Glory Praise and Worship

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

28 Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. 30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. Luke 9:28-32 (NASB) 

As we continue in our discussion and deeper look at the makeup of the dividing line between genuine Christianity, that which is God centered, and counterfeit Christianity, that which is man centered, let us look at the vast difference in how each side understands the concepts of God’s glory and the praise that is His due…. Continue reading →

What is God’s Purpose in Allowing False Teachers to Flourish?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , , ,

One thing you will notice with false teachers is that they always want to downplay the importance that Scripture places on warning against false teachers. You may hear defenses like “The Bible doesn’t say a whole lot about false teachers, so we really shouldn’t be too concerned with it,” or “Christians need to stop bickering and judging each other, and just be more loving and Christ-like.” 

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  Have you ever slummed through a sermon by a preacher like Steven Furtick or Andy Stanley?…. Continue reading →

Don’t Feed The Trolls

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

As I have said often before, if someone seems open, teachable, humble, and eager to learn, I am happy to spend a lot of time with them, answer their questions, and deal with any objections or criticisms they might have. But we must have discernment here.

(Bill Muehlenberg) Yes there are folks who love to argue and pick fights. This is how we should deal with them:

Consider this article to be sort of a public service announcement, a bit of free advice, and/or some hopefully wise counsel. It is directed mainly to other Christians, and if you are a regular reader here you will know that I have discussed this issue in the past. Continue reading →

What is religious externalism?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. Matthew 23:25-28 (NASB)  (Read verses 27-28 on the site.)

Because of our old church going Purpose Driven in 2006, my wife and I left. The journey to find a new local church fellowship was a long and difficult one. One of the churches along the way was just a few blocks from the one we had just left…. Continue reading →

Sen. Graham: FBI Engaged in a ‘Massive Criminal Conspiracy’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , ,

“The first question I’ll ask in a bit, is this the best of the best? Are these people normal representatives of the Department of Justice and the F.B.I.? I hope you will say no. Because I believe it to be no. And if I believed otherwise, I would be incredibly depressed.”

(Susan Jones – CNSNews) – If you believe some of the headlines about the Horowitz report — that the FBI conducted a lawful investigation with a few irregularities — “you’ve clearly not read it,” Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in his opening statement of Wednesday’s hearing. Continue reading →

Has the New Apostolic Reformation ‘hijacked’ the White House?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , ,

It’s interesting to note that it was Vice-President Mike Pence, a conservative evangelical, who appeared with the gathering of ‘worship leaders’, a man who describes himself as “a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order.”

(Churchwatch Central)  When Donald Trump was elected President of the United States, Church Watch Central predicted that the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) Apostles and Prophets would try to gain access to this ‘Christian’ President. Lance Wallnau and other ‘prophets and apostles’ have since labelled Trump as ‘Gods Chaos candidate’, proving the obvious nature and motivation of the NAR. What no one could have predicted was President Trump’s recent appointment of the self-proclaimed NARpostle (and notorious scam artist) Paula White to be his aide and ‘spiritual advisor’! Continue reading →

Here’s Why SWBTS/ERLC Teamed Up to Fire Professor over Conservative LGBTQ Views

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The following was written by Dr. Robert Gagnon, a Presbyterian pastor and professor of New Testament Theology at Houston Baptist University, and former associate professor of the New Testament at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. The article from Religion News that Gagnon references is titled Evangelical leader Russell Moore denounces ex-gay therapy and can be read at this link. This was originally posted on Dr. Gagnon’s Facebook page. — Jeff Maples, Reformation Charlotte

This may have some bearing on the termination of Robert Lopez from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. According to a Religion News Service article from Oct. 28, 2014, the President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission denounced reparative therapy as “severely counterproductive,” despite the fact that many, and possibly most or nearly all, reparative therapists are Christians applying Christian principles…. Continue reading →

Blatant Brainwashing In Children’s Books

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Reviews ∙ , , , , , , ,

“The blatant brainwashing of young children into accepting or embracing Islam is overshadowed by the accusations of censorship hurled against those trying to expose this indoctrination. As the censorship argument clouds the indoctrination issue, adults are distracted and lose sight of the predominant issue at hand, which is the powerful influence that children’s books hold in shaping the beliefs and attitudes of their children.”

