Commentary, analysis and opinion.

Should Type-R Charismatics Get A Free Pass?

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Strange FireIn October 2013 Grace to You (GTY) hosted the Strange Fire conference at Grace Community Church to launch John MacArthur’s book Strange Fire. The conference critiqued those on the fringe of the charismatic movement who flagrantly misrepresent the work of the Holy Spirit. The conference caused quite a stir, to say the least. But that was two years ago. Seems GTY is not going to let sleeping dogs lie:

While the response to the conference was overwhelming, many of the issues that were raised have yet to be seriously acted upon. Our goal is to fan the flames of this important discussion and continue the call for discernment and discipline in the charismatic movement. To that end, we want to rerun some of the important articles from before and after the conference, and encourage you to visit the Strange Fire website for all the sermons, articles, and videos from that landmark event.

The first person to fan the flames is Phil Johnson, executive director of Grace to You.

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The occult practice of automatic writing and A.A.’s twelve steps

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Most people are unaware that A.A.’s co-founder Bill Wilson received the details of the 12 Steps through spirit dictation. John Lanagan of My Word Like Fire has taken the time to research A.A.’s beginnings. Following is a smidgen of what he has uncovered over the years:

It’s too late. Alcoholics Anonymous has served its purpose. That purpose has been to weaken the church, dilute the theology of Christians exposed to the 12 Step religion, and to point unbelievers away from Christ.

Through A.A. and other 12 Step groups, millions of Christians have placed Christ in a modern day pantheon, a temple of many gods, and have become used to worshiping with non-Christians. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

Although frequently (and wrongly) portrayed as Christians, Bill Wilson and A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob Smith delved deeply into the biblically forbidden practice of spiritualism.

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Heartland fury as university renovates chapel to accommodate Muslims

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On the heals of a report over at Breitbart, World’s First Lesbian Bishop Calls for Church to Remove Crosses, to Install Muslim Prayer Space, Todd Starnes, host of Fox News and Commentary, fills us in on the “Christian cleansing” going on at Wichita State:

A decision to make a university’s chapel “faith neutral” to accommodate Muslim students has created great angst in the nation’s Heartland after critics were accused of being Islamophobic.

Last May, Wichita State University ordered workers to remove all the pews and an altar inside the Harvey D. Grace Memorial Chapel. The pews were ripped from the floor and replaced with portable chairs to make room for Muslim prayer rugs.

“Under the terms of Mrs. Harvey D. Grace’s gift to the university in her will, ‘This chapel will be open to all creeds and to all races of people,’” WSU President John Bardo said in a statement. “Our goal should be exactly what Mrs. Grace set out to do in her gift, to have an all faiths chapel that is welcoming to all religious groups on campus.”

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Christian gun owners are heretics

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In this piece over at airō, evangelist Justin Edwards pulls no punches. He writes:

Gun and BibleYep, gun owners are heretics according to “Formerly Fundy” Patheos blogger and Fuller Seminary doctoral candidate, Benjamin L Corey. Following the anti-Christian hate crime by the son of the devil who slaughtered nine people professing the name of Christ, Mr. Corey seized the moment on twitter to condemn Christian gun owners:

The face that U.S. Christians are so rabidly pro-gun suggests they are a people group who need to be evangelized and converted to Christ.

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Gotquestions.org makes excuses for advertising heretical The Message “Bible”

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John Lanagan of My Word Like Fire shares his concerns about the popular blog Got Questions which is one of the go to places for people who have questions about the Bible. He writes:

CluelessGotquestions.org has let the Body of Christ down by approving and linking to a splashy advertisement for the heretical The Message “Bible”–which is not really a Bible at all.

This is shocking, because for years Gotquestions.org has served as a faithful and reliable ministry.

Is this simply one more indication of the grievous state of the visible church? We are now watching ministers and ministries offend Christ and mislead the saints with growing regularity. Because I objected to gotquestions.org carrying this ad, thus lending credibility to The Message, I was offered the option of unsubscribing if I no longer wanted to receive their emails.

The response about The Message was far different than the time gotquestions.org advertised the heretical Noah movie. Then, a representative acknowledged they had made a mistake and said it would not happen again. Gotquestions.org manned up. I wrote about it in Gotquestions.org comes through!

Times have changed.

