Commentary, analysis and opinion.

Adonai with female body parts?

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John Lanagan of The Word Like Fire begins with an apology:

Reader, I sincerely apologize for the title, and for having to present the quotes from Paul Young’s novel, Eve. Young’s false teaching and mother goddess first entered the visible church through his book, The Shack.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shall be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (Hosea 4:6) Continue reading →

Matt Chandler & Other Evangelical Leaders Rejected TED Bloggers’ Pleas to Expose Harvest in 2012

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“I’m heartened that Chandler may be changing his tune. But I am underwhelmed by his response. The failure by Chandler and his unnamed colleagues left thousands at the mercy of a vicious wolf, including Mahoney and Bryant. These leaders should be cut to the heart right now and asking these men and others hurt by Harvest for forgiveness.”

(Julie Roys)   Former celebrity pastor, James MacDonald, has been fired. His sins have been splashed on national headlines. Every elder and senior leader at Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) has resigned. And the church is scrambling to stay afloat.

But it all could have been prevented.

That’s according Ryan Mahoney and Scott Bryant, authors of The Elephant’s Debt (TED), a blog critical of Harvest and MacDonald. Continue reading →

This Is Not Your Grandparents’ Church

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Bethel Church in Redding CA, live worship (stage show) April 2019 – Youtube screenshot

“And here’s the sick irony: by driving off the elderly, they were driving off the people who, through their weakness, would bring a unique strength. They were driving off people who are necessary to the healthy functioning of a church.”

(Tim Challies)  One of the ugliest boasts of so many of the churches created during the era of the Church Growth Movement was this: This is not your grandparents’ church. This was a slogan they proudly broadcast on signs outside their churches multi-function ministry centers, a motto they printed on postcards and mailed to nearby homes. Just about every upper middle class neighborhood in North America got at least a few of these in the late 90s and early aughts. Continue reading →

Demise of LifeWay: Changing times or because they peddled heresy?

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“[A] movement was launched against LifeWay by comments construed as elitist towards its customers in 2014 by Ed Stezter in response to concerns over John Piper’s cozy comments to the Pope.”

(Ray Fava – NOQ Report)  It’s not the best of times to be a book store in 2019. Amazon crushed much of the competition. Still, LifeWay remained the retail branch of the Southern Baptist Convention until its announced closure of all of its stores back in March. The brand will continue to operate online…. Continue reading →

Bethel Redding singer Amanda Lindsey Cook’s Jesus as ‘Enlightened Master’?

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“Bill Johnson believes the miracles Jesus performed came about because He, as a man, and only as a man, had access to the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Johnson teaches that Christians should be capable of wondrous feats of healing and miracles due to our own relationship with the Holy Spirit.”

(John Lanagan – The Word Like Fire)  “Happy Good Friday everyone. I never know how to greet people on this day….a day we mark as a moment in time when the Enlightened Master seemed to descend into shadows.”[1] — Amanda Lindsey Cook

Enlightened Master? Continue reading →

Beth Moore Refuses to Denounce Homosexuality as Sinful

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“It appears that Moore has made a half-witted, half-hearted attempt to divert the focus of the question by giving the impression that she was answering the question without actually addressing the issue at hand. In her response, she refuses to directly answer the question, “is homosexuality a sin?” and instead, quotes a Scripture that does no mention homosexuality.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  Beth Moore has been under scrutiny for the last several weeks due to her outspoken advocacy for feminism and egalitarianism in the Southern Baptist Convention…. Continue reading →

The young are regarded as the most tolerant generation. That’s why results of this LGBTQ survey are ‘alarming’

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“Ellis is confident the younger generation can rise again as beacons of unbiased values. When numbers dipped a year ago for young males, GLAAD went to where male audiences consume content: video games. The advocacy group worked with the industry to introduce diverse characters and help shape attitudes.”

