Commentary, analysis and opinion.

A Missive Against False Teachers

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

The late Ken Silva posted the following at Apprising Ministries in 2011:

Just as in times past there were false prophets in Israel, there are now false teachers among us. They’ve cunningly introduced destructive heresies. They  even deny the Lord who, through His atonement bought them. By doing these things these false teachers will bring swift destruction on themselves!

Many are following their shameful ways and they are causing the way of truth to be mocked and ridiculed. In their greed these false teachers are exploiting  the church with stories they have made up. But, their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction is certain.

What are these false teachers thinking? Don’t they know that in the past, God did not spare angels when they sinned! God sent them to hell, and put them in chains to be held for judgment. God also did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its wicked and ungodly people. God only saved Noah, a man who was a preacher of righteousness, along with seven other people. God also condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to the ground. God did this to make an example of them and clearly show us what is going to happen to wicked and ungodly people.

Continue reading →

Michael Brown Again Promotes Fake Rabbi and False Prophet, Jonathan Cahn

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

Let there be no doubt that Jonathan Cahn is a false prophet for the reason that his prophecies haven’t come to pass. Dr. Michael Brown certainly knows that, right? Yet Pulpit & Pen News reports that Brown interviewed Cahn on Line of Fire “to help him sell yet another book attempting to portend future events.” One cannot help but wonder why a highly regarded Bible scholar like Brown would want to sell the books of a false prophet like Cahn to those who tune into his show, those who trust his judgment. “Keep in mind,” reminds P&P, “Cahn’s failed Shemitah prophecies followed on the heels of The Harbinger, which also contained failed prophecies.” Here’s P&P’s report:

How many times does someone have to make false prophecies before you can call them a false prophet? According to the Bible, the answer is “only once” (Deuteronomy 18:22). How many time does someone have to make false prophecies before Michael Brown calls them a false prophet? There doesn’t seem to be a limit.

Twenty-five months ago today, Jonathan Cahn’s The Mystery of the Shemitah prophecy failed to come to fruition. His New York Times best-selling book (it made it to #2 in prophecy, #3 in religion and #129 in books overall) claimed that America was on a seven-year cycle and that upon the Jewish “Shemitah” there would be an imminent national collapse, signaling God’s final judgment of the nation. The charismatic prophets – including Dr. Michael Brown – all nodded their heads in approval of Cahn’s thesis, with Charisma Mag writing, 10 Things that are Going to Happen Within 15 Days of the End of Shemitah. When asked on September 23, 2015 where he stood on the Shemitah (two days before it was to end), Dr. Brown said, “the jury is still out, and we will watch and see what is going to happen in the coming weeks.”

View article →

Should Christians Participate in Halloween? 7 Scriptures to Consider

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Is it appropriate for evangelicals to celebrate Halloween? Some say “absolutely not” while others say “what’s the big deal anyway?” Bible study author, speaker and blogger Michelle Lesley goes right to the scriptures to help Bible believing Christians make their decision.  She writes:

Since there is no specific Bible verse that says, “Thou shalt/shalt not participate in Halloween and its related activities,” this is an area of Christian liberty that must be decided by each individual or couple on the basis of scriptural principles and prayer. If there are Halloween activities available to you that do not violate scriptural principles or your conscience or cause you to become a stumbling block to someone weaker in the faith (which may even be your spouse or child), you are free to participate in those aspects of Halloween. Continue reading →

‘Hollywood Is the World’s Capital of Hypocrisy,’ Says Screenwriter

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

Evidently people are bored with movies that don’t tell stories anymore. Screenwriter Roger L. Simon believes the reasons for bland storytelling that bores people is the “overuse of special effects and the fear of offending social justice warriors.”LifeZette has the story:

Hollywood is having a rough time getting audiences to theaters. Plagued with scandals surrounding filmmakers like Harvey Weinstein and James Toback, the industry has been struggling to connect with the average moviegoer.