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Four Blood Moons and Shemitah Bring Judgment…Upon Charismatics

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JD Hall of Pulpit and Pen has something to say to Charismatics in regard to their propensity to dabble in mysticism or what he calls witchcraft. When two prophecies uttered by highly regarded men in the charismatic community failed to come to pass, JD concluded that “God has, in his Providence, chosen to use these astrological omen interpretations to bring judgment against America’s charismatics for their embarrassing naivety, abominable discernment, and systemic false prophecy…”

JD begins by informing us that,

Two “significant” events (read that, rather ordinary, foreseeable and cyclical events that are predictable by the Farmer’s Almanac) recently brought God’s judgment – as expected and promised – by America’s prophets. That God used these “signs” to judge was not surprising, but who God ultimately judged was surprising.

Jonathan Cahn, who calls himself a Messianic Rabbi (whose credentials are dubious), wrote a book detailing ten signs present before Israel’s collapse, comparing them to ten signs now present in America, called The Harbinger. With the success of that book, Cahn springboarded into a new divination, this time pulling from the Old Testament ceremonial law the command in Exodus 20:11 that the ground lay fallow every seven years, which was both agriculturally astute and required the Israelites to trust God for their provision. Debts were also to be canceled during that year as well, which was one of a number of safeguards against the holding of longterm debt in Israel’s economy. This year was called the Shemitah, meaning a “releasing” (referring to release from debt), which Cahn has interpreted more ominously as a “shaking.” Doing the math, Cahn reveals that September 25 2014 to September 13 2015 is the Shemitah Year

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Why Evangelicals and Catholics Cannot be “Together”

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Jordan Standridge of The Cripplegate covers the many reasons evangelicals must not unit with the apostate Roman Catholic Church, even if some of our leaders are doing everything in their power to bring evangelicals and Catholics together under one big tent. Think: Rick Warren, who seems to have forgotten about the Protestant Reformation. But, thankfully, Jordan Standridge hasn’t forgotten. He reminds us that “the Pope and his cardinals, as well as tradition have undermined Scripture for centuries.”

Rick Warren and Pope Francis

As the evangelical world in America seems rather excited about the Pope’s visit, I can’t help but remember how I felt when I discovered the Evangelicals and Catholics Together document (ECT).

In 1995 the unthinkable happened. Well known evangelical pastors signed a document in which they joined themselves with Catholic priests and Philosophers, in an ecumenical fashion in order to promote the agreements over the disagreements that have plagued Protestants and Catholics for centuries dating back to the greats: Calvin, Luther, Zwingli and Knox. They agreed to no longer “proselytize” each other, agreeing that Catholics are indeed brothers, and sisters in Christ.

This article was successful in its endeavor. The vast majority of Christians in America do not evangelize Catholics. Someone like me who has shed many tears over the deception of the Roman Catholic Church is seen as hateful. I totally understand the desire to believe people are saved. I also desperately want Roman Catholics to go to heaven, but we can’t let our desire for people to be saved or our desire to please men, lead us to cheer them on as they run towards hell. We must love them.

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Pope praises contemplative pioneer Thomas Merton before Congress

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For those who missed it, Pope Francis gave high praise to a Trappist Monk who had an affinity for unbiblical contemplative prayer. John Lanagan of My Word Like Fire has the report:

This is how it seems to be going: People are being encouraged into contemplative prayer by men and women such as Rick Warren, Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, Mike Bickle, James Goll, Beni Johnson, and many others.

(Rick Warren has also exposed many Christians to Eastern and New Age meditation).

The false church is rising, and its god may well be contemplative, deceptive spirits posing as “christ.” What wonderful (false) visions people will have; what thrilling supernatural encounters will be experienced in the contemplative silence. For all too many already, the lies of the silence are taken as truth, and the truth of Bible matters less and less.

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22 Pope Francis Statements Proving He’s a Leftist

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Mike Garcia, columnist for NewsMax, has compiled a list of past statements by the pope that allegedly shows that he’s a leftist:

Pope FrancisPope Francis upset many conservatives when he released his encyclical on climate change this summer, but it’s certainly not the first time he’s raised eyebrows. The pontiff’s past comments on homosexuality, capitalism, and international geopolitics have also ruffled those on the right.

As the pope gears up for his trip to the U.S. next month, many will be waiting to see what message he delivers directly to the American people. Many conservatives aren’t holding their breath, however.

Gathered below are 22 past statements by the pope that prove he’s a consistent leftist.

1. He has called for centralized redistribution of wealth. In May of last year, the pope addressed the U.N., calling for what sounded like a socialist “redistribution of economic benefits by the state.”

2. He has contradicted the teachings of past popes. Pope Francis’ comments contrast starkly with John Paul II’s writings. In Centensimus Annus (1991), John Paul acknowledged that Marxism clearly failed with the fall of the Soviet Union, and praised any economic system “which recognizes the fundamental and positive role of business, the market, private property and the resulting responsibility for the means of production as well as free human creativity in the economic sector.

