Commentary, analysis and opinion.

Stop It People! Democrats Deserve Bernie Sanders!

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“In 2020, a Trump/Sanders contest will make the most honest, direct, and open debate our political body has observed in many decades of what ideas actually mean. … Should people get to keep what they earn? Or should they be forced to give $7 out of every $10 they earn to a centralized “Kremlin” that will then dole out “free benefits” to the people (usually on the basis and preference of the whim of those in power)?”

(Kevin McCullough – Townhall)  If Bernie Sanders continues his undefeated win streak in 2020 he deserves to be the Democratic nominee for president.

So why all the agita? Continue reading →

LGBTQ Group Boycotts St. Patrick’s Day Parade Because They Won’t Allow Them to Turn it Into a Gay Pride March

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“Cummings isn’t going to allow militant homosexuals to rebrand their march and overtake it for their homosexual purposes. They already have the annual gay pride march, the Thanksgiving Day parade, the women’s rights march, and the Martin Luther King parade for that. Leave this one alone.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  An LGBTQ “pride” group in NYC, Pride Center, is calling on local businesses in the Staten Island area to boycott the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade because the parade organizers — a local Catholic group — won’t allow them to turn the parade into a gay pride march. Continue reading →

Hard Lesson Learned: Stay Away From Xanax

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“Learn this lesson: You don’t have to abuse a substance to become addicted to it. Remember that the next time you take an addictive substance. You don’t have to be using some substances “to excess” to develop a dependency.”

(JD Hall – Pulpit & Pen)  For more than half a decade I’ve struggled with my sleep. Being a pastor, 24-7 news-hound, and regularly working a 12 to 18 hour day means that I usually work until it’s bedtime (with a few breaks here and there for family). I teach 4-5 Bible studies during evenings in the week, often more than an hour from home in outlying communities…. Continue reading →

The Fall Of The Boy Scouts – Lessons For The Church

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“Right now, too many churches, Christian colleges, even businesses are dangerously close to making the same mistake. They’re so desperate or fearful — or both — that they’re willing to water down who they are to protect the small space they’re standing on. There’s just one problem: the gospel’s truth isn’t up for negotiation. And in their rush to soften the blow of its confrontation, some believers are selling out their identity as followers of Jesus.” 

(Tony Perkins)  It’s one of the saddest, most predictable “I-told-you-so” moments of our generation. The Boy Scouts, where future moon walkers and presidents learned the virtues and value of leadership, has finally collapsed.

Continue reading →

John MacArthur Warned Moody Years Ago About James MacDonald, Emails Reveal

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“Despite [Jerry] Jenkins’ assurance to MacArthur that he would “follow through” on a “promise to not reveal to (MacDonald) the specifics of your communique to me,” Jenkins forwards the subsequent email from MacArthur and previous thread to MacDonald.”

(Julie Roys)  Eight years ago, prominent author and pastor, John MacArthur, strongly warned the Moody Bible Institute about its association with now-disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald. This is according to email correspondence I recently obtained between MacArthur and Jerry Jenkins, author of the best-selling Left Behind series of books, and then-chairman of Moody’s board of trustees. Continue reading →

Michael Brown Says a Witch ‘Sincerely Desires’ to See People Saved, He’s More Concerned About Discerning Christians

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“Let’s be clear — Jen Hodge is not a Christian. She is no more “Christian” than a mambo out of Haiti who practices voodoo.” 

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  Michael Brown is the world’s premier apologist for the ancient heresy of Montanism. Montanism is the heresy that teaches that certain spiritual gifts, such as prophecy, continue today and that it is possible to receive direct, divine revelation from God apart from Scripture…. Continue reading →

Should Christians be Praying for Wolves?

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“False teachers are not our brethren who have sinned against us, as referenced in Matthew 18. Heck, I do not even expect Joel Osteen to answer any charges I might bring to him. He doesn’t even know me. But the charges have been brought over the years and unfortunately most often through secular interviews. His response is that he feels people already know all they have done wrong and he just wants to encourage them. Well gosh that sounds nice but it is not the Gospel.”

