obama referred to Jesus Christ as “a son of God.”

“It’s an opportunity for us to reflect on the triumph of the resurrection, and to give thanks for the all-important gift of grace,” Obama said of Easter, which is this Sunday. “And for me, and I’m sure for some of you, it’s also a chance to remember the tremendous sacrifice that led up to that day, and all that Christ endured–not just as a Son of God, but as a human being.”

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Denny Burk, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College, also shared his thoughts on the President’s speech. Burk, however, focuses on a different consideration:

In his remarks this morning at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast, President Obama reflected on Jesus’ suffering and said that Jesus experienced “doubt” and “fear” in the same way that we do. Of course the Bible does teach that Jesus was tempted in every way that we are and that He is therefore able to sympathize with us (Heb. 4:15). But does that mean that He himself doubted God and feared death?

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Christianity in Crisis? A Response to Andrew Sullivan

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Trevin Wax of The Gospel Coalition responds to a recent Newsweek story, Christianity in Crisis. He writes:

Newsweek’s cover story, written by popular author Andrew Sullivan, encourages Americans to “forget the church” and just “follow Jesus.” According to Sullivan:

We inhabit a polity now saturated with religion. On one side, the Republican base is made up of evangelical Protestants who believe that religion must consume and influence every aspect of public life. On the other side, the last Democratic primary had candidates profess their faith in public forums, and more recently President Obama appeared at the National Prayer Breakfast, invoking Jesus to defend his plan for universal health care. The crisis of Christianity is perhaps best captured in the new meaning of the word “secular.” It once meant belief in separating the spheres of faith and politics; it now means, for many, simply atheism. The ability to be faithful in a religious space and reasonable in a political one has atrophied before our eyes.

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