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See our Research Paper on Roman Catholicism

War Room’s Priscilla Shirer’s Contemplative History, and Why It Matters

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John Lanagan of My Word Like Fire has written another installment of his War Room series. His concern is that Priscilla Shirer’s movie fans will purchase her pre-War Room products and be exposed to her contemplative leanings.

For You have abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob, Because they are filled with influences from the east, And they are soothsayers like the Philistines, And they strike bargains with the children of foreigners. (Isaiah 2:6)

“…I knew the Lord was calling me to experience Him in prayer in a brand new way.” [1] — Priscilla Shirer

Contemplative prayer, which Priscilla Shirer referred to as her “brand new way” some years ago, is in reality an ancient way. It is essentially the same as New Age or Eastern meditation, but disguised with “Christianese” terminology. Those who participate and enter the silence, as it is called, open themselves to great deception.

Now, because of the success of the War Room movie, Shirer is going to have many fans flocking to her website, and purchasing her products. Those who buy Shirer’s book, Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God Speaks, will discover Shirer’s affinity for contemplative prayer.

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U.S. priests accused of sex abuse get second chance in South America

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USA Today has a story that’s guaranteed to leave folks outraged — but probably not surprised. According to Global Post columnist Will Carless: “Victim advocates say that relocating priests to poorer parishes overseas is the church’s latest strategy for protecting its reputation.”

Now to Carless’ report:

Vatican CityThe Catholic Church has allowed priests accused of sexually abusing children in the United States and Europe to relocate to poor parishes in South America, a yearlong GlobalPost investigation has found.

Reporters confronted five accused priests in as many countries: Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and Peru. One priest who relocated to a poor parish in Peru admitted on camera to molesting a 13-year-old boy while working in the Jackson, Miss., diocese. Another is currently under investigation in Brazil after allegations arose that he abused disadvantaged children living in an orphanage he founded there.

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Shemitah is over – But nothing happened

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“Well almost nothing” says Berean Research’s editors:

Jonathan Cahn warns of pending “Shemitah” judgments coming to America on Sid Roth’s television program, It’s Supernatural

Jonathan Cahn warns of pending “Shemitah” judgments coming to America
on Sid Roth’s television program, It’s Supernatural

We had a whole bunch of Hebrew Roots Americans jumping on to the fear-wagon promoted in the Mystery of the Shemitah book which claimed that we’re all doomed if we don’t keep the seven-year observation from the Old Testament.I’ve been warning Christians to not be fooled by the “Shemitah” ever since Messianic Rabbi and book author Jonathan Cahn began pointing Christians to laws meant for the children of Israel. (See: Will Christians be snookered by Shemitah?) Cahn claims that “the Mystery of the Shemitah and it’s so big that it affects everything we as a people are personally doing and will affect the rise and fall of the United States of America …

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War Room’s Alex Kendrick and a movie magic medallion

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John Lanagan has written a second piece on the hit film War Room. In his first piece he informed us that the film’s star, Priscilla Shirer, is into highly unorthodox teaching, which the three Kendrick brothers were unaware of or they wouldn’t have chosen her to star in the movie. Now we learn that writer/producer/director/actor Alex Kendrick participated in a film that promotes magic, even though the Bible clearly teaches that God’s people are not to dabble in sorcery.

…and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts. (Revelation 9:21)

I have really appreciated the movies from the Kendrick brothers. I do think War Room as a movie per se will encourage many to renew their prayer lives, or to take prayer more seriously.

That’s the upside.

Unfortunately, the movie will also increase the influence of author and Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer, who stars in War Room. She did a great job in the movie.

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Willow Creek’s “The Practice” blends New Age & Catholic mysticism

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Berean Research reports:

A Catholic priest and a New Ager walk into Willow Creek…

No, it’s not a joke waiting for a punchline. It’s an experiment called The Practice, and it’s the brainchild of Pastor Bill Hybels’ son-in-law, Aaron Niequist. Niequist is also the Worship Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, and he calls a Jesuit priest his spiritual director.

Be warned; you are about to hear a lot of New Age lingo:

The Practice is an experimental gathering where we immerse ourselves in God’s dream for humanity, practice the historic disciplines that align us with His dream, and carry each other along the way. PracticeTribe.com

Starting this Sunday, Niequist will teach you about “unforced rhythms of grace,” in which you will learn to align your rhythm with God’s rhythm, practice contemplative prayer methods like Lectio Divina, and learn from a Catholic priest.