(Anthony Wade – 828Ministries) This subject has come up before when Christians want to defend the wolves who devour the sheep of the Lord. I get it. I really do. The unnamed sheep seem to mean nothing to us because the church does such a poor job of explaining who our new family is once we are saved.

Even Jesus said when His mother was waiting to see Him that who is His mother and brother except he who does the will of the Father. In churchianity, the purpose driven growth schemes have created carnally successful silos of each individual church that pays lip service to being part of the kingdom but the reality is once you leave such a church, you will find out how close your family really was all along.

The cult of personality preachers that are created through this same paradigm are worshiped in churchianity. Just try saying something critical of Joseph Prince or Joel Osteen and get ready for the onslaught from the unsaved goats that follow them. So it is of no surprise that great swaths of what is called the church today would rather defend the most voracious wolves on the planet than care for the sheep they are slaughtering. When dealing with the lost who fall for false doctrine, we hear the same refrain that they should somehow know better or that they should have read their bibles. No mercy. Yet out of the other side of their mouths are the same defenses for the wolves — you don’t know them! They just love Jesus so much! Judge not!

So it always seems to go like this whenever discussing false teaching. In making a generic post the other day regarding the purpose of discernment, I casually referenced the truth — which is that we should not be praying for wolves. While many agreed there was the same choir responding that the bible says we should just be loving and praying for everyone. Once again, I get that. It sounds noble and pious. I do not actually care what it sounds like however. I just want to know if it is sound biblically and guess what? It is not. Before examining this, let us clear up some background issues that are always conflated with this discussion only to muddy the conversation. First of all we are dealing with false teachers, not people who are making an error in their teaching. Anyone can make a mistake or say something in error. It is unfair and not discerning at all to condemn someone for a simple error. For example, a few years back, Victoria Osteen said that we worship God for ourselves, not for Him. Part of the discernment world flipped out. I waited. I wanted to see what she would say in response to the criticism. After all, she could have just said it in error. That would not change the fact the she and her heretic husband are huge false teachers but at least regarding this issue it would not be. A week later she came out with Joel holding her hand and doubled down. Done deal. Look, the people we are talking about do not have mere holes in their theology. They have been confronted multiple times over years of ministry and have refused to repent of the false teaching. In the conversation this week someone actually asked for links regarding whether Bill Johnson has ever been confronted regarding his teaching. C’mon. A simple Google search reveals the truth.

View article →

Research

Discernment

Latest SBC Fiasco Is What Happens When Leaders Ignore Discernment Ministries

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“This giant mess of a problem caused by Uth’s speaker’s lineup was 100% avoidable and 100% predictable if only SBC leaders had listened to discernment ministries like Pulpit & Pen and Justin Peters (who wrote a detailed series on the problems with David Uth). Instead, they chose to “kick against the pricks” (Acts 26:14), insisting on doing things with no regard for the opinion of people gifted with the ability to discern truth from error.”

(Pulpit & Pen)  David Uth was elected as SBC Pastor’s Conference to the sound of thunderous applause. Nominated by leftward-drifting former SBC president, James Merritt, and father of prominent homosexual journalist, Jonathan Merritt, Uth had already been on the radar of Pulpit & Pen for several years. Continue reading →

Understanding Why Religious Conservatives Would Vote for Trump

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Some religious conservatives may see the world in moral terms — right and wrong; black and white. But there’s a long moral tradition, as far back as Augustine, that sees our world in shades of gray. The City of God lives as earthly inhabitants of the City of Man; thus, our world is imperfect. We are to be “in the world, but not of it.” History does not progress only toward human perfection. In this calculus, religious conservatives might see moral contrasts in black and white, but see voting for a morally compromised figure whose administration pushes back against progressivism as an uncomfortable shade of gray.

(Andrew T. Walker – National Review)  In January 2021, someone will take the presidential oath of office, and religious conservatives will undoubtedly play a crucial role in whom it will be…. Continue reading →

Should I Use My Trans Neighbor’s Preferred Pronoun?

