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 Do Many Christians Foolishly Argue Against Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms as if They Threaten the Authority of Scripture?

“Reformed Christians talk a lot about the Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort, Westminster Standards, and creeds such as the Apostles’, Nicene, Athanasian, and Chalcedonian Creeds. They are not making the case that confessions, catechisms, and creeds should replace Scripture. Quite the opposite. Reformed Christians use confessions, catechisms, and creeds to clearly articulate what they believe Scripture teaches.”

(Jonathan Shirk – Small Town Theologian) Read Nehemiah 8:7–8 on the site.

Every time a preacher ascends the pulpit to read and explain God’s Word, He is speaking creedally. It is inescapable. The moment he begins to explain the meaning or sense of the Scriptures, he is giving his creed. He is saying, “I believe that this Scripture means this, and here is why I believe it means this.” Explanation is absolutely necessary. God intends it to be done. Continue reading

One Sick War

“There was no precivilizational, unspeakable atrocity that the [Hamas] butcherers did not commit—torture, beheading, rape, mutilation, and necrophilia.” 

(Victor Davis Hanson – American Greatness) There is something surreal, even sick about the current Gazan war.

Throughout European and American cities and campuses, tens of thousands of Middle East immigrants and students, and radical leftists chant nonstop “Free Palestinian from the River to the Sea.” Continue reading

Prominent Pastor Who Vocally Opposes Andy Stanley for LGBTQ Views Proudly Platforms Pro-LGBTQ TPUSA

“Being that Visconti is so vocally opposed to Stanley and his false teachings, to the point that he has completely written him off as a wolf in sheep’s clothing (and he is absolutely right about this), this is what makes it so difficult to understand why he could, from the same pulpit, promote Charlie Kirk from Turning Point USA (TPUSA).”

(The Dissenter) Ryan Visconti, the pastor of Generation Church in Mesa, Arizona, has come out as one of the most vocal opponents to Andy Stanley in the last year, particularly about his views on homosexuality in the context of Christian doctrine and church leadership…. Continue reading

Is John Hagee A False Teacher?

“John Hagee teaches that God has two chosen people, and that physical Israel is the Jews and Spiritual Israel is the Christians.”

(Evangelical Dark Web) John Hagee is an American pastor, author, and televangelist known for his leadership in the evangelical Christian community. Born on April 12, 1940, in Baytown, Texas, Hagee’s life and career have been dedicated to spreading Christian teachings.

Hagee’s upbringing was deeply rooted in Christianity. He was raised in a devout Christian family and grew up attending church regularly. This early exposure to faith had a profound impact on his life and later career choices. Continue reading

Musk Takes Shot at George Soros, Reveals How Billionaire’s Scheme Has Destabilized Humanity

“Hatred of God spurs leftist revolutions. Soros clearly intends to destabilize humanity and he’s been successful so far.”

(Jack Gist – The Western Journal) Man was created in the image of God. A hatred of humanity, then, is a hatred of God.

If Elon Musk is right, billionaire George Soros hates God. In an interview on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast Musk said it straight, “In my opinion, he [Soros] fundamentally hates humanity.” Continue reading

Untwisting the Bible, Part VIII: Slain in the Spirit

“In Scripture, falling down before God as you’re moved and convicted by His word is an awe-filled, life-changing experience. But when it’s packaged as a weekly, replicable event, it becomes nothing more than spiritual theatrics, a pantomime that mocks the true gravity of encountering Christ.,,,”

(The Dissenter) Picture this: a coliseum filled with crazy people whipped into a frenzy, arms flailing like windmills in a gale, eyes rolled back as if caught in a trance. The preacher, slick and telegenic, lays a hand on someone’s forehead, mutters a few words, and then—bam! Down they go, “slain in the Spirit,” they’ll tell you…. Continue reading

Welcome to Far-Right Extremists Extremism Land

“I won’t speak for anyone else, but I’m quite comfortable staking out a position that seems extreme to a bunch of people who are hell-bent on running the Republic off of a commie cliff. I’m going back for second and third helpings of polarization every day as long as these people have any influence.” 

