Commentary, analysis and opinion.

Getting ‘Unhitched’ from the Old Testament? Andy Stanley Aims at Heresy

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Megachurch pastor Andy Stanley describes the effort to retain much of the Old Testament as “intellectually ruinous and morally debilitating.” Albert Mohler, president of Southern Seminary & Boyce College, disagrees. He argues that because the Lord Jesus and the Apostles didn’t “unhitch the Christian faith from their Jewish Scriptures” as Stanley urges Christians to do, we should pay no attention to him.  Moreover, Dr. Mohler warns:

We are looking here at the ancient heresy of Marcion, who argued that the Old Testament must be repudiated by the church. Marcion, who lived about the years 85-160, taught that the Old Testament revealed a Creator deity who is not even the same God who sent Jesus. Unsurprisingly, he also held to a heretical Christology.

Now listen to Dr. Mohler explain why he believes Andy Stanley’s teaching aims at heresy. He writes: Continue reading →

Having Faith in Doubt: A Response to Steven Furtick

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Let me say as this plainly as I know how: there is nothing of doubt in faith. God is not honored by doubt; doubting is not obedience to God. It is disobedience.

(Owen Strachan – For The Church) Doubt is back in the news. We’ve all heard a great deal about postmodernism over the years; one of the ways it continues to influence us as a culture is to make us prize uncertainty and distrust certainty. It seems more authentic, more truly human, even more virtuous, to live in gray areas than it is does to traffic in certitudes. You could sum up the spirit of the age like this: we’re being encouraged to have faith in doubt. Continue reading →

A tale of two confessions: Bill Hybels and Art Azurdia

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“The bottom line—when a pastor disqualifies himself because of immorality, his church needs to investigate, and then rebuke. They need to rebuke him publically, clearly, and directly.” 

(Jesse Johnson – The Cripplegate)  In the past month, two prominent pastors have had their private sins publicly exposed: Bill Hybels and Art Azurdia—one nationally known and whose fall was front page news, the other known only inside of evangelical circles and his fall reported largely on social media.

Both demonstrated conduct contrary to the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3, conduct that disqualifies them from being elders. Both committed adultery, and the fall of both men will obviously bring shame on the name of Christ. Continue reading →

Christians Mystically Encountering God (Reprise)

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FLASHBACK FRIDAY

This article by CRN managing editor Marsha West was published 4/16/2013.

For a couple of decades there has been a big push by numerous evangelical leaders to incorporate pagan practices into the visible Church.  These unbiblical practices have their origins in Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, likewise the New Age movement.  Roman Catholic Trappist Monks fully embraced Eastern religion’s pagan practices.  Through the writings of Thomas Merton, Basil Pennington, William Menninger and Thomas Keating these practices have been introduced into mainline Protestant churches as well as independent, nondenominational, charismatic and Pentecostal churches. Continue reading →

Rick Warren Says Saddleback Has Matched the Growth of Church in Acts 2: Just Needs a Few More Baptisms to Pass a History-Making Milestone

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“Already baptized? That’s ok!  Since baptism doesn’t really do anything your invited to come and be baptized again!” 

(Daniel Long – Long For The Truth)  Do you want to feel significant, special, important? Then you need to be baptized! But, baptism in any old church won’t do! Nope. In order for your  baptism to be really special, you need to be baptized at one of the twenty Saddleback Campuses.

Why?

First, because “no other church in America,” or quite possibly the world, has done what Saddleback has done! Saddleback is the modern-day church of Acts 2. Continue reading →

Willow Creek Elders and Pastor Heather Larson Resign over Bill Hybels

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“We believe that [Hybels’s] sins were beyond what he previously admitted on stage, and certainly we believe that his actions with these women were sinful,” she said. “We believe he did not receive feedback as well as he gave it, and he resisted the accountability structures we all need.”

(Bob Smietana – Christianity Today)  In the summer of 2008, Bill Hybels stood in front of thousands of pastors and other church leaders gathered at Willow Creek Community Church and admitted his megachurch had failed. Continue reading →

What Censorship of Alex Jones Means for the Rest of Us

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“What is disturbing is that these are independent companies that seem to have made this decision collectively. In other words, competitors are making decisions about content publication together. Regardless of how you feel about Jones, that should make anyone who is cautious of a Corporatocracy a tad concerned.”