(Deborah DeGroff – What’s Inside Children’s Books?)  In this blog I will demonstrate how easily children can be influenced to accept or reject certain ideologies through the power of story books. Continue reading →

It’s All of Grace

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Ephesians 2:1-10 (NASB) (Read verses 4-10 on this site.)

As many of you know Tom Ascol collapsed Sunday at his church. He was rushed to the hospital and is still there. I have been following this as much as I can and I have prayed for him, his family and his ministry as many of you have…. Continue reading →

Hallmark Channel Now Airing Lesbian Wedding Commercials

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

Several of Hallmark’s viewers were upset and reached out to a pro-family advocacy group, One Million Moms, with their complaints.

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte) Last week, Reformation Charlotte reported that Hallmark — the famous Christmas romance movie channel — was “open” to producing and running LGBTQ movies. Bill Abbott, the CEO of Crown Media, Hallmark’s parent company, made the comments during an interview with Hollywood Reporter. Continue reading →

The Comey FBI’s 17 Biggest Failures Contained in the Russia FISA Report

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , ,

Journalist John Solomon reveals some of the stunning failures, omissions, and mistakes made by James Comey’s FBI in obtaining FISA warrants against top Trump associates during the 2016 election. He writes:

Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz identified 17 serious omissions, inaccuracies and failures involving the FBI’s conduct in the Russia collusion investigation and its pursuit of a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrant targeting the Trump campaign. Continue reading →

Tapes, emails and now a witness against Southwestern

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , , , ,

Witness at meeting between Provost and Lopez speaks; condemns SWBTS; says actions against Robert Lopez were ‘Pathetic and Unacceptable.’

(Capstone Report)  Joe Goodson ,a graduate of Southwestern’s M.Div. ’02, was at the meeting between SWBTS Provost Randy Stinson and Professor Robert Lopez. Goodson condemned the action of Southwestern in a strongly worded statement published on the Concerned Christian Citizens of Central Texas Facebook Page. Continue reading →

Our Eyes Look to the Lord Our God

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens! 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He is gracious to us. 3 Be gracious to us, O Lord, be gracious to us, For we are greatly filled with contempt. 4 Our soul is greatly filled With the scoffing of those who are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud. Psalms 123 (NASB) 

The vast majority of people on planet Earth want nothing to do with the real Jesus. Many love and hold dear another Jesus, but he is one made up by people who don’t know the one who is real…. Continue reading →

A Brief Condescension to James White on the Topic of Rosaria Butterfield

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

In the clearest possible terms, White is being intellectually dishonest. Not only does Rosaria preface arguments using these heretics as references for her position, but it is not a bibliography at the end of her book, but “Recommended Reading.” 

(Pulpit & Pen)  con·de·scend (kŏn′dĭsĕnd′) intr.v. to lower oneself… James White’s “church,” Apologia, is reeling from a controversy revolving around its secret recording of clergy-penitent conversations and their anonymous release on Youtube against their critics. James White defended their actions in a video late last week. Since then, dozens of Apologia church members, former members, former leaders, and Phoenix-area pastors have come forward with their own stories about Apologia’s “hard shepherding” practices of secret recordings and retaliation. Continue reading →

BREAKING: IG Report Finds FBI ‘Fell Far Short,’ Made ‘Serious’ Errors In FISA Application To Surveil Trump Campaign

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , ,

“That means that it appears as though that opposition research, paid for by Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC), was used to launch the FBI investigation into the Trump campaign.”

(Ryan Saavedra – Daily Wire)  Department of Justice inspector general Michael Horowitz’s report on alleged FBI misconduct during its surveillance of the 2016 Trump presidential campaign found that the FBI “fell far short” and made “serious” errors in obtaining the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) applications that it used to surveil the campaign. Continue reading →

Why Gay Christianity Is A False Religion

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

Today there are two prevailing camps that want you to believe one can be gay and a Christian. They’ve become known as Side A and Side B.

(Tedd Mathis) My prayer is you read this in accordance with Colossians 2:8 – See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

Here’s what threatens to take us captive: Since the mid 1970’s there has been a concerted effort to teach the world that being ‘gay’ (or LGBTQ+) is an essential definer of some people…. Continue reading →

Becoming a Millionaire on a Pastor’s Salary

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , ,

“To establish reasonableness, a compensation consultant or committee will study what similar churches or non-profits pay their officers. However, a troubling trend has emerged of pastors’ salaries being compared to those of big business CEOs and famous celebrities.”

