Commentary, analysis and opinion.

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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Abortion, Planned Parenthood highlighted at first Republican debate

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Christian Examiner reports some of what went on during the first GOP debate:

Top tier GOP candidates. Photo courtesy siegg.com

Top tier GOP candidates. Photo courtesy
siegg.com

Having the largest Republican field in modern presidential history on one stage limited the scope and depth of Thursday’s first GOP debate, but social issues still played a major role.

Ten GOP candidates appeared in front of a FoxNews primetime audience for a 2-hour debate at Quicken Loans Arena, hours after seven lower-tier candidates took part in their own one-hour debate.

The 10-member field was chosen by a “poll of polls,” and – judging by a sampling of political observers – the debate was worth watching.

Of the 17 candidates, 16 are self-described as being pro-life, including Donald Trump, who came into the night leading the national Republican field by about 11 points, according to RealClearPolitics.com. (George Pataki, a lower-tier candidate, is the lone pro-choicer.)

Trump was asked to explain his pro-life position in light of labeling himself pro-choice 15 years ago. Moderator Megyn Kelly challenged him, saying he once even supported partial-birth abortion.

“I’ve evolved on many issues over the years. And you know who else has? Ronald Reagan evolved on many issues,” Trump said. “And I am pro-life. … What happened is [that] friends of mine years ago were going to have a child, and it was going to be aborted. And it wasn’t aborted. And that child today is a total superstar, a great, great child. And I saw that. And I saw other instances. And I am very, very proud to say that I am pro-life.”

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Answering Rachel Held Evans’ misguided Planned Parenthood post

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Susan Michelle of Live Action News takes emerging author, blogger, and speaker Rachel Held Evans to task over a recent Facebook post where she states that she’s pro-life but supports abortion mill Planned Parenthood. For those who are unfamiliar with Evans, here’s a bit of background info from a piece over at Stand Up For The Truth:

“She writes an uber-popular blog, and many of her articles are adored and shared by Christian women everywhere. Sadly, even women in Christian leadership don’t see the harm in sharing cool reads from a woman who no longer believes the Bible is true, who supports gay marriage and homosexual pastors, and who doesn’t believe Jesus is the only way.”

So obviously Evans is not a Christian in the true sense of the word, even though Michelle refers to her as a “progressive Christian.” This means she’s a liberal “Christian”…..which is an oxymoron.

Susan Michelle writes:

Author Rachel Held Evans has gained notoriety in Christian circles in recent years as a “progressive Christian.” Now she’s making waves on Facebook by asserting that we can’t suddenly strip Planned Parenthood of its funding.

Progressive Christianity is a liberal religion that leans more toward social justice, saving the earth, and even multiple views of Jesus’ purpose. A website devoted to progressive Christianity says it:

Affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the Sacredness and Oneness of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom in our spiritual journey

Progressive Christianity includes churches that are part of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, a pro-abortion advocacy organization that includes the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian USA, Evangelical Lutherans and Episcopal Church.

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Hillsong NYC Celebrates Engaged “Broadway Boyfriends”

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Berean Research reports:

Hillsong NYC

When one of Hillsong New York City’s worship leaders announced he is a practicing, unrepentant homosexual, and that he is marrying his fellow church singer and boyfriend, Hillsong leadership says nothing.

The musician, announced to the world a few months ago that he proposed to his boyfriend and also told his church leaders about his sexual practices:

“I need to be truthful with everyone. I became truthful with my church. I’m a part of Hillsong NYC. I’m one of their choir directors. I also sing on their Worship team. They’ve been amazing as well. Nothing has changed there now that I’m completely out and with Reed. He sings in the choir as well. I found that being an honest person has actually come with a lot of benefits. People are more sincere with you, and you find out a lot more about other people when you become honest.”

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Reformed Pastor, Francis Chan, to speak at IHOP cult – again!

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In 2013 Francis Chan spoke at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) apostasy fest Onething: Until the Fame of Jesus Fills the Earth annual event brought to us by false prophet Mike Bickle. Many well intentioned bloggers alerted Chan to the bizarre goings on at IHOP but, sadly, their warnings went unheeded.

In 2014 I penned a piece entitled The Prosperity Priestess and the Pied Piper of IHOP to inform readers that Word of Faith/Prosperity Preacher Joyce Meyer intended to join forces with Mike Bickle at Onething 2014. (Meyer ended up pulling out of the event at the last minute because of “unforeseen personal circumstances.”) In the referenced article I included a bit about Francis Chan’s professed love for Mike Bickle:

Francis Chan & Mike Bickle

It’s important to note that last year Reformed pastor; author; conference speaker Francis Chan spoke at Onething where he declared “I love Mike Bickle.” Chan took a lot of heat for agreeing to speak at the conference. When friends and fans urged him to decline the invite, he admitted that he didn’t know much about Mike Bickle and IHOP so,

I kinda went on the Internet and started looking things up.