(Pulpit & Pen)  Social media companies are private corporations that reserve the right to deny service to anyone. There is no constitutional right to demand that Google, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or iTunes allow any person to speak freely. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution restricts the government from prohibiting speech, but privately owned companies – whether newspapers, opinion websites, or social media platforms – can censor whomever they want. That said, the coordinated censorship of Alex Jones by these companies should frighten anyone who is seriously concerned with a free flow of information in the Marketplace of Ideas. … Continue reading →

The Pastors Who Run Evangelical Hollywood

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Judah Smith & Justin Bieber

“Pentecostal interpretation of the Bible is not always what millennials want to hear. Media outlets have questioned Lentz, Veach, Smith, and Wilkerson about their views on marriage equality and abortion, which more traditional Pentecostal churches rail against. The cool pastors, however, prefer not to share their opinions on these issues.”

(Pulpit & Pen) Kanye West. Kim Kardashian. Russell Wilson. Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Justin Bieber. I know that if you hear these names you think, “solid Christian believers.”

No? The influence of charismaticism’s prosperity-driven moralistic, therapeutic deism in Hollywood has been well-established. In particular, the influence of Hillsong has been explored by major media. Like the Church of Scientology, Hillsong has thrived primarily by celebrity influence. And so, Carl Lentz – the pastor of Hillsong New York – has been seen taking shots with addiction-riddled Justin Beiber. Beiber and his one-time sweetheart, Selena Gomez, have visited pastor of Hillsong’s affiliate church in Seattle, Judah Smith via private jet. Continue reading →

What are the greater works Jesus promised we would do?

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The key is to see that these “works” were a signpost, along with Jesus’ words, that bore witness to the truth of Jesus – that he was indeed God’s promised King. The works we do, as Christians, are the good things that are part of the normal Christian life that bear witness to the truth of Jesus.

(PastorFish) “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12) Continue reading →

Bethel’s delusions of grandeur – impervious to the realities of the Carr fire

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Before we get to Rick Becker’s piece, here’s a quote by Theresa Dedmon, a woman who’s on the pastoral staff at Bethel Church in Redding CA. Bethel’s not far from the raging Carr fire that took the lives of 7 people and destroyed well over 160,000 acres and 1,077 homes in Shasta County:

All of us have most likely experienced raging fires, like the Carr fire, that has come against us either in our relationships, pursuing our dreams, or feeling secure for our future. Remember, that support from others, hearing God’s voice, declaring, and giving thanks will be key for your victory. I can hardly wait to share with you stories of victory and breakthrough as we press in for God’s mercy and blessing for protection and restoration. Remember you are Born to Create, and declare life! (Emphasis in the article) Continue reading →

Revoice: Sliding into Heresy

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“In spite of the Scripture’s clear teaching against homosexual activity … the church will be splintered, divided not so much by justification by faith or the status of Scripture but by non-binary homosexuality, which claims to be god-honoring but will lead to outright paganism.”

(Peter Jones – truthXchange)  A mixed bag of straight and gay pastors, celibate and non-celibate gays, parents and children—450 in all—have just met in a church (PCA) in St Louis. The conference attempted to integrate into the church and its ministry homosexuals who accept the biblical view of sex and marriage as limited to heterosexual people, but who see their same-sex orientation as unchangeable, even as a normative part of creation. … Continue reading →

Women Preaching: It’s Not a Secondary Doctrinal Issue

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Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber

According to Bible study author, speaker and blogger Michelle Lesley, there are “essential”, “primary”, or “first tier” doctrines a person must hold in order to become a Christian and/or be considered a Christian. So, what are these doctrines? One example she gives is that you must believe you’re a sinner. And if you don’t believe you’re a sinner? You’re not saved. Period.

Michelle also delves into what the Church considers “secondary issues” a.k.a. non-essentials.  As you can see by the title, she believes the Bible teaches that women should not preach. Moreover, she has confidence that women should not serve as pastors, teach men Scripture in the church, and exercise authority over men in the church.