After a disastrous summer that saw only a handful of hits, the box office is entering another slump. This last weekend saw low openings for major motion pictures, such as the $120 million “Geostorm” and “The Snowman,” which was executive-produced by Martin Scorsese. The only film to earn a sizable sum was Tyler Perry’s “Boo 2! A Madea Halloween.”

View article →

Discounts, guarantees and the the Search For ‘Good’ Genes And The Booming Fertility Business

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

Technocrats are bent on recreating society and humanity in their own image, according to science and the Scientific Method. They believe they are hijacking the evolutionary process and that they can design and micro-manage the society of the future. –Technocracy News Editor

The Washington Post has the story:

When Julie Schlomer got the news that she was finally pregnant at the age of 43, her thoughts turned to the other mothers. There were three of them in all, complete strangers, but they shared an extraordinary bond made possible by 21st-century medicine and marketing.

They were all carrying half-siblings.

Under a cost-saving program offered by Rockville-based Shady Grove Fertility, the women split 21 eggs harvested from a single donor — blue-eyed, dark-haired, with a master’s degree in teaching. Each had the eggs fertilized with her partner’s sperm and transferred to her womb.

View article →

Hollywood’s Plunge into the Bottomless Pit

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

We cannot log into our electronic media without seeing the face of film producer Harvey Weinstein on almost every news site; likewise, that chubby face is all over TV news stations and magazine covers. The photo of Weinstein, unshaven for several days with a diabolical look in his eyes, is everywhere. Why? Because the Hellywood (not a typo) mogul has been accused by a growing number of actresses and models of everything from sexual harassment to rape. Most of you are aware of the crimes this man allegedly committed so I won’t rehash it here. Those who haven’t heard the story can do a Google search. But before you dig in, take an antacid.

One last thing before I get to my point. According to reports, pretty much everyone in Hellywood was aware of Weinstein’s, now admitted to, reprehensible treatment of women and chose not to out him. Victims didn’t spill the beans because attorneys on Harvey’s payroll paid them big bucks for their silence. Oh to be filthy rich, a powerful studio executive, and recipient of an Academy Award!

Now to my point. For several years I’ve exposed the ways in which the Hellywood elites sexualize tweens and teens (articles below). Back in 2011 I wrote a piece entitled “Tinseltown’s on a mission to sexualize young girls” that came to mind when Harvey Weinstein became the big story. I realized that, although it was written six years ago, it contains information that is pertinent today. So rather than writing a new piece on Tinseltown, I’m re-posting a chunk of my old piece with minor changes. The re-post has nothing to do with the disgraced Hellywood producer. It’s not even about the entertainment industry’s plunge into the bottomless pit.  No. I’m going to address the collateral damage that invariably occurs when a nation loses its moral compass. Who suffers? You guessed it. Children. Not knowing any better, kids dive right into the pit with their heroes.

I’ll begin from the beginning:

Wholesome teen star “Hannah Montana”

By Marsha West

There are some disturbing things going on right under parents’ noses.  Their daughters are being sexualized by Hollywood elites who would sell their soul to the devil (perhaps they have) to make a buck and/or to win a coveted Oscar, Emmy, or Golden Globe award.  Life is so about them!

This will come as no surprise to anyone: The Parents TV Council (PTC) report entitled “Sexualized Teen Girls: Tinsel Town’s New Target” provides proof that many in the media have their sights set on young girls for the purpose of sexualizing them.

Have these people completely lost their moral compass?  Have they no shame?  Yes and no.  They are immoral, shameless, child exploiters who could care less who they hurt as long as the ratings remain high and they receive that big paycheck.  And, quite honestly, in our wicked, depraved, immoral culture, sex sells.

These are the major findings in PTC’s 2011 report:

Continue reading →

Why millennials are ditching religion for witchcraft and astrology

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

From Berean Research:

In our White Paper Sorcery – Occult, we advise:

The Bible details the occult practices that are expressly forbidden by God. He banned sorcery then and He bans it now. Moreover, those who practice these sorts of things are an abomination – detestable. In the case of the Israelites all charms for diseases, all amulets or spells to prevent evil, fortune-telling (looking into the future), contacting the dead – any of the magic arts were considered wicked.