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In some regions of society, parents are being urged to stay away from the titles of “mother” and “father.” They insist we use, instead, “parent A” and “parent B.” (This is particularly big in my wife’s field: doula services. Every vestige of “mother” in the literature is being scrubbed and replaced with “pregnant person.”) I would venture to guess that most conservative Christians who are fine with adopting alternative gender pronouns for the sake of being “hospitable” will say, “Ok, that’s crazy. I’d never shy away from addressing fathers and mothers as such. We draw the line here.” 

(Sam Parkison – For The Church)  The apostle Paul was a divider. This is not to say he was against unity per se. In fact, in a very real way, you could say that the unity of the Church was one of Paul’s hallmarks (Eph 4:1-7)…. Continue reading →

A Former Beth Moore Follower Explains Why She Dumped Her After Learning the Truth

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“Her teachings are emotional and easy on the soul, but if a non-believer were to study them all, would they know, in the end, what is required to have a saving faith in Christ? Are her followers being drawn into a superficial knowledge of Jesus rather than a saving knowledge of Him? That is my question and my fear, and that is why I feel compelled to speak about a ministry I so dearly loved at one time.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  Beth Moore is the Southern Baptist Convention’s most popular female preacher and has captivated many with her seeker-sensitive theological perspective and Bible studies published and sold through the denomination’s publishing branch, LifeWay…. Continue reading →

Our Most Important Question: What to Do with our Kids?

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[T]his week Sheffield University announced a scheme in which students will be paid £9.34 an hour to challenge other students who commit so-called ‘micro-aggressions’. Under this insidious doctrine, the most innocuous comment can be considered offensive: examples drawn up by Sheffield include asking someone why they are frying a banana (not realizing it is a plantain). This is evidence of a deeply rooted institutional intolerance.

(Peter Jones – truthxchange)  For many, “getting into college” was the great personal achievement that marked the beginning of a successful adult life. I remember the pride of being the “first of my family” to achieve this honor, and I studied like I had never studied before—to avoid the real possibility of being thrown out for insufficient grades…. Continue reading →

3 Good Things to Remember When People Let You Down

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Perhaps you expected something from a certain person that he or she didn’t give you. This does not necessarily mean the person has sinned against you. We all have expectations of the people in our lives, and this goes both ways. Maybe people close to you—your spouse, children, parents, friends—hoped you would treat them in a certain way, but you failed to do it. 

(Lee Ann Trees – Beautiful Christian)  Did your friends just ditch you when you needed them the most? Find out someone else got that job promotion you were hoping for? Did you want to help win the big game, but your coach left you sitting on the bench?… Continue reading →

Biologists: Only Two Sexes, Male and Female, There is No Sex ‘Spectrum’

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Those “most vulnerable to sex denialism are children” because “gender identity” instead of biological sex can cause confusion. Puberty-blocking drugs and “affirmation therapies” that reinforce this confusion may contribute to gender dysphoria.”

(Michael W. Chapman – CNSNews) In a powerful commentary in the Feb. 3 edition of The Wall Street Journal, biologists Colin Wright and Emma Hilton explain that, scientifically, there are only two sexes, male and female, and there is no sex “spectrum.” They also stress that “biologists and medical professionals” must stop being politically correct and “stand up for the empirical reality of biological sex.” Continue reading →

What In The Wide World Is Going On With The Southern Baptist Convention? (Republishing with the link)

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“Why was David Hughes invited to speak to the Pastors Conference? Because a lot of the pastors attending want to be just like David Hughes. Or Steven Furtick. Or Andy Stanley. Or Ed Young Jr. Or Beth Moore. Or Bethel Church. They’re pragmatists.”

(Gabrial Hughes – The Midwestern Baptist) Perhaps you heard the sound of a massive creaking ship rocking the online community, and you turned in your boat to see a commotion aboard the U.S.S. Southern Baptist Convention. That’s because on Monday, the Pastors Conference, which precedes the annual convention held in June, announced the line-up of speakers who would be addressing the ministers attending this year’s event in Orlando. And that line-up is a mess, to say the least. Continue reading →

Rush Limbaugh, my loving brother and ‘a friend to countless Americans’

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When I read or hear the haters talking about Rush, his show, his message, his soul, I realize I inhabit a different universe than them. They distort who he is, what he says, what he stands for, the kind of person he is. … Their antipathy is disturbing. They actually wish him physical, emotional and spiritual harm. “I’m rooting for the cancer.” “I won’t be happy until he’s until he’s screaming in agony 24/7.” Lovely. … As passionate as I am about my own political beliefs, I never wish harm on those who disagree. If anyone needs prayers, it is them — and I mean that sincerely.