(Barry Bowen – Trinity Foundation) Through best-selling books and excessive compensation, a growing number of pastors are becoming millionaires. Let’s take a look at one of them. Continue reading →

Kanye West replaces John Crist as headliner at Christian youth conference

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

I thanked him for even considering coming to our conference, to which he stopped me, and he said, ‘Scott, after prayer and deliberation, I want you to know I’m not considering it — I’m coming.'”

(Disrn)  Kanye West has agreed to headline Christian youth event Strength to Stand Student Bible Conference in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, next month. He will be replacing the previously scheduled headliner, comedian John Crist, who was removed after revelations of sexual promiscuity, harassment, and exploitation of young women surfaced last month. Continue reading →

Pragmatism and Mustard Seed Faith

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble.  Luke 17:1-6 (NASB) (Read verses 3-6 on the site.)

There are many parallels between what is going on the visible church at this time with what Charles Spurgeon called “the Down-Grade Controversy” in his time. In the latter part of the 19th Century, he began addressing the growing apostasy in the Baptist Union in Great Britain…. Continue reading →

Christ Is The Rock

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

The key to understanding the complex issue of the Roman Catholic Church is to realize that their unique doctrine of the papacy is the very heart of this religious system. In this article we will examine in depth from their own sources what the Church of Rome claims for her pontiff, and contrast this with what the Bible itself tells us about the Cornerstone that the true universal Christian Church is in fact built upon.

The Scripture Says

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:16-18

Continue reading →

Tim Keller Says the Gospel Was Not Spread in the Early Church Through Preachers, But ‘Life Examples’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , ,

“Preaching as the primary means of spreading the gospel has always been the biblical model and to teach otherwise is dishonest at best. But Tim Keller has long departed sound biblical Christianity and has embraced a postmodern, neo-pagan style of Christianity.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte) Today, it seems like more and more we toss aside the solid works of historic theology in favor of the modern, the fresh, and the new. Tim Keller is a prime example of this as he represents a wave of postmodern thinking that has so infected the Church. Works of the Puritans and the Reformers and works of the early Church fathers — these collect dust on the bookshelves as many have given them a backseat to the influx of the nuanced and noncontroversial. Continue reading →

Pope Francis Compares Trump to Herod, Who Tried to Kill Jesus

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , ,

“In this Q&A session, the pontiff also proposed that the rise of populism is at the root of migrants’ problems in Europe.”

(Thomas D. Williams – Breitbart)  Pope Francis has compared U.S. President Donald Trump to the murderous King Herod who massacred innocent children in ancient Palestine while trying to kill the baby Jesus, a Jesuit journal revealed Thursday.

Speaking with his brother Jesuits during his recent visit to Thailand, the Argentinian pope minced no words in his thinly veiled condemnation of the U.S. president and his administration, suggesting that like a modern-day Herod, Mr. Trump separates families at the border while allowing drugs to freely flow into the country. Continue reading →

BOMBSHELL: Indisputable Proof SWBTS Lied; ERLC Targeted Professor for Preaching Against LGBT ‘Revoice’ Theology

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , , , , ,

“Transcripts and audio of the meetings purportedly between Southwestern Professor Robert Lopez and Dean Michael Wilkinson and between Lopez and SWBTS Provost Randy Stinson were released today (December 6, 2019.) The release included supporting documents including emails sent by Lopez outlining the dispute over articles written by Lopez on matters of national importance, specifically, issues of abuse in the gay community and how Christians should stand for biblical orthodoxy on sexuality..”

(Pulpit & Pen)  Let me interject here in this repost from Capstone Report with a few points of observation.

First, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) absolutely, 100% unequivocally lied in their press release about Dr. Lopez’ termination. There is zero doubt of that now. Continue reading →

The Tool of Sanctification

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  John 17:17

Sanctification begins in regeneration. The Spirit of God implants in man that new living principle by which he becomes “a new creation”1 in Christ Jesus. This work, which begins in the new birth, is carried on in two ways-mortification, whereby the lusts of the flesh are subdued and kept under, and vivification, by which the life that God has put within us is made to be a well of water springing up unto everlasting life. Continue reading →