Stop telling people that God told you to do something or that God laid something on your heart that isn’t in Scripture — there simply is no way to validate or verify and you run the risk of blaspheming when you do.
Charles Stanley, the slightly more theologically conservative father of Andy Stanley, the rank heretic, told a television audience that God spoke directly to him telling him which turkey he needed to buy. Continue reading
Donald Trump & Paula White. Photo credit: Christian Today
“Is there no end to these hucksters and their repeated money-grabbing? Gullible saints and deluded folks that are in the “Get Rich Quick” approach to religion are taking big risks. They are urged to write checks in the thousands and hundreds of thousands to get a return on their investment. But, unlike venture capitalists that have done their homework and know a good deal when they evaluate it, these greedy givers are the ones being taken.”
(Theodore Zachariades – Pulpit & Pen) Jim Bakker recently enlisted Trump’s “spiritual adviser”, Paula White, to help him collect the money of gullible believers so he can build a greater venue for spreading his message. The tactic he used was ingenious. Continue reading
“These people are not only anti-religion, but they also are anti-science, anti-history and anti-liberty. Alexander Hamilton would weep if he knew the power these people now hold in his beloved republic.”
[Charles Hurt – The Washington Times] As the Caribbean saying goes, “I chucked a rock in the pen and a pig squealed.”
This explains all the frenzied squealing and indignant grunting we heard in response to the speech Attorney General William Barr gave last week to law students at the University of Notre Dame about the increasing hostility toward religious liberty in America. Continue reading
“Sarah Young of Jesus Calling regularly hears whispers and voices from the other side, so much so she filled a book with His exact words, allegedly. Or two. Or three. If she is hearing from Jesus and writing His words down in quotes, she is writing scripture. Do you believe Jesus Calling is scripture?”
(Elizabeth Prata – The End Time) Sufficiency of scripture is an important topic for me as a woman, because so many of the books aimed at women loading the shelves at Christian bookstores, and so many women’s ministries telling us we should be hearing from God or are touting some author’s experience from having heard from God. Continue reading
Trotting out children, the younger, the better, to make political points—does that strike you as creepy? Or honest? “If I go up there and bloviate about lunch shaming, they’ll all just laugh at me. But they wouldn’t dare laugh at a kid! They’ll have to sit there and take it from a kid! Heh-heh.”
(Lee Duigon – News With Views) Suddenly we have a lot of adults getting their marching orders from children. Is that shameful, or what? World leaders sit in deferential silence as they’re scolded by a Swedish teenager for not “Doing Something” to “Stop Climate Change”—like, “how dare you” not set up a global government and… and… and… Well, as long as they “Take Action,” the kind of action doesn’t matter. Continue reading
At The Crossroads by Hugo Simberg
“Sin leads toward death. It kills relationships. It destroys families. It ruins careers. It may seem fun for a season but it will leave you destitute, despised, and miserable. No sin can leave you fulfilled in life because you weren’t made for sin. Sin only destroys.”
(Alan Nelson IV – Things Above) Last time, we saw that Satan tempts us in doubting God’s Word and downplaying the consequences to sin. In this post, we will look at 2 final strategies Satan uses for temptation in Genesis 3:1–5.
Distorting God’s Character Continue reading
“Sharing one’s sexuality to 11-year-olds, many who aren’t even thinking about sex, has absolutely no place in our publicly funded schools. Why did they think this was appropriate? And why did they think it was okay to teach our children without our knowledge or consent? And on top of that, use our tax money to teach our children beliefs we disagree with?
(Linda Harvey – Mission: America) Most parents don’t like to be the last to know what’s being presented to their children, and Dayton, Ohio-area families were appalled to learn about a school-wide assembly held at a middle school. Continue reading
“History has shown us that people don’t behave well when crammed together in big cities. Big cities have given us the “Blue” states. Big cities are bastions of socialism and government control. The population of big cities is mostly Socialist Democrats. Big cities, with their majorities, control the legislative process and give us legislators that support socialism, more laws and environmental extremism. … The people who inhabit big cities are more apt to believe whatever the government tells them.”
(Ron Ewart – News With Views) This article could really be wrapped up in three sentences. The socialist Democrats of America want to control your money, your land, your home, your power, your water, your food, your education and your health care. They want to control what you do, where you live, where you work, what you drive and what you wear. They even want to control your news and your entertainment. They have almost succeeded on all fronts. Continue reading
“With the rise of the Modern missions movement in the 18th century and with the rise of the modern Pentecostal movement in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Reformation doctrine of sola Scriptura remains relevant. The history of Modern missions (since the 18th century) is replete with examples of unverified claims of apostolic-like direct revelation or other sorts of quasi-apostolic miracles and wonders. On this see B. B. Warfield, Counterfeit Miracles (1918). The patterns that he observed a century ago have only intensified with the growth of Pentecostalism and the Charismatic movements. The claim that Muslims are receiving dreams, visions, and apparitions of the risen Lord is a part of the culture of Modern missions and especially of Modern Charismatic and Pentecostal piety. We are not obligated to accept these claims, which are almost always second or third-hand accounts.”