Whatever he found caused him to fall in love:

I go, man, there’s a lot of great things going on [at IHOP]. And today was the first time I ever met Mike Bickle. And, I love that guy. I do. And Mike knows – we talked about this – you know, there’s people who told me not to hang out with him.

Like, you know, words like “creepy” came up. And yet, I get to know this guy and I’m going, “Man, I love his heart. And I just want to publicly say I love Mike Bickle. (Source)

As you can see, Chan professed his love for the sort of person Jesus referred to as a ravenous wolf. (Mat. 7:15)

What Francis Chan failed to turn up in his investigation is that Mike Bickle has led countless young people astray. He’s a sort of a Pied Piper to those who journey to Kansas City from all over the globe to be a part of something “significant.” Once there, they stay for days, months…even years. You’ll find them in the prayer room praying. Prayer “led from a stage full of musicians and readers chanting repetitive phrasings of faith” goes on ’round the clock.

The false prophet has filled the young sojourners’ heads with untruths such as “an elite end-time church defeats God’s enemies, and Jesus is ‘held in the heavens’ until it happens.” So they most “go forth and make ready.”

Now I learn that Francis Chan will be speaking at Onething 2015. He’ll be there with several IHOP apostates as well as evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, and one of Bethel Church’s music family, Amanda Cook. More speakers will be added.

In the early years, when it was known as the Latter Rain, it was a fringe movement that most Christians didn’t know about and those who did paid little attention to.  But the Latter Rain, now known as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), is no longer on the fringe. In recent years its leaders have wormed their way into the seven mountains of society.  Through their worldwide mission outreach, the movement that introduced us to breaking down demonic strongholds, casting out demons, healing the sick, raising the dead, and other so-called “signs and wonders” has become mainstream.  Who’s to blame for the mainstreaming of NAR heresy?  The blame lies squarely with our Christian leaders, clergy, authors, entertainers, so-called Christian media outlets, bloggers, Youtubers, and last but not least, pro-family leaders some of whom profess a belief in Jesus Christ. Many of the people Evangelicals look to for leadership and guidance are not Bible believers and a large number of them are involved in outright heresy. So how can they possibly have spiritual discernment?

CH Spurgeon quote on discernmentWhat exactly is discernment?  According to blogger Tim Challies:

Discernment is the ability to properly discriminate or make determinations. It is related to wisdom. The Word of God itself is said to discern the thoughts and intentions of one’s heart (Hebrews 4:12).

A discerning mind demonstrates wisdom and insight that go beyond what is seen and heard. For example, God’s Word is “spiritually discerned.” To the human mind without the Spirit, the things of God are “foolishness” (1 Corinthians 2:14). The Spirit, then, gives us spiritual discernment. (Source)

Getting back to addressing Pastor Chan’s participation in Onething 2015.  Many in the Christian community wondered about his discernment or lack thereof, when he spoke at the 2013 event — there was a big brouhaha over it.  Even so he has agreed to return to the scene of the crime, so to speak.  It seems impossible that researching the NAR and Mike Bickle would result in anything other than an ample understanding of the highly unbiblical nature of the movement. Clearly he hasn’t done the research…..or perhaps he has. Inquiring minds want to know.

Finally, it’s concerning that during his talk in 2013 he joked about warnings from friends and discernment bloggers when he snickered, “there’s people who told me not to hang out with him [Bickle]” But even worse than that, hearing a highly regarded Christian leader proclaim his love for a false prophet was upsetting, to say the least.

Hopefully Pastor Chan will do as Joyce Meyer did in 2014 and cancel his speaking gig.

Related

April 17, 2024 IHOPKC Coming to a Close…due to revelations that disgraced leader Mike Bickle is a serial adulterer

CARM lists some of the main offenses of IHOP:

  1. Cultic origin, worship style, and goals
  2. Emotionalism
  3. Mysticism
  4. Gnosticism
  5. The IHOP dilemma
  6. False Prophecies
  7. Effective Denial of Sola Scriptura
  8. Opposition by multiple Godly Christian Groups

Copyright Marsha West, August 2015. All rights reserved.