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SBC Executive Speaking at Muslim-Evangelical Interface Gathering

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Pulpit & Pen reports:

Ed Stetzer

Lifeway – a Southern Baptist entity – will soon have their (arguably) most prominent executive speak at a Muslim-Evangelical interfaith event. Ed Stetzer, Vice President of Lifeway Insights Division and executive director of Lifeway Research, will speak at the upcoming Spreading Peace Convocation. The Convocation is a gathering of Christian pastors and Islamic imams, and is designed – according to their website – to “learn how to relate” and “build bridges” between the various religions.

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Demystifying the Popular Prophecies About Jewish Sabbaths and Blood Moons

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Gaylene Goodroad of Herescope has written a book review of David James’ new book “Biblical Guide to Shemitah and the Blood Moons: Discerning Popular ‘Prophecies’ in the Light of God’s Word.” In the book, Dave James lays to rest the notion that Jonathan Cahn (The Harbinger; Shemitah) and John Hagee (Blood Moons) are modern day prophets, as some people believe. In fact, both these men are false prophets.

Shemitah book

The book, The Mystery of The Shemitah, by Jonathan Cahn—a runaway sequel to his bestselling book, The Harbinger—has nearly rivaled the success of its predecessor[1]—and has proponents of these ancient mysteries eagerly anticipating the economic destruction of the United States this September (when the “Shemitah” cycles end), in fulfillment of the apocalyptic and calamitous judgments, predicted in the so-called hidden end-time Jewish prophecies, Sabbaths (Shemitahs, pronounced sh’mee’-tah), and current Blood Moon Tetrad (aligned with Jewish feast days), detailed in Cahn’s books.

Jonathan Cahn warns of pending “Shemitah” judgments coming to America on Sid Roth’s television program, It’s Supernatural

Jonathan Cahn warns of pending “Shemitah” judgments coming to America
on Sid Roth’s television program, It’s Supernatural

There is extraordinary publicity ramping up over the dire events that are predicted to happen the last few weeks in September this year, 2015.Charisma, for example, just ran an article titled “10 Things That Are Going to Happen Within 15 Days of the End of the Shemitah,” which attempts to prophetically connect the Jade Helm military exercises, selected United Nations conferences, and even the Pope’s upcoming visit to America events to the Blood Moons prophecies that have been popularized by men such as Jonathan Cahn, Mark Biltz and John Hagee.

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Seances, Spirits and 12 Steps

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John Lanagan of My Word Like Fire brings to light what most people are unaware of: the occult origin of Alcoholics Anonymous. A.A. is not a Christian organization, brethren:

“[He] knew little of psychics and had heard nothing before this of my adventures.”–A.A. co-founder Bill Wilson, from his official A.A. biography, Pass It On, pg.277

“Do not seek out mediums and spiritists; do not seek out and be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:31)

Author Richard Burns, better known as Dick B., has been churning out books and articles on the alleged Christian origin of Alcoholics Anonymous for years. Regrettably, in his numerous books, Dick B. has never acknowledged the demonic origin of the 12 Steps.

His books, however, have deeply influenced the Body of Christ. People frequently justify A.A. attendance with statements like, “Well, Alcoholics Anonymous was originally Christian.” Or, “The 12 Steps are based on the Bible.” A common misconception is that one or both Alcoholics Anonymous co-founders, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, were Christians.

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Down the Decadent “Ashley Madison” Avenue

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Dr. Peter Jones of truthXchange explores the ways in which our debased culture continues to take a toll on the Church. TruthXchange is a ministry that seeks to understand the culture, as Paul did in his day, so that we will know how share the gospel of Jesus Christ with our neighbors and friends. Because of the research he does, Dr. Jones has become a culture specialist. As always, he offers a biblical perspective on the world the flesh and the devil.

Family ripped apart

Classy name, eh! Thirty nine million adulterers, signed onto “the world’s leading married dating service for discreet encounters.” “Life is short: Have an affair,” intones the publicity, with an accompanying song: “ I’m looking for someone other than my wife.”

Noel Biderman, the entrepreneur behind the company, claimed he was not looking for someone other than his wife. Hypocritically, while he and his wife made millions on cheaters, he claimed he was a devoted husband and father. She said she would be devastated if he were unfaithful. Not surprisingly, when the site was recently hacked, among the millions outed was Biderman himself, with emails proving he had used the site for multiple affairs with other women. The dissimulation continued, since evil has a way of multiplying its effects.

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Evaluating Beth Moore’s Upcoming Live Simulcast

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Sharon Lareau of Chapter 3 Ministries challenges her readers to put on their thinking caps as they evaluate material LifeWay released to promote Beth Moore’s upcoming simulcast. Are there any red flags?