Now listen to Michelle Lesley explain all the reasons for believing that her’s is the biblical view.  She writes: Continue reading →

What does Jesus think about discernment? This verse tells you

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Photo credit Stuart Miles – from 8:28 Ministries

I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. (Revelation 2:2).

(Elizabeth Prata)  We live in an age where fellow Christians say that to speak of someone specific being a false teacher is mean, or ill-mannered, or inappropriate. “Just let them alone, God will take care if them,” they say. Or they claim that speaking against false teaching is uncivil, and to “Just pray for them.” Many of thems ay, “You can’t know if he/she is false, you don’t know their heart.” Continue reading →

Planned Parenthood Launches New Abortion Manifesto Calling Abortion a ‘Human Right’

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“The campaign released a star-studded video featuring music from Sia and an appearance by “Big Bang Theory” star Mayim Bialik. Planned Parenthood has long touted support from celebrities to help promote their abortion agenda.”

(Lauretta Brown – LifeNews)  Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, launched a new campaign Thursday ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. The “Unstoppable” campaign highlights eight leftist tenets that the abortion organization lays out in a manifesto. Continue reading →

Why There Is No Such Thing As the Gift of Tongues

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For some reason while speaking in tongues some charismatic leaders repeat the phrase “shaka baba” (here).  What language is this and what does it mean exactly? NAR “apostle” Heidi Baker says it means “to ascend.” While preaching, another NAR leader John Kilpatrick uttered “shi-yah-nih-yah…yi-yi-yi-yi…oh come on praise him!” Later “sha-ba-ba-ba….ba!  Charismatics would have us believe that the Holy Spirit fills followers of Jesus Christ to have them utter baby talk that makes no sense to anyone.  There’s more where this came from, brethren. Go to YouTube and search “talking in tongues.” Continue reading →

Are you a member of the HFIB Club? (Reprise)

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FLASHBACK FRIDAY

This article by CRN managing editor Marsha West was published July 3, 2015.

Many Bible believing Christians are members of the HFIB club.  The acronym stands for hate, fear, ignorance and bigotry.  To be inducted into HFIB all one has to do is oppose homosexual “marriage” or—gasp!—proclaim that homosexuality is a sin against a holy God. For example, talk show host Montel Williams labeled social conservatives hateful bigots for disagreeing with the High Court’s broad interpretation of the U.S. Constitution regarding same-sex “marriage.”  Montel has chosen sides, it seems – he’s taken the side of the totalitarian and intolerant left. In a piece by ChristianExaminer columnist Michael Foust entitled Talk show host Montel Williams compares gay marriage opponents to ISIS, Taliban, Foust writes: Continue reading →

This isn’t culture war. It’s worse.

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“This isn’t ‘culture war.’  Culture has nothing to do with it.  It’s war on normality by Brownshirts, incited or paid for by the likes of George Soros and Tom Steyer.  It has now graduated from street-fighting to trying to take down the U.S. government.”

(Jack Rail – American Thinker)  Progressives continue to astonish normal people with their complete incomprehension of normals (as Kurt Schlichter calls them) as human beings.  Perhaps that’s because they don’t see us as human beings.  They call us unsavory names – deplorables, bitter clingers, toothless, plus every dirty word they can think of.  They throw nasty, biological things.  They spit on people.  They shove people, break windows, start fights, and go out of their way to ensure that everybody has a bad day. Continue reading →

The hidden pitfall of Bill Johnson’s ‘Red-Letter Revival’

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Holly Pivec of Spirit of Error addresses Bethel Church lead pastor and so-called apostle Bill Johnson’s teaching that believers ought to regularly pursue direction from outside of Scripture, “from subjective impressions experienced by ourselves and others rather than from the objective Word of God.”  Are “subjective impressions” found in the Bible?  And do the scriptures suggest that believers are to follow their own imaginations?

What most people fail to realize is that the sorts of things Bethel Redding’s leadership promotes (here) will lead them into the world of the occult.