(Stephen Kruiser – PJ Media) I kicked off the week by writing about how much I am enjoying the way that newly minted Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is triggering so many Democrats. Watching them wash down handfuls of Prilosec with equitably sourced Nicaraguan kombucha is always entertaining. Continue reading

Self-absorbed ‘Christians’ And Their Perceptions Of The Bible

By Marsha West

Because I’ve been involved in online discernment for 17 years, people ask me questions about the latest fads sweeping through the visible Church; likewise, my view on different movements or of someone’s teaching they find concerning. I’m often asked about theological cults such as Mormonism, Word of Faith/Prosperity Gospel, New Apostolic Reformation (hyper-charismania), Progressive Social Justice “Christianity” a.k.a. “wokeness”, and lest we forget the demonic New Age/New Thought spirituality and occult practices that have wormed their way into churches.

In the past few years people have asked me about false teachers, i.e. wolves in sheep’s clothing, who have YouTube channels.  Since YT’s popularity has expanded, people don’t want to be taken in by “Christians” who promote highly unorthodox views and conspiracy theories on their monetized channels to the undiscerning. Not surprisingly, some very vicious wolves have a substantial number of subscribers/likes/shares, so buyer beware!

This article is not about youtubers (more on them here). Instead, I’m going to address some of the concerns I hear from family and friends and questions that frequently show up on my social media comments, PMs and email. What I often do, if appropriate, is refer people to Research Papers I’ve authored and published over at CRN. When time allows, I respond.

Following, as best I can recall, are synopsized conversations I’ve had with professing Christians whose names will remain anonymous. But first these cautionary words from B.B. Warfield:

If everything that is called Christianity in these days is Christianity, then there is no such thing as Christianity. A name applied indiscriminately to everything designates nothing.

Continue reading

FBI Director Wray Warns of Threats to US, Ignores Open Border

(Mary Dowling) Here’s big news that isn’t news to any of us who’ve been paying attention. NBC News reports that FBI director Christopher Wray on Tuesday warned that Hamas’s actions in the Middle East could inspire other terrorist attacks, including by violent extremists in the US.

“We assess that the actions of Hamas and its allies will serve as an inspiration the likes of which we haven’t seen since ISIS launched its so-called caliphate years ago,” Wray said in testimony before the Senate Homeland Security Committee at a hearing on threats to America. Continue reading

NAR False Apostle Denies Trinity on Stage at TPUSA Faith Pastors Summit

“Che Ahn’s statement doesn’t just dip its toes into a pool of heresy, it dives headlong into it.”

(The Dissenter) If you think TPUSA is the guardian of conservative values, think again. Led by Charlie Kirk, this organization is nothing short of a Trojan horse in the conservative movement. While it claims to champion conservatism, it’s busy platforming and promoting ideologies that are anything but conservative—like embracing the LGBTQ movement to platforming heretics to blaspheme God.

TPUSA isn’t conserving the moral standards set forth by God—it’s diluting them, turning conservatism into a self-serving ideology aimed at broadening its base….. Continue reading

What Happened on Reformation Day?

Luther recaptured the biblical view of the priesthood of all believers, showing all people that their work had purpose and dignity because in it they can serve their Creator.