It matters not what others do, what does matter is what God says:

There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do this (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). (emphases added)

While interest in religion is waning, witchcraft and astrology are becoming more and more normalized, especially among millennials.  Kari Paul’s article appears in MarketWatch.

When Coco Layne, a Brooklyn-based producer, meets someone new these days, the first question that comes up in conversation isn’t “Where do you live?” or “What do you do?” but “What’s your sign?”

“So many millennials read their horoscopes every day and believe them,” Layne, who is involved in a number of nonreligious spiritual practices, said. “It is a good reference point to identify and place people in the world.”

View article →

Is the Bible’s treatment of homosexuality ‘complicated’?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

From Berean Research:

This is an important read. Denny Burk, Professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College, has written a book review of “Single Gay Christian.” In his review Burk explains that a growing number of Christians honestly believe that a Christian can identify as gay and remain celibate — that being gay is “central to my identity.” In other words, being gay is something that defines certain people and is at the core of a person’s being and that sexual attractions are not just how he/she is but who he/she is.

Burk does not buy this, of course. He cannot reconcile this view with Scripture. “Scripture teaches explicitly that homosexual desire and behavior are “against nature”—meaning against God’s original creation design (Rom. 1:26-27).” Burk points out that–and this is important to understand–“Much of the evangelical conversation on these issues has been colonized by secular identity theories. Those theories are premised on an unbiblical anthropology which defines human identity as ‘what I feel myself to be’ rather than ‘what God designed me to be.’” (emphasis added) Taking this into account, professing Christians should listen to his advice and “think their way through to biblical clarity on sexuality and gender issues.”

Here’s Professor Burk’s thought provoking review of “Single Gay Christian”:

I just finished reading Gregory Coles’ moving memoir Single Gay Christian: A Personal Journey of Faith and Sexual Identity (IVP, 2017). In many ways, there is much to admire about this book. Coles is a great writer and has put together a real page-turner. This is not a boring book. Coles’ honesty and vulnerability come through in just about every page. Coles is telling his own story—warts and all—and he’s gut-wrenchingly honest about his emerging awareness of himself as a same-sex attracted man.

View article →

In 2,500 words on abusive psycho-spiritual group, New York Times buries crucial four-letter word

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

Evidently when it comes to using the word “cult” there’s “skittishness” in news stories about religious or spiritual communities claims Mark Killner in a piece over at GetReligion. “Church historians, sociologists and others debate definitions of this term and much can be learned by paying attention to their discussions.” Killner has the story:

Anyone who has followed the history of new religious movements in the United States and elsewhere knows that, since the 1970s, the word “cult” is one four-letter word newspapers have often been loath to apply to controversial groups.

That wasn’t the case before and after the 1978 Jonestown massacre, when newspapers saw cults under almost every rock.

But now, there’s a great reticence at using this particular four-letter word in many news organizations. What, however, can a newspaper do when a group really and truly has the markings of a, well, cult, at the level of sociology and human behavior? Do you use the word or bury it?

View article →

Bethel Church Believes a Different Gospel

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

Bethel Church’s senior pastor is “Super Apostle” Bill Johnson, which is a big red flag right there. In a recent blog post, Pastor Gabriel Hughes dealt with an exposé on Bethel Church written by journalist Molly Hensley-Clancy. Hughes thought Hensley-Clancy’s piece was excellent “but the story lacks an important consideration, which even reputable media outlets miss when covering a story like this. That crucial examination is this: theology.”  Bethel’s theology is far different than most Bible-believing churches.  And because of this there are spiritual concerns we should be aware of, says Hughes. “Is it really all that bad if they are lying about their miracles and glory clouds?” he asks.

Yes.

People who attend Bethel learn about a different Jesus than the Jesus of the Bible. And when the gospel is mentioned, it is an altogether different gospel they’re talking about.