Planned Parenthood and the barbarity of America

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Conservative columnist and Fox News commentator, George Will, has some thoughts on the shocking revelation that Planned Parenthood has been harvesting organs from aborted babies for profit. Will reminds us of the abortion industry’s callous disregard for human life: “At no point in the gestation of a human infant does this living being have a trace of personhood that must be respected. Never does it have a moral standing superior to a tumor or a hamburger in the mother’s stomach.”

Baby in the womb

Executives of Planned Parenthood’s federally subsidized meat markets — your tax dollars at work — lack the courage of their convictions. They should drop the pretense of conducting a complex moral calculus about the organs they harvest from the babies they kill.

First came the video showing a salad-nibbling, wine-sipping Planned Parenthood official explaining how “I’m going to basically crush below, I’m going to crush above” whatever organ (“heart, lung, liver”) is being harvested. Then the president of a Planned Parenthood chapter explained the happy side of harvesting: “For a lot of the women participating in the fetal tissue donation program, they’re having a procedure that may be a very difficult decision for them and this is a way for them to feel that something positive is coming from . . . a very difficult time.”

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Hillsong’s Darlene Zschech Condemns Christians and aligns herself to Roman Catholicism

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Churchwatch Central warns:

It is important for Christians to grasp just how dangerous Darlene Zschech has become in light of her allegiance to Rome and her condemnation of Christians who have spoken out against her worship for the pope. While this article is long, it will be worth your time reading to see how much Zschech has aligned herself to Roman Catholicism by examining her theology.

A FALSE SPIRIT

Darlene says she can see what “the Holy Spirit is doing around the earth” claiming it “is completely breathtaking.” However, she notes “His role in our experience of following Jesus makes us so very similar.” Notice that this is NOT the Holy Spirit as the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth. While Mrs. Zschech is not zschecking to see if this spirit is the Holy Spirit or another spirit at work, she is elevating this phenomena and “experience” as though it is.

Darlene also states,

“I relate it being a part of a family.. different characteristics, faces, tastes and giftings.. yet a DNA running through our veins that draw us together.”

Once again. No truth. No holiness. Just flights of fancy and delusion at best.

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In Defense of the Historical Adam

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Answers In Genesis tackles the Adam and Eve dispute — were they a myth, did they evolve from apes, was Adam the first man God made? Does it really matter? Adam & Eve in the garden of Eden By Terry Mortenson

The cover story in Christianity Today in June 2011 was “The Search for the Historical Adam.” The subtitle read, “Some scholars believe genome science casts doubt on the existence of the first man and woman. Others say the integrity of the faith requires it.” The number of professing evangelical scholars doubting or denying a literal Adam and Eve has continued to grow.

Some say the account of Adam and Eve is a myth, a symbolic story to teach us theological and moral truth. Others say that Adam and Eve were the first two humans but that they evolved from ape-like creatures and became human when God breathed into them. Others say they really existed but that Adam was merely the head of a clan or tribe: Adam and Eve weren’t the only humans at that time but were chosen by God for His purposes. Still others take Genesis 1–3 as literal history: the first man Adam was made from dust and the first woman Eve was made from his rib.

So what is the truth and does it really matter anyway, as long as you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Good question. Let’s see what God’s inerrant Word says. View article →

Our redemption

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15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:15 NASB

The Gospel is explained very well in the New Testament. The role of the Church in the World from the time of Christ’s Ascension until His return is very well defined for us there as well (to go and make disciples from all the earth, teaching them to observe all that He taught…) This Great Commission is not to ‘be the Gospel’ nor is it to ‘redeem the earth’ nor is it to ‘make the world a better place.’ No, it is to go and tell the Good News that we have a mediator of a new covenant and those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance that is made possible through the death of their Saviour who has redeemed through the shedding of His blood (see the passage above). You see, this is the Good News. The Gospel is to preach what Christ has done not what people have done, not what churches have done, not what religion has done or what being religious can do for anyone. It is simply to proclaim this message relying on the power and work of the Holy Spirit to draw those called to saving faith. Let’s take a closer look at this “redemption.” View article →

Bruce Jenner, Gay Marriage, and Planned Parenthood: The Self-Deification of a Nation

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Blogger for The Cripplegate, Mike Riccardi, believes that the issues American’s are being forced to deal with–transgrenderism, homosexualism and the destruction of marriage, and abortion–“all stem from the same polluted fountain out of which even the first sin flowed: self-deification. Satan tempted Adam and Eve to rebel against God in the Garden by holding out to them the deceitful promise that they would become like God in their rebellion. And it seems plain to me that our society is absolutely intoxicated with the very same prospect. They want to be God.”

Riccardi begins his piece by bringing us back to the beginning…when America was comprised of a highly “moral and religious people.”