(Robert Rothwell – Ligonier Ministries) On October 31, much of the culture will be focused on candy and things that go bump in the night. Protestants, however, have something far more significant to celebrate on October 31. It’s Reformation day, which commemorates what was perhaps the greatest move of God’s Spirit since the days of the Apostles. But what is the significance of Reformation Day, and how should we consider the events it commemorates? Continue reading

Dirty Jill

Of course, by that time, the “poorest man in Congress” and his wife owned two homes, including the 4,000-square-foot, six-bedroom Rehobeth Beach, Del., colonial and their ten-acre Wilmington manse “that Joe famously designed himself… with a big swimming pool…”

(Victoria Taft – PJ Media) “You gotta run. Because there’s so much at stake,” Jill Biden claims she urged her shuffling, addled husband before he undertook his 2020 basement campaign for president. Joe Biden, like the entire country, economy, and everything he touches, has gotten worse every day of his term of office…. Continue reading

Catholic Priest Warns Ouija Boards Lead to ‘Demonic Possession’

(Olivia Rondeau – Breitbart) Ouija boards and other attempts to contact the dead should be avoided because “angels, demons, spirits, and souls do exist, and they can have an impact on our life,” an exorcist priest warns this Halloween season.

“We too often forget that there is much more to this world than meets the eye,” Fr. Dan Reehil, a priest of the Diocese of Nashville, told Fox News Digital in a Monday report.

Reehil was trained in performing exorcisms by the Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum in Rome in 2018 and was installed that same year as the resident exorcist in Nashville. Continue reading

10 Reasons Christians Can Be Thankful in Trying Circumstances

(Nick Batzig – Beautiful Christian Life) Often, the most basic of God’s commands are the hardest for us to obey. We may ask ourselves whether or not we would have the faith to offer up a child to God—as Abraham did when he was called to offer up Isaac—while never really stopping to ask ourselves whether or not we have the faith to obey the most basic new covenant commands.

Take, for instance, Paul’s statement in 1 Thess. 5:18: Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you all. Continue reading

Righting Wrongs

“In America today, right and wrong is no longer collective; it is now individualistic. The progressive left does not generally believe in punishment for hurting others. In some places, that concept has been obliterated. Violent criminals are released time after time. Drug addicts are given tax money to buy more drugs….” 

(Bill O’Reilly) On Friday, I did a live show at the Paramount Theater in Huntington, Long Island, in front of a packed house. The theme of the show was an exposition of how the state of New York and much of the country has gone terribly wrong. Continue reading

Hey, Hamas Sympathizers: Israel Identifies Terrorist Base Under Gaza Hospital

(Catherine Salgado – PJ Media) Realists have tried to explain to Hamas sympathizers in the West that Hamas constantly uses their own civilians in Gaza as human shields. The latest bombshell confirmation of this is that Israel reportedly identified a terrorist base under a Gaza hospital, and even released audio online of Gazans discussing how they use civilian buildings to shield terrorist activities. This is one war where it’s easy to identify the “good guy” and the “bad guy.” Continue reading

Mike Bickle Accused Of Sexual Misconduct, Denounced By IHOP

“IHOP refused to go into details. And while a married man in ministry committing adultery is bad enough, the framing of this issue as sex abuse raises multiple questions”.

(Ray Fava Evangelical Dark Web) Mike Bickle is one of the most prominent figures in the New Apostolic Reformation also known as NAR. His organization, the International House of Prayer (IHOP) is the embodiment of NAR. On Saturday, the International House of Prayer released a statement denouncing Mike Bickle, disqualifying him from ministry. Continue reading

Emboldened Global Jihad Is Final Nail in Coffin of Mass Migration Delusion

“As the West grapples with the very radical Muslims it voluntarily imported, hundreds of thousands of whom march in the streets of metropolises such as London and Chicago calling for Jewish genocide and thousands of others of whom lead vile “Students for Justice in Palestine” statements praising the Hamas massacre as a “liberation” of “stolen land,” it has become obvious that assimilation of huge numbers of non-Western immigrants into Western society is simply not working.”