Now listen as Pastor Hughes examines Bethel’s theology. He writes:

Last week, a reporter at BuzzFeed posted an in-depth article after going undercover during prophecy week at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. The school is one of the darling ministries of Bethel Church in Redding, CA, which also includes the music of Jesus Culture and their healing ministry Bethel Sozo. Any look into Bethel is bound to uncover some strange things, and the author certainly did. But despite an excellent exposé, she overlooked something crucial.

Molly Hensley-Clancy’s revelation of the charismatic school — nicknamed Christian Hogwarts by its own students — presented more than the usual anecdotes of the weird. She also brought to light what Bethel is doing in their own city. They’ve given money to civic government, invested in the town’s infrastructure, and even paid handsomely to save the jobs of four police officers. Bethel Church members have run for public office and even started a secular public school (they get by with this saying the message of the “kingdom” is love, not religion).

All the kooky trickery that Bethel is known for was in the article, too: glory clouds, fire tunnels, grave sucking, dancing, chanting, healing, creepy laughter, and speaking in tongues. Oh, and false prophecy. Lots and lots of false prophecy. As one former student named Chris pointed out, what they call prophecy is no different than when a psychic does a cold reading. Only one out of every hundred prophecies are “true.” We hear all about those, which they catalog along with their “miracles” like a baptist church does its baptisms. We never hear about the failures.

Hensley-Clancy also pulled back the veil on the dark side of Bethel’s reckless charismaticism, from being a disruption in the community to the point that it has cost people their lives. Perhaps you’ve heard the story about a man who fell down a cliff and some students of Bethel attempted to heal him before they finally got help. There’s another about a young man who died after an asthma attack. Neighborhood Bethelites wasted precious time trying to heal him instead of calling 911.

The coverage was thorough, sure to mention that Bethel is part of the New Apostolic Reformation, (though Hensley-Clancy called it New Apostolic Christianity) before shifting to the new name they wish to go by: the Independent Network Charismatic, or INC. Chris Rosebrough reported earlier that the NAR was attempting to shed the term coined by the late C. Peter Wagner and adopt this new moniker. That’s a change we might have to get used to.

Hensley-Clancy also noted the seven mountains mandate believed on by every NAR church… sorry, INC. She says it is the “belief that Christ will only return to Earth when true believers bring God into seven spheres: religion, family, education, government, media, arts, and business.” Mike Bickle at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOP), just down the road from where I live, has taught the same thing. It’s one of the reasons I’ve paid so much attention to Bethel in recent years. Even though I’m in Kansas, this does affect my area.

It’s an excellent piece of journalism, something I’d expect to see in a more high-profile publication. As I said, Hensley-Clancy’s writing is excellent, but the story lacks an important consideration, which even reputable media outlets miss when covering a story like this. That crucial examination is this: theology. Why is Bethel different than most Bible-believing churches? Are there any spiritual concerns we should be aware of? Is it really all that bad if they are lying about their miracles and glory clouds? The article only barely touches on such questions, much less gives answers.

The reporting is straight-forward and the writing balanced enough that you could fall to either side of the opinions about Bethel: you might think they’re a nuisance, or you might see them as harmless, even helpful. Sure, there are those students who were so charismatic that their detachment from reality resulted in someone’s death (IHOP has those stories, too, and attempts to cover them up). But at the same time, Bethel is doing a noticeable amount of good for an otherwise drug and crime-riddled community.

Students are coming to BSSM from all over the world, and they’re staying and contributing to the local economy. Hensley-Clancy’s reporting is so fair that she included a comment from a community member who wasn’t thrilled with the international presence Bethel brings to Redding. The resident’s comment came across as bigoted. Who wouldn’t want to see the kind of unity promoted by Bethel Church? Furthermore, their students are often educated, employed, entrepreneurial, and eager to do more.

This is where theology becomes really important. It really doesn’t matter how much good Bethel does in their town. It doesn’t matter that Bethel produces quality and inspiring music being sung all over the world, even in otherwise doctrinally sound churches. It doesn’t even matter where you fall in the cessationism-vs-continuationism debate, whether you believe miracles are still common or not. What Bethel Church is doing is deeply and deceptively demonic. Bear with me as I explain.