Red flag

I have decided to take another break from my series about submitting in everything to write about something that is time sensitive. It is in regards to the upcoming Living Proof Live Simulcast that is scheduled for September 12, 2015. Beth Moore promises an audacious message. The theme for this year’s simulcast is connected to her new book Audacious.

The following is from the FAQ on LifeWay Christian Resources’ website regarding Audacious.

What is Audacious? “Audacious is the newest book written by Beth Moore. She wrote it specifically thinking of YOU, the simulcast audience! Audacious is an exclusive pre-release for simulcast participants! This is the very first time we have had a book that was connected to the message of her simulcast. We are thrilled to offer participants the opportunity to gain exclusive access to the book before the public release.”

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70% of Americans are Christians? Seriously?

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Marsha West

Marsha West

A recent report indicates that 70% of Americans are Christians. If this is true, what it says to this writer is that a whole host of people who profess faith in Jesus Christ neglect to read the instruction manual that reveals everything we need to know about the object of our faith. I’m referring to the Bible. Anyone who takes the time to read it knows what Jesus taught and how those who claim to believe in Him must live their lives. Clearly Christians are not reading the Book.

So, isn’t it a bit odd that people who say they believe Christ died for their sins aren’t the least bit curious about who He is and what He taught while He was here? Jesus spent the better part of three years teaching his disciples all sorts of things such as what His mission was (John 1:14-18) and how they were to conduct themselves.

The Lord gave commands, not suggestions. He never said: “It’s not a good idea to murder someone…lie…cheat…steal…sleep around…commit adultery…practice homosexual sex…get drunk…use drugs…have a slew of idols, or anything like that.” Nor did He say: “It would be nice if you’d consider forgiving those who do you wrong.” He never tossed them the “Good job!” compliment when they exercised discernment. Neither was Jesus into high-fiving and “atta boys.” Whenever these sorts of things came up in conversation, He said unequivocally, “Do not”…”You must!” Moreover, He was clear that in order to be saved people must repent of their sins and turn away from the sinful life. “If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:10).

And trust me when I say that there’s no way He would have said to one of His followers: “God smiles when you be you.”

Keeping Jesus’ commands begins with knowing what they are and then, of course, obeying them. The Lord said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

If you love me…

Basic Training

So, could a person become a member of the armed forces without ever having gone through some form of basic training? No! The expressed purpose for a soldier to go through boot camp is to learn to become a lean mean fighting machine. Soldiers leave boot camp with the general knowledge they need to go into combat and fight a brutal enemy, with their goal being to win! Men and women who don’t understand the rules of engagement, what weapons to use in battle and how to use them effectively, will end up on the losing end.

During the 1960s when the battle for the hearts and minds of Americans first began, what if professing evangelicals had understood that we were in the beginning stages of the “culture war”? What if evangelicals had gone all out to stop the small number of progressives from taking control of public schools…higher education…entertainment industry…media… politics…courts…the scientific community and so on?

What if…???

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Fellowship not with darkness (unless you’re in Alcoholics Anonymous, and then it’s okay…?)

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John Lanagan of My Word Like Fire reminds us that A.A. believes that “it does not matter whom or what is your god. ‘God’ could be a rutabaga. Could be St. Jerome. An A.A. friend of mine informed me recently his higher power is love.” Lanagan writes:

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; (Ephesians 5:11)

– “Believers should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, either by participation or by any attitude that might indicate tolerance or leniency.” — From Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald, pg. 1943 (bold emphasis MacDonald’s)

– Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:22)

– “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

– The Lord declares that He alone is God. Alcoholics Anonymous, on the other hand, asserts it does not matter whom or what is your god. “God” could be a rutabaga. Could be St. Jerome. An A.A. friend of mine informed me recently his higher power is love.

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John MacArthur confronted by intruder mounting the stage during Sunday Service

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Elizabeth Prada of The End Times tells us what happened:

On Sunday, August 16, an intruder wearing a backpack mounted the pulpit at John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church while Dr MacArthur was preaching the Sunday morning service, put his fingers in his lips and emitted a piercing whistle, pointed his finger at the pastor and began shouting that he had a message from the Lord to deliver to him.

The man, a Scottish “evangelist,” was angry that Dr MacArthur had preached in the past that the charismatic gifts have ceased, an interpretation termed “cessationism.” This biblical teaching was most recently delivered at the Strange Fire conference at Grace Community Church two years ago. That conference was a much-needed response and rebuke to the Charismatic movement which claims that Jesus delivers personal revelation to individuals today in the form of the temporary sign gifts of prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues, and also that people can and do perform miracles like raising people from the dead and healings, as the first century apostles performed.

