An Open Letter to Beth Moore – Timeline of Events

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 9, 2019 ∙ In Opinion ∙ False Doctrine, False Teacher, Homosexuality, Sin, Truth, LifeWay, Southern Baptist Convention, Moore Beth, Moore Russell

Michelle Lesley keeps us informed as to what has transpired since six Christian women published a letter to Beth Moore asking that she clearly state her view on homosexuality, as what she believes has “evolved” over the years. Under immense pressure, Beth has finally come out with a statement! Michelle shares her statement in the timeline. She writes:

Nearly three weeks ago, six Christian women (and nearly 500 subsequent signers) addressed An Open Letter to Beth Moore, asking five questions about her views on homosexuality:

Do you believe homosexuality is inherently sinful?
Do you believe that the practice of the homosexual lifestyle is compatible with holy Christian living?
Do you believe a person who dies as a practicing homosexual but professes to be a Christian will inherit eternal life? Continue reading →

Living Out – A Follow-Up and Call to Further Action

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 9, 2019 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Homosexuality, LGBT, Revoice, Same Sex Attraction (SSA), Sin, Allberry Sam

“Have all the objectionable resources that were exposed in your articles been removed from Living Out during the audit? Answer: NO. Only two resources were removed and all of the resources quoted from the section above are presently live on their website. Although I trust that an audit is being carried out, this reckless and unbiblical teaching remains unedited for people to follow. (It is important to clarify that Sam Allberry does not have the sole authority to remove these resources.)”

The above quote was taken from a June 6 piece written by Tom Buck. A few days ago I checked his blog over at Alpha & Omega Ministries to see if he had written a second follow-up. Nothing yet.

Many people are unaware of the controversy that erupted over some of the articles posted on Living Out (LO), a website owned by three professing Christians who experience same-sex attraction (SSA), namely Sam Allberry, Sean Doherty and Ed Shaw. According to LO’s site, these men have a desire to “bring out into the open the questions and dilemmas that gay Christians can often face.” Continue reading →

Are You Bearing the Marks of Jesus or the Mark of the Beast?

Posted by Mike Ratliff ∙ July 9, 2019 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. Gal 6:14-17 (NASB)

The Apostle Paul did indeed bear the marks of persecution on his body. He had been found to be worthy to suffer shame for the name as had Peter and John (Acts 5:17-42). Paul had been stoned, beaten, imprisoned, run out of town, and would die as a martyr. Why were the Apostles persecuted so?… Continue reading →

Who is Jesus Christ?

Posted by Mike Ratliff ∙ July 8, 2019 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

15 He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15 (NASB)

Several years ago when I liven in Kansas I served on a jury for a few days. We tried a criminal drug case. It was heart rending. All through the trial we were subjected to evidence and testimony that were all vivid markers of the deep darkness to which our world is in bondage. Even though my life is far removed from that of the drug culture and that of the police who must operate in it, but not be part of it, I still felt compassion for those people who do not have the light of life from our Lord Jesus Christ. Continue reading →

Beth Moore: Calling Homosexuality a Sin is ‘Exceeding Scripture’

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 6, 2019 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Bible, False Doctrine, False Teacher, Homosexuality, Inerrancy of Scripture, Sin, Truth, Moore Beth

Yet, in one of the rare situations where Beth Moore actually writes something biblically sound and true — a clear position on the sinfulness of homosexuality — she insists that she’s “exceeded Scripture.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte) Beth Moore has been under fire lately after a group of female Bible teachers published an open letter to Moore urging her to clarify her doctrinal position on homosexuality. Moore insisted that her doctrinal views on homosexuality have not shifted over the course of her ministry. On page 279 of Beth Moore’s book, Praying God’s Word, originally published in 2009, Moore writes: Continue reading →

The Curious Mystical Text Behind Marianne Williamson’s Presidential Bid

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 6, 2019 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Hinduism, Jesus, New Age Movement, Occult-Sorcery, Politics

If you’re unfamiliar with A Course In Miracles, the Christian Research Institute published an essay “A Course In Miracles: Christian Glossed Hinduism For The Masses” that delves into the dangers of the Course. In short, the book “is a masterpiece of spiritual strategy. It claims to be a revelation from Jesus Christ Himself, and it is intelligently organized and simply written. It appeals to personal pride and can become almost addicting emotionally. It is carefully designed for radically restructuring a persons perception against Christian faith and toward New Age occultism.”