Bill Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church, preaches a different gospel. This is a very serious charge, and I’m very serious when I make it. Galatians 1:8-9 says, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

Citing this very same passage, Johnson teaches that the gospel is miraculous physical healing, and if anyone says that God doesn’t miraculously heal, or that He would even bring harm rather than healing, they’re teaching a different gospel. But the gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t physical healing, it’s spiritual healing. More than that, it’s spiritual regeneration. The Bible says, “You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked,” but God who is rich in mercy “made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:1-10).

As I pointed out in another recent article, the Bible does not say or even elude to the idea that the good news of Jesus Christ will miraculously heal you from any of your physical diseases. Bill Johnson would say I’m teaching a different gospel. But it is he who is preaching a message that can neither save the human soul, nor can it deliver what Johnson says it will. Johnson cannot heal you. Look at the man. If the gospel means miraculous physical healing, why is he wearing glasses?  Continue reading

Appearances of ‘Mary’: Is It the ‘Blessed Mother’ or a Demonic Spirit?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

“I assure you that this apparition of “Mary” is NOT the Mary that the Bible tells us about,” says the blogger who posted this piece over at Soul Refuge. “It is a demonic counterfeit and a camouflage which is meant for the destruction of the soul. I know that because it was the Spirit of truth who brought me out of that very darkness, and He showed me the truth which is found in the scriptures (the Bible).”

In this piece some of the messages from the “Mary” of Medugorje are examined:

A woman named Maryann once commented on my own personal testimony and she testified of how she also left the Catholic church as a teen, after she questioned the teachings of the church. Maryann’s mom told her that she was an atheist when she heard her daughter say that she believed the apparitions (appearances) of Mary were Satanic. I was not surprised at all by the reaction that Maryann received from her mom. Why? Because I know that we are involved in some serious spiritual warfare, and I know because I was once on the other side of the fence. I was also a staunch defender of the Marian apparitions at Medugorje, Yugoslavia, previous to my becoming born again of the Spirit. After my conversion, it was the Spirit of truth (Holy Spirit) who opened my eyes to the gross deception of the “Marian apparitions” as well as the entire Roman Catholic system.

View article →

See our Research Paper on Roman Catholicism

‘Transracial’ German Model Undergoes Treatments to ‘Transition’ From Caucasian to Black

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

According to Christian News:

A Caucasian model from Germany is raising eyebrows as she has been undergoing various treatments this year to transition to living life as a black woman.

“Please understand me. I’m not a white woman with black skin and African hair. I’m a black woman with heart and soul,” Martina Adam wrote on Facebook in July. “Getting more and more the body of a black woman is so a wonderful and liberating feeling for me. I don’t want to offend anyone! But I’m not only outwardly a black woman; I’m also with heart and soul a black woman. I swear that by God!”

Adam, who initially underwent plastic surgery to look like model Pamela Anderson, decided to obtain a medical treatment earlier this year to increase her skin’s production of melanin, and also had her lips injected to appear fuller. She likewise obtained a dark weave to appear more African American.

View article →

Reformation resources for you!

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Elizabeth Prata of The End Time has put together some really good Reformation Day resources for us:

The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is coming up on October 31st. This is the date when, 500 years ago, Roman Catholic monk and professor Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the University of Wittenberg’s chapel door. Nailing a tract on the door was not in itself an act of rebellion, but rather the usual and customary method of starting a discussion among scholars of religious points of the day. It was the 16th century’s version of the internet.

However, Luther’s theses were not just questions and discussion points, but a devastating critique of Roman Catholic practices. Luther had found in his studies that Roman Catholic faith and practice varied greatly from the word of God. Luther was especially upset over the practice of Indulgences, or payment to the Church for reduction or absolution of certain sins. Paying for sins to be forgiven seemed incredibly wrong to Luther. He wrote up his questions, intending to spark a discussion.