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Reprise: Christian “watchbloggers” under fire

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This subject is even more pertinent today than it was when Marsha West first addressed it in 2011.

A few years ago “the world’s most famous Christian blogger,” Tim Challies, took Christian “watchbloggers” to task in his piece Evil as Entertainment.  Thereafter, says Tim, “Much discussion, much gratitude, much criticism ensued.”  Boy I’ll say!

Only recently did I stumble onto Evil as Entertainment and the follow-up he wrote for clarification.  (Links below)

Tim views Christian watchbloggers (CWs) thusly:

Day after day they offer examples of all that is wrong in the church. They may vary what they offer a little bit, but what is true of them is that they offer a steady diet of negative content related to the church in general or perhaps related to just one person or one ministry. You know of some of these sites, I am sure.

Oh yes, I know of many of these sites.  And I thank God for them.

What I found disappointing in Challies’ blogpost was that he painted CWs with such a broad brush.  He complained that some of them offer negative content related to the church or one person or one ministry while others are:

really just a spiritualized form of YouTube or any other site that entertains by sharing what is gross and base and negative and that does so for the sake of entertainment. There is really no value in watching boys do stupid things on skateboards and laughing when they crack their ankle bones in half; there is really no value in watching the worst pastors in America preach to the worst churches in America. Such sites offer evil as entertainment.

Tim may have a point but it would have been helpful if he had honed in on what a trustworthy CW looks like.  What do I look for?  Firstly, must hold to all the essentials of the Christian faith; secondly, must fall within the pale of orthodoxy; thirdly, must teach sound doctrine; fourthly, must confront false teaching head on.

The Bereans were the CWs of the early church.  They earned a reputation for checking out what Paul was teaching:

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11).  (Emphasis mine)

Many modern “Bereanbloggers” are a valuable resource. Those on the front lines of discernment ministries spend hours on end surfing the Net, reading/researching/viewing videos for upcoming articles and/or preparing for radio broadcasts, interviews, speaking engagements, etc., they also update their websites/blogs and respond to phone calls and emails.  Most folks who experience the fruits of their labor don’t realize that the majority of Bereanbloggers toil for little or no compensation.  Some spend their own money in order to keep their ministries afloat.  Why do they do it?  To shine a light in this dark world.  Most importantly these champions of truth do it to bring glory to God.

Bereanbloggers regularly deal with rudeness, insults, intimidation, even threats. Tim Challies has “been there, done that.”

Which is why it’s surprising that he focused on all the “negative information” some CWs generate—and that’s fine–but I wanted to hear which sites are the most dangerous and why I should resist visiting them.  In other words, I wanted Tim to “name names.”

Bereanblogger Sandy Simpson does just that.  He compiled a list of false teachers whose books line the shelves of Christian Bookstores and posted it on his blog.  Simpson  had good reason for posting the list: books by false teachers are a danger to a believer’s spiritual health!

WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING 3Unorthodox books are penned by Christian clergy, Bible teachers, lecturers, novelists and celebrities.  These wolves in sheep’s clothing knowingly lead undiscerning Christians into unbiblical doctrine, teaching, and phenomena.  False teachers worm their way into people’s lives and then lead them into cults and apostate movements such as New Age…Eastern mysticism…Emergent…Church Growth (Purpose Driven)…Word of Faith (health and wealth)…New Apostolic Reformation (Kingdom Now/Dominionism/Latter Rain/ Manifest Sons of God/Joel’s Army)… Self-esteem (self focused).

While I’m on the subject of unorthodox teaching, one of the most dangerous movements in Christendom is “Progressive Christianity” (PC) which is a counterfeit of true Christianity.  PC teaches a false gospel — a “social gospel.”  But it is liberalism repackaged.  PC’s persuasive leaders have managed to convince sincere Christians to accept unrepentant homosexuals, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgenders into the Church.  PCs appear to be good and compassionate, but they’re wolves!

This is a topic for another day so I’ll move on.

In his blogpost, Tim wondered if he really needs to read and to know about the “seedy underbelly of the church, when such things happen thousands of miles away, among people I will never meet and in places I will never be?”

Well, yes, it actually does matter what’s going on in Twinkle Toes Texas, Tim.  All heresy starts somewhere.  For example, most folks had never heard of Lakeland Florida until Ignited Church and Todd Bentley created the “Lakeland Outpouring” that turned into a circus that ranked right up there with Barnum & Bailey.  You remember Bentley?  He claimed that Jesus told him to kick an old lady in the face with his biker boots to heal her – and he willingly complied.  When Bereanbloggers got wind of this they posted YouTube videos of Todd and the gang to expose the evil that came out of that so-called revival.  Bentley is just one example of why Christians in Maui must be aware of what is going on in churches on the mainland.