Columnist Sam Kestenbaum reveals that “the Christian Research Institute, ominously described the narrator of the Course as not divine at all, but “a demon cleverly impersonating Jesus” bent on turning a “person’s perception against Christian faith and toward New Age occultism.” Ms. Schucman was hesitant. But with the encouragement of a colleague, William Thetford, she began to write. She came to believe the voice belonged to Jesus. Her spirit channeling unspooled over several years, culminating in a three-volume, 1,300-page tome. It was published in 1976 by the Foundation for Inner Peace.”

Here’s Kestenbaum’s piece over at The New York Times: Continue reading →

Hispanic Pastors Tour Border Facility, Say They’re ‘Totally Baffled’ by Misinformation in News

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 5, 2019 ∙ In News ∙ Christianity, Fake News, Family, Immigration, Mainstream Media, Politics, United States Government

Rodriguez is not the first Christian leader to push back against the media’s characterization of the situation along the U.S.-Mexico border. During an interview with Faithwire last week, Prestonwood en Español Pastor Gilberto Corredera said border agents have good relationships with the children, often spending their own money to buy food and water for them.

(Tré Goins-Phillips – Faith Wire) A delegation of Hispanic pastors, led by the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, toured a detention facility in El Paso, Texas, last week, and what they saw was “drastically different” from the media’s portrayal of the situation along the country’s southern border. Continue reading →

Genuine Christian Transformation

Posted by Mike Ratliff ∙ July 4, 2019 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NASB)

Despite the fact that the unregenerate refuse to accept what I am about to say as being true, it does not change the fact that it is the truth. The true Christian walk is one of faith that results in faithfulness while the counterfeit or false Christian walk is one of works righteousness that results in a pragmatic form of religious works meant to counter failures of the flesh…. Continue reading →

Social Justice: Modern Roots and Promoters

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 3, 2019 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Evangelicalism, False Gospel, False Teacher, Gospel, Liberalism, Social Justice, Unorthodox, Tim Keller

“[Timothy] Keller is a well-known pastor (recently retired), theologian and apologist. A co-founder of the Gospel Coalition with D. A. Carson, Keller has published several books, many of which have value and substance. His doctrinal positions would be more biblical than any of those mentioned above, but within conservative evangelical circles, he is a major leader in the social justice movement. The vision statement at his church, Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, provides a clear declaration combining both the spiritual and social gospels.”

(Gary Gilley – Think On These Things) As we attempt to evaluate the social justice movement, especially in light of the debates within evangelicalism surrounding the publication of The Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel, it would be helpful to trace its roots…. Continue reading →

Pope Francis unleashes his inner pagan in Pan-Amazonian document laying foundation for ‘new’ Christianity

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 3, 2019 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Climate Change, Heresy, Paganism, Roman Catholicism, Pope Francis

“The document is fraught with references to “Mother Earth” while touting a “New Pentecost” based on the “diversity of religion and culture” in the Amazon region of South America that Francis sees as a template for the world.”

(Leo Hohmann) Pope Francis has released the preparatory document for the Vatican’s upcoming Pan-Amazonian Synod in October, and it contains yet another window into the pope’s green-friendly worldview in which he subtlety and deceptively turns traditional, biblical Christianity on its head. Continue reading →

Gender Transition Clinic Sees Huge Spike in Children Under 14 Seeking Sex Change

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 3, 2019 ∙ In News ∙ Health, LGBT, Progressivism, Transgenderism

“We know that compared to only 1% of the general population, around a third of young people treated at the Tavistock has an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. A condition that is characterized by difficulties of social interaction. Vulnerable girls are being used by the transgender movement to destigmatize what is essentially a male sexual fetish.”

(Faith Wire – Will Maule) A British gender clinic has reported a massive increase in the number of children seeking to transition from one sex to the other. The most significant surge in demand has come from young girls who are determined to transition to becoming males. Continue reading →

Who are genuine Christ followers?

Posted by Mike Ratliff ∙ July 3, 2019 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

18 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He *said to them, “ Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. (Matthew 4:18-22 NASB)

It seems like just the other day, but I actually it was in late 2004 through 2005 and into 2006 that the old Slice of Laodicea blog was going full tilt, Jim Bublitz, Ken Silva and Ingrid were taking it as well as giving it from those who hated to hear the truth that there actually is a dividing line between Orthodox Christianity and everything else that calls itself Christian, but isn’t, that is, apostasy in one form or another. Continue reading →

‘Dark Times to Come’: US Pastor Who Had Been Imprisoned in Turkey Testifies Before Religious Freedom Panel

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 2, 2019 ∙ In News ∙ Christianity, Church, Freedom of Speech, Missions, Religious Persecution

The pastor outlined how he himself was accused of “Christianization” in Turkey, but with the slant that he was using Christianity and “psychological warfare … under the guise of an evangelical church pastor” to undermine the government.