View article →

Why #MeToo Still Likes Bill Clinton

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

“After looking into her career just a tad,” writes a Fire Breathing Christian blogger, “one can easily confirm that [Alyssa] Milano has regularly contributed to and profited greatly (materially, at least) from helping escort the culture into the very hell that she’s now protesting.” FBC reminds us that the Bill Clintons of the world were “enabled, adored, funded, and voted for by much of the #MeToo crowd.” Likewise the “virtue signaling feminist/progressive #MeToo types … are not taking the same approach to Bill Clinton because he (and his machine) is still able to give them what they want.”

Like a once nimble, happy gazelle suddenly finding itself trapped and suffocating under the gut of a giant toppled zombie elephant, Hollyweird is desperately clinging to life as it lies crushed under the weight of Harvey Weinstein.

And that’s a good thing.

Painful, tragic, and ugly, to be sure, but good nonetheless.

In these early stages of what will no doubt be a long, trainwreck-in-slow-motion kind of production, one of the most prevalent attributes on display is hypocrisy.

View article →

 

The New Apostolic Reformation and the making of cult leader Brian Tamaki and the Destiny cult

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

From Churchwatch Central:

In this article, we take a look at cult leader ‘Apostle’ Brian Tamaki (aka ‘Lord of the Rings’ because he has men in his church swear their allegiance to him by wearing rings inscribed with his name), and his Destiny ‘cult’. We examine both his connection to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and his ‘apostolic’ creation by the NAR.

And we ask the question – why doesn’t Brian Houston, Phil Pringle, Paul De Jong, Peter Mortlock and others not rebuke Brian Tamaki and warn those attending this ‘church’?

View article →

Study: Early Sexual Activity Has Negative Impact On Relationship Quality And Stability

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Wintery Knight posts the findings of several recent studies that make it clear that young people rushing into sex “to have fun, feel accepted, be like their friends, conform to the culture,” has a negative impact on a person’s life:

I’ve posted before about how premarital sex affects the stability of marriages by making divorce more likely. But there has been more research published since. Let’s take a look.

Here a good study on relationship tempo and relationship quality.

Abstract:

Rapid sexual involvement may have adverse long-term implications for relationship quality. This study examined the tempo of sexual intimacy and subsequent relationship quality in a sample of married and cohabiting men and women. Data come from the Marital and Relationship Survey, which provides information on nearly 600 low- to moderate-income couples living with minor children. Over one third of respondents became sexually involved within the first month of the relationship. Bivariate results suggested that delaying sexual involvement was associated with higher relationship quality across several dimensions. The multivariate results indicated that the speed of entry into sexual relationships was negatively associated with marital quality, but only among women. The association between relationship tempo and relationship quality was largely driven by cohabitation. Cohabiting may result in poorer quality relationship because rapid sexual involvement early in the romantic relationship is associated with entrance into shared living.

The authors are from Cornell University and University of Wisconsin – Madison. Prestigious schools, and very far to the left.

View article →

Revealing Quotes by Influential Contemplatives

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

From Berean Research:

Lighthouse Trails has put together quotes by influential contemplatives. Some on the list may surprise you. For example, Rick Warren  advocates  contemplative prayer in his best-selling book Purpose Driven Life. Many of you will be surprised to learn who made this comment:

[I]f we are not still before Him [God], we will never truly know to the depths of the marrow of our bones that He is God. There’s got to be a stillness.

Following are a few of the quotes LHT has compiled over the years:

These revealing quotes are from well-known figures who have significantly influenced the religious landscape in today’s culture. Sadly, they have helped to mislead millions with their promotion of contemplative prayer (a mystical, panentheistic-rooted practice).

Shalem Prayer Institute “This mystical stream [contemplative prayer and other monastic traditions] is the Western bridge to Far Eastern spirituality.”—Tilden Edwards, Spiritual Friend, p. 18.