(R. Scott Clark – Abounding Grace) Sometimes when we talk about the Reformation we give or receive the impression that it was purely a historical event with no continuing relevance or even that Reformation is one thing and mission is another…. Continue reading
“I recently read an article by an Evangelical vicar of the Church of England warning of the church’s inevitable exile from the already estranged culture. So, in addition to the dangers of compromise that this fellow-Evangelical observes, I would add that the particular American danger for the church is its preoccupation with providing an entertaining experience for the 8:00 am, 10:30 am, and 11:30 am Sunday crowd.”
(Theodore Zachariades – Pulpit & Pen) It should not surprise one that the church in its larger contours is eaten up with consumerist mentalities. The wider culture in North America is certainly rushing full-throttle on the capitalist train, so it should not be a shock to see the “church at large” imbibing marketing strategies and selling its product. Continue reading
At The Crossroads by Hugo Simberg
“We live in a day where the Word of God is abused, unheeded, twisted, unread, unlearned, not cherished, not prized, not studied, not properly preached, dismissed, set aside, not trusted, and doubted. And I’m not talking about the world right now. I’m talking about people who profess to be Christians and even entire denominations claiming to be Christian.”
(Alan Nelson IV – Things Above) Genesis 3 is a horrific chapter in terms of the fall of humanity. What takes place in Genesis 3 is out-and-out rebellion against a and holy God, a God who had provided a very good environment, a luscious landscape, clear flowing rivers, and offered His very presence and blessing. Continue reading
“Roach argues that lifelong celibacy is as valuable and respectable a lifestyle as marriage (it, of course, is not). This is a necessary talking-point to affirm Same-Sex Attraction (SSA) in evangelicalism.”
(Pulpit & Pen) The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) – the leftist lobbying PAC owned by the Southern Baptist Convention and run by Democratic staffer, Russell Moore – just posted an article about 4 Things God Wants Us to Know About Sex. The post minimizes and trivializes “traditional marriage” while encouraging man-on-man “intimacy” as a replacement for real marriage. Continue reading
“But I have seen “The Dark Knight” and, despite Heath Ledger’s incredible performance, his Joker—like Milton’s Satan—is not the intended hero. The fact that so many received the character as a hero says a lot about our culture. It betrays a culture-wide fascination with evil we now bring to the theater.”
(John Stonestreet & Shane Morris – Christian Headlines) Batman’s arch-nemesis is back on the silver screen in full face paint and purple suit, along with the uncomfortable questions his character raises about the state of our culture. Continue reading
“In our day, when there is a greater outrage to cutting down a tree or to hunting an animal than to the relentless killing of unborn children, we are sliding headlong into the oblivion that such prior monstrous societies have erstwhile gone speedily.”
(Theodore Zachariades – Pulpit & Pen) The Killing Machine, Planned Parenthood, is planning to dump 45 million dollars into a concerted effort to oust President Trump and thereby secure the continuing validity of Roe Vs. Wade…. Continue reading
“Perhaps there’s someone in your life you’ve shared the Gospel with time and time again. You’ve explained the Gospel so clearly. You have poured yourself out to them, you’ve listened to them, and have answered their questions as best you can, and yet they simply will not believe. You need to be reminded of the blindness of man.”
(Jordan Standridge – The Cripplegate) It doesn’t matter how many times you share the Gospel, you still need encouragement from time to time. Continue reading
(Marsha West – Christian Research Network) “It’s not easy being green,” crooned Kermit the Frog. “People tend to pass you over…because you’re not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water, or stars in the sky.”
It’s not easy being a “Christian Discerner” either. But, as Kermit sang, “I think it’s what I want to be.” Like the little green frog, I’m not standing out like flashy sparkles. But I’m okay with that….because I think a discerner is what God wants me to be.
For the time being, anyway.
Over the years I’ve spent a great deal of time investigating the cults, occult, and all sorts of aberrant religious movements that have crept into evangelicalism like a thief in the night. Whenever I come across something that violates biblical principles, I don’t keep it to myself. I share it on my blog, Christian Research Network and on my Facebook page. Continue reading
“The modern Evangelical push for reparations by these grace-denying apostates like Thabiti Anyabwile, Jemar Tisby, Kyle James Howard, Ekemini Uwan, and so forth is far out of sync with the Christian concept of justice and must be met with fierce opposition.”