(Heather Clark – Christian News Network) Andrew Brunson, an American missionary to Turkey who had spent two years in prison after being falsely accused of using “Christianization” to overthrow the government, testified before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on Thursday. He explained his belief that his case was used to cause the general population to think negatively and suspiciously of Christians. Continue reading →

The Heart of the Difference Between Revoice Theology and Reformed Theology – the Sinfulness and Mortification of Sinful Desires

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 2, 2019 ∙ In Opinion ∙ False Doctrine, Homosexuality, LGBT, Presbyterian Church (USA), Progressive Christianity, Reformed Theology, Revoice, Roman Catholicism, Same Sex Attraction (SSA), Sin

“The Confession, and those who are opposed to Revoice and Side B Gay Christianity, view not only actual homosexual acts but desires to be properly sinful. We also regard part of the work of sanctification to consist of bringing these desires into subjection and mortifying them so they really diminish and die as the regenerate person is sanctified.”

(Andrew Webb – The Aquila Report) At the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) General Assembly June 25-28, 2019, several speakers (the most prominent being self-proclaimed Gay PCA pastor Greg Johnson) took issue with the Nashville Statement on the grounds that it condemns a homosexual self-identity…. Continue reading →

Holocaust Survivor Nominates AOC for ‘Nobel Prize in Stupidity’

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 2, 2019 ∙ In News ∙ Democrat, Evil, Liberalism, Politics, United States Government

Mosberg, who lost his entire family during the Holocaust and himself survived both the Plaszów and Mauthausen camps, said: “Her statement is evil. It hurts a lot of people. At the concentration camp, we were not free. We were forced there by the Germans who executed and murdered people — there’s no way you can compare.”

(Stephen Kruiser – PJ Media) After igniting another verbal gaffe controversy when she compared border detention areas to concentration camps, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) received a couple of invitations to visit real concentration camps and perhaps learn something. Continue reading →

Are you born again?

Posted by Mike Ratliff ∙ July 2, 2019 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:1-3 (NASB)

I shared the following on Facebook today:

After church yesterday I came home and ate a small lunch and rested. I taught our Bible Study class. We went through Acts 4. As usual I was exhausted when I was done. I think “drained” is a better word…. Continue reading →

Lauding Heretic, Eugene Peterson, Beth Moore Compares Him to Beethoven

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 1, 2019 ∙ In Opinion ∙ False Doctrine, False Gospel, False Teacher, Heresy, Message "Bible", Moore Beth, Peterson Eugene

“An advocate of the now largely defunct Emergent Church, Peterson actually encouraged people not to read or study the Bible. Peterson created a Bible paraphrase that was as least like the Bible as humanly possible, because Peterson wanted people to avoid God’s Word as much as possible.”

(Pulpit & Pen) Beth Moore recently likened the author of The Message “translation” – perhaps the worst Bible translation in the history of mankind – to Jane Austen, John Steinbeck, and Ludwig von Beethoven. If you know anything about Bible translation, this is face-palmingly stupid. Continue reading →

Anti-Trump fever takes threatening turn

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 1, 2019 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Anarchy, Antifa, Politics, Progressivism, Totalitarianism, Trump Donald

“There was Antifa’s recent attack on Andy Ngo, a freelance journalist often associated with the pro-free thought cultural publication Quillette. At a demonstration in Portland, at which Trump was a focus of dispute, Antifa fighters beat up and milkshaked Ngo, apparently because he was there and he was not on their side.”

(Byron York – Washington Examiner) The toxicity of the resistance to President Trump has risen in recent days, with the nation’s most respected newspapers publishing rationalizations for denying Trump supporters public accommodation and for doxxing career federal employees, while a journalist found himself under physical attack from the so-called anti-fascist group Antifa, which has stepped up its violent activities since Trump’s election. Continue reading →

God Is Good and Just When He Punishes People

Posted by Marsha West ∙ July 1, 2019 ∙ In Opinion ∙ God, God's Judgment, Hell, Sin

If He were to render our judgment, we’d all be doomed. If He faltered in His responsibility to punish us—criminals—He shouldn’t be commended for it. He would be a deficient God, one who can’t be trusted to do what is right. Even though I’d be included in His judgment, I would still have to acknowledge that to punish me would be the just and good thing to do. This is bad news. But here’s good news.