(Susan Miller – USA Today)  Young people are growing less tolerant of LGBTQ individuals, a jarring turn for a generation traditionally considered embracing and open, a survey released Monday shows. Continue reading →

We Remember: The Charismatic Day of Infamy, June 23rd, 2008

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“ALL of these “Super Apostles” claim to hear directly from God and claim to have special “powers” and “anointings.” They claim that they are part of a new and better church-not like the old, stuffy Bible-focused churches. They claim to “move in the prophetic” and some even claim to be “seers” who can predict the future. Rick Joyner claims to go to heaven on a regular basis-he evens claims to talk to the original (real) apostles, and he claims they wish they were him! Why didn’t God tell any of these people the truth about Todd Bentley?”

(Steven Kozar – Messed Up Church)  It’s the eleventh year anniversary of June 23, 2008: “The Charismatic Day of Infamy,” but you are NOT supposed to know about it (or even talk about it). Continue reading →

Cultural and Theological Stockholm Syndrome

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“People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated.” 

(Joseph E Torres – truthxchange)  Stockholm Syndrome can be defined as the “psychological response wherein a captive begins to identify closely with his or her captors, as well as with their agenda and demands.”…. Continue reading →

Beth Moore’s Beliefs on Homosexuality Are Called into Question in Open Letter from Bible Teachers

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The letter focus[es] heavily on Moore’s seemingly close relationships with two progressive Christian authors, Jen Hatmaker and Jonathan Merritt, who have openly shown support for the LGBTQ community. Merritt has even expressed that he had “at least one homosexual encounter about a decade ago.”

(Kayla Koslosky – Christian Headlines)  Nearly a half a dozen woman Bible teachers have called Christian author Beth Moore’s views on homosexuality into question this week. Continue reading →

Draining the Rainbow Swamp

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“Vengeance is His, let’s remember. But these harmful actions need to stop. And they will if enough of us keep saying “No.” “Drag Queen 101” was cancelled recently in Delaware and Licking counties in Ohio not because of “threats” as alleged but because enough people called, wrote, and said “No.” Even brave Republican lawmakers flexed their muscles. If thinking citizens do this, they will go away. It doesn’t take much, but it does take enough of us. And all the while, we must lift up prayers for these poor lost people.”

(Linda Harvey – Mission: America)  Have you had your fill of “pride” yet?

Corporations, government agencies, online sites, schools. AT&T, Walmart, Kellogg’s, Nationwide, Ikea. I was already on rainbow overload when I opened the mail. Continue reading →

Behind the music: The baffling views about God held by Bethel Music’s Amanda Lindsey Cook

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“Some of her songs that you may have heard include “You Make Me Brave,” “Closer,” and “I Will Exalt.” They’re played on Christian radio stations and sung in churches throughout the nation. But the combination of Cook’s half-baked theological views and the popularity of her music raises the question: does the songwriter’s viewpoint or intent matter when it comes to writing songs for others to worship God?”

(Holly Pivec – Spirit of Error)  I was baffled and dismayed by the responses in an interview the Christian Post conducted, in April, with Amanda Lindsey Cook, a prominent worship leader and songwriter with Bethel Music. The interview was about her most recent album, House on a Hill, and about what Cook was thinking about God as she wrote the songs for this album. Continue reading →

God’s holy name, misused and abused, even by believers

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(Marsha West – Christian Research Network)  You can run, you can hide, but you can’t get away from it, “God knows I’ve tried.”  It seems that wherever you go, whether it’s to the mall, a movie, the golf course, the hardware store, or even a buffet line, God’s name is being misused loudly and proudly.  It’s so common that most people don’t even notice.

But some of us do.