The last few months have been emotionally tiring for Christians in America.

Though many debate whether the United States was ever a “Christian nation,” there can be no denying that a Christian worldview and biblical principles were fundamental in the formation of this country. Indeed, the founding fathers understood this even as they crafted the charter documents of our government. Thomas Jefferson wrote that the “inalienable rights” of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” which mark the ideals of every American, are endowed to us by our Creator. John Adams wrote, “We have no government, armed with power, capable of contending with human passions, unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge and licentiousness would break the strongest cords of our Constitution, as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

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Chattanooga shooting proves it’s time to arm our Armed Forces

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Todd Starnes, host of Fox News & Commentary argues that members of our armed forces who defend our nation should be able to defend themselves here in America. He w rites:

It turns out that at least one of the two military facilities attacked in Chattanooga, Tennessee — was a gun-free zone.

If you looked closely crime scene photographs – you can see the sign — plastered on the front of a bullet- riddled window.

Four Marines were slaughtered — a fifth wounded — along with a Chattanooga police officer.

Authorities say the gunman, identified as 24-year-old Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, was killed in a shoot-out.

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A Reformation The Church Doesn’t Need: Answering Revisionist Pro-gay Theology

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In the current issue of Solid Ground, Christian apologists Greg Koukl and Alan Shlemon reason through the scriptures–in context, without changing the meaning of words–to show people the Bible’s clear teaching on homosexuality. But first, it’s important to read Greg’s introduction:

Queen James BibleSometimes the best remedy for a moral/theological controversy is simply a good old-fashioned, down to earth, nothing buttery, search-the-Scriptures-to-see-if-it’s-so, Bible study. No fancy footwork necessary. Just cut right to the chase, let the Word speak for itself, then be faithful to it. That’s all.

Of course, because of ambiguities in the text, not every challenging, contentious biblical dispute can be settled this easily. Frequently, though, a careful, close, honest look at the Scripture is all that’s required to resolve what might seem at first to be a difficult dispute.

That’s the approach Alan Shlemon and I take to respond to one of the most severe challenges to Christian orthodoxy the church faces today. The question: What does God really think about homosexuality? Could it be that the church has simply gotten it all wrong for 2,000 years?

A dedicated group of homosexuals and “gay-friendly” churchgoers think so, and they are campaigning relentlessly to change your mind. They have certified theologians on their team, they’re tactically clever, and they’re aggressively training their own ambassadors to send out to reform the church.

When—not “if,” but “when”—you encounter this teaching, you’ll need biblically sound answers. That’s what we give you in this month’s Solid Ground. The article is titled, “A Reformation the Church Doesn’t Need—Answering Revisionist Pro-Gay Theology.” Since the material we need to cover is extensive, this will be a two-part series.

Read carefully. There’s a lot riding on this issue, for individual lives and for the integrity of the church today. …

Now listen as Koukl and Shlemon speak authoritatively on what the Bible says about homosexuality without twisting verses into a theological pretzel the way progressives do. Scroll down to page 3 View article →

The danger of a Complacent Majority

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Following is an opinion piece by Robert Knight, columnist for the Washington Times. Knight challenges conservatives to continue fighting the culture war against the secular left. Professing Christians, he says, must share the gospel as well as become involved in public policy. In other words, continuing to stand firm against evil is imperative. Knight writes:

With all the calls to conservatives to give up on the culture, the only thing lacking is a drone-riding witch over the Statue of Liberty skywriting “Surrender Dorothy.”

Right on cue following the Supreme Court’s demolition of marriage, The New York Times’ housebroken conservative David Brooks said it’s time to move on and leave cultural political issues in the dust.

First, he accurately diagnosed the situation: “More and more Christians feel estranged from mainstream culture. They fear they will soon be treated as social pariahs, the moral equivalent of segregationists because of their adherence to scriptural teaching on gay marriage. They fear their colleges will be decertified, their religious institutions will lose their tax-exempt status, their religious liberty will come under greater assault.”

Indeed.

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The Cell Church

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Over twenty years ago Sarah Leslie of Discernment Ministries began doing research on the early stages of the New Apostolic Reformation which was being launched by C. Peter Wagner. In her research she covered what she refers to as the networking hierarchical cell church structure. In this piece she tells us exactly what this all means. This is not the local church, says Sarah, “This is also the structure of a city-wide church (ecumenical) as envisioned and described by the cell church architects. It is also the structure of the multi-site church of Leadership Network.” Before we continue, those of you who are unfamiliar with Leadership Network (LN) should know that this group is the foremost training agency for Christian leaders. LN has trained a generation of “change agent” pastors. That’s right. Change agent pastors. That’s why it’s extremely important for the discerning Christian to discover who LR’s leaders are, the people they’ve trained, and the purpose of their training. Speaking of “purpose” one pastor who went through LN’s training is none other than the Purpose Driven Pope, Rick Warren.