View article →

Visions, dreams, and revelations: Demon possession or genuine prophetic fits?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

From Berean Research:

Elizabeth Prata delves into the latest trend in the visible Church that has God speaking to His people through visions, dreams, visits, i.e. extra-biblical revelation. Those who claim to hear directly from God say they’re Christians but the truth of the matter is that many of these people have fallen for the lies and half truths of NAR wolves; thus, they’re false converts. Those who are caught up in the NAR cult seemingly care more about experiencing “signs & wonders” than learning what the Bible actually teaches. With that out of the way, in this piece over at The End Time, Elizabeth shares some of what well known cult leaders such as Joseph Smith and Ellen G. White experienced and compares their experiences with the bizarre behavior charismatics go through during a worship service or so-called revival, to include “physical manifestations akin to epileptic seizures.” Scripture is applied to tie the manifestations to demon possession.  This is fascinating reading!

Have you noticed the similarity among some of the founders of the major false religions of what I call “prophetic fits”? Most cults in the world began from some kind of vision or direct revelation or visitation from celestial beings claiming to be Mary, Jesus, angels, and so on. I listed some below and more down further below.

Accompanying these visions and revelations and visits, are physical manifestations akin to epileptic seizures and fits that the recipients later report. The recipient of the revelation undergoes a physical trauma of, for example, flailing around, rapid heart beat, or no heartbeat, sweating, groaning, foaming at the mouth, high fevers, and the like. As I listened to one such physical fit that Muhammad had, founder of Islam, I was struck by its similarity to the incidents of demonic possession recorded in the Bible. I wondered if such fits were manifested by other cult founders during their visions or trances, and I learned that they did. Here are a few examples.

View article →

Why Doesn’t God Just Talk To Me?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

From Berean Research:

“Will you at least whisper, Father. Or give me a sign…something, anything personal so I’ll know it’s you.”

In the following piece over at TheoLatte, Dan DeWitt appeals to professing believers to consider the ramifications of God actually speaking to His people in any way except through the Holy Spirit inspired scriptures. For example, “what happens if God says something contradictory to someone else? Who is the judge? Are you? Are they? Who decides?” The answer is that we’d need an “external reference point by which to help judge each other’s claims.” Ever considered that, brethren? Dan has. Which is why he tackles the ongoing debate over whether God’s sheep receive special revelation. He writes:

Why doesn’t God just talk to me? Have you asked that before? Why should it require hundreds of years, a bunch of dead old guys from who knows where, and something called a “manuscript tradition,” for you to hear from God?

So, here’s a few reasons why it’s better for you that God has chosen to speak to you through his Word rather than waking you up in the middle of the night with an audible, “Hey you! Get out of bed and listen up!”:

View article →

Collective consciousness to replace God

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

The statement was made by Dan Brown, author of “The Da Vinci Code,” a book of pure fiction that was made into a movie starring Tom Hanks. In the book Brown attacks the reliability of Scripture, the deity of Christ and pretty much everything else about Christianity. He wrote: “Almost everything our fathers taught us about Christ is false” (p. 235). So with the stage now set, Reuters’ columnist Douglas Busvine’s has a written a piece on Brown’s latest book: 

Humanity no longer needs God but may with the help of artificial intelligence develop a new form of collective consciousness that fulfils the role of religion, U.S. author Dan Brown said on Thursday.

Brown made the provocative remark at the Frankfurt Book Fair where he was promoting his new novel, “Origin”, the fifth outing for Harvard “symbology” professor Robert Langdon, the protagonist of “The Da Vinci Code”, a book that questioned the history of Christianity.

“Origin” was inspired by the question “Will God survive science?”, said Brown, adding that this had never happened in the history of humanity.

View article →

Do you have the ‘spirit of Jezebel’?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Many of us in discernment have been accused by charismatics of having the “spirit of Jezebel” because we attack their error and stand for God and His truth. Glenn Chatfield of The Watchman’s Bagpipes tells the story of the wicked Jezebel and discloses the truth of who really possesses the Jezebel spirit. He writes:

Many false teachers and their followers, especially of the Word of Faith cult, rail at those who expose their false teachers by claiming the nay-sayers have “the spirit of Jezebel.”  This supposedly identifies the nay-sayers as false teachers opposing God.  But let’s look at who Jezebel was, what her evil was, and how that applies to today’s claims of having her “spirit.”