It’s rare to watch a TV program without hearing G-d this, G-d that….”Oh my G-d!”  Some people like to punctuate each word, “Oh – my – G-d.” Others say it as if it’s a single word, “OhmyG-d!” And there are those who shorten it to “Oh G-d” in a despairing tone. If he’s a guy of few words, just saying “G-d!” will make his point.  For added punch, some people tack on damn, as in “G-D America!” Continue reading →

The DNC Sold The Brooklyn Bridge To The FBI

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“When was Russia-was-behind-the-hack proven to be true? The FBI never tested the computers. The DNC at the time was constructing a Russia-did-it excuse to deflect attention from its damaging emails and did not want law enforcement to poke around its story too much.”

(Thomas Farnan – Human Events)  George C. Parker was a con man who specialized in selling unwary immigrants the Brooklyn Bridge. His ruse was discovered when the police had to arrest a few poor souls who set up toll booths on the access ramp. The resulting expression, “I have a bridge to sell you,” is a gibe at the victims of dumb frauds.

Last week, Andrew McCarthy ended his article about the dubious Russian origins of the Steele Dossier with the following statement: Continue reading →

The Shack author brings new ‘Reformation’ to the church

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“On Mother’s Day, the influence of The Shack was very clear when a congregation worshiped “Mama Ghost” and the “Mother”. A church leader spoke about the “Mother Heart of God” which is also the title of a Paul Young teaching. Reformation indeed.”

(John Lanagan – The Word Like Fire)  In an interview with The Shack author Paul Young several years ago,  Bethel Redding’s Kris Vallotton asked, “Do you think that this book is really a catalyst for Reformation in the church?” [1] (27:13 in video)

Paul Young replied, “I think this is part of whatever this is that the Holy Spirit is doing in the world.” [2] (27:23) Continue reading →

Teachings of the 2018 Revoice Conference may split the Presbyterian Church in America

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This piece by Rev. Steven Warhurst is entitled “Responding to Revoice: The Case for Overture 28 at the PCA General Assembly (Part One).” An overture is the request of a presbytery for action by the General Assembly upon a specific matter. According to Rev. Warhurst “The Revoice Conference speakers affirmed homosexual orientation as a legitimate part of their identity; something that should not be condemned or changed. Overture 28 offers a different perspective.” Rev. Steven Warhurst’s overture is published on The Aquila Report: 

The Revoice Conference speakers repeatedly affirmed homosexual orientation as a legitimate part of their identity; something that should not be condemned or changed.[i]Ray Low condemned those who recommended counseling to help change his orientation.[ii] Greg Johnson expressed skepticism about whether sexual orientation could change[iii]and rejected the possibility of repenting of attractions.[iv] Continue reading →

When Normality Became Abnormal

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Unhinged comedian Kathy Griffin holds bloody Donald Trump mask.

“Trump so unhinged the Left that it finally tore off its occasional veneer of moderation, and showed us what progressives had in store for America. On one side in 2020 is socialism, “Medicare for All,” wealth taxes, top income tax rates of 70 or 80 or 90 percent, a desire for a Supreme Court full of “wise Latinas” like Sonia Sotomayor, insidious curtailment of the First and Second Amendments, open borders, blanket amnesties, reparations, judges as progressive legislators, permissible infanticide, abolition of student debt, elimination of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau and the Electoral College, voting rights for 16-year-olds and felons, and free college tuition.” 

(Victor Davis Hanson – American Greatness)  Donald Trump is many things. But one thing he is not is a defender of the 2009-2016 status quo and accepted progressive convention. Since 2017, everything has been in flux. Lots of past conventional assumptions of the Obama-Clinton-Romney-Bush generation were as unquestioned as they were suspect. No longer. Continue reading →

In Stunning Reversal, Roman Catholics to Ordain Married Men as Priests, Women as Clergy

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The official announcement came yesterday after consultations between the Vatican and Catholics in the Amazon region. Most commentators believe that the decision was made because Rome sees South America as the future of the Roman Catholic church. As “Christianity” fades in Europe, its center of growth is increasingly in the Western Hemisphere and, in particular, South America.