But Tim doesn’t see it that way.  He believes “We are to focus much more on what is good than what is evil.”

I agree, sort of.  Believers should put our focus on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and good (Phil 4:8) to show that we are Christ-like and that we’re putting our focus on God.  It would be nice to think only about good things, but let’s face it.  Wolves like Todd Bentley are scratching at the doors of our churches trying to gain entry! Christians cannot just meditate on lovely thoughts they must take action! When wolves gain entry irreparable harm is done! Wolves that mark their territory on pastor’s pulpits will devour the sheep!

Do you visit such sites because they have information that you truly need to know?” Tim queries.  “Or do you visit as a means of entertainment? Are you delighting in what is good and true and pure and lovely, or are you finding a strange, sick delight in all that is evil and ugly?

Maybe some people visit CWs because they find a sick delight in viewing videos that expose so-called Christians in bizarre situations.  Certainly those who post nothing but this sort stuff delight in evil.  This, however, is not the intent of Bereanbloggers.  Not even close.  What they post are the sad facts on the mess that has become the Body of Christ.  They also offer ways to repair some of the error.

Spending hour upon hour doing research on professing Christians who are up to their eyeballs in heresy is no picnic.  Who wants to watch Todd Bentley’s latest on-stage shenanigans on YouTube?  I don’t.  Those of us who wish to report accurately on the dangerous doctrines this man teaches have no choice but to watch him in action.

As a writer on religion and the culture I can attest to the fact that doing this sort of work can be downright depressing.  That’s why I take heart in knowing that the Apostles not only reported on false teachers that had wormed their way into the early church, they railed against them.  Most likely they lost sleep over it.  I do!  And so do my brothers and sisters involved in online discernment ministries.

Biblical accounts reveal that the writers did whatever they deemed necessary to throw a blanket over the flames of hell that were spreading throughout Christendom.  From the beginning Satan has been out to destroy God’s people and that sly old serpent has not let any grass grow under his belly.

Tim’s blogpost elicited this response:

The reality is that the Church is full of false teachers who promulgate false doctrines and are leading many astray…these false teachers have no accountability as they literally lead thousands down the path to eternal destruction…meanwhile the sheep sing their hymns and carry their Bible’s to church each Sunday. The cry of my heart as of late is that God WOULD raise up holy men bold enough to call out a falsehood when they see it & call these false teachers to account. They will not be popular because many of these ministries are household names in the evangelical word.

For whatever reason, many pastors refuse to call false teachers to account.  Why will they not hold them accountable?  Is it for fear of touching “God’s anointed?”

It is a minister’s responsibility to protect their flock from wolves scratching at the door.  The Lord never called His servant’s to be popular — and He never said they should strive to be relevant.

Pastors were called into the ministry to stand in Christ’s stead.

Pastors are supposed to stand for truth!

Pastors are supposed to be stalwart in the faith!

Ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are supposed to have grit!

You remember Jesus, don’t you pastor?  He’s the Son of God, the Second Person of the holy Trinity, the One who spoke the universe into existence.

He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent…

He is God Almighty, King of kings, Lord of lords…

Incomparable, all powerful, magnificent, majestic…

Our God is an awesome God!

Which brings up the question: Why do so many ministers bow before sinful men but do not tremble before a holy God?

Why do Christians not take Paul’s warning against false teachers in Romans 16:17 to heart? He said, “Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ…”

Mark them!  Avoid them!  They are not brothers and sisters in Christ!

Returning once again to Tim’s blogpost, Pastor Phil Johnson posted this comment:

I understand Challies’ central concern. There is a vocal segment of the fundamentalist/evangelical community for whom an obsession with sensational exposés and nattering negativity has proved seriously unhealthy.

Later Phil identifies the reason for all the nattering negativity – cowardice!  Phil’s exact words were:

The overwhelming majority of today’s evangelical sophisticates would clearly prefer it if no one ever criticized evangelical Golden Calves. Rampant error doesn’t unsettle them in the least. They are quite happy to live with it and even actively make peace with it. (Source)

Those who are called to serve as pastors and priests should be unhappy with grievous error.  They should be unbending when it comes to preserving Church doctrine.  But many prefer the role of peacemaker.  Funny, because Jesus said:

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.(Mat 10:34-36).

In verse 35 Jesus is speaking of divisions over people’s beliefs or lack of beliefs, about Him.  Even families will divide over disagreements.