(David Limbaugh)  I am uniquely blessed to be Rush Limbaugh’s brother in ways too numerous to count, and I am blessed to be in the special position of witnessing firsthand the outpouring of love and prayers from his family, friends and fans. His wife, Kathryn, has been amazing and a rock throughout. Continue reading →

What In The Wide World Is Going On With The Southern Baptist Convention?

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“Why was David Hughes invited to speak to the Pastors Conference? Because a lot of the pastors attending want to be just like David Hughes. Or Steven Furtick. Or Andy Stanley. Or Ed Young Jr. Or Beth Moore. Or Bethel Church. They’re pragmatists.”

(Gabrial Hughes – The Midwestern Baptist) Perhaps you heard the sound of a massive creaking ship rocking the online community, and you turned in your boat to see a commotion aboard the U.S.S. Southern Baptist Convention. That’s because on Monday, the Pastors Conference, which precedes the annual convention held in June, announced the line-up of speakers who would be addressing the ministers attending this year’s event in Orlando. And that line-up is a mess, to say the least. Continue reading →

Baptist University Invites Native American Mystic to Preach, Opens and Closes With Prayer to ‘Mother Mystery’

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“Nowhere in any of Curtice’s works or writings does she show one iota of understanding of the biblical gospel. Of course, we should not expect a Catholic to understand the gospel as the Catholic Church’s gospel is false. Yet, even in the spiritual blindness of the Roman Catholic Church, many Catholics still have a good grasp on general revelation, morality, and general common sense.” 

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  Baylor, a private Christian university located in Waco, Texas, is known as the largest Baptist university in the world with approximately 17,200 students on its 1,000-acre campus and is affiliated with the Texas Baptist Convention, which is subsequently connected to the Southern Baptist Convention. Continue reading →

This Year’s SBC Pastors’ Conference to Be a Literal Circus With the Speaker Line-Up

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“Of course, this is just part and parcel for this church and it regularly practices this kind of nonsense as part of its routine worship service. One can only imagine the joy on God’s face as he looks down upon this performance taking place in what is supposed to be holy ground. That someone with this kind of perspective on the Church has been chosen to teach, lead, and encourage thousands of Southern Baptist pastors is astonishing.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  David Uth is the lead pastor of FBC Orlando and was chosen to head up this year’s Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference…. Continue reading →

Kicking the Can Down the Road: Why The RCA Cannot Have Unity If It Disagrees On Homosexuality

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The sexually immoral in 1 Corinthians are to be put out because Paul had “already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.” There is a similar theme in 2 Thessalonians 3:14, “If someone does not obey what we say “… take note of such a person, and have nothing to do with him.” Though this should be applied pastorally and wisely, two things are clear. Sexual sin is a primary issue of fellowship and false teaching on sexual ethics is anathema to the gospel because it leads people astray.

(Ron Citlau – The Aquila Report)  Steve Mathonnet-VanderWel has written an essay about the process unfolding in the Reformed Church in America (RCA) titled, “Moving the Goalposts and Kicking the Can”…. Continue reading →

SBC Leader Implies ‘Cradle to Grave’ Socialism is Part of ‘Pro-Life’ Position

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Notice that liberals put the word “radical” in front of something when they want to redefine it (for example, Rosaria Butterfield calls her LGBTQ inclusivism “radical hospitality”). In the same breath, Akin goes on to use the catchphrase, “from the moment of conception to natural death.”

(Pulpit & Pen)  We have gone to great strides to detail how the Democrat leader of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), Russell Moore, has attempted to redefine what it means to be ‘pro-life.’… Continue reading →