(Josh Hammer – The Patriot Post) The weeks since the Oct. 7 Hamas pogrom in Israel, in which the most Jews were slaughtered in a single day than at any time since World War II, have seen an astonishing rise in global Jew-hatred. One might have thought that the mass carnage and unspeakable barbarism of the Hamas Holocaust would instead galvanize a concerted pushback against Islamic jihadism, but it is the ancient scourge of antisemitism — and not so-called Islamophobia — that is once again the world’s most politically correct and fashionable form of bigotry. Continue reading

Premodern Diversity vs. Civilizational Unity

“The old immigration once enriched America, but our new version is destroying it.”

(Victor Davis Hanson – American Greatness) Few Romans in the late decades of their 5th-century AD empire celebrated their newfound “diversity” of marauding Goths, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Huns, and Vandals.

These tribes en masse had crossed the unsecured Rhine and Danube borders to harvest Roman bounty without a care about what had created it.

Their agendas were focused on destroying the civilization they overran rather than peacefully integrating into and perpetuating the Empire. Continue reading

American Oligarchy: Meet the Billionaire Mega-Donors Behind the Biden Presidency

“Jeffrey Katzenberg filled up the Biden campaign with millions of dollars upon Kamala’s joining the ticket, and then the entertainment mogul minted a deal with Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping to create a Chinese Hollywood. Synergy or quid pro quo?”

(Alexander Marlow – Breitbart) Liberals used to decry the influence of money in politics. But in Joe Biden’s America, we have seen the rise of a noxious new generation of left-wing donors. I identify some of the biggest power players in Joe Biden’s American in my book New York Times bestselling book Breaking Biden. Continue reading

Oversight Chair Demands Proof of Loan Repayment from Biden

(Mary Dowling) The Biden White House defended the $200,000 payment the President received from his brother James as a loan repayment, but it didn’t wash.

On Thursday, Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) issued a letter to White House Counsel Edward Siskel calling on President Joe Biden to furnish the loan documents and applicable IRS filings for the loan. He emphasized that regardless of whether the check was a loan repayment, the President still benefitted from his family “cashing in on the Biden name.” Continue reading

Obama Weighs In On Israel’s Response to Hamas – Do Nothing?

“[Biden] is sending $100 billion in so-called “humanitarian” aid to Gaza, which he knows will be given to Hamas. Hamas is the government. They get the money. He could airlift food and other essentials, but instead, he gives taxpayer money to them so they can terrorize their neighbors.”

(Mary Dowling) On Monday, Barack Obama wrote an opinion piece on Medium called “Thoughts on Israel and Gaza.” The 44th President is vehemently opposed to Israel’s response to the Hamas terror attack and took a shot at America while he was at it. He excused Palestinians in Gaza who elected and currently support Hamas. Continue reading

Shawn Bolz and Christine Caine: An Unholy Alliance of Divination and Fortune-telling

“The absence of accountability in Bolz’s ministry forms a stark contrast to the communal discernment encouraged in traditional Christian settings. The autonomy with which Bolz operates mirrors the unaccountable and often elusive practices of witchcraft.”

(The Dissenter) In the realm of charismatic Christian ministry, Shawn Bolz is a name that often comes adorned with an aura of divine insight. He claims a direct line to God and a prophetic vision that unveils the formerly unrevealed. His proclaimed ability to peer into the mysteries of individual lives and divine will has earned him a seat among modern-day “Christian” oracles…. Continue reading

Civilizational Suicide

Israel, too, figures into this dialectic. In his program to “decolonize Harvard,” Montalvo promoted  materials highlighting Harvard student and faculty activism against Israel’s supposed “apartheid regime” and “settlement enterprise.” The student groups accused Israel of “structural and cultural forms of violence” and called for both “scholarly action” and collective resistance against the Jewish state. 

(Christopher Rufo) Harvard finds itself in an ideological bind. Following Hamas’s horrific terror attack against Israel, the Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee issued a statement, co-signed by 33 other student groups, blaming the Jewish state for the murder, rape, and mutilation of its own citizens by Hamas. “Today’s events did not occur in a vacuum,” the statement read. “The apartheid regime is the only one to blame.” Continue reading