Back to what Sarah was saying: “It would become the model for C. Peter Wagner’s hierarchies — now called the 7 mountains (quite literally a pyramid marketing structure) for apostolic dominion.”

What this is about is transforming the Church through an army of modern day prophets and apostles. These people are highly organized — and they mean business.

Much has changed since Sara started her research twenty-five years ago:

For example, we weren’t sure if we were looking at a multi-headed hydra or a one-headed octopus. The downline networks that were forming in Christendom seemed to be independent of one another, yet there was an ongoing call for unity. It seemed destined to culminate in a one-world church. … For example, the false prophets of the NAR had been calling for a merging of streams into rivers for several decades.

It is now quite obvious that the downline networking model functions by stealth, superimposing its own structure on top of an existing model (such as denominations), until it sucks the old life out of it and ends up totally controlling it. Parachurch organizations such as Leadership Network, trained pastors and leaders across a global spectrum in this new model of church governance. The excessive evangelical fascination with leadership has given rise to cult-like status for its superstars and created lockstep blind followers. (emphasis added)

We hope you’ll visit Herescope to read Sarah Leslie’s informative and fascinating piece. She has provided the reader with a number of charts and graphs. (Link)

Baptist Scholar Says Mormonism Is Evolving Towards Christianity With “Biblical,” Views of “Christ and Salvation”

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Angel MoroniProphecy News Watch informs us that Roger Olson, theology professor at Baylor University, believes there has been a shift in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) that could one day lead to the LDS being viewed as a Christian denomination. For that to happen a great deal would have to change. For starters their President and governing body, known as the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, would have to admit that they’ve been dead wrong on what they believe about God…Jesus Christ…and the Holy Spirit. Moreover they’d have to embrace the essential doctrine of the Trinity held by historic, orthodox Christianity — that there is one God who exists as three separate and distinct persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The LDS teaches that the trinity is three separate gods: The Father, the Son and the Holly Ghost. This view is unbiblical.

And of course the LDS Church hierarchy would have to admit that Joseph Smith was a false prophet, and then they’d have to apologize for leading millions of Mormons down the path that leads to destruction. View article →

Be sure to check out CRN’s research paper on Mormonism.

Rick Warren Preaching Heresy at Hillsong 2015 Conference

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Rick WarrenOver at Pulpit & Pen Jeff Maples alerts us to yet another of Rick Warren’s biblical blunders. The question is, why would a Southern Baptist preacher agree to travel to Australia to speak at an event put on by Hillsong Church, when its leaders, Brian and his co-pastor wife Bobbie Houston, have been criticized for their heretical Word Faith teaching?

According to Maples:

At the Hillsong 2015 Conference in Sydney, Australia, where Rick Warren shared a stage with other heretics such as Joseph Prince, Warren teaches that he receives extra-biblical revelations through subconscious dreams. The theme of the Word of Faith conference that Rick is speaking at is “Speak Lord, I’m listening.” This is fitting since all of the speakers at this conference are heretical preachers that claim extra-biblical revelation from God.

He starts out by twisting Exodus 4:3 regarding Moses’ encounter with God, and God commanding Moses to throw down his staff while God miraculously turns it into a serpent, and then pick it back. He says that this passage represents that Christians today need to throw down their income and identity and let God do something miraculously with it. He says:

Hearing the voice of God starts with a willingness to give up his identity, his income, and his influence, for the global Glory of God. When you do that, you are now in a position to hear God speak.

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Related Word Faith Preacher Brian Houston of Hillsong Australia Speaking at Saddleback Church By Ken Silva

Oregon silences bakers who refused to make cake for gay wedding

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Todd Starnes, host of Fox News and Commentary, once predicted that when gay marriage was legalized, LGBTQIA supports would attempt to silence all dissent. Well, the rainbow dust hasn’t settled yet and the powerful homosexual lobby is moving full throttle to achieve their goals, one of which is to silence anyone who speaks for God. What they don’t realize–yet–is that God always wins. According to Starnes:

the state ordered owners Aaron and Melissa Klein to pay $135,000 in damages to a lesbian couple they turned away in 2013.

The state also slapped a gag order on the evangelical Christian bakers – banning them from speaking publicly about their refusal to participate in or bake wedding cakes for same-sex unions.

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