ChristianityIt is far less likely for Christians to fall into error (and sin) when they’re in a church that teaches the precepts of the Bible in a clear and logical way.  When Phil Johnson teaches, his“immediate concern is to explain the meaning of specific texts of Scripture and exhort people to apply the truth to their lives in obedience to God.” That’s what Jesus meant when he said to Peter “feed my sheep.”   Paul warned Timothy to “teach sound doctrine.”  This is not an option.  Pastors are commanded to teach sound doctrine yet a large number of believers have no clue what Church doctrine entails.

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” (Emphasis mine) Acts 20:28-31

I’ll close with a comment I came across on Tim’s blogpost:

“It was a “watchdog” blog that alerted me to the apostacy [sic] that had entered my church of 28 years. There was no help with discernment from our elders. On the contrary, they were quickly finding ways to get rid of people who were not willing to go along with the ‘new’ plan for our church. Those of us who tried to talk with them were called troublemakers, legalists. I left that church wounded as did many others. From that time on, I have read the discernment blogs because I want to understand new trends in the church so I can warn others and never again be caught off guard myself. I don’t go to these sites for entertainment. I read, try to check the sources to verify, and pass on information to others. This has lead [sic] to several family members coming out of apostate movements. Just because some people are being entertained by these blogs does not mean they do not have purpose/ value. If a person is going to the sites for entertainment, then they need to repent and find a more God honoring use of their time.”

Copyright by Marsha West, 2011.  All rights reserved.

Tim Challies’ blogposts

Evil as Entertainment

Fighting Fire With Fire

Mostly trustworthy Christian sites, in no particular order:

Phil Johnson’s Bookmarks…Grace to You blog…Apprising Ministries…Herescope…Kjos Ministries…Discernment Ministries…Christian Research Network…Pirate Christian/Fighting for the Faith…On Solid Rock Resources…Answers In Genesis...Walter Martin…Christian Answers for the New Age…Berean Beacon…Christian Research Service…Deception in the Church…Stand to Reason…Let Us Reason…Good Fight Ministries…Justin Peters Ministries…Truth In Grace…Michelle Lesley…Take Heed…Truthxchange…The End Time…Critical Issues…Wretched/Todd Friel…Churchwatch Central…The Cripplegate…Apostasy Watch…The Watchman’s Bagpipes…Spirit of Error...8:28 Ministries...Messed Up Church…Reformation Charlotte…Pulpit & Pen

These sites don’t necessarily reflect my theological views nor do I agree with them on everything they say. The ones who are considered “watchbloggers” are mostly trustworthy. But we all make mistakes. Some discernment bloggers are accused of being “judgmental,” “harsh,” “unloving,” “pharisaical,” and even “mean-spirited.” You be the judge (Acts 11:17).

T.D. Jakes “Shocked” After Theology Called Into Question Following Remarks Respecting “Gay Rights”

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Berean Research reports the latest on the T.D. Jakes dust up:

T.D. Jakes

T.D. Jakes is a master of obfuscation. This was very apparent in his recent TV interview with Huffington Post’s Marc Lamont Hill. Thus, a controversy erupted over some of the things he said – and failed say. That he’s a master of obfuscation was also obvious during the Elephant Room 2 controversy that came about over whether or not Jakes’ view of the Trinity is biblical. Most people are unaware that he has been associated with modalism, a heretical belief that rejects the orthodox view of the Trinity. For those who are unclear about this, a belief in the Trinity is an essential of Christianity and one of the non-negotiables. So if a person chooses to deny the existence of the Trinity or rejects the settled orthodox view set forth in Scripture, he/she is not a true Christian. During the E-2 discussion to clarify his beliefs with regard to the Trinity, Jakes did anything but clarify. His tap dance made Gene Kelly look like a rank amateur. Although he tried his best to come across as a true trinitarian, his arguments were unconvincing. (Daniel Neades makes the case)

There’s more. Jakes not only denies the Bible’s clear teaching with regard to the Trinity, he preaches the Word of Faith-prosperity gospel which comes out of the metaphysical New Thought teachings of Phineas Quimby. Word-faith is the belief that faith is a force and words are the containers of the force. Words can be used to manipulate the faith-force — name it and claim it. By manipulating the faith-force we can create our own reality. Those who hold this view also believe Scripture promises health and wealth which is where we get terms such as “prosperity gospel” and “health & wealth gospel.” With this in mind, is “Bishop” Jakes a true Christian or a counterfeit?

The answer is that those who are outside the bounds of historic orthodox Christianity are counterfeit Christians.

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