(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte) Thabiti Anyabwile is notorious for his racial divisiveness and inflammatory racialized rhetoric. In a previous article at Reformation Charlotte, Ed Dingess explains that Thabiti Anyabwile is guilty of heresy because he teaches a sub-Christian false gospel known as Liberation Theology. Continue reading
“I once spoke with a sincere Christian friend who was convinced the coordinated terrorist attack on 9/11 was a U.S. government-controlled operation. But when I began raising questions, problems, or pointing out what I believed were inconsistencies, he would easily reply, “But that’s what they want you to believe.” In other words, any skepticism or evidence I raised against the conspiracy theory turned out to be part of the conspiracy theory itself.”
(Aaron Brake- Stand To Reason)The oldest and earliest documented naturalistic explanation for the empty tomb and resurrection of Jesus was a conspiracy theory: The disciples did it. The disciples stole the body. This account, given by the Jewish religious leaders of the day, is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew: Continue reading
“Republicans will want to know more about the origins of the whistleblower complaint, especially given the unorthodox use of whistleblower law involved.”
(Byron York – Washington Examiner) In an Aug. 26 letter, the Intelligence Community’s inspector general, Michael Atkinson, wrote that the anonymous whistleblower who set off the Trump-Ukraine impeachment fight showed “some indicia of an arguable political bias … in favor of a rival political candidate.” Continue reading
“This indeed should strike fear in the hearts of the Democrats. The Department of Justice holds the whip hand. They can indict people. Yes, the Democratic Congress can impeach. And no wonder they are trying their best to do that now. They are riding high–or some of them may think they are–because of polls and the nonstop outrage of the media.”
(Roger L Simon – PJ Media) The important news of the day–far beyond the inevitable tedious impeachment jousting–is that John Durham’s investigation of the provenance of the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation of possible Trump-Russia collusion has expanded, according to several administration officials. Continue reading
“Unfortunately, we are so focused on teaching our kids what to believe that we can forget to train them why to believe. Teaching the what without the why is like building a house without a foundation. It may stand for a season. But when the storms come, the house comes crashing down. Likewise, a faith that doesn’t understand why it’s true will not be able to withstand the challenges and doubts of life.”
(Tim Barnett – Stand To Reason) I take my job as a parent very seriously.
It’s my responsibility to teach my kids how to act. This starts early with a lot of “do’s and don’ts.” Don’t talk with your mouth full. Don’t talk back to your mother. Don’t hit your sisters. Do be kind. Do say please. Do share. Continue reading
“We would like to encourage Fr. Goring of Ottawa to become a Protestant. We would also encourage him to understand that the Mass of the Roman church and its Maryolotry is as pagan as any ritual found in the Amazon.”
(Pulpit & Pen) After Pope Francis bowed to worship a statue of a topless Amazonian fertility goddess this week, at least one Romanist priest ‘lost it’ on video and posted his angst over Pope’s apostasy to the Internet. Pulpit & Pen wrote about that pagan worship at the Vatican in the post, Pope Francis Worships Topless Earth Goddess With Pagans at the Vatican. Continue reading
“Now I know full well that at this point there already will be some angry Christians – angry not at her, but at me – for daring to even point out the marked inconsistencies between her walk and talk. They will drag out the old ‘you are not supposed to judge anyone’ baloney and seek to condemn me for even discussing this. … Um, of course we are to judge. We are under biblical obligation to do so. We are to counsel and warn those who claim to be Christ’s to live a life worthy of those claims. Our walk must match our talk, otherwise we are just deceiving ourselves. And no one wants to hear those frightening words of Christ one day.”
(Bill Muehlenberg – Culture Watch) This is a shocking case of a believer’s walk not matching their talk: Continue reading
“A famous anti-Trump, liberal lady-pastor made national headlines this year for sexually harassing a gay member of her church staff. Bill Hybels, now suspected of sexually abusing staff members, is a fully egalitarian church. Contrary to Boz Tchvidjian’s opinion, the woman abused at Willow Creek would not have been abused had she not been in the room to make decisions.”
(Pulpit & Pen) Under the guise of supporting abuse victims, the Democrat-controlled Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) hosted a conference over the weekend with the main underlying purpose of advocating for an end to male-leadership in the denomination. Continue reading
“Few changes of heart have been as head-spinning as the social conservatives and evangelical Christians who now consider Mr. Trump a hero. Many of the conservative women who once saw him as a boor have come to believe that for too long they were focused on the wrong qualities in presidential candidates. They wanted someone pious when they should have been looking for someone who could throw punches.”
(Jeremy W. Peters – MSN) In 2016, Erick Erickson could not have been clearer. Donald Trump was “a racist” and “a fascist.” It was no wonder, Mr. Erickson wrote, that “so many people with swastikas in their Twitter profile pics” supported him. “I will not vote for Donald Trump. Ever,” he insisted, adding his voice to the chorus of Never Trump Republicans. Continue reading