(Alan Shleman – Stand To Reason) When my son trespasses into his sister’s room and takes something of hers, he’s violated our daughter’s trust and broken our family rules. He knows he’s done something wrong and now he’s in trouble. That’s why we punish him with some sort of discipline. Continue reading →

What do we do to become Spirit-Filled?

Posted by Mike Ratliff ∙ July 1, 2019 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Romans 6:12-13 (NASB)

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1 (NASB)

There are many requirements for the Christian to become Spirit-filled, but there is one thing that is truly the key to that filling. We find the Greek word that exemplifies this in Romans 6:13 and Romans 12:1 (above). The NASB translates this word as “present” in both cases…. Continue reading →

Who is chosen in love?

Posted by Mike Ratliff ∙ June 30, 2019 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6 (NASB)

Carefully read the passage I placed at the top of this post my brethren. In love, God predestined believers for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ. Our Creator’s great love for us moved Him to call us out of the passion we had for Satan and the kingdom of darkness…. Continue reading →

Adonai with female body parts?

Posted by Marsha West ∙ June 29, 2019 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Blasphemy, False Teacher, God, Heresy, Paganism, The Shack, Young William Paul

John Lanagan of The Word Like Fire begins with an apology:

Reader, I sincerely apologize for the title, and for having to present the quotes from Paul Young’s novel, Eve. Young’s false teaching and mother goddess first entered the visible church through his book, The Shack.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shall be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (Hosea 4:6) Continue reading →

Matt Chandler & Other Evangelical Leaders Rejected TED Bloggers’ Pleas to Expose Harvest in 2012

Posted by Marsha West ∙ June 29, 2019 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Church, Evangelical Industrial Complex, Sin, Elephant Room, Chandler Matt, MacDonald James

“I’m heartened that Chandler may be changing his tune. But I am underwhelmed by his response. The failure by Chandler and his unnamed colleagues left thousands at the mercy of a vicious wolf, including Mahoney and Bryant. These leaders should be cut to the heart right now and asking these men and others hurt by Harvest for forgiveness.”

(Julie Roys) Former celebrity pastor, James MacDonald, has been fired. His sins have been splashed on national headlines. Every elder and senior leader at Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) has resigned. And the church is scrambling to stay afloat.

But it all could have been prevented.

That’s according Ryan Mahoney and Scott Bryant, authors of The Elephant’s Debt (TED), a blog critical of Harvest and MacDonald. Continue reading →

‘My Little Pony’ Children’s Cartoon Features Lesbian Aunts During Final Season

Posted by Marsha West ∙ June 29, 2019 ∙ In News ∙ Entertainment, Family, Homosexuality, LGBT, Liberalism, Progressivism

“With Josh and Nicole running the final season together, it was something we all wanted to do — bring this out couple into the final season and make them ‘officially’ a part of the MLP world,”

(Heather Clark – Christian News Network) The animated series “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” featured lesbian aunts during its final season, a writer for the show and an actress who gives voice to one of the aunts have confirmed.

“Introducing Aunt Holiday (ginger hair, voiced by me!) & Aunt Lofty, the lesbian pony couple debuting today on on ‘The Last Crusade’ episode of My Little Pony Season 9! #mylittlepony #proud,” tweeted Jackie Blackmore on June 15. Continue reading →

PCA General Assembly Approves the Nashville Statement as a Faithful Declaration on Biblical Sexuality

Posted by Marsha West ∙ June 28, 2019 ∙ In News ∙ Apostasy, Authority of Scripture, Homosexuality, Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), Revoice, Same Sex Attraction (SSA)

In response to issues raised by Revoice and its impact in the PCA, the General Assembly approved, 803-541, the Nashville Statement; and the appointment of a study committee.

(The Aquila Report) At its 47^th General Assembly meeting in Dallas, Texas, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) approved the Nashville Statement as being a biblically faithful declaration on the matter of biblical sexual ethics. The PCA GA was responding to questions and issues raised throughout the church arising from the Revoice Conference that was held in St. Louis, Mo., in July 2018…. Continue reading →