(Pulpit & Pen)  As Pulpit & Pen first reported in November of 2017, the Romanist church was considering the ordination of married men as priests. Chiefly, the Vatican was considering the changes because of a shortage of celibate men to choose from the Amazon region. Now, the Vatican has officially embraced married men as clergy. Continue reading →

Defecting from Todd White & ‘lifestyle’ Christianity

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There’s an important documentary we highly recommend that warns Christians about the Word of Faith movement. Todd White, who’s featured in the documentary, is a leader in the New Order of the Latter Rain and New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) heresy. White teaches that when people are spiritually baptized they become Sons of God, little Gods, or Kings Kids (like Jesus). Find out more about the documentary from Churchwatch Central:

A major Christian documentary, ‘American Gospel: Christ Alone’, has been produced to warn Christians around the world of what has become ‘America’s most dreadful export’, the Word of Faith movement…. Continue reading →

How many sins will it take for the Southern Baptist Convention to disqualify false teachers?

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Photo from “Aesop’s Fables”

“Check the shelves at LifeWay. Select twenty average SBC churches with women’s ministries and see whose books, DVDs, and simulcasts are being used again and again. Peruse the speakers at popular SBC conferences.  You’ll find names like Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Lysa TerKeurst,  Christine Caine, Ann Voskamp, Sarah Young, Andy Stanley, Steven Furtick, Rick Warren, and T.D. Jakes, just to name a few.”

(Michelle Lesley) Think back to your childhood. Remember the story, The Emperor’s New Clothes?

Once upon an time, there lived an emperor. One day two swindlers came to his palace and told him they could weave cloth for his royal robes that was magical: to those who were foolish or unfit for their jobs, it would appear invisible…. Continue reading →

California’s Proposed Resolution Tells Pastors How They Should Talk About Homosexuality. That’s Not Okay

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“Under its guidelines, California pastors who believe homosexuality falls short of our Creator’s intentions would be forbidden from saying so. Forbidden from encouraging congregants who are same-sex attracted to abstain from homosexual behavior (even if they are heterosexually married). Forbidden from encouraging congregants to abandon homosexuality as a primary means of self-identification.”

(Joe Dallas – The Stream)  The California Assembly will soon vote on a resolution laying the framework for what many of us have feared and predicted for years: the power of the State to dictate moral positions to the Church. Continue reading →

Mother Goddess of The Shack and AA’s higher power’

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In the Fall of the Evangelical Nation, secular author Christine Wicker credits Alcoholics Anonymous with “hastening the fall of the evangelical church.”

(John Lanagan – The Word Like Fire)  Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. (Jeremiah 2:11)

Why have so many rejected the Christ of the Bible? Why have so many created a “Christ” of their own understanding? What happened? Continue reading →

Russiagate Is No Watergate

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“If the impeachment hearings come, they will be seen for what they are: An attempted coup to overthrow a president by the losers of 2016 who are fearful they could lose again in 2020 and be out of power for four more years.”

(Patrick J. Buchanan – CNSNews)  “History is repeating itself, and with a vengeance,” John Dean told the Judiciary Committee, drawing a parallel between Watergate, which brought down Richard Nixon, and “Russiagate” which has bedeviled Donald Trump.

But what strikes this veteran of Nixon’s White House is not the similarities but the stark differences. Continue reading →

The Woke Tools of the SBC: A Review of Resolution 9 on Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality

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“Intersectionality has convinced many within evangelicalism to: Replace theology with victimology. Swap pastors with sociologists. Trade theologians for political activists. We will never achieve “reconciliation” and “unity” and “equality” through social justice. The SBC has made a serious mistake and one that without stern correction will be the tipping point for an already vulnerable and numerically decreasing Convention of churches.” 

(Josh Buice – Delivered By Grace)  The Southern Baptist Convention fought a 30-year long battle for the Bible known as the Conservative Resurgence, but what happened in Birmingham, Alabama might just prove to validate the woke movement for the largest protestant denomination in America…. Continue reading →