Pastor Bob Liichow, of Discernment Ministries International, wrote an article about this issue in his August “Truth Matters” apologetics letter.  The information he provided needs to be spread among believers so as to be able to address the false teachings about “the spirit of Jezebel.”

The End Of The Road For American Truckers Is Coming Into View

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

One-third of America’s $700 billion trucking industry goes to compensate drivers, providing a rich target for Technocrats. UPS, for instance, has increasingly moved from being a trucking company that uses technology, to being a technology company that has some trucks. About 3.5 million people are employed in the U.S. trucking industry. — Technocracy News Editor

According to The Guardian:

Jeff Baxter’s sunflower-yellow Kenworth truck shines as bright and almost as big as the sun. Four men clean the glistening cab in the hangar-like truck wash at Iowa 80, the world’s largest truck stop.

Baxter has made a pitstop at Iowa 80 before picking up a 116ft-long wind turbine blade that he’s driving down to Texas, 900 miles away.

Baxter, 48, is one of the 1.8 million Americans, mainly men, who drive heavy trucks for a living, the single most common job in many US states. Driving is one of the biggest occupations in the world. Another 1.7 million people drive taxis, buses and delivery vehicles in the US alone. But for how long? Having “disrupted” industries including manufacturing, music, journalism and retail, Silicon Valley has its eyes on trucking.

View article →

Why the Brownsville Revival was a demonic revival, run by Satan’s servants

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

By Churchwatcher

This article’s title may seem extreme, but Christians MUST scrutinize the spiritual nature of the so-called Brownsville Revival, (also known as the Pensacola Outpouring or Father’s Day Outpouring). This event was heralded as a crowning achievement by many Apostles and Prophets of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) cult. They claim this revival came from God Himself.

Furthermore, NAR Apostles like Michael Brown used this event as if it had a greater authority than scripture itself to justify his NAR-centered theology, arrogantly calling that which was demonic, of God.

The proof is in what they say and teach. Firstly, Apostles of the NAR attribute the origins of this revival not to God but to David Yonggi Cho, a dangerous false teacher (and a good friend of Apostle Michael Brown). Cho listened to a demon who gave him ‘pagan’ revelation (Japanese Buddhism) under the guise of Christian doctrine – this demonic entity speaking to Cho audibly. It was through this spirit’s revelations that Cho boasts of his extra-biblical revelations which he calls the teachings of the Fourth Dimension, on which he built his church (not Jesus).

And it is through this demonic spirit that he prophesied the Toronto Blessing and the Pensacola Outpouring.

Continue reading →

Francis Chan and Todd White Headline Upcoming IHOP Festival of False Teaching

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

From Berean Research:

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. – Psalm 19:1

Museum of Idolatry (MoI) includes a video trailer that promotes International House of Prayer’s (IHOP) annual convention, Onething 2017.  In the video we see IHOP- KC founder Mike Bickle shouting to the crowd: “God is raising up a church that is going to be prepared to be the vessels of His glory, to release His glory into the earth this very hour of intense darkness…” So, those who attend Onething will come away prepared to “release God’s glory into the earth”? Is there a verse to back this up? asks museum curator, Steven Kozar.  Why should we be concerned about a gathering of young people who want to get together to celebrate God? For one thing, IHOP’s teaching is built on a contemplative foundation and because of this, much deception has occurred. (Source)

In this piece over at MoI, Kozar deals with Francis Chan‘s return to Onething and his association with Mike Bickle, Todd White and other NAR wolves:

Francis Chan has been a very respected Evangelical pastor and author for over a decade now, but he has taken a very deliberate turn towards the “Signs and Wonders” New Apostolic Reformation-version of Christianity in recent years. Chan does not teach the extreme Word of Faith doctrine at all, in fact, he’s been really clear about wanting to stay away from man-centered false teaching altogether. He is to be commended for much of his Bible-based teaching, but that makes it even harder to understand his willingness to partner with IHOP and Todd White.

View article →