Now listen to what Holly Pivec has to say about the very controversial Bill Johnson. She writes: Continue reading →

An Open Letter of Confession from Art Azurdia

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It is with great disappointment, my dear friends, that I must express this confession to you in a manner that, for me, has always seemed so distant and detached. I would’ve preferred a much more personal and direct means of communication . . . sitting in a coffee shop or at a kitchen table. Unfortunately, however—given the number of people to whom I must acknowledge my failure, as well as the vast distances that separate us—I ask you to graciously recognize this as my best effort to reach as many of you as possible.

July 27, 2018

To my wife and family members, the elders and congregation of Trinity Church, the faculty of Western Seminary, and friends and colleagues both near and abroad . . . Continue reading →

Study Indicates Beginning of Scripture Neglected

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How often do you read the Bible, and where do you read from? These were two of the questions a recent study from the ministry publisher Crossway asked 6,000 Bible readers. The results showed, rather predictably, that most Bible reading is confined to the New Testament (with considerable focus on the last book, Revelation), and that people typically find the Old Testament prophetic books the most difficult to understand. But this survey serves as a reminder that we need to read the whole Bible—not just the New Testament!

(Ken Ham – Answers In Genesis)  There are some encouraging results in this study. The book of Genesis shows on the infographic as being in the top 10 books respondents had read in the previous year, the previous six months, and the previous month. Continue reading →

Leaving Louie Giglio: A Passion City Story

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“Louie regularly partners with others who don’t preach these important doctrines; think Hillsong (Brian Houston of Hillsong Australia is a prosperity teacher not to mention how bad Carl Lentz and Christine Cain are), Elevation Church (Steven Furtick is a motivational speaker who doesn’t preach the Gospel), Andy Stanley (seeker-sensitive who goes out of his way to not offend people with the Gospel, also Louie’s childhood friend), Chad Veach (imagine a cross between a comedian and Steven Furtick), to name a few.” 

(Pulpit & Pen) The following is the personal testimony of Chuck Grant.  It details his time at Passion City Church in Atlanta.  For a similar testimony, see this previous article Continue reading →

Where Do People Who Never Hear of Jesus Go When They Die?

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“For some reason some Christians get hung up on this question. A lot of Christians shy away from this question. Maybe it is because in our flesh it is hard for us to believe that we actually deserve an eternity in hell for our sin.”

(Jordan Standridge – The Cripplegate) In the last couple years, some of my longer Gospel conversations ended up with this question at one point or another. I’m not sure why, but it seemed to come up very often, especially when talking with practicing Roman Catholics.

It is a very good question, because it just doesn’t seem fair to us as human beings that so many people all over the world never get the chance to hear about Jesus. Continue reading →

Are the fires in Redding a sign of God’s judgement on Bethel?

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Rick Becker tackles the claim that the Carr Fire raging in Shasta County that has engulfed more than 100,000 acres is a sign of God’s judgment on Bethel Church in Redding CA.  Is that true? You can read Becker’s piece over at Famine In The Land. He writes:

The Carr fire that has caused devastation in California, has weaved it’s way into Redding, home of Bethel church.  Hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and at the time of this writing two lives have been lost.  This tragedy comes shortly after the horrific fires in Greece that took the lives of at least sixty people.  Across the world, other tragedies are taking place in the form of other natural disasters, wars, disease, and starvation.  The Carr fire has captured the attention of those familiar with the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) due to one of the chief proponents of NAR false doctrines being Bethel church.  In this brief post, I would like to address the speculation concerning the reason for the fire. Continue reading →

A Local Disaster: County Baptist Association Calls on David Barton

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“This is what Chris Roseborugh, the minister who hosts Fighting for the Faith and researches false teachers for a living, had to say about David Barton:  ‘There are people who twist God’s word and then there are people who just make fleeting references to it…Dave Barton…is flat out deceitful…he needs to clean up his act…he is discrediting himself and he is discrediting Christianity by engaging in this kind of deception.'”

(Seth Dunn – Pulpit & Pen)  My grandfather was a World War II veteran.  He was a part of the 10th Mountain Division, which fought the Axis Powers in Italy.  He was a gregarious storyteller and relayed to our family more than a few humorous tales of his wartime service.  If my grandfather had traumatic experiences during the war he did not, like many of his contemporaries, let on about them…. Continue reading →